I Don’t Know The Original Work

Cornelia’s insides were boiling.

She removed her hand from her throbbing head and slowly rose from her seat.

Then, she lifted her gaze to look at Brody.

Her eyes were cold and resolute. Brody flinched at her stare.

‘What? Did you think I wouldn’t dare glare at you?’

Just then, Brody’s hand shot out toward Cornelia in a hurry. Startled, Cornelia stepped back. Brody, seemingly embarrassed by his own actions, quickly withdrew his hand.

“What are you doing?”

“That’s what I want to ask you, Miss Cornelia.”

Brody spoke with a barely restrained expression.

“What’s wrong with your face?”

“Huh?”

“Are you trying to gain my sympathy by hurting yourself? How foolish…!”

Brody shouted angrily.

“Since when has it been like this? Call a doctor immediately!”

Only then did Cornelia realize why he was so upset.

‘I’ve been slapping my cheeks endlessly for a week, denying reality.’

Because of that, her cheeks were swollen like ripe tomatoes. Brody was shocked when he saw them.

Embarrassed, Cornelia covered her cheeks with both hands. But then, she tilted her head in confusion and looked up at Brody.

‘Why is he suddenly so concerned?’

This was the same man who hadn’t batted an eye when Cornelia was humiliated in front of countless nobles.

Looking at his expression and demeanor, it was almost enough to make her believe that Brody genuinely cared about her.

“…”

Brody, who had been staring intently into her blue eyes, paused. His trembling pupils slowly settled, and his expression turned cold again.

“Is this how you’re trying to get my attention?”

‘What nonsense is this?’

It was absurd. One moment he was worried, and the next he was accusing her. It seemed like he had finally returned to his usual self—

“Don’t misunderstand. Miss Cornelia, you’re merely a placeholder for that position in the race.”

He had returned, and he was as perfect as ever.

‘Ah, so this is how it’s going to be, huh?’

It was almost a relief. His behavior was giving her the justification she needed for what she was about to do.

*‘I’m not holding back anymore.’*

Cornelia smirked, the corner of her lips curling up.

“Anyone would think you kidnapped me and forced me into this engagement.”

“…?”

Brody’s cold expression momentarily faltered. The anger in his face faded, and for a moment, he looked quite charming.

“Brody—no, Your Grace. You also needed the prestige of the illustrious Iris family to agree to this engagement, didn’t you?”

“…!”

Brody stared at Cornelia with a look of disbelief. But this was only the beginning.

“Even though you’re a duke, the Evans family only naturalized into the empire a hundred years ago. Your reputation is still lacking, isn’t it?”

As Cornelia said, the ancestors of the Evans family were royalty from a fallen kingdom.

‘Though they’re called “royalty from a fallen kingdom,” the empire treated them as barbarians.’

Because of this, even after receiving the title of duke, there were still those who looked down on him as having “barbarian blood.”

Brody’s face flushed with shame. But it wasn’t just shame that kept him from reacting as boldly as he had earlier.

This side of Cornelia was entirely new to him.

Cornelia, who would throw a fit at the slightest insult to Brody in front of others, was the same girl who couldn’t even speak properly when face-to-face with him.

“Was I wrong?”

Cornelia asked coldly.

Brody bit his lip.

“…I was foolish to feel even a hint of sympathy for you, Miss Cornelia. I know you’re not worth it, yet I still did.”

Brody turned away coldly. At that moment, Cornelia instinctively reached out her right hand.

It was an old habit of hers—to cling to Brody as he walked away harshly.

The moment she realized this, Cornelia grabbed her right wrist with her left hand.

“…?”

Despite her efforts, Brody, sensing something was off, turned back.

Her right hand, frozen just inches from his collar.

And her left hand, barely holding it back.

Brody, witnessing the scene, let out a cold sneer.

“Is this a new way to provoke me?”

“…”

“Just act like you always do. I’d rather have that.”

‘Act like I always do.’

It meant she should abandon her pride and cling to him.

The insult burned her face.

Cornelia took a deep breath and slowly opened her mouth.

“Your Grace, I apologize.”

“Is apologizing your hobby, Miss Cornelia? Do you think a single word of apology will make up for your mistakes?”

“That’s why today, as a gesture of apology, I’d like to give you a gift.”

“If you’re trying to buy my forgiveness with material things—”

“I’ll break off the engagement.”

“…What?”

Brody was so shocked he even forgot to use formal speech.

But soon, he sneered as usual.

“What kind of scheme is this? Or did I mishear you?”

“You heard me right. Let’s break off the engagement.”

“If you’re trying to threaten me with this…”

“Watching you trapped in your delusions was amusing, but even that’s gotten old now.”

Brody stared at Cornelia blankly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Cornelia leaned in and whispered clearly into his ear so he could understand.

“You really have a personality that drives people away.”

Brody’s face hardened like porcelain. It looked as if it would shatter at the slightest touch.

‘What kind of criticism is he going to throw at me now?’

With that murderous expression, a flood of insults was inevitable.

Contrary to Cornelia’s expectations, Brody left the room without a word.

As if he were running away.

Sigh—

Cornelia let out the breath she’d been holding.

She did it!

‘I’ve ruined the relationship between Cornelia and Brody.’

Originally, their relationship only existed because Cornelia clung to him.

But what if Cornelia let go?

‘This connection is over.’

If Brody disappeared from Cornelia’s life, there would be no more stumbling blocks. With just a few words, she had twisted her fate.

‘I feel so relieved.’

Of course, the relief was only for Cornelia. Outside the door, a commotion erupted.

“Your Grace! Why are you leaving so soon? Shouldn’t you spend some quality time with Cornelia?”

“Today, I no longer wish to face Miss Cornelia.”

“Huh? What has my daughter done wrong this time?”

Brody left without another word. Soon, two men burst into the drawing room with a loud clatter.

A middle-aged man with brown curly hair and a bulky frame, and a younger man who looked just like him but was much thinner.

Cornelia’s father, Winston, and her brother, Adrian.

“What did you do this time? Why did Duke Evans leave so abruptly?”

Winston shouted. It seemed he didn’t care about his daughter being treated unfairly. His reaction was so similar to the novel’s that it sent chills down her spine.

“I was supposed to discuss the western mine investment with the Duke today! But I didn’t even get to bring it up!”

The western mine?

‘That worthless mine that’s going to waste all our money?’

She couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Winston and Adrian froze at Cornelia’s sneer.

But it didn’t last long. Winston roared.

“Are you mocking your father right now?”

‘At least you’re not completely clueless.’

Cornelia barely held back the retort on the tip of her tongue.

“Did the Duke get angry at you again because of Grace?”

Adrian, trying to calm Winston down, asked gently. He seemed genuinely concerned for his sister.

When Cornelia didn’t respond, Adrian took it as a yes and patted her shoulder.

“Oh dear, you made another mistake.”

“…”

“It’s a lady’s duty to ignore her fiancé’s past relationships.”

Adrian smiled as if pitying his foolish sister.

Sigh—

She knew it, but there was no one on Cornelia’s side here. If she didn’t stay sharp, she’d be devoured.

“The Duke refused to be my partner at the charity ball just a while ago.”

“You’re upset over something so trivial?”

“He danced with other women to his heart’s content, but he never once asked me to dance.”

“That’s…”

“I had to become a wallflower. And while I scolded those who criticized the Duke, I became the laughingstock of society. He ignored me completely.”

When Cornelia pretended to be angry, Adrian sighed.

“You should be more understanding. Acting so petty is why the Duke got upset. Go after him and apologize.”

Adrian spoke as if his nonsense was wise advice.

Cornelia couldn’t help but smirk in disbelief.

“Brother, would you understand if your wife had feelings for another man and treated you carelessly?”