My Fiancé Keeps Sabotaging My Love Life - Chapter 9 - Just Think of It as a Rehearsal

Chapter 5.1

Back then, the emperor made an example out of Evelyn’s birth parents, who were influential thanks to their revolutionary charity work. To erase any evidence, every servant present at the scene that day was massacred.

That incident left her an orphan, and she ended up living with her maternal grandfather, the former Marquis Inevasel.

Her current father, who was originally her uncle, officially adopted her as his own daughter and raised her with all the love he had. Growing up as the cherished youngest child in the family, she came to truly love her new family in return.

“That’s why I have no choice but to protect my family.”

In the latter half of the original story, Evelyn was killed by her own fiancé, and the entire Inevasel family was wiped out by the emperor’s schemes.

At the time, the Valentino family was the only noble house strong enough to challenge the imperial authority, so the emperor wanted to keep the duke’s influence in check. By taking down the marquisate that was allied to the ducal house through marriage, he achieved just that.

In the end, the Inevasel became a sacrificial pawn in the struggle for power and was erased from the Baltian Empire’s history forever.

A mysterious, deadly poison swept through their territory, killing countless people.

As absurd as it sounded, it actually fit perfectly with the tone of a tragedy novel. Thinking about the disaster that awaited in the future, Evelyn bit her lip and clenched her fingers tightly.

‘No need to panic. There are still three years left.’

Ever since she realized she had been reincarnated, she had been using her healing powers to develop an antidote for the poison. She was determined to rewrite the original story, uncover the truth behind her biological parents’ deaths, and protect the family she loved.

With newfound resolve, Evelyn slipped the pendant she’d been holding into the antique jewelry box.

“Don’t worry, Mom, Dad.”

I won’t just sit by and let things unfold as they did in the original story.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

As Evelyn looked up at the grand staircase leading to the banquet hall, nerves danced across her face.

Today was her coming-of-age ceremony at the imperial palace. She thought back to all the preparations her parents and the servants had thrown themselves into, just for her. All she wanted now was to get through the ceremony safely.

“You look pretty nervous.”

Axion, standing beside her, commented in his usual dry tone.

His black hair was perfectly styled, his eyes tinged with crimson, and not a single wrinkle marred his tailored uniform. Though she hated to admit it, Evelyn couldn’t deny that he looked more handsome with each passing day. Even the journals had written that there was no one in the empire more beautiful than him.

Irritated by her fiancé’s infuriating charm, she shot him a sideways glare and replied.

“Who says I’m nervous?”

‘Why did he have to come pick her up so early, anyway?’

Even though there was still plenty of time before the banquet started, Axion showed up at the marquis’ residence way too early. Although she had planned to ride to the palace with her family for once, thanks to him, her plan went out the window.

‘Seriously, there isn’t a single thing I like about him.’

Suppressing a short sigh, she took her fiancé’s hand and started up the stairs. The doorman checked their invitations, then dramatically flung open the doors to the ballroom and announced their arrival in a booming voice.

“Young Lord Valentino and Lady Inevasel are now entering!”

The moment the doors opened, the dazzling light from the chandeliers flooded in, making her squint. Axion noticed and gave her a faint smirk.

“Maybe you should start attending banquets more often from now on.”

“What?”

“If you want, I could go with you.”

Evelyn shot him a cold glare, caught off guard by her fiancé’s unexpected suggestion.

“Please, do me a favor and just ignore me.”

Meanwhile, the nobles, unaware of the reality of their relationship, whispered excitedly to each other, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.