ROSES ARE RED

Chapter 1

Hello readers! I hope you can enjoy this story even though every incident is not realistic and practical. Also, feel free to correct my mistakes . Please let me know what you think of the story in the comments! Luv u!

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I still vividly remember the day I got gunfired by the killers hired by my brother and ended up inside my favourite manga novel 'Calm down, your lordship' as the villainess, Laurencia Verdetti. Aside from the fact that I previously believed reincarnation to be impossible and was kind of astounded at first, it was not hard for me at all to be separated from the real world and adapt to my new life. To be honest it was quite amusing to think that I had become a character of a manga novel, and that also the famous villlainess, Laurencia.
In the novel I read, Elisha Domer, the female lead, was the daughter of Viscount Domer, the right hand man of the Emperor of Monteford, Heinrich Von Alvarez.
Joshua Bonnard, the male lead, met her as he went hunting in the forest near Viscount Domer's manor.
The beautiful Elisha was spending time watching the birds build their nests, when Joshua saw her and was mesmerized by her beauty ,as any other typical romance novel male lead.
He went up to her and made introductions. After that, it can be guessed easily. The two fell in love, became lovebirds as the story progressed.
And just like any other romance novel, this one also had to have a villainess, who was none other than me, Laurencia Verdetti.
The only problem was that I would have to get married to the male lead, as it was prearranged by our families. I was the illegitimate daughter of the family, whom my father had with a woman who drugged him one stormy night while he was lying injured outside her house, as he lost his men while returning from the battlefield. My father was a renowned man with great wealth, and his seal gave away who he was, so my mother thought of having a child to obtain a large amount of money from him.
After that night she ran away and the duke was rescued by his men in the morning.
My mother couldn't return to her house as she was afraid of the duke's men looking for her. Also she couldn't go back to the bar where she previously worked. She roamed about from place to place, begging on the streets and stealing from people.
Finally, I was born to her. As soon as she became stable, she hurried over to the Verdetti castle to hand me over and take money in exchange.
Little did she know how much the duke loved the duchess.
No sooner had he heard what she had to say he ordered his guards to take her to the prison and execute her in a rage.
Though the duchess was heartbroken, she took pity on me and convinced my father not to abandon me. That's how I ended up staying at the duke's mansion with my other siblings.
When I first transmigrated into the novel, I thought that this kind of tragic past was normal for the villainess so didn't really think much about it.
But as time passed it felt overly suffocating to live with a bunch of people who hated me to death as if I were worse than a criminal.
One day I accidentally encountered my father while going upstairs. The disgusted look on his face was truly a sight to behold, atleast it was for me, who never knew what a father was.
'So how's everything going lately with you? I hope it's up to your need.'

The duke's utmost try to hide his disgust while speaking to me made it even more amusing.
'Everything's up fine, father. I already can't thank you enough for your food and shelter. I only hope that you can feed me until I get married, that is.' ,I replied courteously, knowing exactly what would annoy him.
'You should know that I'm not short of money. Even the servants eat here for free, so why can't you?' I was rejoicing the anger in his voice.
'But, father, if you ever have such an annoyed expression in front of a servant, it means that he'll be fired immediately.'
'I don't know whatever you're talking about.'
I could see his face turning pale as he hurried to his chambers.

As for my relationship with my siblings, we maintained our distance.
Leonardo, my oldest brother, or step brother I should say, couldn't even bear the sight of me as he believed that I was the sole cause of his mother's depression. Alexei, the younger one, was two years older than me and treated me as if I never existed. Lilliana, the youngest one among them, was a few months older than me. She didn't particularly have any impression of me. Whenever we crossed paths, she would look at me with a confused gaze, as if she didn't understand how I was related to them.
Setting this extremely suffocating atmosphere aside, my days in the mansion were more or less peaceful.
I was given basic education and also had a coming of age ceremony, which was also arranged by the duchess.
Here, it must be mentioned that the one who practically raised me was the duchess, Eleonor Bendetti.
I can't really describe her as a mother figure to me, but she always appeared to be as helpful as she could and made sure I was getting proper etiquette training. Also, she was the only person in the house whom I could talk to. So, I was grateful for the duchess.
The day after my debutante ball, father called me to his office.
'I'll get straight to the point', he began, clearing his throat, ' As you know, you're of age now. So, it's time that you choose a man for yourself.'
' What's the point of me choosing father, when you have already made that choice for me? I'll just go with your choice' I answered, giving him a quick smile.
The duke couldn't help looking a little surprised but returned back to normal in no time.
'You will not dislike the man I've chosen for you.', he said.
'Not like I 'can'.' I answered, in an unshaken voice.
The rage in his eyes was not hidden as he cleared his throat again, 'Then I'll arrange the meeting for you two this afternoon.'

The morning passed on to afternoon and finally it was time for me to meet my fiance. As my maids helped with the dress and stuff, my father went to welcome the guest. A while later, one of the servant came and informed that I had been called to the drawing room.
As I slowly entered the room, my father and my fiance looked up.
'Mr.Bonnard, this is Laurencia, your fiance.', said my father, introducing me to him.
The man looked up. He had extremely handsome features, but they, unfortunately, did not fit my taste . Specifically, his sly smile and devilish aura made him look dangerously attractive.
'Doesn't the lady have a last name, Sir Duke?' asked he, giving me a queer smile.
'I do. And that is Verdetti, much to my father's disappointment.' I replied, before my father could give any answer.
'Ahem! I-I think you two should have a talk in private. I'm leaving as I have important matters to deal with.'said father, as he hurried out of the room.
'So, let's start with our discussion, Sir Bonnard' said I, noticing the suspicion in his eyes.
'Yeah sure.'
' I want to be very honest with my fiance to be' I started, looking at him straight in the eyes, ' This marriage between us, as you know, is an arranged one. But the reason I agreed to marry you is because you can be my ally in the future.'
'An ally?', he raised his eyebrows.
'Yes.' I smirked at him, 'I want to take over this household in future as none of my step siblings are as competent as me. Hence, I need your help.'
'But why should I help you? Give me a reason', he asked, grinning.
'I'm satisfied that you're showing your true colours right from the beginning.'
said I, smiling 'I promise you that if you help me get what I need, I'll not interfere in your relationship with your beloved.'
I watched as his face gradually darkened . All of a sudden he came up to me and pinned me against the sofa!
'How do you know about this when even my family doesn't?'roared he, keeping his voice low, 'Tell me honestly or this'll be the last time you see the sunlight.'
                          To be continued