"Did you really think everything would be solved just by tossing down a measly piece of paper and walking away? If you've got a mouth, then say something!"
I couldn't understand a single thing the man in front of me was saying. Even if he explained it step by step, it still wouldn't be enough—so how was anyone supposed to understand him when he cut out all the context and just blurted things out?
'Wait… what's that in his hand?'
My gaze naturally drifted toward the duke's hand. More precisely, toward the paper he was holding.
Petitioner: Chloe Randolph
I couldn't make out the rest, but those two lines stood out clearly.
'So that's why.'
Only then did I understand why the man in front of me looked like he'd lost his mind. Anyone would go crazy seeing those five letters written boldly on a stark white sheet of paper. And to leave something that monumental behind and run away?
Just what was lacking in this woman named Chloe that she'd want to divorce such an unbelievably handsome man? Even swimming in blessings had its limits. Clicking my tongue inwardly, I forced down the bitter feeling and slowly opened my mouth.
"A sudden notice of divorce… you must be deeply hurt. I hope the two of you resolve things amicably. It's a bit disappointing to find out you were married."
"…Are you going to keep acting until the very end?"
"No, this isn't something you should be discussing with me. I truly appreciate your help. If you talk things through with your wife, I'm sure you can… overcome this crisis."
I spoke cautiously, stealing glances at Duke Randolph. A sharp exhale escaped him.
After a few minutes, Duke Randolph raised his large hand and rubbed his face dry. Then he continued in a low voice.
"Even if you pretend not to know, I won't accept it. I've respected your opinions all this time, but this is one thing I cannot tolerate."
His blazing eyes bore into me. For a split second, I caught sight of my reflection in them.
Delicate, pretty features. Mysterious lavender eyes. Long, platinum-blonde curls cascading down.
'Wait… purple eyes and platinum hair?!'
My lips parted on their own. I lowered my gaze to look at myself.
'No way.'
Before I could even process the shock, the sheet of paper in Duke Randolph's hand was torn clean in half.
"I can't," he said. "Divorce."
As I watched the paper being mercilessly shredded, a thought came to me.
They say good fortune comes to the kind-hearted—maybe an enormous stroke of luck had just fallen into my lap.
'Yeah… it would've been a waste to die young in the prime of my life.'
Thinking back, I'd always been somewhat lucky. I'd once won a radio contest I'd entered on a whim. I'd secured tickets to my favorite idol's concert despite 100-to-1 odds. I'd even won 1,000 won in one of those notoriously low-probability "Yellow House" cash draws. Getting two pieces of kelp in a packet of instant ramen wasn't even rare for me. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the goddess of luck had always been by my side.
Just like now.
Rip, rip! The thin sheets tore helplessly in Duke Randolph's hands. Soon, the shredded pieces fluttered through the air like falling snow.
'So I'm that Chloe?'
A grin spread across my face. It was half incredulous laughter, half a shout of joy.
I was unbelievably beautiful. And from the looks of it, rich too.
'Oh, dear God…'
The scraps of paper raining down on me felt like celebratory confetti—blessings for the beautiful future I would share with the devastatingly handsome man before me.
My life had been ordinary, nothing special except for being just a little—just a tiny bit—luckier than most.
After work, I'd end my days ranting about my hopeless boss. That was me.
And now, not only was I sharing the same space as this gorgeous man, but I was someone who could sleep under the same blanket with him every night. If that wasn't special treatment—if that wasn't a blessing—what was?
'Well, if it's come to this, maybe two sons… and a daughter would be nice too.'
My imagination began to run wild. My cheeks flushed and my nostrils flared slightly without me noticing.
[You should have trusted me.]
A scene from a webtoon suddenly flashed through my mind. A man holding a sharp longsword, staring straight ahead with empty eyes, saying those words.
You should have trusted me.
I didn't know why that memory surfaced so suddenly. But my instincts were whispering that something felt wrong.
A strange, nagging sensation—like I knew something but couldn't quite grasp it. Like going to the bathroom and forgetting to wipe—unsettling and uncomfortable.
For a moment, I grew serious, but it didn't last long. Duke Randolph's eyebrow twitched slightly at my ever-changing expression.
"Chloe Randolph."
He pronounced the name slowly, savoring each syllable.
As if even my wandering gaze was unacceptable, his trembling red eyes fixed squarely on me.
"Listen carefully. If you pull something like this one more time, I won't be able to guarantee what happens next."
At the low warning, I quietly bit my lower lip. Duke Randolph let out a low growl before swiftly exiting the room.
The door closed.
"He's pretty fierce. Makes him even more attractive, though."
With the tension gone, the words slipped out unconsciously. I stared at the closed door for a while. It seemed everyone had left.
"Phew…"
Letting out a dry breath, I walked toward the full-length mirror in the corner of the room.
Voluminous platinum curls. Large eyes with mysterious lavender irises. A small but well-defined nose and rosy lips.
As befitting the wife of a devastatingly handsome man, the face was absurdly beautiful. There were bandages here and there from injuries caused by an accident, but nothing could hide such superior beauty.
To ground myself, I slapped my cheek and pinched it.
It hurt.
So this wasn't a dream.
"But seriously… what kind of trouble did this woman cause? I need to know something before I can even figure out how to respond."
With a troubled sigh, I fidgeted with my long hair, tangling it absentmindedly.
"I did end up becoming the wife of a ridiculously handsome man, but…"
All I knew was the surname Randolph. I didn't even know his first name. For that matter, I had no idea where this place was. In every sense of the word, it was a complete disaster.
"But seriously, no matter how I look at it, something's strange. It doesn't feel unfamiliar."
I was feeling a peculiar sense of déjà vu, clutching my head as I pondered what to do next, when—
Knock, knock!
A sound echoed, announcing someone at the door.
"A-Are you all right, Madam? His Grace told me to bring you a light meal."
A maid who had come up beside me spoke hesitantly. When I looked at her face, I recognized her as the girl who had been standing by the bed earlier.
"Right. Maybe…"
As our eyes met, the maid flinched and looked uneasy.
"Um… You've worked here for a long time, haven't you? What's your name?"
"What?! It's Sasha—Sasha! I came with you when you became a member of the Randolph family, Madam…!"
For a brief moment, something flashed in Chloe's eyes.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
If you know yourself and your opponent, even a crisis can become an opportunity. Was there any saying more fitting for this situation?
A sigh escaped me, but there had to be a way out. For instance, the maid standing right in front of me—Sasha.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that…?"
Seeing me curl my lips into a faint smile, the maid took a step back. To avoid suspicion, I quickly put on a distant expression and let tears well up in my eyes.
"The truth is…"
"Don't tell me His Grace laid a hand on you, Madam?"
"No, it's not that."
"I thought so! Your cheeks were red from the moment I came in! His Grace certainly had reason to be angry, but to treat you like that…!"
"No, that's not it."
"Then why on earth would you do something like that? Of all days, on your wedding anniversary, divorce papers? His Grace may cherish you, but if you knew how frightening he can be…"
"No."
"Ah! I'm sorry. I got carried away again without knowing my place. I try to be careful, but… Still, it's true that His Grace is frightening. Even this time—you're the one who ran away, so why are we the ones getting dragged in? My previous master was like that too. Once a servant fell out of favor, they'd nitpick at every little thing… I really don't understand why nobles are like that."
"…."
"Ah! I've gone on too long again, haha. Please wait a moment, Madam. I'll bring your medicine."
With that, Sasha quickly turned toward the door.
"No! Listen to what I'm saying!"
Staring at the door that had shut coldly behind her, I roared.
Sasha, who said she was going to fetch medicine, returned with something else instead—and stood there fidgeting.
Of course, her anxious demeanor was the least of my concerns. My gaze was fixed solely on the man before me.
"Even seeing him twice, he's still handsome."
I smiled in satisfaction and stole a glance at Duke Randolph.
"So you're saying you remember absolutely nothing?"
Reclining halfway against the cushions, Duke Randolph asked in a flat, toneless voice. He had repeated the question so many times it was becoming tedious.
"Regrettably, not a single thing."
The duke let out a small scoff before speaking again.
"And how am I supposed to believe that?"
"Hmm…"
At the sharp question, I hesitated, trailing off.
"I'm certain I've ended up inside someone else's body. But I have no idea where this place is."
Since I truly couldn't remember anything, it was hard to come up with a plausible excuse. At times like this, my mother's old advice comes to mind.
When you don't know what to do, shamelessness is the answer.