Chapter 1: The Game Begins
I had a dream—or rather, a memory from my past life. I still felt the rush of it, but enough daydreaming.
"Miss Montclair, how could you end your engagement with the prince?" Hawthorne asked.
I pondered whether I should tell them. Hmm, why the hell not? Okay, I need to sound like someone who had their heart broken.
"I suspect he has found a mistress," I said with teary eyes. That shocked them.
"Are you sure?" Miss Cordelia Hawthorne asked.
"That dirty bastard, I knew he was no good," Madame Genevieve St. Claire muttered to herself.
Damn, manipulating them seems so easy. Oh, I have to stop myself from grinning and laughing.
Both hugged me and started comforting me, as if I really cared about getting cheated on. I'm a dude mentally; I'm not gonna get my heart broken.
By the time I knew it, two months had passed. As Madame Genevieve St. Claire brushed my hair, I pondered something. I'd like to make money. Money rules over everything. If I'd like to get this happy ending, step two shall be figuring out how to start a business.
"Isadora von Montclair, would you care to join me for a cup of tea?" When I was walking around the manor, a voice called. As I turned to see, I saw a handsome-looking man.
"Ah, Duke Alistair Montgomery, I'd be honored to join you," I said as I sat down.
Alistair in the novel is the childhood friend of Isadora von Montclair. The thing is, when he saw the heroine for the first time, he fell for her instantly.
Luckily for him, he did end up with her even though he was the second male lead... she chose him after finding out the prince was engaged to Isadora. She only found out after Isadora von Montclair killed herself... should have been girl love.
"What brings you here?" Duke Alistair Montgomery asked.
"Ah, I was merely captivated by your beauty," I said. If I'm gonna live a good life, I need this bastard as a husband.
"My, aren't you engaged?" he asked. Got ya.
My smile faded, and I looked away. "He has found another," I said. Knowing this good-hearted man, he'll have sympathy for me.
"Oh... I'm so sorry." Damn, you're really falling into my trap, aren't you?
"Oh, but enough of that, why don't we chat some more?" I have a theory: Isadora von Montclair's soul might still be in here. So if I get her this happy ending, will I be gone and reborn, and will she take my place? I do wonder.