The Wrong Bride

Eleanor’s POV

[Reset Process Successful.]

[Subject Returned To The Starting Point: Eleanor Genevieve Rose’s Wedding Day.]

[Memory Synchronization Complete.]

[Welcome Back, Eleanor.]

“Lady Eleanor, you must prepare immediately. Duke Edward Alistair is already waiting at the chapel.”

I stared at the maid before me, struggling to process everything that had just happened. Moments ago, the executioner’s sword had nearly severed my head. Now, I was back on my wedding day, about to marry the very man who had stood by and let me die.

“Lady Eleanor, are you all right? You look terribly pale. Should I call for a physician?”

I shook my head. “No need. I’m just a little dizzy.”

“Very well, Lady Eleanor.”

I looked at her again. “Has Isabelle returned?”

“Not yet, my lady. Lady Isabelle has been missing since she left the estate last night.”

So everything was still unfolding exactly as it had in the novel. Isabelle had fled, the Rose family needed a replacement bride, and unless I did something now, I would end up marrying Edward.

I let out a long breath.

No. I had to change the course of my life in this world if I didn’t want to meet the same tragic end as that foolish woman.

“Then I’m not getting married.”

The maid’s eyes widened. “What?”

“I’m not replacing Isabelle. Please tell my mother that I refuse to go through with this wedding.”

“But, my lady, the ceremony is about to begin! The guests have already arrived, and the Alistair family—”

“I don’t care.” I climbed out of bed. “I’m not marrying a man who doesn’t even want me.”

Before the maid could respond, the bedroom door swung open. Countess Rose swept inside in an emerald-green gown, her expression darkening the moment she saw me still dressed in my nightclothes.

“What is going on? Why aren’t you dressed yet?”

“Because I’m not marrying Edward Alistair.”

The countess fell silent for a moment before turning to the maid. “Leave us.”

As soon as the door closed, she fixed her sharp gaze on me again.

“Repeat what you just said.”

“I refuse to go through with this marriage. Isabelle was supposed to marry him, so let her deal with the mess she’s made herself.”

“Isabelle ran away!” she snapped. “Do you want the entire empire to laugh at House Rose because of your childish behavior?”

“And I’m supposed to sacrifice my life just to protect this family’s reputation?”

“You are a daughter of House Rose. You have a duty to fulfill.”

I scoffed. “And does this family have any duties toward me?”

Her expression grew colder. “Don’t be selfish. The Alistair family has already agreed to this marriage. If you call it off now, you won’t be the only one whose reputation is ruined. Our entire family will suffer the consequences.”

“Let them. I don’t care.”

“You will care when everyone learns that a daughter of House Rose couldn’t even preserve her own honor.”

I clenched my fists. This woman wasn’t going to let me walk away so easily. But I had no intention of surrendering simply because she threatened me.

I was Eleanor Smith.

Not Eleanor Genevieve Rose.

“I’d rather live with a ruined reputation than marry a man who will destroy me.”

The countess’s expression shifted. “What do you mean by that?”

Only then did I realize I’d said too much. I couldn’t explain that I knew the future because I’d read about it in a novel, let alone tell her that Edward would become one of the people who allowed me to be executed.

“Forget it,” I replied. “All you need to know is that I want this wedding canceled.”

[Warning!!!]

I flinched.

The glowing panel appeared before me again, accompanied by the same flat, emotionless voice inside my head.

[Violation Detected: Refusal To Proceed With The Arranged Marriage.]

I froze.

“No,” I whispered. “Don’t tell me you’re going to interfere with my life.”

The countess gave me a strange look. “What are you muttering about?”

I ignored her. New text appeared on the panel.

[Main Quest Activated.]

[Objective: Marry Duke Edward Alistair And Make Him Fall In Love With You Within 365 Days.]

I stared at the panel, my eyes widening.

What? Marry him and make him fall in love with me?

[Warning: Failure To Complete The Quest Will Result In Permanent Death.]

“That’s impossible!” I exclaimed. “I just died because I followed this story! Why do I have to go through all of this again?”

“Eleanor!” the countess barked. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“I don’t want to marry him!” I turned back to the panel. “You brought me back here to give me another chance at life, didn’t you? Then why can’t I decide how I want to live it?”

[The Main Quest Cannot Be Canceled.]

[The Wedding Must Proceed As Scheduled.]

[Time Remaining To Complete The Quest: 365 Days.]

I wanted to smash the panel to pieces, but my hand passed straight through the glowing light.

Damn it.

Even after returning to the past, I was still being controlled by something I couldn’t see.

The countess grabbed my arm, her grip hard enough to hurt. She looked furious that I’d continued ignoring her tirade.

“Enough. You will put on your wedding gown now. I will not allow you to bring shame upon this family.”

I yanked my arm free and met her gaze. “Fine. I’ll marry him.”

The countess immediately smiled smugly. “At last, you’ve come to your senses.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not doing this for the sake of this family.” I glanced at the white gown near the wardrobe. “I’m simply not ready to die.”

I knew she had no idea what I meant, but I didn’t care.

After the countess left, I stood before the mirror. Eleanor’s face stared back at me—the face of a woman who had once lost everything because she’d loved the wrong man.

“This time, I won’t repeat your mistakes. I’ll marry Edward Alistair and complete that damn quest, but not because I want his love. I’ll find out who’s controlling this system, why I was sent back in time, and how to break free from the fate binding me to this world.”

A faint, defiant smile tugged at my lips as I studied the unfamiliar face in the mirror.

“If the system wants Edward to fall in love with me, so be it. But I won’t give that man my heart.”

“Yes… I’ll survive these 365 days. And when they’re over, I’ll decide my own fate.”

***