Original subtitles

This is...

not my house.

Of course there aren't any withdrawals...

I took a year off and still couldn't get into any of my top schools.

What is life, anyway?

Huh?!

Dear Hanasaki Rinko,

m 200 120 l 488 178 412 343 118 279

\h\hThis is a message to notify you that you have passed the Imperial University entrance exam (make-up).

\h\h\h\hYou will receive a copy of our admission guidelines. \hPlease report by the date specified therein to fill out your entry paperwork.

\h\h\h\hOnce you have completed the entry paperwork, \hyou will be permitted to begin attending classes as of April 1st.

Dear Hanasaki Rinko,

\h\h\h\hThis is a message to notify you that you have passed the Imperial University entrance exam (make-up).

\h\h\h\h\h\hYou will receive a copy of our admission guidelines. Please report by the date specified therein to fill out your entry paperwork.

You're kidding...

I did it!

I got in!

Mom...

Onii-chan...

Everyone...

I see a short life in your future.

I get it.

I was fated to die either way.

I, Hanasaki Rinko,

was reborn as Raeliana McMillan...

in the world of a novel.

What the heck is going on?!

Why am I alive? And inside a novel?

That night...

Someone called out to me.

I can't remember their face, their voice,

or even what they said to me.

I woke up in this world.

I don't think I'll ever get used to this.

I can't believe I was reborn as someone so beautiful.

My lady, your meal is ready.

Oh... Okay. I'll be right there.

Raeli.

Good day, Father.

Did you sleep well last night?

Yes.

Sister!

Rosemary!

Rose...

Haven't I told you not to wander around during meal times?

Now, now.

Let's eat before it gets cold.

You're far too easy on Rose.

Sister, you know what? I had a dream I was flying!

We're like the picture-perfect happy family.

So as for the next contract...

Its head, Johndein McMillan,

I think I've got one just about wrapped up.

was granted the title of baron for his success in the oil industry.

John, don't talk about work at the table.

He's what they call "nouveau riche" among the nobility.

Right, Raeli?

On top of being reborn,

I was blessed with this family and a life in which I want for nothing...

aside from the fact that Raeliana McMillan is a character in a novel.

Raeliana McMillan is just a supporting character.

The heroine of this story is a girl

who returns from studying abroad in response to her friend's death...

in other words, Raeliana McMillan's death.

I, Raeliana McMillan...

am going to die soon.

Sister?

I have to die twice?

Over my dead body!

In the novel, the cause of Raeliana's death was arsenic poisoning.

Her fiancé mixed it into the tea she drank every evening.

Hi there, Raeliana.

Francis Brooks.

He's my fiancé.

Greetings, Lord Brooks.

The one behind it all...

Brooks, a man trusted by the McMillan family,

wins over Raeliana's parents when they're heartbroken over her death

and tries to take over the family business.

That's when the heroine of the story appears

and exposes the truth of what happened.

At least, that's how it goes in the novel...

But if it gets that far, I'll already be dead.

It's such lovely weather today.

Shall we walk through the garden?

Of course.

The engagement was agreed upon by both families.

The Brooks family is a long-standing noble household,

so I can't just call it off on my own.

And even if I told anyone that he's trying to kill me,

no one would believe me.

Which means there's only one thing to do...

I have to make him want to dissolve our engagement.

Raeliana?

We should break up.

Look at that crow.

I want to break up with you.

What a silly-looking crow!

Hello? Are you listening to me?

Wait, isn't that a hawk? How unusual!

Why did I think that would work?

I need to come up with a better plan.

The How to Cleanly Break Up with Your Boyfriend Top 50

"I want a break-up that won't cause further issues!"

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A relationship columnist explains the best break-up methods for all types!

Oh, dear. I'm sorry.

My hand slipped.

I've ruined your precious clothes.

No... It's fine.

Look! There's a piano over there!

I would love to hear you play, Lord Brooks.

With pleasure.

If it is your wish...

I'm sorry. Please excuse me for a moment.

Raeliana?

Victory!

Why won't he say anything?!

I even read a book for this!

The How to Cleanly Break Up with Your Boyfriend Top 50

"I want a break-up that won't cause further issues!"

"I want to break up right now!"

"I won't just take this anymore!"

A relationship columnist explains the best break-up methods for all types!

What is going on?!

Third time's the charm.

This time, I'll make it work!

This is your first hunt, isn't it?

Do you know how to hold a gun?

How little you know, Brooks.

As far back as I can remember,

I grew up watching my father, Johndein McMillan, go hunting.

It's my first time holding a gun. I hope I'm doing it right.

Aim carefu—

Oh, dear, I'm sorry! I'm still new to this.

After all this, surely even he'll get sick of me and want to break up...

He didn't!

What is going on?!

Good day, Raeliana.

What brings you here?

We made no prior plans to meet today.

Prior plans?

Raeliana, you and I are engaged, are we not?

Even in a close relationship, manners are still important.

Please return home today.

Raeliana!

What are you doing?!

Why are you suddenly talking like that?!

Even if this is a political marriage,

I thought we had a deeper relationship!

Or was I the only one who felt that way?!

Yes, you were mistaken, Lord Brooks.

So please let go of me now.

What the McMillan family wants is the Brooks family's social standing!

They should be grateful to me for agreeing to marry a nouveau riche like you.

Wh-What did you say?

However you may fight it, you can't escape this marriage.

You'd best prepare yourself to obediently serve your future husband.

That guy...

I wish I could just kill him myself, right now!

I already live in a world I barely understand.

I refuse to spend every day here living in fear!

I'll have to think of some other way...

So he finally shows up.

Noah Voltaire Wynknight...

A duke of this nation,

and the protagonist of the novel.

In the Kingdom of Chamus, where I live now,

royal authority has decayed significantly with the rise of capitalism.

The old nobles came up with a law to pluck new nobles out from the root

before they can acquire any power.

The transfer of noble ranks is forbidden.

Known as the "Nouveau Riche Prevention Law"

They call it the "Nouveau Riche Prevention Law."

But the royal seal they needed to enact that law

was stolen by someone.

As the old nobles were scrambling to come up with a new way to suppress the nouveau riche,

the one who showed up out of nowhere like a comet...

was the younger brother of the current king

and first in line for the throne, Noah Voltaire, simply known as "Noah."

The Wynknight family has been the core

of the kingdom's military strength for generations,

and he is the former queen's eldest son.

He's basically the last bastion for conservatism.

Though he was removed from

the line of succession at one time due to an unfortunate scandal,

he's now known as the young ace

who'll take center stage again and carry the hopes of the old nobles.

He must have it rough.

But... wait a minute...

Since his rank is higher,

maybe he could stop Brooks...

If this works out, it could be an incredible bargaining chip.

I know that guy, and I know this story's ending.

This is stuff that only someone who came from outside this world could know.

I don't know if something like this will work on a pure-blooded noble, but...

Excuse me for a moment.

It's do or die.

It's worth a try, at least.

Well, well!

If it isn't Francis Brooks.

Jake Langston...

It's been a while, Brooks.

One moment, please.

You sure you should leave your cute little fiancée all alone?

That's none of your business!

Don't be so aloof.

We're both in the same boat, aren't we?

It's only natural that I'd worry.

There's nothing for you to worry about!

So just go—

Even our client has told me

that you and your fiancée haven't been getting along well lately.

Let me just give you one little warning.

Do your job.

If you screw this up, you're dead.

So yeah, do your best not to make your fiancée get tired of you.

This is all that woman's fault!

I thought she was a shy girl...

but recently, she's changed completely!

You there. Have you seen Lady Raeliana?

Yeah.

I saw her walking toward the garden.

I see.

I swear... She is such a headache!

I followed him out here without even thinking.

What do I say to him?

And... he's obviously suspicious already, isn't he?

It's not as if we have any mutual friends.

And this is my first time speaking to a noble I've never met—

Do you have some business with me?

Duke, this is my first time meeting you.

I am the daughter of Baron Johndein McMillan.

My name is Raeliana McMillan.

Ah, the young lady of the McMillan family.

I am Noah Voltaire Wynknight.

Wait, why am I just gawking at him?!

I can't be deceived by the sweet mask this man wears!

If I may be so bold,

I have come in hopes of making a deal with you.

A deal?

I know who this guy really is.

I don't know if this is something I should say here...

It's about the royal seal.

Behind that calm, angelic smile

lurks a terrible demon.

Oh? Well...

How very intriguing...

Two-faced bastard!

Why don't you tell me

all the details of this deal of yours?

He's on board! Now I can...

Raeliana?

Of all the times...

Must he get in my way at every single step?!

What should I do?

Wait for the next opportunity?

Actually...

This might be my best opportunity!

I suppose I can't keep it hidden any longer.

Lord Brooks, I'm very sorry.

F-For what?

It would seem...

that the Duke and I have grown fond of each other.

What?

The royal seal...

He actually... picked up on that?

Wh-What in the world is...

Lady Raeliana! Where are you?

Right here!

Lucky break!

Well, I must take my leave now.

Please have a wonderful evening.

Wait!

Is what you just said true?

I swear, this guy...

Yes, it's true.

As I've said many times before, I'd like to call off our engagement.

But why now?!

It's quite late already. May I leave now?

You lowly nouveau riche!

You want to call off our engagement?!

Do you really think you have the right to—

That's enough.

Take her home.

O-Of course.

Come, my lady.

If we're home too late, the baron will scold me.

Yes. I'm sorry.

It had to be Noah Voltaire Wynknight, of all people?!

Even if you are a duke, this is just too much!

That girl is my fiancée!

Did you not hear what she said?

I don't believe you have the right to call yourself her fiancé anymore.

I'm not the type...

who'll just sit quietly and let this happen.

Whitton...

Yes?

Investigate Raeliana McMillan.

And assign someone to watch that man,

so that we can act quickly in case he tries anything.

Understood, Your Grace.

A deal?

With me?

My lady?!

Raeli, what's wrong?

I'm all right.

The night breeze just gave me a chill.

Well, that won't do.

Wear this coat over your dress.

Thank you, Father.

Did I really do the right thing?

You are returning awfully late.

Yes.

I encountered a puppy on my way home.

I see a short life in your future.

I refuse to die twice!

Episode Two

Why Raeliana Made a Contract