I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 9

The way she delicately flipped through the pages of a book with a fluffy shawl draped over her shoulders was pretty enough to make a woman like me gaze in fascination.

But I was the only one who saw her.

‘Why is she alone? I thought there would be male leads where Lizé is……?’

But as soon as I thought that, Cliff appeared out of nowhere.

“Lizé.”

“Ah, Cliff!”

“Why are you out here when the wind is still chilly?”

That’s what I wanted to ask too. It’s too cold to be outside reading a book. I’m cold, too.

“It’s just so stuffy being cooped up in my room. I know it’s chilly, but the air is so fresh, it’s like I’m breathing.”

“What if you catch a cold,” Cliff said softly and sat down, snuggling closer to Lizé.

He asked again, “What are you reading?”

“A book on imperial history, because I’m not very educated…… but in case I can be of any help to the Duke……”

Lizé is on the family register of the Count of Sinclair, but she has been ignored as an illegitimate child and has not been taught any of the things that nobles are supposed to learn.

She felt indebted to the Duke and Duchess for treating her like a daughter, and she always carried a book with her for fear of embarrassing them somewhere.

‘Poor thing, is it Lizé’s fault she was born out of wedlock? It’s her father’s fault for mistreating her!’

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought so. Cliff wrapped his arms around Lizé’s shoulders sympathetically and kissed her lightly on the head.

“You will never be someone else.”

“But……”

“If you’re reading it because you like it, then fine, but if you’re reading it just because you want to be like someone else, then stop. All you have to do is enjoy yourself here, Lizé.”

Cliff soothed her sweetly, but there was something bitter about her smile. And I think I know what she’s feeling.

‘Cliff, since you know everything, you’ll think it’s okay. But those who can’t learn and don’t have it don’t think so.’

No matter how much Cliff embraces her, he can’t make her feel better about herself.

I think she should find her own way and study for herself.

But Cliff is obsessed with her, and he doesn’t want her to be on her own without him, so he’s subtly flirting with her with those words.

Meanwhile, I saw Killian approaching.

“If she wants to study hard, why bother her? Lizé, do whatever you want to do, and if that’s what makes you happy, I’m here to help.”

It was a different kind of comfort than Cliff’s, but if I were Lizé, I would have been more grateful to Killian.

But it was a weak line for a second male lead to say.

“I’ll give you everything, all you have to do is look at me,” is the line a male lead would say in a situation like this.

‘Killian, I agree that you’re right, but that’s why you can’t beat Cliff, he’s an obsessive, twisted male lead.’

Cliff would rather have Lizé be the one who can’t do anything without him. He can tolerate Lizé being sweet to Killian, but he’s really anxious about her doing anything on her own without needing him.

Anyway, as I expected, two male leads gathered around Lizé.

‘But don’t they have jobs? Do they have time to follow Lizé around all day?’

Noblemen are supposed to have the virtue of not working, but they were just hanging around Lizé in circles that made me wonder if they were playing too much.

‘If it were me, I’d kick them out for being a nuisance, but Lizé is so accepting of them.’

I don’t know if she knows there’s no point in chasing them away, or if she’s just oblivious to the fact that they’re clinging to her……

Either way, it’s not normal, that’s for sure. Or maybe that level of obliviousness is a standard characteristic of the female lead of a Rofan novel.

‘No, but wait, if Edith had married Killian, wouldn’t it have been the beginning of the fourth volume of the novel “I Refuse Your Obsession”, and wouldn’t she already be leaning towards Cliff……?’

That’s why we could have a storyline where Killian marries the villainess.

But in hindsight, I can’t tell to who Lizé’s heart is more attached.

Maybe the two male leads really didn’t notice, because even I, as a reader, was confused.

‘Wow, Lizé Sinclair, you’ve got some serious fishery management skills.[1] I need to learn some of that stuff.’

[1] “Fishery” is a term for how one dates several people at the same time without getting into a serious relationship. The fish here are assumed to be the people one is dating. If you’re dating a lot of “fish” at the same time then you obviously have good fishery management skills.

If she doesn’t know it, she’s an innocent woman; if she does know it, she’s a wicked woman. Of course, Lizé is an innocent female lead.

“Killian! Why are you coming alone, where’s Edith?”

Killian stepped closer, and Lizé greeted him warmly.

But did you really need to bring my name up there, Lizé?

“What’s going on with her is none of my business.”

As expected, Killian’s voice went dry in no time.

“But if Edith is bored by herself, I’m sure she’ll be–”

“Lizé, you shouldn’t care so much about her. She’s just a hostage who’s here for a while and then will leave. Think of her as such.”

Ugh, so that’s what he thinks of me.

Well, that’s how it was in the original work. Killian viewed the marriage as a “temporary disaster” that would have to be endured.

And it became a reality. Before the fifth volume had even begun.

‘That’s enough observing for today.’

Feeling a chill around my neck, I turned and walked back to my room.

Killian’s words haunted me for the rest of the day.

***

With a clang, the expensive teacup shattered.

“Ahh! Have you lost your mind? Why would you want that woman!”

The voice, shrill as a scream, was hysterical.

Damien Sinclair, who had been summoned by a scurrying maid, looked pitifully at his sister Leila, who was throwing a tantrum again.

“What’s the matter this time?”

Leila snapped her head around at the bored tone of his voice and glared at him.

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“There are several things, and which one is it?”

“Edith Riegelhoff is married to Killian Ludwig!”

“Oh, that one?”

The Sinclairs were not invited to the wedding. The reason given was that they wanted to keep the ceremony intimate and simple, but the Duke’s closest confidants were in attendance, and Count Sinclair’s pride was shattered.

The fact that the bride is the daughter of the Count of Riegelhoff drives Leila almost mad.

The Riegelhoffs were on bad terms with the Sinclairs, and Leila has had a crush on Killian for a long time.

It made her sick to her stomach to see Edith acting so arrogant about being the soon-to-be daughter-in-law of House Ludwig……

“Why does it have to be Edith Riegelhoff? Why!”

“I suppose House Ludwig has a hobby of collecting unworthy women.”

“Is that something to be laughed at?”

“So what, you think that seat should have been yours?”

Leila’s face flushed with anger and shame. “You’re the heir, and I’m the daughter, and I’m trying to find a good marriage to help my family in any way I can, and you’re so nonchalant about it?”

Hearing this, Damien didn’t seem all that offended. In fact, there was an oddly relaxed look on his face.

“That’s why you’re only a daughter, and that’s why I’m the heir to this family, you fool.”

“What?”

“You go out to parties and come back talking about nothing. I come back with important stories of the social world.”

Leila slowly released her grip on the hem of her skirt. “Have you heard any rumors…… about this marriage?”

“Of course.”

Damien gestured to the shivering maids to clear away the broken teacups and sat down across from Leila.

With brown hair that isn’t quite as light as Lizé’s blonde, but still noticeable, and blue eyes that aren’t quite as clear as Lizé’s, Leila has a fierce temper that belies her pretty appearance.

The only people she can trust are her brothers, Damien and Anton, and her parents. Damien, her brother, is the one she relies on the most.

“What’s the rumor? Just tell me already!”

“Oh, look at your temper……”

Leila urged, but Damien only opened his mouth after leisurely sipping the freshly prepared tea the maids had brought.

“Do you think Duke Ludwig would trust Count Riegelhoff?”

“You mean Duke Ludwig is a fool if he trusts such a snake?”

“I’m saying this because Duke Ludwig is not stupid. But Count Riegelhoff controls the distribution of iron ore from the southern mines.”

“And?”

“You do realize that iron ore is an important mineral for making weapons, right?”

Leila didn’t answer, avoiding his gaze.

Damien sighed heavily and shook his head, but he didn’t want to criticize Leila. A woman is supposed to know how to look pretty and please her husband, and that’s it. If anything, she will be a pain in the ass if she knows too much.

“Anyway, the right to distribute the iron ore is with Count Riegelhoff until the end of the year, which is why Duke Ludwig needs to keep Count Riegelhoff on a leash.”

“A leash?”

“There are rumors that Count Riegelhoff has shown an interest in Archduke Langston.”

Archduke Langston is the current Emperor’s uncle and a man who disagrees with everything the Emperor says. It is also rumored that he covets the throne.

“Isn’t Archduke Langston an opponent of the Emperor?”

“Yes. So what if Count Riegelhoff, who has the iron ore distribution rights, joins the Emperor’s opposition? It would be very dangerous, wouldn’t it?”

Leila nodded, understanding a little.