MPGF 04

Episode 4: You Like Obsessive Men, Don’t You?Harsh curses rang out, clashing with the elegant classical music.

Soon after, a flower vase hit the angelic wallpaper and fell to the floor.

“Why! Why on earth is Anette suddenly avoiding me?”
Serdis screamed in frustration, stomping on the ceramic shards scattered on the floor.

He had always gotten along well with Anette. At some point, whenever she saw him, she hurriedly fixed her stray hair or straightened her clothes. He was sure she was interested in him.

“Even the marriage talk was a lie. Does she hate me so much that she’d lie to me?”

After collapsing on the terrace, she had treated him coldly, like drawing a line. When he asked the Count of Leangberia about the marriage, he said it was nonsense. Serdis couldn’t understand how Anette changed so suddenly.

“Your Highness…”

The servant’s voice trailed off nervously at Serdis’ fierce anger.

“But why? Why on earth?”

Even the long-time servant, who had witnessed Serdis’ violent outbursts, swallowed his breath.

Whenever he was upset, Serdis would vent on his servants and maidens without hesitation.

When Serdis tried to brush back his disheveled hair, the servant flinched in fear. Annoyed by this, Serdis snapped irritably:

“Why are you standing there like a fool? Just watching?”

“Y-Your Highness…”

“Stop stammering and speak properly!”

The servant hurriedly took something out from his bosom and handed it over. Serdis refused to take it, signaling him to explain instead.

“I brought some interesting information about Lady Leangberia, as you asked earlier.”

Serdis raised an eyebrow with interest. The servant quickly pulled out some books.

“These are the books Lady Leangberia enjoyed reading since she was a child.”

“Books?”

“She mainly enjoyed novels.”

“So this is all you found out?”

“Oh, no! Of course not.”

The servant hastily opened a book.

“All these books are romance novels.”

Serdis chuckled incredulously.

“There’s a common trait among the male protagonists in these books!”

“A trait?”

“Yes. Please look at this part.”

Serdis examined the page carefully and frowned.

“Are these criminals the protagonists?”

“That’s right. And all the male protagonists show an obsessive level of attachment, which Your Highness said was unacceptable.”

Indeed, the books Anette read were romance novels characterized by intensely obsessive male leads. Anette, who enjoyed fantasy romance even before her possession, continued reading books featuring obsessive heroes after.

Even if it wasn’t exactly her taste, those books were popular and widely published.

“So that means…”

Serdis recalled the moment Anette changed — when he warmly covered her with a blanket on the terrace and personally brought her soup. He was the opposite of those obsessive heroes in the novels.

Most girls liked kind men, so he had tried to be gentle.

“So Anette likes this kind of man.”

His voice softened, and the servant nodded vigorously.

“That’s right! There’s no doubt. Otherwise, she wouldn’t enjoy books with only these types of men!”

“What if she refuses again?”

“That’s just her playing hard to get. She’s a shy person. Don’t worry, just push forward!”

The servant was only trying to ease Serdis’ mood, unaware of what consequences this might bring.

Several days passed since the memories returned.

The mansion was always bustling with visitors coming almost daily.

“Miss, the prince is here.”

“Tell him I’m sick and can’t meet.”

“He insists on nursing you personally.”

“Say it’s contagious.”

“He says it’s a joke.”

“Say I’m naked because I have a fever.”

Because my father, who went to the palace, had confided to Serdis that I had no marriage prospects, calling me ‘forever single.’ Perhaps worried by my cold attitude, Serdis intensified his courtship.

When I kept refusing, he sent jewels, gifts, and even made a private garden for me on the mansion grounds.

‘The garden’s called Darling?’

Is this really the same person?

I got chills, realizing that the side Serdis had shown was just the tip of the iceberg.

“Ugh, I should just find a husband already.”

Though not fully recovered, I left the mansion.

Ignoring everything Serdis sent, I stored it in the warehouse and secretly searched for a husband.

Cassian?

He was just a friend.

And I had long suspected that Cassian wasn’t his real name — after meeting three different men called Cassian, none was the right one.

But it didn’t matter.

‘Cassian must have his own life.’

I couldn’t just barge in and demand marriage.

So I deliberately diverted my parents’ attention toward Cassian and seized the opportunity to find a husband.

It was a sneaky move.

Like when I failed the exam badly and acted overly dramatic — “My life is ruined; I can’t do anything” — and my parents ended up scolding me less.

If I brought a better candidate than the four Cassians,

My parents, who would normally refuse, would grudgingly accept, saying “At least this one’s better.”

The prince might be disappointed, but my parents wouldn’t be able to hold me back forever.

I didn’t want to cause a rift with them either.

“One of the two will say yes.”

According to the information guild’s search, only two nobles met my conditions.

I memorized the faces in the two documents.

One year. I just need to endure until Serdis falls in love with Violet, then divorce.

“Miss, shall I fix your hair?”

As I put away the documents in the drawer, Betty came in.

“But Miss, can you really wear such a simple yellow flower for your hair ornament?”

“Yeah, just put it on quickly. It’s time to go.”

Betty reluctantly pinned the ornament on the braid at the side. Though displeased, I was satisfied.

The dull teal dress I was wearing and the heavy makeup looked oddly out of place.

“Are you sure you want to go like this?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

Betty hesitated with a worried look and finally brought in a box placed by the door.

Sneaking glances revealed it was a gift from Serdis.

“Is this from the prince?”

“Yes. Shall we put it in the warehouse like last time?”

The box, wrapped with a gold ribbon, had an envelope attached. Normally, I’d just toss it aside, but today I chose otherwise.

“Let’s open it.”

“Yes!”

Betty happily untied the ribbon and opened the box but looked startled.

“This is…”

The dress Anette wore to the banquet in the original story.

A deep blue aquamarine gem sparkling mysteriously.

“It looks similar to what you’re wearing.”

Though Serdis’ gift was far more expensive, the vibe was similar.

Ignoring Betty’s comment, I tore open the letter and read it. It was the usual nonsense, and I quickly burned it on a candle flame.

The entrance to the banquet hall had an unusually calm atmosphere.

The Sharphenan Duke family carriage arrived.

Stepping down alone without escort was Violet.

Her long purple hair draped down, her gown’s hem held delicately — a true noblewoman.

Her expression was emotionless, yet she exuded a sorrowful yet dignified air, fitting for the novel’s heroine.

Before she entered, I quietly called out to her to lessen the karma I would accumulate at tonight’s banquet.

“Lady Princess Violet.”

She turned around immediately and looked at me. She recognized me instantly.

“Princess, I’m Anette, daughter of Count Leangberia. I have something to say.”

“The banquet is about to start. Let’s talk inside.”

She didn’t want to talk privately.

Understandably so.

Serdis and I were the subject of open scandal. She must have heard rumors about the prince visiting a mere count’s house. Even the saintly Violet wouldn’t think well of me.

“Once you enter the banquet, there’s no more time to talk.”

Tonight’s banquet wasn’t just any banquet.

It was the ‘Memorial Day of Saint Dahlia.’

In the original, this episode heralded the beginning of disaster.

Violet, secretly liking Serdis, had asked the empress for the position of princess consort. Angered, Serdis caused trouble.

He sent Violet a flashy dress, deliberately opposing the banquet’s purpose.

At the banquet held on Saint Dahlia’s memorial, he publicly embarrassed her.

“How pathetic, Princess Violet. You will never be my match.”

“This… this is from Your Highness…!”

“Anette, come here.”

In contrast, Serdis gifted Anette a dress suitable for the banquet and asked her for the first dance.

This memory deeply wounded Violet.

It was only natural for Violet to hate Anette.

So, before the banquet began, I decided to make Violet my ally.

I abruptly took her hand and led her to the empty powder room.

“Sorry for bringing you here so suddenly.”

Catching my breath after sneaking past other nobles.

Violet blinked her long eyelashes calmly, waiting for my next words.

“Please take off your clothes immediately.”

I said this with no hint of jest.

Violet’s expression didn’t change. She calmly repeated the words a few times before asking back, always polite and proper.

“I think I need an explanation. Why do I need to undress?”

Her dress was bright yellow, decorated with white jewels that sparkled with movement — reminiscent of spring flowers. Surely under the chandelier, she’d outshine anyone.

But she didn’t know.

That Serdis had given her the dress deliberately.

“Do you know the real meaning of tonight’s banquet?”

“I heard from His Majesty the Empress that it was held for the prosperity of the capital’s nobles.”

“For whom?”

She drew a perfect line on her lips painted with soft orange lipstick that matched her yellow dress.

“I heard it from my older brother.”

I expected as much.

There was a reason Violet came to the palace alone today.

Her two brothers, who didn’t recognize Violet as family, were dressed according to the appropriate dress code.

The powerful Sharphenan Duke family surely knew the banquet’s real purpose.

They simply had no obligation to tell their despised younger sister.

Moreover, both princes supported and praised Serdis, so naturally, they looked down on her.

I smiled deeply and firmly denied Violet’s assumption.

“No. This banquet is not held by the Empress’s will. Do you know what day today is?”

“The year 827 of the Empire, the fourth month and ten days…”

If she desperately wanted family recognition, she probably realized what day it was.

“We gather to commemorate Saint Dahlia’s memorial day. Because no one can quietly observe the day for the saint who loved and cared for all the people in the world.”

Most nobles had likely forgotten.

But when high-ranking nobles such as marquises dressed extravagantly to show off, it was a sign they were out of favor.

Violet also realized this and sighed with discomfort.

“Swap clothes with me. I’ll wear your dress.”

She slowly scanned my simple appearance, then quickly looked away, realizing it was improper.

“Why are you helping me?”

“I don’t want you to misunderstand me.”

“What misunderstanding?”

Violet looked uneasy.

“About you thinking Serdis and I are dating.”

I acted selfishly, indifferent to her feelings. Though I wanted to be more tactful, time was short.

Violet’s steady eyes stared at me.

“I believe that, but whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter.”

I heard an unspoken: ‘No matter who the prince meets, I will be the princess consort.’

I shook my head, signaling her she was wrong.

“Don’t be relieved. The princess consort is more likely to be me.”

“What do you mean…?”

Violet parted her dry lips.

“Because Serdis loves me now. Every day, with passionate letters and rare jewels pouring into my mansion from the capital.”

I cut off her words arrogantly, provoking her as if a mistress boasting to the lawful wife.

“He knows I’m sick and personally makes me soup. The prince, who never lifts a finger, insists on nursing me himself.”

“Enough.”

Only then did Violet’s expression become honest, the wrinkles between her brows revealing her feelings.

“And he’s the only prince in the empire. If His Highness wishes, nothing is impossible.”

“……”

“If I rush to him now and propose marriage, the wedding will start immediately.”

Violet swallowed hard and asked in a cracked voice:

“You said you didn’t want to be misunderstood just a moment ago?”

I smiled softly and nodded.

“Everyone wants to be the princess consort. But I’m the only one who will succeed.”

The warmth of her hand in mine vanished as Violet reluctantly nodded.

“I will help you.”