Chapter 1. The Beginning Where a Death Flag is Planted

TL: gaeulriri

Editor: Daed

Irene Amber.

When the noblemen heard my name, they would usually respond with a puzzled look, “Who is that?”

A moment later, they would say, “Oh, Claudia’s maid!” and fake interest.

Sometimes they would give me pitying looks. Some even laughed in my face.

An average-looking girl who was always beside ‘Claudia’.

An easy-going girl who was always close to ‘Claudia’.

A girl from an ordinary family who always accompanied ‘Claudia’.

A girl whose existence wouldn’t even be noticed if she wasn’t with ‘Claudia’.

It was always the name ‘Claudia’ that people associated with me when they thought about me. The noblemen didn’t hesitate at all to refer to ‘Claudia’ and ‘Irene’ as the ‘Lady’ and her ‘Maid’.

Well, there was nothing wrong about it either. We called each other our “friend”, but I knew straightaway that it was all bullshit.

Whether it be my social status, appearance, competence, or my popularity, I was no match for Claudia.

Because she was the heroine of this world.

And the above mentioned characteristics and description were the role that I served here. “A friend who can’t overshadow the heroine.” Yes, that was me. Irene Amber.

I play a double role here as an informant and a speedwagon.

My role was to keep the dense and slow-witted female protagonist informed. Moreover, I held pride in my role.

What? Do you think that it wasn’t something to be proud of? Do you know how much blood, sweat, and tears that I’ve shed to reach this point?

Whenever I recalled those moments, I felt like I was going to burst into tears.

I’ll tell you later, why I am so persistent in carrying out my duties.

However, we’ve already arrived at the end of this story. Now we are about to welcome the happiness that comes after the suffering.

“Finally! This novel is coming to an end!”

At this very moment, there were three men standing before Claudia and me.

They were the most eligible bachelors in the Empire, with distinctive characteristics and their own charming points. They were ready to compete with one another for Claudia’s heart.

“Hah,” a young man with sculpted features scoffed..

His face was the textbook example of a handsome man. He swept his tangled blond hair from his forehead and declared,

“I can’t wait for your answer any longer, so I’ll make the decision.”

Those bright red, beast-like eyes shone predatorily.

“Claudia is mine.”

Oh, such beautiful eyes. I’ll give him 30 more points for his excessive possessiveness.

Then, the man leaning against the wall voiced his opposition.

“Your words are too arbitrary, Your Majesty.”

His mouth quirked and he traced a small circle around the rim of the glass in his hand before he swirled the red wine slowly. This small action made him appear refined and mysterious.

“We need to hear her say so herself, who she wants to belong to.”

Wow, someone who seemed unreasonable actually said something reasonable. I’ll give him 50 more points for that rational statement.

Finally, the icy-cold man, who could make a room become freezing cold, opened his mouth.

He tied up his waist-length light blue hair, which perfectly suited his sharp appearance.

“I think we’ve already received our answer.”

Do you mean it’s you? You said that without blinking an eye. I’ll give you 80 more points for your confidence.

Actually, I don’t really care about the score! I’m just muttering to myself in excitement.

“Claudia, you have to decide now.”

“Decide what?”

For some reason, Claudia gave me a blank stare as she replied nonchalantly.

I couldn’t believe it. No matter how slow-witted you were, how could you not understand the current situation?

Couldn’t you see the sparks flying in the air as these three handsome men clashed with one another fighting over you?

Well, anyways. My role here was to explain everything.

Like usual, I gave Claudia a simple explanation.

“Why, to decide your husband-to-be of course.”

“Why should I?”

Claudia asked as she cocked her head cutely.

For a moment, I couldn’t find any words to say.

Claudia tucked her silver hair behind her ear.

Her hair always looked so dazzling. Whenever she stood under the light, her hair shimmered like a flawless diamond.

And let’s not forget her clear blue eyes, as clear as the surface of a lake, which made her look as ethereal as a fairy.

She’s really as simple as ever, huh.

Especially that brain of hers.

If you didn’t decide, then you would suffer as well. It would be absolutely impossible to play hard-to-get with these three men. Toying with them would be the same as walking straight to your doom. You’d get kidnapped and locked up.

I rubbed my forehead and supported my arm like that for a moment, before I whispered.

“So, Claudia. Please think about it seriously. The Crown Prince, future ruler of the Roxytant Empire! If you choose him, you will be the ‘Mother’ of this country.”

“Oh, I see…”

Claudia answered indifferently.

What? Was she not interested in the Crown Prince?

I broke out into cold sweat the moment that I learned the strongest candidate failed right away.

First off, he held the highest position among the three men and was the closest to the King. Moreover, he had flawless visuals with blonde hair as light as the sun.He would ride a white horse and be surrounded by flowery ambiance. Anyone who looked at him would think that he was the hero of the story.

His ruby red eyes flashed and he emitted an intimidating aura, but that was what his charm was. Well, there was no law that explicitly stated that they had to abide by the rule.

“If so, then you won’t go wrong with choosing the Duke. Hmm..This is a secret, but…”

I lowered my voice and whispered slowly,

“…There is a rumor about the Duke wielding power in Charlisle, a chaotic city filled with crime. I think you may be able to gain wealth and power just like with the Crown Prince.”

“I’m not interested in criminality.” What?! Even the Duke got rejected?!

Still. Look at him, Claudial.

Look at his obsidian black hair, his yellowish-purple eyes, and that lithe but muscled body hidden in that formal suit.

Couldn’t you see how sexy he was just with the mere act of breathing?

Nevertheless, no matter how stunning he looked, he was still a villain!

“Okay then, what about the hero of the Empire–the Knight. There’s a rumor circulating around that the priest will soon be allowed to get married after the reformation.”

“I’m not sure…”

“Well, it may be difficult to see each other often, but isn’t it wonderful to spend the rest of your life with the noble hero of the Empire?”

He was the hero who put an end to the long-lasting holy war in the Empire. Just by one look at his appearance, it was obvious that he was a man of principles..

He was the Knight who showed no mercy to all the villains!

But, regardless of how cold he was on the battlefield, he would be a warm man to his woman, wouldn’t he?

“It’s inappropriate for a knight to break his vow and get married. He had taken a vow to surrender and give his life to God.”

“That’s such an outdated opinion!”

What are you saying? You have to choose one among those three men!

I felt so frustrated as I tried to persuade Claudia, but she abruptly dropped an unexpected statement.

“I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life.”

Unfortunately, her loud voice was filled with her determination.

At that very moment, her voice resounded in the great, soundless chamber.

I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life. I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life.I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life.I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life.

This is the very first time that the unnoticed me –whose presence was like air–was suddenly subjected to this much attention. I was startled by this and took an unconscious step backward.

“…What?”

“I said, I’m not getting married and I’ll spend the rest of my life with Irene.”

I wish I heard it wrong, but Claudia said it loud and clearly while she held my hand.

On the other hand, I was there being too startled to say anything.

“We’re going to eat delicious foods, to buy anything we want, live together, and have fun every single day with just the two of us. As long as I have Irene, I don’t need anything else.”

The three men shared a look with one another, then collectively glared at me fiercely.

The intense, possessive Crown Prince who is obsessed with Claudia, the smiling Duke with something malicious beneath his gentlemanly demeanor, and the cold eyes of the Knight that chilled me to the bone.

It was as if they regarded me as their rival.

“Shit, what kind of situation is this?”

Irene Amber. Real name: Kim Hee Soo.

One year after I transmigrated into this fantasy-romance novel, I have somehow captured the heroine of the story.

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-gaeulriri-

There is a fictional novel that I loved when I was a high-school student. It’s a novel titled . Just by looking at the title, isn’t it tiring already?

The fans of this novel are usually called ‘readers of FBDB’. It was a tiring adolescence. However, this novel was famous for its magical aura, that whoever starts reading this novel will never have a profound sleep unless they finished the last chapter.

The fandom of that novel was really big to the point of incalculable, and I was one of the fans who are drawn into the author’s insane writing. It was truly phenomenal, that even after 10 years passed, I still remember everything.

One day, I left a message on the FBDB fancafe.

[I can’t even imagine my life without FBDB]

But I surely never said that I want to live as a part of that novel….

Damn it, oh God. Why are you doing this to me? Even if this novel looks like a joke, when you take a closer look, it’s fully a tragedy.

One day on a year ago, I suddenly became Irene Amber. Irene is the first daughter of Ambers, who have nothing except debts. I can immediately understand that this situation took place inside a book. I read it more than 20 times, so the moment I heard the name of “Roxytant Empire”, I instantly realized, “Oh, this is crazy!”. At the very same time I realized, my identity has become Irene.

I also have a role as Claudia’s friend. A role who won’t reappear after appearing once. Do you know that one supporting character who was created to be dead? Yes, that’s me. My character is supposed to be killed in an incident, because she’s only a friend of the heroine. Damn it.

“I can’t just die like this.”

Knowing my miserable condition, I made a quick consideration. What is poverty? According to the dictionary, it means ‘exhausted and weak’.

Moreover, almost all the heroines of a love story are depicted as poor weak women.

Despite its complexity, this story presented harem with several heroes along the story. Then it’s a 100% possibility that the heroine will be hesitant and doubt her own choice. In other words, there will be no destiny wheel spinning for me. That wheel will spin only for the heroine, and people around her will simply be dead.

Claudia Chamberlain is the character that becomes the center of this swirling wind. I don’t even have any intention to stand around her only to get drawn inside this swirling wind. At first, I tried not to get involved with her as much as I could. When you befriend the heroine of the story, you’ll get nothing but tragedy.

It’s a lie to say you don’t want to see with your own eyes how your life is inside a novel. But, a caterpillar should’ve just consumed leaves. The last thing I want to do is burn myself till I die like a sunfish, thus I’m struggling to avoid Claudia as much as I can.

I mean, just until Claudia suddenly noticed “Ambers are in debt” and paid off my family’s debt.

Freed from a pile of debt overnight…..!

I was so bewildered. I tried to run away whenever the heroine appeared, but suddenly she paid off my debt instead. It’s not just one cent, but a really big amount of money that made Ambers spiraling toward bankruptcy. Because I felt indebted towards her, I decided to stop avoiding Claudia. Then, doubtfully, I said,

“Lady Chamberlain, I can’t accept these money”

But, she answered,

“We’re not strangers, are we? Why can’t I give my friend a small amount of money?”

Claudia spoke with such a foolish innocent look. I’ll explain one more time, it’s true that I and Claudia were friends at that time, but our relationship is not that close. We just simply greeted each other when we met, until she suddenly gave me a ‘small amount’ of money.

Small amount? It’s a small amount of money?

If we didn’t have money, Ambers would have tried to rush my arranged marriage. I didn’t want to sell myself to an old wealthy pig, so I decided to look for a milestone.

Claudia said that thing not to make myself feel good. Instead, that’s just the fact for her, that much of money is just a small amount for her. Oh, you were not that close to me, but you willingly took a girl who almost stuck into arranged marriage due to debt, as your friend? And for you, the worth of that debt is the same as chewing gum? Alright, then I will try to repay your kindness, because you are my friends. That was what I thought at that moment.

‘Is there a diamond mine in Chamberlain’s territory?’

Somehow I think It’s strange. When the supporting character Irene Amber appeared in the novel for the first and the last time, it seems like she’s suffering from a deep feeling of inferiority.

I thought my role here was just a supporting character that appeared for a moment as the heroine’s friend, but how can things change like this? The real Irene seems to disagree with Claudia’s statement.

It’s nonsense if I said that I’m not jealous of other characters who were born with a silver spoon… So I decided to be her maid for the rest of my life.

I’ve heard a saying that you’ll be safe if you stay close to your enemy. As long as you stay tight and close around the heroine, you can assure that no one can hurt you, right?

Even this relationship keeps growing, as long as I try to be unnoticed, people may treat me honorably! Perhaps this is the right time to erase all your existence, appearance, even your status. What do I need more anyway? I have a good judgment and the ability to act fast. Then, I forced a smile and said,

“I would like to say thank you, My Lady”

Lady of heroine, please make me rich. Jingle jangle~

******

I want to talk about my past life. Actually, I was confident that I could let anyone fall in love with me if I wanted it. But, the problem is I’m only popular among the same gender.

Unfortunately, my charm isn’t working for the opposite gender at all. I don’t even remember whether in my past life, I ever talked to boys around my age. Of course, I’m certain it’s not because I attended  women-only high school or college. My friends used to say…..

“If I were a boy, I would’ve sincerely marry you”

I often heard those kinds of words. I’m not the person who has the ability to lighten up the mood or an extrovert who has a lot of acquaintances.

But I have the ability to find out what they really wanted, and I know what they wanted to hear when they needed it. Kind-hearted, full of affection, and attentive. Every girl wanted to be my close friend.

Finally, I decided to take advantage of my strength.

‘The question is, how can you be captivated by me?’

I said that I wanted to repay her kindness, but nothing crossed my mind. Because Claudia Chamberlain is already living a perfect life in every aspect.

Appearance? She’s often compared to a fairy or goddess. Status? She is the youngest daughter of Count Chamberlain, a noble family with long history and legitimacy. Money? She is the owner of a diamond mine and the daughter of the major shareholder of a mine corporation. Ability? She’s a sociopath with infinite ability in magic stuff related to spirits.

Yes, the game is over. Is this what you called the cheat key of life?

Claudia who was raised without a little bit of lack, otherwise, didn’t need much time to figure out her weakness.

……Are you comfortable that you have everything?!

‘If you offer me something material, of course I won’t mind.’

I am lost in thought after erasing the plan I made to gain money from her.

My debt is paid off and I don’t need to worry about it anymore, so I just want to enjoy this freedom a little more.

Of course, every maid ran away, so I had to do all the chores with one of my family, who I called little brother.

However, I’m luckily still able to live as an aristocratic. Because the rulers around my place are trying to seize our family’s territory. If we’re a bit late, our territory will be sold or invaded and stolen. If you lose your rank and honour, you’d become rabble and the situation would be worse than now.

Wait.

‘If I think about it again, it’s strange. Why would Claudia pay off my debt now?’

I don’t mean to be ungrateful wondering about this matter. I’m just curious because this story has reached half-way.

In the last few years, Amber’s financial situation has been getting worse in a blink of an eye.

Moreover, our family has been in debt far before Claudia and Irene met each other.

Why did you voluntarily pay off Ambers’ debt with your own money? Why must it be now?

‘Ah…. did you… have realized it beforehand?’

Suddenly I realized. That Claudia, who has everything in her life, only has two weaknesses. Which are tact and intelligence.

Let’s say she’s gonna die easily because she’s never been attentive for once in her life. But, why does she have such a high caste and such wealth? The answer is because that’s the fate of a heroine.

Usually, the heroine of a story isn’t interested in the world. Even if a prince comes from her own country, she’d ask “Who are you?”.

Of course, Claudia is not that bad. But, close to that.

‘If  so, I can stick close to you at any time!’

By being by her side, I can give all the information Claudia needed and help her to avoid any kind of traps, and I can accompany her walking in a flowery road.

Since then, my dream has been to become an informant.

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But, I didn’t know things would become like this.

The heroine had no interest in the three men. Instead, she liked me and only me.

Not even once in my life had I ever imagined that something like this would happen.

I was the girl who managed to steal the heroine’s heart with my charm. I achieved what even the hero with outstanding marks in every aspect could not achieve.

My throat was tight. I even felt bothered by the sound of the leaves rustling.

What should I do now?

It felt like the gazes of the three men were piercing me until I became a frozen statue. The room was so quiet that I could hear the sound of dripping water.

Somehow, because of me, Claudia was rudely ignoring the three men’s proposals.

“C, Claudia? Do, do you know that it may be dangerous for you to declare that you don’t plan on ever getting married…..?”

“Why?”

I’m scared that my life was in danger.

“Irene, your mouth is shaped like a triangle right now – like a squirrel.”

Claudia burst into laughter like a silly girl when she saw my scared expression. I rubbed my cheek and stroked it.

It seemed like Claudia didn’t realize that we weren’t alone in this great chamber.

Hey, even if you’re dense and slow! Please look at your surroundings!

Your statement about living with me for the rest of your life is making me bear the mistakes I didn’t even make!

“Oh, by the way, I found a cute gown for this season at Carandy Store. It will suit Irene beautifully. I really want to give it to you as a gift…..”

Of course, I have to accept it, right? Because ‘Irene’ is a kind-hearted girl. Claudia even showed a 180° different expression than when she responded to men.

Her rosy cheeks blushed further and her smile widened. She looked so beautiful, like a blooming sakura flower.

I held Claudia’s hand with my eyes averted and a steamed-bun-like expression.

Then, I met the three pairs of eyes that seemed ready to jump genres.

Yikes.

I was startled and hid behind Claudia’s back.

The only thing I was grateful for was that my small stature was smaller than Claudia’s.

“You’re going to live with her for the rest of your life?

It was the Crown Prince, full name Lucas D’Arrian Roxytant.

He curled his lip as he mentioned me. His bright red eyes were fixed on me like a snake, and he started walking towards me.

I repeat. Lucas was walking towards me!

“I wish I heard you wrong, Claudia. Because if I didn’t, I’m worried I can’t hold myself back from grabbing your kind-hearted fiancée’s neck and twisting it.”

Was this even real? Was I only being threatened by Lucas?

Usually when he showed his crazy possessiveness, he would yell and scream everything on his mind; now, it seemed like he was screaming in silence.

I paled and immediately stroked my neck self-consciously.

At the same time, Lucas reached his hand out towards me with a deathly stare.

He looked like a beast that was ready to pounce on its prey. For a moment, I could feel my neck being bitten by a great force and my knees felt weak.

But Claudia intercepted Lucas’s hand immediately.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

“Please watch your hand, Your Majesty.”

“…………What?”

“I will not stay still even if you are a Crown Prince.”

“……………:”

Lucas looked down in silence and released his burning reddish hand.

He seemed very surprised as there was no movement from him at all afterwards.

Even if she was the daughter of the Chamberlain, Claudia’s bad manners- fearlessly warding off the hand of a member of the royal family- successfully made everyone go hectic.

‘I’m f*cked…..’

I mumbled while I buried my face into Claudia’s back.

“Even if I’m not really sure who is the person beside you…”

Then Duke Benjamin Lamberg, tilting his head languidly, seized his chance.

“So, your choice is the daughter of Ambers. What an unpredictable taste.”

If only he vented his anger like Lucas, I wouldn’t be as frightened as I am now.

Benjamin’s gaze felt like a beast stalking its prey.

He scrutinized me slowly, as if saying ‘I’m letting you go now, but I’m gonna come to end you.’

“Oh, I am ashamed to say it by myself, but her family is the kind of people doing loan guarantees.”

I understood his words so well that it felt like my heart was going to stop.

I actually just found out the fact that when the Ambers’ business failed and the amount of debt was getting bigger, somehow my family managed to sell stolen goods to get money.

Not only banks, even all our friends refused to lend their money to my family. Finally, we had no choice but to go to the chaotic Charlisle city.

My family borrowed some money from Benjamin’s financial institution with a ridiculous rate of interest, in which one of the guarantees was me.

That’s why my family tried to sell me to others before we became bankrupt.

But that was better than being a slave.

In other words, he was indirectly warning me, ‘You’re gonna be my slave right now if you don’t pay off your debt.’

He was the master of the underworld. Honestly, wasn’t he some kind of private loan shark?

Of course I didn’t do anything else that was illegal besides selling those stolen goods.

‘Isn’t it a secret that you’re the master of the underworld? How could you be so confident?’

Yes, I’m the only one who knew everything.

Looking at my reaction, I think he realized that I knew a lot of information.

‘Just how much did this brat know…’

It was scary. The indescribable power of an evil leader.

Benjamin bowed down and whispered something to me.

“You should be grateful towards Claudia. No, in this case, shouldn’t you hate her?”

Claudia abruptly cut in.

“Your Grace, did you just threaten my Irene?”

“You suddenly became perceptive. Is this what they call ‘the power of love’?”

Whereas Claudia asked sharply, Benjamin answered flimsily.

Even so, Claudia kept her guard up. Duke Benjamin raised both of his hands in mock-surrender.

Then,

“……..”

The Knight of the Empire, Constantine.

He didn’t threaten me like the Crown Prince or Duke did.

He simply stared at me with his dark blue eyes, very deeply. He fixed his eyes on my weak spot.

It felt like the temperature around me had dropped by 10 degrees.

‘I heard that it was possible to actually kill someone by using divine power.’

And Constantine had that ability, he was the best after the High Priest. In other words, he actually could kill me with a snap of his fingers.

If he were able to kill me with his eyes, I might have been mutilated and my whole body, from head to toe, would’ve been thrown to a river.

That was not a metaphor, that may be my future and it could happen at any time.

I was trembling, I gripped tightly onto Claudia’s gown.

She looked at me in wonder, then she caressed my head and reassured me.

“There’s nothing to be scared of, Irene.”

With teary eyes, Claudia frowned.

“I really don’t understand, why are all of you so obsessed with me? Why do you all want to claim me as yours?”

She uttered through clenched teeth.

“Not the three of you, no, not even anyone! I don’t belong to anyone!”

Claudia expresses how much she suffers because of the three men, and how much she’s sick of them.

“Do you think it’s enough just saying that you love me? You’re so coercive, scary, and you can’t even respect my decision! All of you are such jerks!”

Of course, I understand. Anyone would take to the hills without any hesitation when seduced by such harsh and obsessive men.

But, you are the heroine….?

And this story was supposed to be about a harem.

In other words, this novel narrated a story about several men fighting over a girl.

The conflict in a harem novel usually occurred when the heroine ignores all the men and doesn’t choose anyone.

So, the best way to prevent this conflict from occurring at the start was to set the route earlier and help the heroine to choose a path.

I’m sure there was no plan more perfect than this.

Even if Claudia had no interest in the opposite gender and reaches this far regardless, I believed that if I brainwashed her about the charm of the heroes, she’d at least choose one of them in the future.

Because! This place! Was nowhere but! A romance novel!

Shouldn’t the ending of a romance novel be the happy relationship between a man and a woman?

Shouldn’t it be the birth of a hero and heroine couple?

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