I couldn't sleep all night, and his face kept lingering in my mind—it made me want to throw up. Don't think about him anymore, Mio. Yeah, he's just a stranger you don't need to pay attention to at all. I'll start my new life with a smile rather than wasting my thoughts on someone as unimportant as him.
I ran toward my wardrobe. Ah, I've never worn this dress before. It's too cute, so I've always felt reluctant to wear it. It's a purple dress with a white ribbon in the middle.
[Hello, good morning world,
Let's walk to the future with your strength,
Sadness
Pain
Tears
Let them vanish with the rain.
You are the only one
Who can change your future.
Let's walk to the future with your power.
I know you can do it.
Nothing can stop you
Because you're not the person you were in the past.
Believe in your heart—
You can get through anything.
Hello, good morning world.]
(P.S. This is a song the author imagined, so there's no reference for it.)
Ah, the weather is clear today, and I feel like I can ride the storm with a smile. But I was wrong—there was a terrible storm I couldn't face with passion alone. I took a bath and applied light makeup. I looked at myself in the mirror and felt satisfied with my style today. Ah, so this is the happiness everyone talks about. I giggled happily and agreed with myself that I am the most beautiful girl in the world—in my opinion.
"Lady, are you ready?" Milly asked from outside the door.
"Yeah, I'll come down," I replied, and then I heard Milly walk away without entering my room.
I opened the door and walked toward the stairs. That's when I met the man I hated the most this morning. A memory I didn't want to think about flashed in my mind. Claude stood up elegantly, leaning against the rails with a smile on his face like something good had just happened to him. This guy is acting deliberate—why does it feel like he's waiting for me? But of course, that's impossible, right? Someone as significant as he wouldn't be waiting for someone insignificant like me.
It's impossible. Yet this guy broke my expectations.
"Good morning, Mio," Claude said, his eyes filled with smiles as he gazed at me, making me want to throw up. Who is this guy? I wouldn't be surprised if he'd reincarnated too because he never acted this disgustingly sweet before. But that's impossible. If he had also reincarnated, what's the reason behind this kind attitude toward me?
Maybe he realized he had fallen in love with me and regretted abandoning me in this dangerous world. Then he reincarnated, trying to fix his past mistakes. Hah! That's ridiculous. This is reality, not a novel, and that kind of thing only happens in stories. Hahaha. Impossible.
Claude stood behind the rails, looking at me gently. Seriously, who are you? You're not the Claude I used to know. But who cares about that kind of thing right now?
"Good morning, my lady," Claude repeated because I was still silent and hadn't greeted him. Claude's eyes fell to my pink lips, and a fire of desire ignited in his gaze, as if he wanted to devour them.
I noticed the shift in Claude's expression. Was he looking at my lips? How shameless can he be? I glared at him with displeasure. Claude walked toward me with his hands in his pockets. He looked so handsome walking like that. He'd be even more handsome if he had headphones around his neck like an anime guy. Maybe he'd look cooler.
I shook my head hard. Wake up, Mio. I know you prefer 2D characters over real men, but this is not the time to think about anime! Claude was getting closer, and my heart pounded uncontrollably.
Claude saw Mio's cute reaction and felt his heart soften. He walked over and wrapped his large arms around my thin waist, then whispered, "Good morning, my wife," in my ear.
Goosebumps erupted across my body at the sound of his sexy voice.
"Good morning—your head!" I shouted back in protest.
(P.S. "Your head" is an expression of frustration or anger.)
"So cute," Claude said with a smile.
Are you crazy? Are you abnormal? Why are you so shameless, Claude?
"Cute, your head! Let me go," I protested, struggling against his hold. But even though he wasn't gripping me tightly, I couldn't break free from his embrace.
"You're so energetic in the morning, Mio," Claude said, effortlessly hugging me as I resisted with all my strength.
"Whose fault do you think that is? Obviously yours, Claude!" I snapped, glaring intensely.
"Why are you here? Why do I have to see your face first thing in the morning?" I asked, still trying to break away but failing miserably.
"You don't know why I'm here this early?" Claude asked, like it was a question I should already know the answer to. Why ask something so useless?
Claude looked directly at me and asked again, "You truly don't know the reason?"
"Of course I don't! Who do you think I am? A witch who can read your mind?"
"A witch, huh? That's cute too. I think it suits you," Claude said.
"Fit, your head! Don't joke around with me, shameless Claude!" I yelled. I had already given up struggling because he was simply too strong.
"Then I'll tell you. I'm waiting for my wife. You took forever with your makeup—I've already been waiting more than an hour," Claude said.
"I'm a girl. It's normal for a girl to take time with makeup! And who even asked you to wait for me?" I said, looking away from his intense gaze. He gently tilted my chin with his long fingers, making me face him.
"I just wanted to see my beautiful wife in the morning. Is that wrong?" Claude said, his eyes teary, like a pitiful cat abandoned by its owner.
"Who knows?" I said with a scowl.
Then Claude leaned in and stole a kiss from my lips. What is this guy doing? Hey—are you crazy? His tongue slipped into my mouth, intertwining with mine. Why is he so good at kissing? Has he had lots of experience with this? I tried to resist, but he kissed me so forcefully that my legs went weak. Finally, he let me go, his smile full of satisfaction. I slumped against his broad chest, exhausted.
"That's a good morning kiss from me, dear wife," Claude whispered in my ear with his sexy voice. I could smell his scent. He doesn't use cologne—it's his natural odor. It made me feel strangely relaxed in his arms.
Claude saw Mio's dreamy expression, and his smile widened. He supported my weakened body as we went downstairs and helped me into my seat, then sat down beside me. He looked at me nonstop, like no one else in the world existed.
Claude's parents watched us while shaking their heads. They had never seen Claude like this before. Why had he changed so suddenly? No one knew the reason, and as his parents, they didn't ask. They only wanted his happiness—so the reason didn't matter.
I didn't even realize it, but somehow, I was already seated at the table. What did this guy do? I feel like he hypnotized me with his charm. He's unfair. Completely unfair. Who does he think he is, charming me like this? Don't think for a second that he's already won. He also kissed me earlier—what the hell did he mean by that? A "good morning kiss"? His head! He's doing this on purpose, and I'm sure of it. He's absolutely shameless. And all I can do is scream inside my heart.
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