3

Anthonette toss and turned on her bed. "Did I already change the story ?" It's been a week now and what was supposed to happen was that Duke Ezra was to give her an audience and fix their wedding.

The man couldn't even grant her an audience and even when she accepted his proposal he hasn't even commented on that.

He's just obssesed looking for the transmigrator and pushed her aside.

What did he even want to do with her ? So there is another person like her but that person is actually the missing Empress. Come to think of it, what gave Duke Ezra, the black knight in the original story?

Was he this obssesed with the empress and the crown prince ?

Or was it never talked about ?

He's supposed to marry her and frame her for adultery already.

"But why did he even marry original Anthonette ?" Anthonette thought to herself. There was something she wasn't aware of.

If the Duke purpose changed or he doesn't need her to fulfill it, does it mean she can survive this life the fourth time ?

That would have been fine if he had another reason to abandon her, everyone knows that they're unofficially courting, so if he could just continue ignoring her. That can't happen, technically he is looking for her and she chooses not to meet him, how can she be sure he doesn't want to transfer aggression because she's a transmigrator like the Empress.

It's better he turns the entire kingdom to chaos instead of me dying pointlessly. For once, Anthonette actually have a chance to escape death, the Duke basically is ignoring her so he doesn't suspect her one bit, so if this keeps up she can enjoy the rest of her life courted to the Duke.

"Yes, the Duke is Cordenia's problem not mine..." Anthonette was euphoric, if this was going to happen, she would have picked Ezra in her first transmigration.

"Lady Anthonette.." A maid barges in her room, she doesn't know her.

Anthonette didn't think she'd stay in the Hivera's for that long, she didn't care to learn any name, except for Violette and a few others because they were mentioned in the book.

"Are you even hearing me my Lady ?" Anthonette was snapped back into reality. "What is it now ?" She frowned, she hoped this isn't some bullshit from Amos faking suicide because I didn't pick him.

"Duke Ezra is here..."

••••••

The atmosphere was so quiet that Anthonette feared the Duke could possibly read her mind.

She was having lunch with him and tried her best to remain calm as possible.

"How are you, darling." Anthonette made sure those words were coming out from the Duke himself and not his squire next to him.

He was the only one standing by his side, just one look, Anthonette couldn't tell the squire wasn't even average to the Duke.

Why would he even pick someone as weak and even a squire and not a knight.

"His name is Tilo.." the color drained from Anthonette's face. The Duke chuckled satisfied with her reaction. "You didn't read my mind did you ?" She can't deal with him if this is an option.

"Of course not." He smiled with his eyes shut. "The way you ignored my greeting and looked at him. I wondered if you were courting him or me..." Anthonette just wished she could melt into a blurb or slime at best. She didn't know conversing with him would be this tiring, if anything the duke was doing her a favor denying her an audience.

"So.." Anthonette coughed. "What brings you here Duke Ezra. Have you finally considered your actions rude. What if I didn't grant you an audience ?" Anthonette archs a brow. Tilo was baffled for his Lord, a simple noble is bold enough to call him out.

"I would have simply left. I apologise for my fatuity. I was simply busy. You must have heard of the transmigrator."Anthonette thought he would have just shut her up with a glare or threaten her for being called out. She was at least expecting it so she could have an excuse to end their conversation.

Why are you suddenly interested in me ? She looked to the Duke who caught her gaze. She didn't waste time to look away, she wasn't scared. She was taken aback by his looks. Maybe this is where he got the name the black knight.

His hair was sable just as the book claimed. Was it possible to see this kind of black. Up close he looked ethereal and if not for his terrible personality she would have fell for his black hair and vapid blue eyes.

"So let me ask once again, how are you doing darling ?" A palm went under his chin. If Anthonette didn't know any better she might mistake him for trying to charm her. Maybe he was unaware.

"I'm f-fine your-r highness..." Fidgeting with her hands, Anthonette looks down and finally replies. "I'm pleased to hear that, again forgive my idiocy you should have been the person I should have given my attention from the start." Does he know I'm the transmigrator ?

He can really read minds, I'm fucked.

"W-why...do you think so ? I am nothing but your lady in courting." Anthonette set this as way to figure out if he already knew.

How did he even know.

"Because you're my lady in courting of course, nothing else..." Anthonette didn't buy this reply but she swallowed her doubts, if he suspects her, she didn't want to give him any reason to validate them.

"I bought you something." Tilo the squire immediately hands her over a small jewelry box. "You didn't have to.." Anthonette muttered those words to come off as humble. "Oh please accept it.." he urges as she opens it. "This necklace is one of a kind. I glows when ever someone beautiful wears it.." the Duke has a way with words, this made Anthonette to raise her guard up.

"Oh thank you, it's beautiful.."

"Try it.." that sounded more like an order but Anthonette was too scared to call him out this time.

He was right the necklace did glow. "Do you like it ?" He asked shooting daggers at her neck.

"I do. What a sly way to tell me I'm beautiful.." Anthonette said downing a drink. "You're beautiful." The Duke smiled. "I didn't get you the necklace for that purpose.."

"The necklace glows to show of a ghost is possessing a body. It is the same for a soul not belonging to a body." Anthonette screamed but she couldn't be heard.

"I don't understand.." she mutters hoping to throw him off.

"Ever since my announcement, so far three fake Transmigrators show up. They are all dead by the way while the real transmigrator is right in front of me." Anthonette froze, he finally found her. That was short.

"Like I said I should have paid attention to you from the start Anthonette Hivera."

"So, tell me." Ezra slammed his palms on the table inching closer towards Anthonette. "Did you think I wouldn't find you ? Or did you really not care if bath half of Cordenia in blood..."