Before I fell into this cursed world, I was just an eighteen-year-old college student.

Engagements. Marriage.

I knew nothing about any of it.

My social life had always lagged far behind my academic one, and now this man wanted me to marry someone and start a family in the very hell I would gladly sacrifice my life to escape from.

"Father..." I said with exhausted resignation.

The Duke shook his head.

"I will hear no objections, Beatrice."

"But—"

"Your marriage to Matthew is already decided," the Duke said, staring directly at me. "As you know, he is the son of Duke Alfred Tobias. Our relationship with the Tobias House has progressed considerably. As you can see, this is the best family we could possibly marry you into."

"I don't care about the family's reputation, Father. I don't want to get married," I protested desperately.

Duke Willow rubbed his face tiredly.

"Don't you think it's time you matured, Beatrice?" he asked reproachfully.

"What does marriage have to do with maturity?"

"What I mean is... Ugh. You'll have to get married eventually anyway."

"I don't want to!"

The moment I rose to my feet, the Duke immediately stood as well.

"Where did you find the audacity to defy me? Until recently, you obeyed everything without question, Beatrice."

"This is my life and my decision, Father. Please. I don't want this."

The moment I saw the gloomy look on his face, my voice faltered and died.

You idiot.

He wasn't going to listen.

If the old man had already made up his mind, there was no way I could change it.

This wasn't the modern world.

This was a demonic society built upon hierarchy, parental authority, and political marriages.

"I am your father, Beatrice," the Duke said softly after a while.

Here we go again.

I slowly lifted my head.

As he spoke, I listened in silence, exactly as he expected me to.

"I am your father, Beatrice," he repeated. "It's my duty to think about your future. The Tobias House is truly an excellent family. This is a wonderful opportunity for you. It's far better to become engaged to a duke's eldest son now than end up marrying some count later."

His words entered one ear and left through the other.

Every sentence felt hollow.

Meaningless.

Perhaps the original Beatrice would have been delighted by such news.

I wouldn't know.

But I certainly didn't want this life.

All I wanted was to return home—to my school, my world, my real life.

The Duke, however, seemed to mistake my reaction for the foolishness of a young girl.

With what he probably considered fatherly affection, he plucked a beautiful red flower from a nearby pot and held it out to me.

"Here, my daughter."

Normally, I wouldn't have wanted to accept anything from that idiot.

What kind of father sold his daughter for political gain?

As I reached for the flower with the intention of throwing it away, my hand froze midair.

This flower...

I remembered it from my research in the library.

While searching for ways to catch a phoenix, I had come across an illustration of a flower with the same fiery-red petals.

Its name was the Fire Blossom.

According to the book, if a phoenix smelled its fragrance, it would become tame and willingly approach.

"My God..."

"What is it, dear?" the Duke asked in surprise. "If you don't like the color, I can give you a different flower."

I quickly shook my head.

"No, no. This one is perfect. I was just wondering... do you know what kind of flower it is?"

"Unfortunately, no. I believe one of your mother's friends gave it to her as a gift. Did you like it that much? I could ask the gardener to—"

"That's not necessary, Father."

Taking the flower from him, I flashed the Duke a bright, polite smile.

"Besides, I should get ready now. I don't have much time. You know... engagement preparations and all that."

"Ah, yes," the Duke replied, looking almost drunk with satisfaction. "I'm glad you've finally come to your senses. By the way, you should get rid of that scandalous dress you're wearing."

"Of course. Of course," I said while walking briskly toward the greenhouse exit. "See you later, Father!"

"See you later, Father..."

See you...

Later...

The very first thing I did after returning to my room was shove the likely Fire Blossom into the green pouch that already contained my green spheres and healing potion.

The manor was in complete chaos because of the engagement delegation currently on its way.

Even James and Luciana were nowhere to be seen.

By the time I escaped into the forest wearing the ruby-red dress the Duke had called scandalous, I was practically ready to celebrate.

Now, about an hour had passed since I ran away from home.

The sun still hung high in the sky.

The towering dark-leaved trees swayed gently in the breeze.

Everything was peaceful.

Until I heard that familiar roar.

The monster's cry tore through the forest.

And all I could do was reach for the green pouch in my pocket.