The Archduke’s Gorgeous Wedding was Fraud - Chapter 1

1. A contract worth ten billion.

“100 million. I’ll buy her.”

A low voice echoed in the underground room.

Suddenly, the noisy auction house became quiet.

I forced my lowered head upward, and looked at the person who just spoke.

My eyesight was blurred because I was drugged.

I would like to see who bought me, but my vision kept getting worse.

“O-One hundred million gautes! Does anyone want to bid more? One hundred million gautes for this foreign woman!”

The host shouted with excitement.

However, there was still silence in the hall.

An overwhelming silence.

That was a large sum of money, just to spend on one slave.

Her silver eyes were burning, as if within them was an enchanting flame.

She had passionate red hair that glowed like a rose, dewy as though washed.

Even if she was stuck in a dusty pit, her beauty would not be obscured.

Indeed, although she had such an unrivalled beauty that is rare to find; however, for him to pay that much money?

Does he really like that girl enough to spend all that money?

Or does he know her?

Who is this man that can apparently pay such a large sum of money?

The burning gazes, of the surrounding people, were only pointing toward one place.

It was directed at the man who was slowly walking down the stairs and heading up to the stage.

I couldn’t see his face because he was wearing a mask and a hood.

But I had a vague idea who he was.

I just could not believe it.

“Is there anyone else who wants to bid? If there’s no one… Then sold! For a bid of 100 million gautes!”

The host’s announcement of the winning bid buzzes all around, as if echoing from somewhere far away.

I looked up at the man whose presence seemed to have attracted the light itself, just by standing there, even in this dark basement.

Dazzling blonde hair with emotionless blue-grey eyes; those eyes were the only thing that could be seen through his mask.

The man’s presence was overwhelming.

No one dared to say it—but everyone already knew it; the name of this man, who’s emitting a stifling pressure.

Of course, I knew it too.

This was one of the scenes in the book.

“That’s terrible.”

He stood before me and clicked his tongue.

Then he put a cloak over my shoulder, which was exposed directly in the light.

Thanks to this, my bare shoulders and injured arms were covered.

I squeezed the cloth, which emitted a light warmth, using my trembling hands.

His somewhat kind gesture was the reason why ‘Villainess No. 4’ became enamored with male protagonist.

But I found his behavior to be nothing more than meaningless pity.

Although, I was grateful to finally avoid the stinging gazes surrounding me, even if just a little.

“She’s mine now, so I can take her right away.”

“Yes? Yes, o-of course.”

Another man, wearing a mask that completely covered his face, who seemed to be the male lead’s servant, rushed over to pay the balance.

I think I’m the only one who’s still sane among everyone else who seemed to have lost their minds.

Instead of looking fondly or solemnly at the man who became my master…I stared at him furiously.

I’m grateful for what he did, but that is it.

The whole situation was not scary at all because of her blurry eyes, which for now, was her only defence to the current predicament.

She stuttered, “so expensive, buying, what, ordering…”

He already removed her gag. Nevertheless, her tongue felt stiff and her words would not come out properly.

This is because of the drug that the traffickers forced her to inhale.

Then the man who heard me, laughed.

“Go to sleep. When you open your eyes, you will be away from this place.”

It was a voice that spoke softly, only enough so that I could hear it.

Even though it was a blunt remark, listening closely, I could still feel some tenderness contained within. Hearing those words, I finally fainted with a last, careless glance toward his face that was like an ice sheet.

It’s been a week since I possessed this body.

My whole world had been filled with darkness.

The only reason my mind returned, from that dark place, was that he felt like the morning sun.

* * *

Ticklish, it’s soft.

Feeling uncomfortable, I opened my eyes wide and raised my upper body.

‘Where am I?’

My hands are finally free after a long time.

I lifted the blanket, just in case, but there was no chain on my ankle either.

Looking around, I can see emerald wallpaper, combined with white furniture.

Plus the curtains have frills.

It is a place that looks expensive at a glance.

It was not something that the villainess No. 4, who was poor, miserable, and had nothing but evil intentions, could enjoy.

“Oh, you’re up.”

“What? She is awake? Finally?”

But then, the door creaked and opened, and a grey-haired old man appeared.

After that, a man with a huge build and who has a long scar across one of his eyes, on his face, comes in with a thud.

Surprised, I jumped out of bed and stood alert.

At this time, my arms, which were really only bones left, did not have any strength. However, because I felt threatened, the adrenaline from my desperation made it possible for me to do anything.

“Oh, don’t do that. My Lady, there’s nothing to be wary of.”

“Maynard is right. My name is Theobalt, the butler of this mansion. I didn’t know you were awake, I’m only here to bring you some items. I’m sorry to have surprised you, my Lady.”

The old man (Theobalt) supplemented the words of the man who looked like a bandit (Maynard).

But I wasn’t so stupid as to lower my guard.

This world is a cruel place for women.

I saw the questioning looks on their faces and managed to get a glimpse of an opportunity to escape from this room.

I was out of slavery, but this was another crisis.

I don’t know how they will treat me yet.

“This is the indoor dress you’re going to change into. I’ll hang it here in the closet.”

The old butler, Theobalt, moved slowly.

I didn’t miss his movements and also paid attention to the man named Maynard.

“……”

Like a fool, I heard the birds chirping outside.

The breeze penetrated through the open window. As a result, my still entangled and dirty hair was blown.

I stiffly removed the hair that was blocking my view then leaned closer toward the window.

You can’t relax.

Don’t let your guard down.

Maynard looked at my face and unconsciously breathed in. Seems like this body’s face looked pretty. Just as it had been, when described in the original several times

“This is the Archduchy of Schweiden. It’s not a dangerous place, and it won’t harm you, my lady.”

The butler stomped on Maynard’s feet.

As he opened his mouth and spoke in an appeasing tone.

I put my fingers on the window and asked.

“How long have I been here?”

A dark and hoarse voice comes out, as if it wasn’t my own.

I must have been asleep for a long time.

“Four days. I was worried because you seemed to be very tired and couldn’t be woken up this whole time.”

“Four days…”

It must have been because of the strong drugs.

Even I, who prides myself on having a strong mentality, collapsed helplessly.

I chewed the shame I felt in my heart and reached out my hand.

“Paper and pen.”

“Uh, over there…”

“Bring it.”

As I pointed with my chin, Maynard took a step hesitantly.

And when he tried to get close to me, I immediately became alert.

“There, put it down at your feet.”

“So picky, my lady.”

“Shut up.”

No one can be trusted.

I look naive, but I know who they are, trust me.

Without bowing, I reached out and quickly grabbed the pen and paper.

My wrist, which had been tied for a long time, did not move as I desired, but it’s not a problem.

They’re not stopping me because they don’t know what I’m trying to do.

So now was the opportunity.

When they don’t know about me yet!

‘I have to run.’

Schweiden Archduchy.

That’s when everything became clear.

This was the residence of the male protagonist.

‘I can’t get involved.’

I knew well what would happen to villainess no.4, who would do bad things while being next to the male lead.

I’m going to die.

And all of the blood in my body would be dried up.

My hands moved madly fast as I imagined myself meeting that end.

The line I’ve drawn on the white paper soon became a crooked bird.

I blew it out, swiping the window open, and jumped straight down.

“……!”

“My Lady!”

I heard a violent cry from behind, but I didn’t look back.

It’s the ‘outside’ that I’ve been longing for.

The air that touched my skin was so clear.

‘Yeah, I’ll fly like this and run!’

I don’t want to live as a time-limited villainess no.4, just as the novel dictated!

“My lady, it’s dangerous…”

Maynard and the butler, who found me, widened his eyes.

It must have been a surprising sight.

Now I’m riding a bird that I had created from drawing picture on a piece of paper.

However, the bird quickly lost its power and I fell to the ground.

‘Wow, this works.’

In the midst of everything, I was impressed with myself.

I gave up my life because I thought it wouldn’t work, but I guess this is not like the world I knew.

“Ugh.”

My knees hurt from running as soon as I landed.

Since I have been held captive for a long time, my joints failed to function properly.

‘I need to draw a vehicle before I get caught.’

Fortunately, there is still paper left.

But before I could even move my hand, I ended up bumping someone standing in front of me.

“Ack!”

“This.”

Is it a rock? Or a tree?

Either way, I felt my headache.

I held onto my red forehead and barely raised my head.

A person.

“Huh, were you a painting wizard?”

The voice that touches my ears was dull but his resonating deep voice sounds good.

Because of the light shining behind him, his face was shaded and it was hard to see.

However, she could recognize that it was a man from his angular chin and firm mouth.

A little more time later, blue-grey eyes with coldness pierced my sight.

Light blond hair and a high nose bridge.

Sun-kissed skin, unique to those who wield a sword.

The man, who is as handsome as the god of the sun which drove a chariot, Apollo.

It was……the male lead.

Soon enough the man wrapped his hands around my waist so I couldn’t run; then he smiled.

“I guess 100 million was really a cheap price.”

Yeah, that’s right.

I’m already dead.

* * *

It was while I was in the dirty, shabby wooden chest that I vaguely realized I was possessing a character from a novel.

I was stuck in a chest and being carried away like cargo.

How can I explain the fear I felt at that time?

I wanted to scream, but every part of my body was stuck.

So was my vocal cords.

I just breathed in and out like a person whose life was in a coma.

Fortunately, I could understand the situation two days later because my hearing was fine even though I couldn’t see it well.

“Hey, be careful. This has the finest slaves in it.”

“What? Then you should have marked it correctly!”

“It’s a top-class slave! You’re a fool!”

“What?! How many of them did we kidnap, did you check them out?”

I picked up the sounds from outside through the small holes that were drilled for breathing.

They seemed to be human traffickers.

But I just fell asleep after reading a popular novel.

Why did this happen to me?

It’s so scary and ridiculous that my mind slowly became clear.

However, no matter how hard I think about it, the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life was to shave off my ex-boyfriend’s hair.

Oh, of course without using shaving cream.

My ex-boyfriend, who woke up, went home crying, and I laughed as I rolled around on the floor with excitement when I saw it.

‘Ah, is that it? Is this revenge on me……?’

Tears welled up in fury as my thoughts reached that point.

Fortunately, my mother raised her child to be strong, and I also knew how to say ‘Save me, my family has a lot of money’ in 17 languages.

To be honest with you, I was…  just a small-time citizen, but my mom still promised that if I got kidnapped, she would prepare a ransom.

Of course, she would pay them back in installments over 80 years’ worth of time after I’m released.

In any case, my mom will never give up on me.

I am sure she will come to save me.

So I just have to survive until then.

That’s what I thought just until I heard the very next line.

“It’s such a waste to sell them. Girls found over in the desert are usually hot.”

“Don’t touch her. There’s also a rumour that the prince will attend this auction in person. And if we can sell her, we’ll make a fortune.”

Desert, auction, prince.

Is itcode?

‘Where…’

I think I’ve heard of it or seen it somewhere before.

Let’s think.

If that’s a clue, I have to think about it.

Where the hell did I see it?

“And not just the prince, but also Helios’ descendant. He said he might come too, so keep the goods safe.”

With my eyes wide open, I listened to their uselessly disparaging words and tried to onlyfocus on any key information.

H-Helios’ descendant?

Helios descendant!

‘Damn it! No way!’

Is that it!

The title of the book I was reading until I fell asleep was “The Blood of the Sun and the Wedding” and the Helios descendant was the male lead of it.

I liked the villain’s side, more than the female lead’s side, which is described as fierce. Especially villainess No. 4, who had a deep and tragic back-story.

‘But no, wait.’

I never said I want to be her!