I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 100

Leila, who continues to spread malicious rumors about Lizé, is disgraced and her reputation eventually sinks in social circles.

Suddenly, they have a change of heart, recognizing Lizé as Cliff’s wife and targeting Killian instead.

As I pondered this, I realized something in hindsight.

‘Oh, Edith in the original isn’t even in a position to be attacked. Cliff and Killian both have their eyes on Lizé, which is why she is the only one being attacked!’

But it’s different now.

It would be easier for them to attack me, who has no hill to climb [1], and take a seat next to Killian, rather than mess with Lizé, who appears to be under the Ludwigs’ protection.

[1] Don’t have someone to rely on.

‘Well, then, it’s just a matter of probability.’

And unfortunately, the Sinclairs’ offer created an excellent opportunity for me to fall.

‘Even if I were the Duke, I would still prefer Leila to me.’

There was nothing more to be gained from the Riegelhoffs.

Edith Riegelhoff’s value had already hit rock bottom.

‘Besides, if the Riegelhoffs get into trouble any time soon…… the Sinclairs’ offer will look very appealing.’

The back of my head was throbbing.

‘I could be divorced even if Killian doesn’t slit my throat.’

Nothing is going to be easy.

It’s not just about saving my life anymore.

Of course, if I do get divorced, I won’t have to worry about money. I’ll have a nice mansion and a generous alimony payment, just like I said at the National Day ball.

‘But……’

I took a deep breath and walked back into the parlor.

Killian, who hadn’t even looked my way until I approached, leaned in and whispered as I took my seat.

“Can’t she go to the restroom by herself? Why didn’t you just ask the maid to do it?”

“Still, she’s a guest.”

“You’re being too nice.”

Killian smiled and muttered something that I couldn’t tell was a reproach or a compliment.

The smile that curved his lips looked so sweet.

Seeing that, I came to the realization that I was being greedy.

‘Now, more than the mansion and the money, I want…… Killian.’

Where will the survival story of a villainess who deviates from her principles lead?

‘I wonder, too, really.’

I gulped down my tea to stop myself from sighing.

***

Count Riegelhoff, who had been quiet since the National Day ball, had suddenly declared a territorial war against House Ludwig.

When Killian dropped by my room to tell me the news with a worried look, I felt a chill run down my spine, even though I had expected it.

‘Ah, finally……’

The moment I had been dreading had come.

A territorial war against House Ludwig is the same as declaring House Riegelhoff digging its own grave.

How could a Count who only has money think of declaring territorial war against a Duke hailed as a war hero……

‘Maybe he believes in the troops that Archduke Langston has, but there’s a whole imperial family behind Duke Ludwig, you fool!’

Of course, when there’s a territorial war between nobles, the imperial family must remain neutral.

But search all of history, and you will not find an imperial family that has remained perfectly neutral.

‘Besides, even without the imperial family’s help, the Duke of Ludwig’s troops are no joke.’

I’ve never seen them with my own eyes, but the author of “I Refuse Your Obsession” has described well enough, how badly Count Riegelhoff got defeated in the territorial war.

The territorial war was also a prelude to making Archduke Langston the Emperor, so he was eventually executed without being able to avoid the stigma of being a traitor.

“What’s the reason?”

Killian shrugged in response to my question about their ‘surface reason’.

“They say we have been pressing them to lower the price of iron ore.”

“Did you?”

“No, the price of iron ore was actually lowered by Count Riegelhoff himself, but he said it was because we forced him, so he had to lower it.”

“Isn’t there a contract or something?”

“Of course there is. They’re arguing over something that can never be justified on paper.”

“Yeah, I know.”

I shook my head.

Count Riegelhoff was completely frenzied in his own mind and endangered his family.

How did he raise his children with such pride and self-centeredness?!

“Are you…… okay?”

“Yes?”

Killian looked at me, a bitter look on his face.

Only then did I remember that the man who had declared a territorial war was my father.

“Ah, well…… it can’t be helped, can it? With this, I suppose the Riegelhoffs and I have become complete strangers.”

“It’s nice of you to think so, but you’ll have to brace yourself. Depending on the outcome of the war, Count Riegelhoff will be……”

“I know.”

Killian seemed surprised by my calm answer.

Well, as much as you hate your father, it’s a bit surprising that you’d be this insensitive to the prospect of his death.

But is that how a father should be? A man who not only abuses his young daughter, but also forces her to seduce a man to get information from him?

Besides, I clearly tried to stop him.

He’s the one who brought about his own destruction.

“My father has taken a step into treason, hasn’t he?”

“……possibly.”

“My father is too greedy. He can’t look at himself and his family objectively. I tried to talk him out of it, but……”

I put on a pitiful face, playing the victim as best I could.

Killian sighed with me and put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

I paused, feeling his warm hand, and then asked, “What is the imperial family’s reaction?”

“Archduke Langston is still feigning ignorance, saying that it has nothing to do with him, but anyone knows this territorial war will be the starting point of the treason.”

“Archduke Langston is a coward, what the hell did he believe to do this……”

There’s a limit to turning a blind eye.

How could it be a simple family feud when Count Riegelhoff, who had been acting as Archduke Langston’s representative and had been messing with the imperialist nobility, had declared territorial war on the Emperor’s right-hand man, Duke Ludwig?

“It’s obvious where Archduke Langston’s beliefs come from: the Empress Dowager, as she believes that the current Emperor is not the son of the previous Emperor.”

“Nonsense. The temple already recognized his pure blood twenty-seven years ago, which is why he was able to ascend the throne.”

“The Empress Dowager believes that the temple’s recognition at that time was also due to pressure from the previous Emperor.” 

“Then why is she saying this only now, thirty years after His Majesty the Emperor was crowned?”

“This is a disrespectful thing to say, but… the Empress Dowager’s seems to be mentally unstable, she’s 98 years old.”

The Empress Dowager has lived so long.

With her husband and eldest son long gone, she had taken up residence in the private palace, living in her own little world, and had been showing signs of dementia for several years now.

“You mean to say that Archduke Langston took advantage of that.”

“Yes.”

Archduke Langston is also a fearless one, trying to fulfill his ambition to ascend the throne by manipulating an old woman who remembers the events of thirty years ago more vividly than yesterday.

“A treason that waited thirty years to happen, I don’t know what to call it……”

“He might have been willing to give up the throne at first, but not Danne, the son of the Archduke, and it was probably Danne who talked the Empress Dowager into it.”

A treason to give the throne to his son.

‘At least he’s better than that man, Count Riegelhoff.’

Better than a man who sent his daughter away as a hostage, and then discarded her as soon as she was no longer needed. Ha.

“It’s you I’m worried about.”

Yeah. I’m worried about myself, too.

“There are people out there who might want to attack you just because you’re Count Riegelhoff’s daughter.”

“I’m not Edith Riegelhoff anymore, I’m Edith Ludwig.”

“I know very well. Arm yourself with that thought. If anyone says anything to you, that’s what you’ll say back.”

“It shouldn’t be hard. I’m more worried about you getting hurt.”

“Do you like me that much to worry about me like that?”

“I don’t want to be a widow already at this age.”

Killian laughed softly. “Well, they say flies swarm around a young widow, and I don’t want to see that.”

“So you’d better take care of yourself.”

I scowled, and Killian leaned in and kissed me deeply.

His sweet breath and hot tongue melted away my anxiety.

With a gentle peck, Killian then pulled away and looked down at me with his mysterious gray eyes and whispered, “Let me take this opportunity to show you what a great man your husband is.”

“I hope you’re not bragging.”

We laughed softly and kissed lightly a few more times.

It was a warm moment that almost made me think he was in love with me.

‘Please God, may nothing bad happen.’

Neither Killian nor I were in the mood for playfulness, though we were trying to make light of the situation.

I mean, look at Duke Ludwig, who hasn’t even looked at me since Count Riegelhoff declared territorial war on him.

Perhaps Killian was caught in the middle and in a very difficult situation.

Suddenly, I remembered Leila Sinclair who told me to make the most of my position as Killian’s wife while I have time.