"Your Grace, are you truly alright with this?"
Bill, the butler, scrutinized my complexion. His gaze lingered for a long time on the arm I'd scraped earlier.
"I told you I'm fine."
"But Your Grace, you nearly fell from your horse. There are plenty of knights who've been crippled by such falls."
"No need to worry."
I waved my arm demonstratively, and only then did Bill step back.
"If you say so... Please let me know immediately if there's any pain."
"Understood. What about what I mentioned earlier?"
"Here it is."
I could sense his anxiety as he handed over a few sheets of paper.
"It's the report on Lady Rose Vicander."
"Hm."
For a report on one person's life, there was quite a stack of paper.
Flip, flip.
As I silently turned the pages, I ground my teeth in frustration.
'Damn, it's real.'
The information I knew—or rather, the truth I'd realized in that near-fall earlier.
In other words, this world was inside a novel—
and seeing this report made it even clearer.
Rose Vicander.
The eldest daughter of the Vicander Family and a leave-of-absence student from the Academy's Magitech Department. She was now on her way to the castle as my eighth wife.
'A regressor... that's what she is.'
[The Regressed Villainess No Longer Desires Love]
The story was about the protagonist, Rose Vicander, who lived a different life after regressing from an unjust death.
Instead of begging her husband for love, she boldly displayed her talents, and in the end, he was the one begging her for it. A classic regret romance.
'Yeah, I definitely read this novel.'
And at the same time, I realized.
That I was Rose's husband in the story—the villain they called the "shitty husband."
Dane Schmaikel. The sole surviving direct descendant and heir of the Duke Schmaikel Family.
The owner of the vast Schmaikel Territory and the Kalmarr Mine, producer of the finest mana stones. I was a character from the novel.
Overlaid on my 22 years of experience were memories described from others' perspectives.
It was an utterly alien sensation. But instinctively, I knew this wasn't a dream—it was reality.
And even more crucially,
'I'm going to die?'
That was the novel's ending.
I never made it to my twenty-second birthday before dying.
The cause of death: poisoning.
It wasn't exactly surprising. I'd always thought I might end up dying like that someday.
The collateral relatives' obsession with seizing this family went beyond imagination.
Not just poisoning the food, but assassinations and ambushes were so frequent I could no longer count them on my fingers.
'I just didn't know it would be this year.'
The moment I passed my twenty-second birthday, I would become the undisputed head of the Schmaikel Family under kingdom law.
The relatives who had denied me using my age as an excuse would finally be silenced. And before that happened, they'd want to finish me off.
So, there was only one way for me to survive: ally with the novel's protagonist and regressor, Rose Vicander.
The brilliant magitech scholar had prevented my poisoning death after regressing. And that very Rose Vicander was coming to the castle to become my eighth wife.
However...
In her previous life, Rose had been framed as my poisoner and executed. To her, Dane Schmaikel was no different from the man who ruined her life.
So, the moment she realized she'd regressed, Rose resolved:
'I'll never love him. Not ever.'
Melting that resolve would take considerable effort.
As the first step, I decided to greet Rose personally.
"Then it's about time to head out."
"Your Grace, what about the report I just gave you..."
"I've seen it."
It was all information I already knew anyway. I'd only skimmed it for Bill's sake.
Thud.
I set down the papers and rose from my seat. Bill couldn't hide his anxiety.
"Are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Lead the way."
"As expected of Your Grace—ever bold."
I walked the corridor with Bill, who muttered something incomprehensible.
The hallway was unusually quiet, devoid of the servants who normally bustled about cleaning.
"Looks like everyone's gone out to welcome the Madam."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Bill swallowed dryly and finally bowed his head.
"I apologize. The underlings spoke carelessly and disturbed Your Grace's ears."
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"You've heard the rumors about the Madam, haven't you? That's why you ordered the separate report."
Not really. I'd just wanted to confirm if this world was truly the novel.
"They only did it out of concern for you, so please don't take it too badly."
"Concern?"
"Rest assured. We've prepared thoroughly to ensure nothing unfortunate happens today."
"?"
Something felt off in my conversation with Bill. We were talking about the same thing, but our wires were crossed.
"The preparations for welcoming the Madam—are they fully complete?"
"Of course, Your Grace. As you commanded, we've prepared a welcome befitting the Schmaikel Family's name."
Bill replied with resolute determination.
"You said to prepare thoroughly so she clearly knows what family she's entering."
That excessive resolve was another source of unease.
Did preparing a welcome for a wife really warrant this level of gravity? Something was wrong.
But I couldn't suspect Bill.
He was a loyal butler who'd served the Schmaikel Family since my father's time. He could read my intentions from a glance.
"...Let's go, then."
I'd figure it out when I saw.
With that thought, I reached the castle gate and...
"..."
was left speechless.
Clang!
Guards lined up in perfect formation before the gate. Not a single misalignment in their rows.
Their armor gleamed so brightly it was nearly blinding. Clearly polished with utmost care.
'Did they use extra oil or something?'
And the sight beside them was even more absurd.
Snort!
Hot steam billowed from the horses' nostrils. The chill winter air couldn't suppress the vibrant energy pulsing from the steeds.
"Whoa, whoa."
"Easy now."
The mounted knights, defenders of the Kalmarr Mountains against monsters, shone radiantly.
The swords meticulously maintained by squires and the clinking of armor added to the vitality.
At their forefront stood Knight Captain Matthias, standing tall. Spotting me, he gave a light nod.
'Leave it to us, brother.'
His resolute face seemed to say. But I couldn't interpret that expression.
What was with that fierce look? He hadn't been that grim even on our first monster subjugation together.
What on earth had Bill told him? And how were they already here when the distance took at least an hour?
It was astonishing.
"Ahem."
"Hoo."
The servants stood facing each other along both sides of the main road before the inner castle. Judging by the numbers, the entire castle staff was out.
"Straighten your posture."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Willy, your feathers."
"Right away."
Head Maid Selma slowly walked among them, pointing out flaws. The servants strained to avoid even the slightest criticism.
'What the hell is this atmosphere?'
A solemn tension that tolerated no noise or mistake. No guest could remain unaffected.
Yeah, so...
'Why intimidate the person?'
That was my question.
One of the kingdom's largest forces, rigidly disciplined servants, armor and warhorses flaunting the family's wealth.
This wasn't a welcome—it looked like defensive preparations against an enemy.
"All set."
Bill, who'd escorted me here, bowed his head.
'Should I smack him?'
A burning urge I'd never felt toward the butler surged within me.
Is this it? This is really how you prepared?
A torrent of curses swirled in my mind, but
"Is that everything?"
what came out was calm. I was beyond anger—straight into absurdity.
"Yes, Your Grace."
A faint satisfaction graced Bill's face, as if he'd perfectly fulfilled his master's orders.
"We've made every preparation to display the Schmaikel Family's prestige."
"..."
"What do you think? Even a dragon would think twice."
"...No, not that."
It was impressive enough to awe even a king, if not a dragon.
But that wasn't the point right now.
Was the purpose of this welcome to threaten the guest? She might flee in terror, and that'd be fortunate.
How had they interpreted "a welcome befitting the Schmaikel Family"? Had it been so long since the last one that they'd bungled it?
I had too much to say, so nothing came out.
"..."
As I just worked my lips silently,
"My apologies, Your Grace."
Bill bowed deeply to me.
"...?"
A bad premonition flashed through me.
Something had gone terribly wrong. My loyal butler had misunderstood—massively.
"I sincerely apologize for failing to grasp Your Grace's intent and starting preparations so late."
"..."
"How dare they view the Schmaikel Family so lightly and send such a bride. It's utterly deplorable."
Bill's voice lowered, suppressing rage.
"We've let previous brides be because of Your Grace's mercy. But their insolence has pierced the heavens, so you can no longer overlook it."
"..."
"As an example, today's bride will personally feel the Schmaikel Family's wrath. Seeing the forces filling the estate grounds, she'll know her place."
The surroundings had fallen silent.
Everyone within earshot of Bill's voice was listening intently.
The guards, servants, knights—all said nothing. But their resolute gazes pledged.
'Leave it to us, Your Grace.'
'We must show them exactly what the Schmaikel Family is.'
'That woman won't even dare squeak.'
At this moment, they were united as one. A fervor I'd never felt even on my first subjugation.
"..."
These guys?
I was flabbergasted beyond belief.
Now I understood why this "welcome" had been prepared. They all thought I'd set this up to pressure the new bride.
'It's because of those rumors.'
I recalled Bill fidgeting as he handed over the report earlier.