Peony: Dreaming of the Dangerous Grand Duke

Chapter 4

Feeling unsettled, I glanced at the full-length mirror now positioned across from the sofa to adjust my gown again. I had purple hair in my previous life, but now my hair was deep pink. My eyes were slightly tilted upward, but I had to thank the soft arches of my brows for the gentle impression I gave. My flawless skin was like porcelain, and my softly blushed cheeks had a fresh radiance befitting the age of twenty-three.

Even those who despised or dismissed Peony would admit she had a beauty as radiant as a spring day. Her dreamy, pale green eyes were like fresh sprouts stretching under gentle sunlight, and her softly curved lips were like peony blossoms on the verge of blooming. With her petite frame and delicate neckline, she was undeniably enchanting.

“I wonder where your soul has gone, Princess Peony,” I murmured at her reflection in the mirror.

Shortly after, I returned to pondering the current situation as the waist of my gown was readjusted.

There are two matters that need my attention. First, who killed Gabriella Nasirette? I supposed Ernst would have done a thorough investigation about this. Considering the circumstances, it was probably Prince Ludwig. But I couldn’t be sure.

Prince Wilhelm, the second prince, lacked the intelligence and cunning required for such tricks. Additionally, Prince Ludwig was well known for his strong interest in ancient artifacts and relics as a means of helping him win the succession battle.

Second, why had I come to the future, not the past? Isn’t it typical to regress to the past with the information about the future to try to reconnect with your husband? But why had I come to the future, six years later? I wondered if this had anything to do with the heirloom I had swallowed. I wasn’t entirely certain, but there was a possibility that it might have triggered some kind of effect. I would need to do some research about the heirloom once I was in Eques.

In my previous life, I hadn’t paid much attention to the legends associated with the heirloom, as it was something I would eventually have to return. It had never been mine to keep. I made a mental note that this research would have to take place with extra care, as the fact that Princess Peony was nosing around looking for information on the heirloom might give the wrong impression to the northerners.

I tapped my fingers on the armrest of the sofa and sighed. Whatever the conditions, the most important fact was that I had become Ernst’s wife once more. This time, I was going to stay alive and live a happy life with him. But to do so, I had to find it for Ernst.

Judging by what I had heard during the meeting, Ernst had not been able to get it yet. Or perhaps he had already found it, but it hadn’t been effective. That had to be why the sun halo herbs were included in the terms of the marriage arrangement.

More than anything, I wanted to run and find him so we could talk about what had happened so far, but that was impossible. There were those strange restrictions on me, of course. But there were also many eyes watching me. When Sonya was in the chamber, the guards had retreated as a courtesy as I put on the gown. I hadn’t heard the sound of boots while Sonya was altering it. However, as soon as she left my chamber, the guards had returned to their positions. I knew they were keeping watch to make sure that I didn’t run away.

They don’t know that I have no intention of running away. Why would I go anywhere when I can be with Ernst again soon? It wasn’t like he was happily married to another woman and living a joyful life with children. The spring breeze was cold, dancing in through the window, which I had asked Sonya to leave open. It reminded me of the day Ernst had carried me on his back while walking on a sandy beach.

The duke hadn’t spoken to me, and I had been afraid to break the silence. The only sounds had been our breathing and the waves rushing onto the shore. The sand had borne the marks of every step he took. It was an important day that had brought us closer together. As I sat there with my eyes closed, the memory of drinking poison in place of Ernst came back to me as well.

I had been bedridden for a month after that. And that walk on the beach had taken place on the day I had finally recovered enough to leave my chamber. The sudden recollection left a smile on my lips, which was soon removed by a sudden thought.

How can I let Ernst know that I now inhabit this body? I had to find a way. I thought about the powerful restrictions.

Where have I heard about this before? Yes, there was that part. I started chewing my lips as I thought about a certain scene.

Maybe that part is really the clue that will help me out of this situation. The fact that I was living inside a book often slipped from my mind, but this world was inside a book—a book with specific rules.

Finally, the chaos of my situation was clearing, and in the quiet solitude of my chamber, forgotten things were beginning to emerge. In particular, a scene from the original story, A Fairy Tale for the Real Saint.

“In this world, there are restrictions when it comes to roles, Honey.”

“Restrictions?”

“That’s right. It’s to do with the role God has assigned to you. There are tasks you must fulfill, just like characters in written stories. If you manage to do a certain portion of those tasks, you’ll be freed from your restrictions.”

“Tell me what they are.”

“Well, they’re nothing so challenging. If you want, I’ll read it for you.”

Ingrid furrowed her delicate brow as she eyed the suspicious book that had suddenly materialized in the young man’s hand. The Character Guide. That was the title of the book, inscribed in English, of all languages. It seemed the ancient language in this world was English.

Of course, it would have been too hard for the author to set the ancient language as a foreign language, thought Ingrid, nodding as she waited for the young man.

“Oh, here it is! Ingrid Wavell. You are under the Curse of Never-ending Retribution. You need to defeat all those that challenge you.

“What?”

“I like to call it exorcism, but whatever it is, there is one thing for certain. If you don’t do it properly, you’ll never be able to get away from the restrictions.”

Ingrid brushed back her mane-like hair and let out a scoff. As she did, there was something strange about the way Dante eyed her. He almost looked like a man in love.

“So when and how does that freaky God free me from the restrictions?”

When Ingrid turned back to him, Dante quickly hid his look and pulled his lips into a smile.

“No one knows. But it won’t take too long. Why don’t you let me come with you until such time? I do enjoy a good show.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Ingrid shot back at Dante.

Yes, this is it! I thumped my fist on the armrest, and my eyes twinkled with hope. To free myself from the restrictions, I had to act according to the character guide for a certain period of time.

My character was described as a sly villainess disguised as a saint. The disguise was unimportant, but the villainess part wasn’t. It might have something to do with why I had entered Peony’s body. Peony Farren Isodeium was the perfect disguise for me to act out the character of Gabriella Nasirette.

She could smile sweetly and say reckless things. She could unexpectedly strike when least expected and smile again as if oblivious. She could pretend to be delicate, fragile, tearful, naive, kind, and innocent.

Sure, I can do all of that. In fact, it was better this way. After all, I had been intending to keep up the act until I stepped into the territory of the Forces of Night. While I’m at it, I could try to break free from the restrictions as well. I carried no cross, but I could do an exorcism. I curled my hands into fists and ground my teeth quietly.

Just you wait, I’ll have everyone back by my side in no time. My friends, my subordinates, all the people I miss from Eques Castle, and my husband. And this time, I was going to enjoy a real romance with Ernst. If it meant fake smiling and donning the mask of a wicked villainess as the book expected, it was nothing I couldn’t handle.

＊ ＊ ＊

On a clear day a few days later, a long procession gathered before the imperial palace, ready to depart for Eques. The emperor didn’t appear, but the first prince, Ludwig, graced the scene to see off his beloved sister. Of course, it was difficult to discern whether this farewell was of affection or a veiled threat.

“Dear, dear. It does leave one with a melancholy sentiment to see one’s sister leaving home as someone’s wife.”

“You are kind,” said Ernst.

“The road to Dalton Port will be attended by my guards. You needn’t worry.”

Ludwig Freikahn Isodeium, the first prince, was the spitting image of the emperor with his white-blond hair and pale pink eyes. Whilst others praised his beauty, I could only see greed in his face.

How could he desire someone’s family heirloom, when he can have everything in this world? He was a covetous man indeed.

“It grieves me that I’m unable to guard my dear sister until the very end, but I take comfort that Prince Johannes shall serve as her protector hereafter. They are born from the same mother.”

“Indeed, Your Highness,” Ernst answered curtly.

“Dear, dear. I do worry such a reserved groom might make my dear Peony lonely. You have no talent for making conversation, Duke.”

I stood next to Ernst with a vacant smile on my face, waiting for their pointless conversation to conclude. It wasn’t easy for me to act oblivious with Prince Ludwig before me when he could have been the one who had ordered my death, but it wasn’t impossible. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions carry me away. I had bigger prey to hunt. The lessons of life I had learned as Duchess Eques pulsed within me.

That man must be the third prince, Prince Johannes. I had never seen Prince Johannes before. A beautiful man stood a few steps behind Prince Ludwig. When his eyes met mine, he turned away with a disgusted look on his face. That made it clear that he regarded Peony as a burden.

Although his duty was to ascertain that all goods and dowries had properly reached Eques, such a role was nothing more than a polished veneer. Everyone knew that this task had been passed to him because he had no place in the imperial court. Prince Johannes, the third prince, was nothing but a desperate soul flailing in the throes of survival. He didn’t scare me at all.

I do pity him, though. How long would that pink cotton candy kitten of a prince survive among the northern navy? Prince Johannes had pale pink hair with pale pink eyes. He was only a year older than Peony, and he wasn’t of strong build. He was beautiful, but he was definitely lacking in charisma.

Hang in there, cotton candy kitten. I tutted inwardly as I shifted my gaze elsewhere. It was most fortunate that Prince Wilhelm, the second prince, wasn’t present today. In the memory that was passed to me, Peony always trembled like a mouse before a snake when she was with Prince Wilhelm. I had never met him, but just thinking of him sent chills down my spine. It was a fear remembered by my body, not my brain. I had no idea how I would react when he appeared before me.

Gabriella would be fine, but how would Peony’s body react?

At that moment, Prince Ludwig turned to me, having finished his conversation with Ernst.

“Sister, have a happy life. Please don’t forget to send letters to your brother.”

Fortunately, I had a smile prepared. “Yes, Ludwig! Peony will never forget her dear oldest brother.”

“You’re a good girl.”

It was hard to believe, but Peony often spoke of herself in the third person. This was the result of brainwashing by none other than Prince Ludwig himself.

“You would look more charming if you called your own name, Peony.”

Judging by this memory, it was Prince Ludwig who spread the rumor that Peony was an imbecile. I could feel chills running up and down my spine, but I pretended I was indifferent, using all my control. I thought it might be easier to slide down a giant sea monster’s esophagus than to address myself in the third person, but I had to do this no matter what. I had something I had to attend to right after this.

“Brother, Peony wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“Yes! For finding such a handsome husband for me,” I said. I subtly spread the skirt of my gown. “And for Peony’s beautiful gown! Isn’t it pretty?”

I had left the fake pearls there intentionally. While the purpose was to bring the embezzlers to justice, I also wanted to humiliate the prince in front of everyone. I stepped into the sunlight and spun around once on my heel. The wind carried my skirt up, showing the gleaming pearls to the onlookers. Then, I waited for the nobles to react.

“My word, those are not real Foyer pearls. They are supposed to give off a colorful gleam under the sun, but those don’t.”

“Hmm. I thought I heard His Highness had paid a hefty sum for that gown.”

“And it’s not adorned with Foyer pearls! The pearls are supposed to represent the celebration of a happy marriage, and they are supposed to be a personal asset that the bride is entitled to take with her.”

“Do you think Prince Ludwig is reluctant to spend money on Princess Peony? It’s true that they don’t share the same mother.”

I supposed those whispering the mockeries were from the second prince’s faction. All I had to do was to tilt my head to the side as if I didn’t understand any of this. Just like a charming little lark.

Uh-oh. I glanced around, feigning innocence, and caught sight of Ernst and his furrowed brows. Could it be that he noticed my little act?