Chapter 1

"Sorry, Raphina. I'm going to marry Katrina."

"...Eh?"

At Adam's words, Raphina blinked in surprise.

Beside him, his stepsister Katrina clung to him with teary eyes. Next to Katrina, on the chair, were Raphina's parents, the Marquess and Marchioness Oren.

Raphina, facing the four of them, sat alone on a three-seater sofa.

"What do you mean...?"

"Raphina, didn't you hear what I just said? The king has issued a marriage decree for our daughter of the Oren family to marry the Margrave of Argald."

"Yes, I heard it," Raphina nodded in response to her father's sigh.

Just the other day, a messenger from the king came to the Oren Marquess's house. The message was that the king approved the marriage between the Margrave of Argald and the daughter of the Oren Marquess.

For noble marriages, one of the requirements is to send a joint petition to the king from both families and receive his approval. However, no such petition had been submitted.

The unilateral notification of "approval" for a marriage that was not petitioned was, in fact, a marriage decree from the king.

It must be a politically significant marriage for the king. While it wasn't a clear command, it was impossible to refuse, and Raphina's father had decided to accept it.

"But that means Katrina will..."

The Marquess and Marchioness Oren had no sons. Their second daughter, Katrina, was originally an orphan. Raphina was the only blood-related daughter, and it was arranged for her husband to inherit the Oren Marquessate.

Therefore, Raphina had thought that the marriage to the Margrave of Argald would be Katrina's. Despite being an adopted daughter, Katrina was raised as a distinguished lady without any discrimination from her biological sister.

"What are you saying, Raphina? The border is too harsh for the kind and pure Katrina. Besides, the other party is the Margrave of Argald, the 'Monster Margrave.'"

Her mother said this while patting Katrina's back.

The marriage decree was for the Margrave of Argald, known as the 'Monster Margrave.' He was a hero who defeated the terrifying monster known as the 'Lord of the Desert,' but he was also famous for his monstrous appearance, which he acquired from a curse.

"In that regard, you would have no choice but to be quiet in the countryside. A poisonous flower of the capital... wouldn't you be a good match for the Monster Margrave?"

Raphina's hand tightened at her father's words, laced with a laugh.

'The poisonous flower of the capital' was Raphina's nickname after she entered society.

At balls, dinners, and all kinds of evening events, it was said that the eldest daughter of the Oren Marquess entered a break room alone with a man and came out with disheveled clothes.

Many engagements were ruined because of this incident. Before long, Raphina was called 'the poisonous flower of the capital' and became known as a woman who disrupted society.

Raphina had done none of these things. Even though she attended those events, she had never been alone with any man other than her family or fiancé.

However, incidents occurred at events where Raphina was not even present.

Even on nights when her parents locked her in her room, calling her a promiscuous woman, 'the poisonous flower of the capital' continued to bloom.

Raphina was scolded for "escaping from her room again," even though she had been locked inside. When she tried to explain that someone was impersonating her, her parents refused to listen.

"You will marry the Monster Margrave, Raphina."

"But then..."

The Oren Marquessate's bloodline would be cut off. Before she could finish her sentence, Katrina, with tears streaming down her face, pleaded.

"I don't want to, absolutely not. I want to be with Lord Adam."

"Katrina, I do too...!"

Katrina clung to Adam and smiled with relief.

(Could it be that the two of them were in love? That's why they were impersonating me to get me out of this house?)

She didn't want to doubt her stepsister.

To Raphina, who had been an only child, the suddenly appearing, age-proximate stepsister was very dear.

They got along well, and despite not being blood-related, they looked similar.

Those who didn't know the circumstances believed they were biological sisters without a doubt.

Therefore, only Katrina, who looked like Raphina, could impersonate her.

"Raphina... I'm tired of believing you. You understand, right?"

"Big sister, it's my fault. I'm sorry, but... but..."

"You haven't done anything wrong. Katrina has always been our beautiful and well-behaved daughter. She can stay here and marry Lord Adam."

"Raphina, you were a talented spirit mage, but you can't even use a single spell. Why don't you try killing desert monsters and offering as many magic cores as possible to your new home? You were born into nobility, so think of this as a good opportunity."

The words of the four people echoed and mixed in her head. She couldn't understand what was being said anymore.

Why her stepsister had impersonated her.

When her fiancé and stepsister had fallen in love.

Why her parents wouldn't believe her.

Before anyone would listen to Raphina, the arrangements for her marriage to the Margrave of Argald and the engagement of her stepsister and Adam were completed. Katrina looked genuinely happy and content.

*

With only the bare minimum of luggage, the journey south began.

Alone in the carriage, Raphina trembled continuously.

The Margrave of Argald was a hero who had defeated a monster so powerful it was called the 'Lord of the Desert.' However, he was also rumored to be a madman who had killed the previous Margrave, his own father, and even his childhood fiancée.

There was no guarantee that she wouldn't be killed.

Even if something happened, Raphina had nowhere to return to.

*Thud*

At that moment, her body floated up with a sound, likely because the carriage had hit a stone.

*Bang*

"Ouch!"

The moment her floating body landed, she hit the back of her head hard.

As her cry of pain was drowned out by the sound of hooves and wheels, Raphina lost consciousness.