Chapter 2: 2

Episode 2: Cesar de Borgia

Anyway, he was a funny guy.

Even though he was so obsessed with me, he had no hesitation in hurting me or using me for his ambition.

Perhaps it was the reason he took it for granted that I was completely his.

Three years ago, when I was just adjusting to the fact that I had become a 15-year-old Rudbeckia, I declined the suggestion when my marriage with the Duke of Rembrandt was discussed.

Duke Rembrandt was one of those who had their marriage annulled under the guise of a humiliating “physical incapacity” after marrying me, and who would later be involved in the downfall of our family.

My new “family” was treating me kindly and I wanted to somehow prevent catastrophe hence I decided not to pretend to be ‘married’ with future enemies.

However, as soon as I expressed my rejection, the usual kind face disappeared from them and I felt a sense of shock at the sight of the Pope’s freezing cold face.

That evening I was imprisoned in a room by Cesare and beaten until I begged for my life.

After a few times, I understood that my life here and previous one there were not very different.

Perhaps the fact that Rudbeckia was not the Pope’s biological daughter contributed to it.

Carmen, the woman who died as soon as she gave birth to me,  was the Pope’s second official mistress. She already conceived me even before meeting the Pope.

It was a suspicion that everyone tried to ignore, but I—who was a reader—know that it was true.

As someone who had no blood relation to the family, I ended up having to live while wearing a mask every hour of my life. Just like my original life.

After entering Rudbekia’s body, the anorexia, which had stopped for a while, also reappeared.

“It is terribly painful for me to let you go too. Even if I know this will be the last one.”

“I heard there’s a lot of monsters there…….”

“What are you worried about when outstanding knights will sacrifice their lives to protect you? I’ll come and see you as often as I can. It’s not that bad. It’s a pretty exciting place. Think of it as a vacation for about half a year.”

“Half a year? Will it be really only for half a year?”

It was a fact I already knew, but pretended to be surprised.

With a low smile, he grabbed a few strands of my hair and brought it at the tip of his nose.

“Yes. Just endure it for half a year.… Don’t worry, he won’t even touch you anyway.”

Right. That’s not what I’m worried about.

“Will you come to see me more often?”

“Of course.”

Please don’t do that.

It’s hard for me to just find a way so that my husband, the knight, won’t kill me.

It was obvious that if I didn’t poison my husband’s sister, someone else would kill her. Then everyone would believe I did it.

Thus, I should first convince my husband and those around me that I am harmless before I could prevent my sister-in-law being assassinated in six months time.

Maybe just like now. Just like before.

* * *

Isaac van Omerta.

He was someone who was recognized for his fighting ability even beyond his father’s prime and appointed as paladin at the age of fifteen. He became the youngest champion in the gladiator match against demons at the age of seventeen.

Afterwards, as a paladin, he went on various adventures and his heroic sagas made the hearts of the northern young noble ladies flutter. However, his father had been frustrated about his atrocious personality and his insistence of refusing marriage proposals coming his way. 

The only women he is close to are his sister Ellenia Van Omerta and Freya Van Furiana, a childhood friend of his sister whom he had been around for a long time.

It was only after his mother’s death that his personality changed.

Princess Omerta, a princess who fell in passionate love with the young duke, took her own life when her children were young.

The death seemed to affect the siblings in many ways.

In this world, they viewed that souls who commited suicide are cursed by the god and become ghouls. It became a taboo topic to discuss— a dark secret of the family.

It’s a pity that a lot of my memory is hazy because it’s a novel I read a long time ago.

It would be nice if I could remember it in more detail.

Anyway, the person who ignored everyone, even stuck his tongue at the king, accepted the marriage proposal to Rudbeckia, because if he rejected it, Ellenia would have to marry the Pope’s second son. 

That’s right. A marriage to Enzo.

Currently, the Vatican was struggling with the issue of barbarians making a fuss at the Romagna border, and the Pope, who lacked manpower due to the infighting advance on Rimini, needed assistance.

This marriage was the cost of receiving support from northern Brittany, which is famous for having outstanding knights.

After the mention of my fifth marriage during dinner, things went according to plan.

I prepared to leave Romagna shortly after the arrival of a ship carrying a large dowry and gifts, including envoy, from Britannia and having a proxy wedding with the knights who had come to me.

* * *

It took me three years to get used to it, but every time I look in the mirror, I’m still surprised at the strange girl there.

Curly gold thread-like hair and large blue eyes like a lake.

Chubby cheeks with a reddish tint, and a mouth that is soft like a child.

There was no trace of my original appearance.

If I could find similarities, would it be the long hair and a small body?

In my teenage years, when I was sensitive and insecure, I hated being different from others, but now that I can’t go back to that time, I often miss it.

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“You’re very pretty, my daughter.”

The Holy Father, the Pope, hugged me with a satisfied face.

At the age of eighteen, even though I was already a mature adult, he acted as if he were dealing with a five-year-old child, remained unchanged.

It was similar to how Cesare pulled me to sit on his lap  and caressed my hair whenever he wanted to.

“You are such a beautiful bride. The whole north will fall in love with you.”

“Father…”

“Oh no, looks like you’re already sad. Don’t cry, sweetheart. It’s not like we will be separated forever.”

I won’t have any other wish than for this was our last meeting.

It was very natural to shed tears. It wasn’t a hard task for me.

I smiled brightly at my father, while wiping the edge around my eyes with a sad expression.

“I will miss my family so much.”

“We’ll miss you, too. Poor thing. I wanted to ask your brother to accompany you, but the situation is not easy.”

It’s a relief that it would not be easy.

Personal feelings aside, I am afraid of the northerners who have been observing us—siblings with suspicious eyes ever since they came here.

Is my father not interested in the rumors that are circulating about Cesare and me?

“Whoo, I’m so frustrated. I guess I’m the only one who’s frustrated. Ahh!”

“Older brother.”

“Whoo… Come here, you idiot.”

Enzo, who was still stomping his feet alone as if he was dissatisfied with this marriage, suddenly sighed and hugged me. Just like an older brother, in a normal way.

Although he had a sky-piercing arrogance,  impulsive, and rough troublemaker as he was my father’s favorite, at least Enzo didn’t hurt me or suffocate me.

In a way, he was the only person in this family who belonged to that of the normal area

“I’ll miss you.”

“I won’t miss you, idiot.”

Although he was grumbling, it was Enzo who hugged me to the point where I couldn’t breathe and suffocate

As he hugged me for so long, Cesare, who had been silently watching us, began to twitch his thick eyebrows.

“Stop it, Enzo. She must be suffocating.”

Half a year from now on.

It was still unclear what would happen after that, but what is certain is that I don’t think I’ll be sad at all even if Caesar dies.

Even if the Borgian family is all destroyed, I don’t think it will be too sad.

“Ruby.”

Caesar’s gentle touch caressed my tear-soaked cheeks which sent a cold sensation to my spine.

The dark blue eyes that looked down at me tenderly were like those of a snake that grabbed a lark.

The snake is pressuring me to put his poison teeth in if I don’t sing.

So, the lark cannot stop singing.

He reminded me of my big brother in my original life in so many ways.

“Brother, you have to come and see me. Understand?”

“Of course. I’ll definitely come and see you. Until then, you have to be brave and do well.”

How powerful and funny the survival instinct is.

The thought suddenly came to my mind.

I wanted to die, which I finally achieved, but it was funny how I was trying to survive now even though I am living the same scenario as my previous one.

* * *

Contrary to the misunderstanding of many southerners, the country of the northern region was not simply gloomy with rain and snow all year round.

The northern summer, when the sun was shining all day due to frequent white nights, was neither too humid nor too hot as in the southern summer.

The problem is that summer is the only time of the year to see the sunlight.

The scenery of the training area was reminiscent of a gladiator arena held every three years against demons.

On a sunny summer weekend, the sight of the men groaning, covered in dirt and haphazardly spread out, did not evoke a sentiment suitable for youth.

Thus, Ivan pitifully threw a reluctant look at his poor colleagues and looked at the origin of all this situation.

“Can I talk to you for a second?”

The knight who lowered his sword to the floor and took off his helmet glanced around.

Unlike his sharp jawline, his long eyelashes were as beautiful as a minstrel, but his red eyes sparkled.

When sweaty and shiny.

Black plate armour covered in dust.

In addition to the height of almost reaching 2 metres, there was no other demon who had just come up from hell.

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