Chapter 1: Kind and Cruel
I managed to push aside my thoughts about Fiona’s grim fate and my uncertain future. Right now, Count Green had summoned the entire family, including me, to the drawing room. Once again, I found myself trapped in this situation, where I might end up getting beaten with a stick. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Everyone is aware that the situation in the war these days is dire,” Count Green began, his expression grave, as expected.
“And yesterday, the Imperial Palace issued an order for our family to send a magician to the northern front.”
Suddenly, my siblings in the drawing room grew agitated. I, however, remained calm. If my calculations were correct, it was still about six years before the original war would begin. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
In this world, the war wasn’t a mere conflict between nations. It was more accurately described as a battle between humans and evil forces. monsters, led by a cursed dragon, threatened the land, and to fend off their attacks, those capable of fighting—mercenaries, magicians, knights, and the like—joined the war. At this point, it seemed the empire was in a precarious situation, having been pushed back for quite some time.
If you were to ask me, in my past life, why Fiona had no dreams or hopes in this romance fantasy novel, the honest answer would be that it was just to make the main characters shine brighter.
The storyline was roughly like this: in a world where cursed dragons and monsters were causing more and more human deaths, the people were ultimately saved by the male and female leads, who appeared like comets. That was it.
“Because of this, one of you must join the war on the northern front,” my father’s words, “join the war,” only heightened the anxiety among my older siblings gathered in the reception room. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Father, it’s a war. Do we really have to go?”
“Oh my god…”
The House of Green was one of the imperial magician families. So, when things got worse, it was natural for the Imperial Palace to demand support from all existing families. The biggest question now was, who would go to war?
Everyone here was a child of a noble family, raised in comfort. Even I had never done a chore, let alone been to war. If someone inexperienced tried to join the long-delayed war, they wouldn’t be able to fight properly. Count Green, fully aware of this, faked a smile.
“I wonder if any of my children will bravely volunteer for this honorable duty.”
“…”
Everyone was silent, glancing at each other. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
At that moment, Caindel nudged me and whispered, “You go, you leech.”
This guy. I glanced at him, my eyes throbbing with frustration.
The Count had four children. I was the youngest and the only one born out of wedlock; the other three were born from the Countess. Naturally, they all wanted the useless bastard—me—to go to war instead.
To make matters worse, Caindel raised his hand and declared, “Father, our proud youngest sister wants to go. I think she’s just too shy to say it.”
“Wa-wait…”
Of course, I hadn’t said a word! I stared at Caindel, wide-eyed. He met my gaze with a wicked smile. This son of a bitch. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Oh, wonderful! So you’re saying you’ll go, Fiona?” Count Green’s face lit up as he welcomed the idea. This father-and-son duo must have been plotting this from the beginning.
“It’s a noble thing to represent the family. I’m grateful that you’re taking this opportunity to repay me for raising you all this time.”
No matter how I heard it, it sounded like he was telling me to go to the battlefield and die. How could a family even consider sending a thirteen-year-old child to the front lines without hesitation?
My second sister chimed in, “Yes, Fiona. Caindel has to stay here to continue the family line, and I’m about to get married. Zen, our third brother, is about to get engaged to a beautiful girl. We can’t send the family’s limbs, legs, and arms into that situation. You should go.”
What! They hadn’t even properly taught me magic because I was an illegitimate child. They locked me up in the attic every day and beat me.
Still, I managed to learn magic on my own. I observed them from the sidelines and practiced in secret. Fortunately, I already knew the basics of how to use magic. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I’m…”
The second I opened my mouth, everyone stared at me with stiff expressions. I wasn’t foolish enough to miss the message behind their venomous glares.
‘You think you can refuse?’
The realization hit me as I assessed the situation. It was already decided. I never had a choice. If I refused, they’d simply throw me onto the battlefield, like a beast being dragged to the slaughterhouse. No one in this mansion was on my side, and no one would feel sorry for me.
“I’m…”
There was only one line in Fiona’s past that mattered: “As an illegitimate child, she grew up tortured by her family.”
That was precisely what was unfolding before my eyes. A family that would casually send a thirteen-year-old to the battlefield to die. As a child villain, Fiona had no dreams or hopes. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I swallowed a sigh and spoke slowly, “…Yes, I understand. I will go.”
What if I refused and fought back? Even if I could eliminate this vile family before me, my dark future would remain unchanged.
Naturally, in this world, the punishment for murdering relatives was severe. Even if I escaped the situation right away, I could end up in prison for life or live as a fugitive.
So, if I had to go, I might as well walk there with my head held high rather than being dragged like an animal. At least that way, I could keep my pride.
My family pretended to celebrate my decision.
“That’s a very wise choice, Fio.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
“You’re finally doing your part.”
From the beginning, this was the reason they called me here. They usually didn’t treat me like a human being, so I thought they’d leave me locked up in the attic and not invite me to family gatherings.
“…”
Somehow, I felt a deep sadness. Even a year ago, when I first realized I had taken over Fiona’s body, I wasn’t this sad. Did Fiona, the villain I created, feel this way? Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
For some reason, I felt deeply sorry. Fiona, who had never been truly loved by anyone, resented the world. Her misguided choices led her into an inescapable abyss.
But unlike her, I didn’t feel like blaming anyone so easily.
Because this is the world I wrote. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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