Chapter 3
Jeremia Andersen.
Born as the eldest daughter of the Andersen family, she lived a life devoid of any expectations from her family.
In a family of swordsmen like the Andersens, a necessary heir was a son, not a daughter.
Her parents, who brought her into this world, constantly looked down on her.
Their love and investments were solely directed toward her younger brother, born after her.
The only value they saw in her was contributing to the family’s prosperity by being connected to another family that her parents deemed worthy.
“Behave properly and act with grace. Attend social gatherings so everyone will take notice of you.”
While her younger siblings learned swordsmanship, she learned dancing and makeup.
While they received their parents’ affection, she learned how to receive love from others.
That was the only way she could contribute to her family as a woman.
Taught under such principles, Jeremia eventually came to see being loved by a man from another noble family as her only value.
“A marriage proposal came from the Duke’s family. If you marry him, our family’s position in this country will become even more secure.”
In time, she was betrothed to the heir of the Duke’s family—a match arranged by her family without her consent.
Nevertheless, Jeremia accepted her fate.
Although she didn’t love him, she believed that by uniting with the Duke’s family, she could create ties that would bring happiness to everyone around her.
“I do not love you.”
Even when he expressed disdain toward her directly.
“I will never love you. Our engagement is merely a relationship arranged by our families. While I will treat you with the basic respect owed to a partner, don’t expect anything more.”
Even when he drove a nail into the coffin of their loveless relationship, Jeremia was determined to accept that fate.
Because love wasn’t necessary for a union.
She had been taught that love was unimportant in a woman’s life.
As long as she was married, she would focus on her life with him and her duties as his wife.
She believed that living such a life was her destiny.
“Did you hear the rumors? The young master has been mingling with a commoner woman.”
But why?
Why did he have to deny her modest expectations and invalidate the value she had worked so hard to uphold?
“A commoner woman, you say? There are plenty of noble ladies suitable for him. Why a commoner?”
“More importantly, doesn’t he already have a fiancée? What about Lady Jeremia…?”
When Jeremia began to hear the rumors, she felt an anger she had never experienced before.
She believed she had lived her life solely for the purpose of being united with him.
Even if it wasn’t true love, she thought her value was proven by their engagement.
But for him to entertain the affections of a commoner woman right before her eyes—how could she tolerate it?
“Why do you care that I’m spending time with her?”
She had hoped he would deny the rumors, but he was unabashed.
With a sharp and confident attitude, he drove a dagger into her heart.
“You don’t love me anyway, do you?”
Yes, you’re right—I’ve never loved you.
But the world brought us together.
Since we’ve been joined, regardless of our feelings, shouldn’t you at least not turn your eyes toward someone else?
If nothing else, if you had feelings for someone, shouldn’t it have been me?
Why now, after all this time, have you chosen someone other than me?
If this was how things were going to be, you shouldn’t have gotten engaged to me in the first place.
You shouldn’t have given me the hope that my value could be proven.
“Get out of his sight this instant. Know your place as a commoner!”
The anger echoing within her soon turned toward the commoner who had caught his eye.
She felt threatened by the woman’s existence.
She was furious that this woman had disrupted the fate she had resigned herself to and claimed the affection she could never have.
Her malice toward the woman grew increasingly extreme, eventually alienating those around her.
“Jeremia Andersen! Do you realize the extent of your sins?”
And in the end, it was her fiancé who led the charge when the time of judgment came.
In front of everyone, he exposed her wrongdoings and severed their relationship completely.
“Do you realize how severe your actions were? Do you know how many people suffered because of your greed, yet you dare show your face to me?”
“It’s all your fault… I became like this because of you.”
“Enough with the excuses. The sins you committed are yours alone, aren’t they?”
Excuses, he said.
If you think about it, it was because he turned his eyes toward another woman that this all happened.
Does he really believe he has no responsibility for what happened?
“You’ve committed enough sins that you can no longer remain at the Academy. Naturally, your family won’t want to associate with someone disgraced with expulsion.”
“Did it really have to come to this…?”
“Yes, this ends our relationship.”
With her expulsion came the announcement of their broken engagement.
And with that, she lost the only thing that had defined her value.
Her parents, who had only ever pinned their hopes on her marrying well, exploded with fury upon hearing the news.
“You’re a useless wretch. I don’t want to see your face—get out of this house!”
It wasn’t her choice to break their engagement.
She had clung to the relationship to meet their expectations.
She had directed her malice toward the woman who had caught his eye.
But none of that mattered to her family.
They only cared about the outcome and promptly cast her out to a separate residence.
She was left alone in a desolate mansion where no one came to visit.
“I just wanted to prove that I had value.”
That was the only thing she had lived for.
Everything she endured from her parents, everything she sacrificed for a loveless engagement—it was all to prove her worth.
“Then why have I fallen to this state?”
What is love?
What is it about genuine affection for someone that could make her so wretched?
Does he truly believe it was right to condemn her as a villain?
If that’s truly the case, then doesn’t that mean she was born wrong from the start?
‘I… hate you.’
She didn’t want to admit it.
To simply accept the fate that had been predetermined from the start.
‘I resent everyone who made me this way.’
A life where neither her parents’ expectations nor her relationship with her fiancé ever went as she hoped.
When even her existence was ultimately denied, a tiny seed of malice began to sprout in her heart.
For now, it lacked a clear shape.
But with the right trigger, it could grow uncontrollably—a vague thirst for revenge.
‘Excuse me. Pardon the intrusion, but could you take a moment to look at some of my wares?’
A peddler visited the mansion at a time when she was searching for something to ignite those feelings.
Though he appeared suspicious at a glance, Jeremia, who needed something—anything—to rely on, was strongly drawn to his presence.
Perhaps he could offer the means to bring her budding feelings of revenge to fruition.
‘…What is this book?’
‘Ah, that’s a book on black magic.’
‘Black magic…?’
‘It’s a guide that includes instructions on summoning demons from Hell. According to rumors, demons grant the wishes of their summoners.’
A being that grants wishes.
Jeremia found herself deeply intrigued.
For someone who didn’t know how to act on her thirst for revenge, such a being was exactly what she needed.
‘So, what do you think? Would you like to buy this book?’
The peddler smiled slyly.
It was a chilling and wicked smile, but even so, Jeremia accepted the book on demon summoning from him.
Even if he harbored ill intentions, she didn’t care.
Even if accepting this book would lead to her ruin, it wouldn’t matter to someone who had already been abandoned by the world.
***
“I desire vengeance, not a butler.”
Yes, Jeremia craved revenge.
Though her desire for revenge was still vague and unrefined, the truth of her feelings couldn’t be denied.
The man before her in his butler’s uniform had been summoned to give shape to her feelings and turn them into action.
“I want to take revenge on everyone who abandoned me. That’s why I summoned you.”
“Yes, I understand. I know you summoned me because you seek revenge.”
“Then…”
“But before I grant that wish, there are other things we need to address first.”
Things to address?
She had nothing left.
Aside from the desire for revenge against those who wronged her, what else was there for her to do?
“For starters, this mansion is quite large but poorly maintained. While I’ve done some cleaning, it’ll take quite a bit of time to clean it all thoroughly.”
“Cleaning isn’t something to worry about.”
“No, it’s a very important matter. It wouldn’t be proper for the master I serve to live in such a dirty place.”
“That’s…”
After all, hers was a meaningless life without revenge.
So why should she care if she lived in a dusty house?
“Beyond that, you seem to have been neglecting your own well-being.”
Interrupting her argument, he raised a finger to his lips and continued in a calm voice.
“You haven’t had a proper meal in days, your face lacks vitality, and your hair, left unattended for so long, is damaged. On top of that, your attire shows no regard for decorum, even in front of a man…”
“Eek!”
Jeremia recoiled, wrapping her arms around herself to cover the exposed skin of her nightgown.
Seeing her reaction, he smiled mischievously as if even her embarrassment was endearing.
“Seeking revenge is fine, but I believe it’s more important to take care of yourself first. If you let revenge consume you and neglect yourself, you won’t even be able to appreciate the satisfaction of achieving it.”
Satisfaction?
She had never sought such a thing.
In a life where she had never received any kind of reward, how could she hope for something like satisfaction, even in revenge?
“You…”
She tried to scold him for his unsolicited advice, but her words were cut short.
-Grumble.
Her stomach suddenly growled, causing Jeremia to flush crimson and clamp her mouth shut.
“Well, it seems you’re hungry.”
“That… is none of your business!”
“How could it not be? My master is hungry—how could I possibly ignore that?”
“I told you, I need someone to exact my revenge, not serve me… Ah!”
The man lifted Jeremia’s body as she protested.
Startled, she trembled, but he simply smiled warmly, as if even her reaction amused him.
“W-what are you doing!?”
“What do you think? I’m taking you to the dining room.”
An unwanted gesture of kindness.
But even as he carried her, ignoring her protests, he gave her a gentle smile.
“I hope you’ll enjoy the meal I’ve prepared for you.”
His smile was so warm it made her feel flustered.
Jeremia opened her mouth to say something but quickly turned her head away.
She wanted to retort, but her words wouldn’t come.
Her heart was pounding, threatening to burst.
-Thump, thump.
For the first time in her life, she felt a strange tension that left her unable to speak a single word.
—
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