I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 1

“What on earth…”

Having married into the House of Marquis Elsdean and about to face her wedding night, Liliana suddenly looked into the mirror in her bedroom and was horrified.

(What is this? I’m destined to be the discarded villainous wife!)

Her pale violet hair and purple eyes framed a beautiful face, but one now twisted in shock.

As if struck by divine revelation, memories and information poured into her mind.

This was the world of a novel she had read in her previous life: “I’m a Talentless Maid, Yet the Cold Marquis Dotes on Me?! ~ Turns Out I Was the World’s Only Saint”. And she herself was Liliana, the wife of the hero, Leivis.

Not the protagonist.
Yes, not the protagonist.

Liliana was portrayed as a young, beautiful wife but also a spendthrift, cruel, and manipulative villainess who seduced the marquis’s accountant to steal the family’s wealth. She betrayed her husband with numerous lovers before bearing an heir, and bullied the servants relentlessly.

The marquis, worn down by his duties and her abuse, grew distrustful of women. Eventually, he fell for a young maid in the household, divorced Liliana, and married the maid.

—A love story of “true love conquering all.”

(True love, my foot! And the hero is already married. What kind of nonsense is that?!)

The novel had no shred of morality. She had read it out of curiosity, scoffing at its absurdity, but remembered it all too well. And now she had reincarnated as the villainess.

The true heroine was the maid, Elina, the very maid assigned to Liliana. Once just “Maid B,” she was now the most important figure in the story.

(Complaining about the plot won’t help. What matters is that if things follow the novel, I’ll commit every sin and be ruined. Why me?)

She tried to recall anything useful, but nothing came. Her thoughts were a mess.

Still, she had to think.
Think.
Think, think, think.

Find a way to deviate from the story. Resist fate.

Fortunately, she hadn’t done anything yet. She had only just married. No bullying, no lovers, no infidelity, no wasteful spending.

Everything lay ahead. Her future depended on her choices.

Wearing a flimsy nightdress, Liliana thought desperately. Soon her husband would arrive, to fulfill his noble duty.

Leivis Elsdean, the “Cold Marquis.” A man of immense magical power, rational judgment, merciless to enemies, never smiling—a prince of ice.

Ruler of vast lands, trusted by the king, engaged in magical research and national defense. The “Devil of Lindenburg,” feared even by demons. The king’s right hand.

He would approach this night with duty alone, not love.

Yet he was not heartless. He did have the capacity to love.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside. The door opened, and in stepped a young, handsome man with golden hair and mysterious golden eyes, Leivis Elsdean.

Silence filled the room as he slowly approached the bed where Liliana sat.

“….”
“…H-husband…”

Her voice trembled. She was on the verge of tears.

(This is bad. He’ll kill me…)

Panicking, she leapt from the bed.

“I don’t need you to love me!”

She shouted with all her strength. Leivis halted, startled by her sudden outburst.

Seizing the moment, she dashed past him and fled through the door.

“Y-you may have as many mistresses as you like!”

Leaving those words behind, she slammed the door and escaped into the adjoining mistress’s chamber, locking it tight. She collapsed against the door, breathless, heart pounding.

(What did I just say…?)

She had refused the wedding night. Worse, she had encouraged him to take mistresses.

Unthinkable. A noble wife, bought for the purpose of bearing heirs, saying such things.

(I’ve done something outrageous. But it’s too late now…)

She couldn’t possibly return and say, “Just kidding☆ Let’s make babies, darling☆.”

As she clung to the door, she froze. Someone was outside.

“Liliana, are you in there?”

It was unmistakably Leivis.

“…Yes.”
“Open the door.”

Terrifying. Terrifying. Terrifying.

If she opened it, she would become the villainess, be discarded, and meet a tragic fate. No. Absolutely not.

Shaking uncontrollably, she forced out the words:

“I can’t…”

Again, unthinkable words. Refusing her husband in a political marriage.

But it was impossible. She could not face him.

“…I see.”

Leivis muttered in a low voice. Then his footsteps receded.

(Ah… I’ll be sent back to my family tomorrow…)

In the dark room, Liliana staggered to the bed. She collapsed onto it.

And then, as if her mind had reached its limit, she fell asleep.