Peony: Dreaming of the Dangerous Grand Duke

Chapter 1

In Another Life, With You

It was in the pouring rain of early spring that Gabriella, the infamous villainess, met her end. The wreckage of the shattered carriage pinned me to the ground, and I could no longer feel my legs trapped under the wheel.

So this is how I am to die. All I could hear was the pouring rain. Cold rainwater streamed down the dirt path, drenching my entire body. I was never a fan of rainy days. I looked up at the heavy clouds overhead with resentful eyes.

Why did it have to be today? Why couldn’t I die on a clear, sunny day?

“Why, Gabby?”

The man stood staring at me with a vacant look. I thought to myself that, if not for the rain, he wouldn’t have appeared so desolate.

“I had hoped for you to live, even if it meant our separation. That’s why I turned a blind eye to you as you left… I never thought I’d find you like this.”

Even amidst the rain, the man’s physique was impossible to miss. Ernst Kassel Eques had black hair darker than a shadow and blue eyes colder than ice. He was the esteemed leader who commanded the unwavering loyalty of all those in the Forces of Night and the formidable navy of Eques. The Hero of the Maritime Battles, the Executioner of the Ocean, the Demon of Death, and the Elegant Beast that Wanders the Night—he was known by many names.

And he is also my husband. I loved him deeply, but I couldn’t bring myself to confess my feelings, afraid I might lose him. That was how incredibly naive I had been.

Ernst stared at my broken body in utter shock before clenching his teeth. Engulfed in fury and despair, his appearance truly resembled the Demon of the North Sea. I supposed that perhaps this was the true visage of him that I was yet to discover.

However, he’s never been cruel to me. While we had never shared true love, I thought we had managed to have a somewhat happy marriage.

Gabriella Nasirette was the illegitimate daughter of Count Nasirette, a country noble. She was nothing more than a fake saintess. Meanwhile, Ernst Kassel Eques was the commanding admiral of the mighty navy in the north. We were the most unlikely couple, appearing with no apparent point of connection—our marriage was based entirely on a contract.

It appears that the fate of a villainess cannot be altered. Upon realizing that I had possessed the body of the villainess cloaked as a saintess, I fought desperately to fend off my approaching death. If I had followed the original story, I would have had to put on a charade of innocence, goodness, and frailty while harassing the female lead, the actual saintess, with jealousy. It would have been my role to cast her into trials, claiming that I was the true saintess.

But I hadn’t wanted to do that. I wanted to be happy too. That was why I had proposed a contract marriage to this man. He was the male lead in the sequel that the author had intended as a continuation of the original story, and I had tried to steal him for myself. Here I was, the villainess, trying to seek happiness that was just not meant for me.

“Your Grace! We’ve arrested the carriage driver. He was fleeing from the scene.”

“He confessed that he had done something to the wheel. This one is the culprit!”

“He bears the emblem of the Forces of Day on his wing joint. This has to be the work of the first prince!”

Ernst’s trusted officers appeared with the sound of thunderous hooves. They had apprehended the driver who was responsible for sending the carriage plummeting over the cliff.

“Cut off his arm. You’ll find out who’s behind this. After that, shatter both his legs so he may never walk again.” The man’s low voice sounded hushed.

I eyed him helplessly as he picked up my maimed body as if I were a delicate doll that was shattered. His jaw was clenched, and his lips tightly closed, speaking volumes of the turmoil of fury storming inside him.

I had wished to spare him from witnessing me meeting such a gruesome end. I regretted leaving him with such an unpleasant memory. But still, I was glad that he came looking for me. I was grateful that he was here with me so that I didn’t have to face death all alone.

Three years—that’s how long our marriage of convenience lasted before it spiraled down to the worst of the situations. Our agreement stated that first, we were to be in this contract for three years. When we were with others, we were to pretend to be in love. Second, we were never to fall in love with one another. Third, neither of us could reject when the other was to request a divorce. There was nothing particularly special about our contract.

I couldn’t help it. Before I had become Gabriella the Villainess, I had read the author’s postscript. It had mentioned that the upcoming story would revolve around the cold man of the North Sea as he fell into a contract marriage. Considering the story was yet to be written, I had thought there wouldn’t be any problem even if I assumed the role of the female lead. But it had only been my misled speculation, my futile hope.

“Ernie,” I whispered.

“Please,” replied Ernst, “don’t say anything.”

“I’m sorry.”

How I wish I could have trusted you better. I wonder what would have come of us if I had been able to be more honest with you. I could hear the sound of something dripping. Every step he took, blood splashed down and colored the ground. I could feel my life escaping me.

What a shame. I had hoped to obtain the thing for him before our marriage term concluded. If the thing was as effective as it was rumored to be, Ernst would no longer need to lower his head to the emperor. I hadn’t expected that I would meet my end while on the urgent journey to fetch it. I felt a deep ache in my heart, knowing that my foolishness had caused him pain. But time was running out, and I was without an opportunity to further my apology.

But I managed to safeguard your precious family heirloom that you gave me for a wedding gift. When the carriage shattered to pieces after its fall down the cliff, the driver climbed down and searched me for the heirloom. It was a tiny ring that served as a symbol of all the rights of the grand duchess.

This ornate ring was adorned with a sparkling black gem that resembled a shimmering night sky, with clock hands delicately set into it. When I felt my body suspend in the air, I knew that my end had arrived. I acted with agility. I had twisted the ring out of my finger and swallowed it.

I suppose this is one time I’ve done something for him as his wife. The first prince would never be able to get his greedy hands on the Eques’ family heirloom now. I had already written a letter to Ernst regarding this matter, as I had been worried that something like this might happen some day. I had instructed him specifically to burn me after death and to take the heirloom out of my body. The ring wouldn’t melt or deform in the fire.

If we are blessed with another life, may we come together once more. As the rain poured relentlessly, my wrist dropped and hung midair.

Before my fleeting breath ceased, I mustered my last strength and whispered, “Burn me.”

Ernst’s eyes trembled with agony. With that, I drew my last breath, unable to close my eyes.

Just then, the most extraordinary miracle unfolded. My surroundings lost color and blurred together. It was a chaotic swirl, as if someone had recklessly blended different paints together. And then I was surrounded by a warm, bright light. When I lifted my eyelids, my eyes glimmered with an enchanting light, as green as tender shoots.

Tick.

Tock.

I heard the hands of the clock move. And I was fully awake.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Your Highness, may I have your attention?”

I had definitely died. I couldn’t understand what was happening. I blinked, trying to get the focus back in my eyes, and then I realized where I was.

I’m in the meeting room in the Great Temple. I was sitting in a room densely adorned with sacred icons of Valeres, the sun god venerated by the noble families allied with the Forces of Day, and Dinuathe, the moon god revered by the noble houses that stood with the Forces of Night.

I let my eyes wander to the faces seated around the big, long table. Those to my right were dressed in extravagant attire of white, gold, and silver, lavish accessories adorning men and women alike. In stark contrast, those on my left wore deep crimson naval uniforms, simple and solemn. Despite their smiles directed at one another, the tension was unmistakable as each group kept the other in check.

What is happening? Why are people from the Forces of Day and the Forces of Night gathered in one place? I couldn’t grasp the situation, and it was hard to hide my perplexity.

More than anything, I’m supposed to be dead.

At that moment, a low, husky voice resonated from across the chamber.

“In that case, I assume that after we write the official marriage certificate today, the princess will head north with us.”

The voice carried an air of noble elegance. I knew it belonged to someone more refined than any other noble in attendance. The moment it reached my ears, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I had to bite down on the tender flesh of my cheek to keep calm.

I didn’t need to see him to name him. It was him. I was certain it was him. My heart ached as if a keen blade had sliced it open. I was about to turn to Ernst, waves of longing surging like a splash of water, when an excruciating pain shot through my head, making me stop.

What’s all this? An array of information swarmed in like a hive of bees, finding their places as if seeking their rightful spots. When the throbbing pain subsided, my body, which had felt so awkward, began to feel familiar as if it truly belonged to me.

At the same time, I came to understand what circumstances had befallen me. I was the disgrace of the imperial lineage, a stain upon the noble bloodline of the sun. I was the princess that had been cast out from the line of succession long ago. Princess Peony Farren Isodeium was the identity of this body, and she even suffered from sleepwalking, to make matters worse. I had been reincarnated into her body.

Currently, I was Gabriella Nasirette and Peony Farren Isodeium at the same time. The imperial family was at the pinnacle of the Forces of the Day and had brought about Gabriella’s death.

How could I have come into the princess’s body, of all people?