Chapter 1

Marked for Death

Irene Amber.

Whenever nobles heard my name, they’d always have that look of “Who?” on their faces. It usually took a second or so before it dawned on them.

“Oh, Claudia’s maid!” They would say. They’d have a look of pity in their eyes with a hint of ridicule.

I was just the average-looking girl next to Claudia.

I was just the girl with the plain personality next to Claudia.

I was just the girl from the irrelevant House next to Claudia.

I was just the insignificant girl next to Claudia.

I was always mentioned in the same breath as Claudia. The nobles didn’t hesitate to call Claudia and Irene respectively as “lady” and “maid.” Everything they said was true. We called each other friends, but I knew that was just an empty label. Whether it was social standing, looks, talent, or popularity... I was no match for Claudia in any way. And why was that? Because she’s this world’s main character! That was also exactly what I was going for. A life as the female protagonist’s forgettable friend.

I am Irene Amber, the explainer of everything. My role was to provide the female protagonist, who was a bit clueless and dense, with information. I had quite a bit of pride in that role.

What? Does it sound like I don’t do much? Do you know how hard I had to work to get to this position? Just thinking about it brings me to tears. I’ll explain why I stubbornly took this role later.

Anyway, I was finally at the finish line. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. We were almost at the end of the novel!

Three men stood before Claudia and me. They were the most eligible bachelors in the empire—distinctly unique and appealing in their own way. At that moment, they were fighting over Claudia. The handsome young man with chiseled good looks sighed in annoyance. He was basically the standard good-looking man.

He combed his fingers through his gorgeous blond locks and said, “I refuse to watch the way you two have been carrying yourself any longer. I must stake my claim.” His piercing red eyes glittered brightly like the eyes of a beast as he concluded, “Claudia is mine.”

Ooh, how I liked the look in his eyes.

You get an extra thirty points for being overly possessive, I thought.

Then the man leaning against the wall spoke.

“That’s quite a declaration to make on your own, Your Highness,” he said with a smirk as he lightly twirled his glass. The blood-red wine gently swirled at the motion. Though it was a seemingly innocuous gesture, he exuded a degenerate aura. One of a virile male—sexy and dangerous.

“Only Claudia can choose who she wants to be with. You can’t just claim her.”

Wow, he may look the most immoral out of everyone here, but what he said was actually sensible. There’s something suspicious about that statement, but I’ll give you an extra fifty points for that.

And finally, the cold but beautiful man opened his mouth. His light blue hair that came all the way down to his waist was tied up in a ponytail. The hairstyle looked incredibly good for his sharp features.

“I think we already know the answer.”

Are you trying to say the answer is you? Gosh, he said that without even flinching! For your overconfidence, I’ll give you a bonus of eighty points.

By the way... My points obviously don’t mean anything.

I whispered to Claudia with a tinge of excitement, “Claudia, you have to choose now.”

“Choose what?” she responded belatedly with a vacant look in her eyes.

I know you’re a bit thick, but was that really so hard to understand? Do you not see those three men fighting over you?

Like I said, I am the explainer of everything, so as always, I gently broke it down for her.

“A husband, of course!”

“But why?” she asked while cutely tilting her head.

For a second, I was at a loss for words as she tucked strands of her silver hair behind her ear. No matter how many times I saw her, I couldn’t help but marvel at her hair. When standing under the light, her hair sparkled like a carefully cut diamond. She also had eyes as blue as the surface of a clear lake. Claudia was as alluring as a fairy. She was so pure... including her brain.

You’re the one who’s going to suffer if you don’t choose! Those three guys will go full steam ahead into destruction. You won’t be able to string them along as you pick and choose. They won’t follow along. They’re going to lose it and kidnap you!

I briefly touched my forehead in despair, but gathered myself and tried again.

I whispered, “Now, Claudia. Think carefully. First off, we have the crown prince of the Roccitante Empire. If you choose him, you will become the empress of our land.”

“Oh, yeah...” she said in a bored tone.

What? Do you not like the crown prince?

I was beginning to sweat as she rejected the heavily favored candidate. He had the highest social ranking out of them all and was the closest to being omnipotent. On top of that, his blond hair shone brightly like the sun. He looked like someone who’d appear on a white horse with flower petals blowing in the wind. Anyone could see he had that “I-am-the-male-lead” quality about him. There was something chilling about his crimson ruby-red eyes, but that was part of his charm. I guess there’s no need to follow stereotypes.

“The duke isn’t a bad choice either! And this is very hush-hush, but...” I lowered my voice even more and whispered secretively. “Word has it that he controls all of Carlisle, the city of chaos. It’s a place where the criminal underworld runs rampant. Your wealth and power would be just as great as that of the empress!”

“Criminals aren’t very interesting to me.”

Whaaat? She’s rejecting the duke too? Come on, Claudia, just look at him!

He had jet-black hair and glittering purple eyes. Even while wearing a suit, you could tell his body was fit like a panther’s.

Can you really not see that the criminal overlord exudes a sexy aura simply by breathing?

I guess no matter how good-looking a man is, a criminal is a criminal.

“Then... how about the hero of the empire, the paladin? Since the reformation, non-religious leaders have been allowed to marry.”

“I don’t know...”

“O-of course, I know it’s not something that happens often. It won’t be easy, but don’t you think it’d be reassuring if you got to live out the rest of your life with the hero of our holy empire?”

Speaking of, he was the war hero who finally ended the ceaseless religious war. On the surface, he looked like the model of integrity. Not only was he not a criminal, he was a righteous knight who wouldn’t hesitate to take down a criminal! I figured this level-headed and cold man of the temple would only show warmth and affection to his woman.

“But he’s already dedicated his life to faith. How irreverent is it for him to marry a woman?”

“That’s so old-fashioned of you!”

What are you even saying?! You have to choose between one of those three men no matter what!

Flustered, I opened my mouth to try and convince her, but it was Claudia who spoke first and dropped a bomb.

“I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life!”

Unfortunately, her voice was loud and resolute. The ballroom instantly quieted as her voice echoed across the room.

“I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life! I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life! I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life! I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life...”

Always the wallflower, this was the first time I was thrust into the spotlight. I was so startled that I didn’t even realize I took a step back.

“Wh… What?”

“I’m not going to get married. I’m going to live with Irene for the rest of my life.”

I was still hoping that I heard wrong, but Claudia made sure it was clear. She grabbed my hand while I was rendered speechless out of shock.

“I want to share delicious meals with her, go shopping, and buy things with her. I want to live together with her and have fun every single day! As long as I have Irene, I don’t need anything else.”

The three men exchanged fiery glances, then turned to look at me. The possessive and crazed look in the crown prince’s eyes… The duke’s chilling smile that seemed like it was masking something underneath… The icy stare from the paladin without a hint of warmth... They were staring at me like I was a love rival.

F-f*ck. How could this be happening?

Irene Amber. My real name is Heesoo Kim. It’s been a year since I started living in this romantic fantasy novel. Yet, somehow... I’ve charmed the female protagonist. What’s more, this novel happens to be a tragedy.