Evading the Evil Duke's Love Vol. 1 (novel): Evading the Evil Duke's Love, #1

By Yoo Ran Sae

An orphaned child. A second chance. A desperate wish.

 

Laila Estevan opened her eyes one day to discover she had become a character in her favorite novel, For a Happy Ending. As an orphan long neglected, the prospect of having a family filled her with excitement. She hoped she would now receive the love and affection she had always craved. Sadly, her expectations are quickly crushed and she's rejected at every turn. Ultimately succumbing to her illness, she passes away when she's still a young woman, just as the original Laila had done before her.

 

Next thing she knows, Laila wakes up to find she had traveled one month into the past. Once again, she's surrounded by her favorite characters who loathe her for being the illegitimate child of Duke Estevan. Knowing she doesn't have much longer to live, she vows not to squander the chance she's been given. 

 

Laila seeks out Venio de Arsen, the Evil Archduke and villain of the novel, and offers him a pact. She's determined to experience the feeling of being loved—even if it's nothing but pretend.

 

Sometimes, desperation can deliver one into salvation's embrace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Astral Rabbit
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781954707665

Book preview

PROLOGUE

For a Happy Ending was the title of a book she’d read a long time ago… Long before she became Laila. It was a pleasant tale where almost everyone, save for the Evil Duke, loved one another, and it was a story that brought her great comfort during trying times. For her who craved love, she wholeheartedly wished that she could be a part of them too.

The story of her life was a common one—the happiness of being adopted by a couple that struggled to conceive proved short-lived when they miraculously gave birth to their own child shortly thereafter. No longer wanted or needed, she was neglected and left craving for warmth and affection. Burying her longing to be loved—a desire impossible to be granted or shared—she passed her days. That is, until one day when she awoke to find that her wish had miraculously been granted. When she opened her eyes, she discovered that she’d become the character that paved the way for the female protagonist, Amelia—Laila Estevan.

It didn’t matter to her that she’d assumed the identity of a bit character who was barely mentioned and faced an untimely death in the original work—at least now she had a part in the story. As she came to terms with her death in her previous life and her miraculous revival as Laila, her heart beat rapidly and she sobbed like a child. She’d only just narrowly avoided a beating from her father. ‘Now… Now I’ll finally be able to find happiness,’ she thought. But were her hopes all for nothing?

Laila was an illegitimate child of the Estevan duchy. Though she was recognized as a member of the duke’s family, as an unwanted child, she was granted only the minimum rights needed to survive. It was an unfair situation for the pitiful child, but it was still an improvement from her previous life, so she wasn’t disheartened to find herself in Laila’s body.

‘I want to be loved.’ Assuming that a child who was bright would be adored, she put on her best smile and greeted others warmly. That is, until she gave up after overhearing the duchy’s people whispering about how her smile only dampened their moods. Instead, she tried to make herself useful by speaking less and helping wherever she could. However, that only led to the people whispering among themselves that they wished she was dead. Laila believed that by doing her best and expressing her love for them, she might one day come to be accepted for the person she was. In the end, it never happened.

You’re an idiot. Stupid! You should’ve just done nothing from the start. I never received love because I wasn’t deserving of it. I’m useless and bad. Before her heart was stung by the words of others, she preemptively chastised herself that this result was unavoidable—this was how things were always meant to be. It was her fault for hoping for a different outcome. Repeating these words to herself helped her make peace with her situation—it made things bearable. She began to naturally accept everyone’s attitudes towards her: Amelia, who frowned whenever she looked upon her, her twin brothers, who treated her like a bug to be crushed, and her father and the others, who whispered as they looked upon her with disgust.

From the start, in the original work of For a Happy Ending, Laila Estevan was an outsider that was meant to disappear during the first half of the plot. Her death was the literary device used to draw her twin brothers, who were the male protagonists, closer to Amelia. The female protagonist would encourage and help heal their broken hearts after Laila’s passing. ‘In the story, the twins were described as deeply saddened by Laila’s death. If it wasn’t for that, I would’ve given up on any designs for affection a long time ago.’ It was this knowledge that had allowed her to dream that it just might be possible to be accepted by her family. ‘If only I acted lovelier before my death,’ she thought. However, her conviction began to falter as her illness progressively worsened with each passing day. Not only was the treatment for her unknown ailment incredibly costly, it wasn’t even known whether it was even effective. However, as time passed, it became increasingly clear that the special treatment that was Laila’s last lifeline was failing.

‘I’m... about to die.’ On that day, she instinctively stood up and walked over to the fractured mirror as her body shivered like it had been drenched in cold water. Thoughts of her impending death gripped her mind. As if possessed, she stared at her reflection in the mirror—simple and neat, but pretty. Even with her ailing health, she’d done her best to maintain her appearance. Sensing that death would soon come for her, a surge of energy washed over her and she began to move in a hurry. ‘I need to see them one last time. Yes, that’s right. I...’ She was overcome with a strong feeling that she’d never have the chance to see her family again if she didn’t visit them immediately. As she quickly walked down the hallway, she accepted that in spite of everything, she loved them. And because she loved them, she longed to be loved by them.

‘Whatever happens, I’ll accept it. Even if they’re angry at me, loathe me, or feel poorly because of me, I can’t help but miss them because they were the first family I ever had.’ Spurred on with the hope of seeing the duke and her twin brothers once more before her death, Laila broke into a run. As soon as she reached the door leading to the duke’s office and her brothers’s rooms, she began to desperately knock with all her might. Even when the knights tried to push her away from the door, she struggled against them and continued to pound at it with all the force she could muster. However, the door remained tightly shut until the very end.

Get rid of her, the knight commander ordered with a click of his tongue.

His words of rejection struck her heart like lightning and she felt her body sag. Despite her desperation, she didn’t have any strength remaining to continue struggling against the knights. As they held her in place, she felt her vision begin to blur. The last thing she registered was the knight commander’s shocked expression and widened eyes as she spewed blood onto the floor. Then, her consciousness faded into darkness. When she finally came to, Laila found herself in a room that looked similar to an underground tunnel. As she struggled to breathe in the final moments of her miserable life, she realized that she was all alone. It wasn’t long before she inhaled her final breath. And thus, Laila Estevan met her end.

That was how she died—in the end, even as she wasted away from illness, she was still denied love and affection. ‘It would’ve been better if I’d given up… I should’ve just accepted my fate,’ Laila thought, as she recalled the harrowing feeling of gasping for breath—a feeling that fell just short of pain. Contradictory emotions swirled inside her—perhaps it would’ve been better if she’d just ended her own life. However, she lacked the courage to face death herself, so she waited until the illness took her instead. Truthfully, she feared death. In the end, that fear became her shame, which weighed heavily upon her.

‘Stupid Laila. You can’t do anything because you’re so pathetic,’ she inwardly berated herself. Though she didn’t sob, distressed moans slipped from her mouth. ‘But… But what do I do now that I’ve come back to life again? What am I supposed to do?’ After taking a moment to collect herself, Laila looked around and surveyed her surroundings. Spotting a single marking she’d previously drawn on the wall, she quickly deduced that somehow she had returned to a month prior to her death. Her conviction that she’d regressed in time was further solidified by the familiar sensation of pain that wracked her entire body. Even though the pain was debilitating, it was oddly comforting compared to the terror that had gripped her in her final moments of death. Curling up her body, she shivered and contemplated on what to do. Foolishly enough, in her heart she still yearned to see her family, but she quickly decided against it. ‘No, let’s not hope nor expect anything this time. I can’t be a burden to them.’

The decision not to seek out her family was also a decision she made for her sake too. It was more prudent to stay put and come up with the best plan of action, rather than stumble clumsily towards the same fated end she’d meet in a month from now. As the reality of her regression sunk in, she settled on a new goal. ‘If I can’t receive love from my family, I’ll at least die after experiencing some form of love. But would there be anyone who’d willingly assist me? Is there someone who’d be willing to make me feel as if I was loved?’ Even with her renewed determination, her mind was plagued with doubts. She chewed on her lips as she fell into deep thought, when her eyes suddenly widened and she exclaimed aloud, Oh, him! That’s right… There’s the Evil Duke!

The ‘Evil Duke,’ or Venio de Arsen to be precise, was a cold, prideful villain who tormented many people, including the female protagonist, Amelia. At least, that’s how he was described in the book. Portrayed as a cold, rational man with serpentine characteristics, he was described as driven only by self-interest. Laila never crossed paths with him—neither in the original plot nor her previous life—so her knowledge of him relied on hearsay. However, based on what she could recall, the ‘evil’ archduke wasn’t truly wicked. Rather, he was an unconventional character that deviated from a storyline that centered around Amelia. Considering himself perfect, Venio was confident in his own abilities and never felt the need to seek comfort from Amelia. Unfortunately, his unshakable confidence proved somewhat misguided, as the archduke had his fair share of weaknesses. Instead of a sense of loneliness, it was ultimately his carelessness that entangled him with Amelia. In the second half of the story, Amelia would come to discover the more reckless aspects of the archduke’s nature. Seizing on the opportunity, she used this information to manipulate him into making forced errors. Gradually, she obstructed his ability to make rational decisions, leaving him so traumatized by his failures that he confined himself within his own mansion.

Since everyone in the Estevan duchy was described as gentle and warm in the original work, Laila was convinced that the description of the archduke as evil must also be true. It was true that their attitudes towards her were as cold as a winter storm, but that didn’t shake her belief in their goodness. After all, her cold treatment was understandable given that she was the target of their hate. ‘Still, would it really be alright for me to approach the archduke?’ Laila was a little concerned about the consequences should she inadvertently offended him. What if she unwittingly dragged down others too? Absentmindedly, she squeezed her numb fingers as she pondered her options. Objectively speaking, if you ignored the archduke’s tendency to overestimate his abilities, he was a person who was driven by rationality. That meant he’d likely at least hear her out. ‘Moreover, he isn’t one easily swayed by personal feelings. Even if he has a poor impression of me, he wouldn’t hesitate to use me if I can prove myself to be useful.’

Under normal circumstances, Laila wouldn’t have possessed the daringness to put such a plan into action. However, as if she was pushed by some invisible force, she felt her courage swell up inside her. Already drowning in the depths of her desperation, she didn’t think she had much more to lose anyhow. Fortunately, she wouldn’t need to wait long for an opportunity to set her plan in motion. The archduke would be attending tomorrow’s imperial ball, as would her twin brothers and Amelia. This was the perfect chance. Having made up her mind, she muttered to herself in a shaky, but stern voice, Alright, let’s do it.

ACT 1: THE ENCOUNTER

Laila had few possessions to her name, but she could hardly expect more considering that she was barely fed and given a place to rest. While the existence of an illegitimate child wasn’t unusual among aristocratic circles, she was seen as a sacrilegious existence that plunged their beloved duchess into a deep depression by the people of the Estevan duchy. Watching their precious duchess struggle to accept the existence of the illegitimate child, they believed Laila ultimately caused the duchess’s untimely passing and were left deeply scarred by her death. The loss of the duchess was especially unbearable for the duke and his twin sons, as the tragedy that befell them—Laila’s birth—resulted from the duke being ensnared in a trap. Throughout her life, the members of the duchy never hesitated to remind Laila that she was an unwanted child. ‘That’s right. It’s my fault… I’m pathetic. So very pathetic.’ It was hard to tell if Laila’s anguish stemmed from her shame or her suffering. Why was she convinced that they could come to love her? Shouldn’t she have realized that they’d rather she had never existed? When she really gave it some thought, she realized her hopes of being accepted were ridiculous from the start. Unlike her previous life, where she was simply a financial burden on her adopted parents, she’d driven the Estevan duchy’s beloved duchess into depression and hastened her death!

Having come to terms with the futility of her desires, Laila took several deep breaths and strengthened her resolve to escape from her pitiful situation. The only reason she’d stubbornly remained at her family’s side until she met her pitiful end was because she’d firmly believed in the original plot. She believed in the family that was described as having shed tears for her after her death. Having fantasized and dreamed of being a part of this world for so long, she felt only joy when she thought that they had become her real family. It didn’t matter that she was scorned as a dirty half-blood in their eyes—she unconditionally gave them her heart, believing that one day they would reciprocate her love. Now, that was all in the past—everything changed on the day that she died. In her final moments, she confirmed the unwavering affection she held for her family. However, more importantly, she understood there was a difference in the love she held for them and her desire to be loved back. Even if they never loved her back, it didn’t change the fact that they were precious in her heart. As if a cover over her eyes had been lifted, she recognized the futility of trying to pressure them into returning her love. Admitting that she’d clung onto her delusions for far too long was a bitter pill to swallow. She hadn’t wanted to admit her own folly, but she was finally ready to accept reality. Somehow, she’d been granted a miraculous do-over, so she would make the most of the final month she had left to live.

Rousing herself out of her thoughts, she stared out the window as she silently cursed herself for her naïveté. Then, her gaze drifted back down to the object gingerly held in her hands. The plain bedsheets that had previously covered her bed—the only clean cloth she could find in her room—was being transformed as she diligently embroidered patterns onto it. There was only one reason for her efforts: the imperial ball. Even though she’d settled on a plan to sneak into tonight’s ball, she didn’t have anything suitable to wear. Thus, she was doing her best to alter the cloth into something that could look passable. It was imperative that she finish before the ball commenced, and the gradually darkening sky out the window signaled there wasn’t much time left. Oh... she sighed softly. Pursing her lips, she hunched her skinny frame over the cloth and concentrated with a stiff expression, as her hands resumed their movements. Thankfully, the pattern itself didn’t need to be elaborate, since this was simply a ticket to help get her through the gates. Laboring away late into the night, her worked without rest as the determination to survive the month ahead burned inside of her. Not once did her gray eyes, devoid of any liveliness, ever waver.

Illuminated under the fancy and extravagant lights, the ballroom glittered and seemed to shine brighter than it did under the sun. The hall was filled with a crowd dressed to the nines. Their outfits were so fanciful that it put the decadent chandelier to shame. From the upper balcony, the throng of people down below looked like a sea of colorful clouds. Laos Estevan, eldest son of the Estevan duchy and marquess of the ducal family, carelessly swept his gaze over the scene.

Evening, Sir Laos. Leonard Lucille, the man who greeted and approached Laos with a pleasant smile, was one of Lao’s knight companions. Finding his lord deep in thought, he shook his head helplessly and asked, What’s on your mind that has you staring with such intensity?

Sir Leonard, Laos replied, lifting his head and offering a curt nod. It’s nothing really. I was just thinking that this seems excessively extravagant.

It’s nothing new, no? Leonard shrugged.

In response to Leonard’s lukewarm reaction, Laos wordlessly sipped his wine. Even though his gaze was focused on the crowd, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of one particular individual—Laila Estevan. The reason she plagued his thoughts on this particular night was because for the first time since she’d come to live in the duchy, she was acting differently.

"By the way, why was she acting like that today? Naturally, I’m referring to the lady. Doesn’t she always send you off with a ‘Have a safe trip!’ whenever you leave? I heard she didn’t come to see the carriage off today. So? Is it true that she didn’t make anything for you today?"

Where did you hear all that from? Laos’s brow furrowed as his face scrunched into a frown. The frivolity of Leonard’s tone poked at his heart and made him uncomfortable.

Hm? Where do you think I heard it from? Of course I learned about it thanks to the loud grumbling of my dear lord’s younger brother. Besides, it’s not like this was the first time. Is your family’s situation even supposed to be a secret? Leonard scoffed. Seeing Laos’s frown deepen, Leonard winked and playfully continued, "I mean… How could I resist asking when I hear that the noble lady’s gifts are personally handmade? So, nothing today? No biscuits or handkerchiefs? Hm?"

With obvious reluctance, Laos swallowed a sigh and sourly answered, No, before taking a swig from his wineglass to quench his thirst.

Blinking in an exaggerated fashion, Leonard mischievously exclaimed, "Oh! So, you mean not today? Sir, please do put care into adding a subject to your sentences. I almost mistakenly thought you really had no intention of hiding your family’s situation anymore!"

Having had enough of Leonard’s teasing, Laos abruptly declared, I should get going. Then, ignoring Leonard sarcastically waving at his back, he turned on his heel and strode towards the terrace. Alone with his own thoughts once more, his mind drifted back to the young girl with fair hair—more a shade of gray than the characteristic signature silver locks of the Estevan family. Had it not been for his father’s assurances that she was indeed of Estevan blood, she never would’ve been able to step a foot into the duchy, let alone be recognized as a member of the family. Laos didn’t welcome her presence, but he was oddly bothered by the fact that she hadn’t shown her face today. ‘That child… No, that’s not right. She’s no longer of an age that can be called a child now. Anyhow, forget the gift, she didn’t even make an appearance today. Could it be that she fainted again? Still, no matter how sick she’s ever been, there has never been a day where she hasn’t shown herself.’

From early morning until the moment they’d departed for the ball, Laila was nowhere to be found. She was the one who usually sought them out, so on days she didn’t appear, it was natural to assume that she must’ve fallen ill. However, despite knowing about her poor health, her proclivity for collapsing, and her overall weak condition, no one ever felt the need to check on her. Nonetheless, though he loathed to admit it, Laos recognized that her absence today had dampened his mood. He was certain that his twin brother, Rakiel, was of a similar mind. As he firmly shut the terrace door behind him, he sighed and admitted, It’s bothering me.

Laila carefully arranged the embroidered fabric so that it covered her shabby clothes. While the cloth was still plain-looking and lacking in pattern, the material was thick and of high quality, so it was still the best option available to her. Seeing her steady preparations beginning to take shape, Laila’s anxiety eased. Of course, she didn’t forget to tuck a small vial containing painkillers into her bosom before she left. Quietly pushing open the door, she emerged from a structure that had one served as a storehouse and was now her room. Partially recessed in the ground, this space had been given to her after it was deemed unfit for its original purpose. Back then, Laila felt like she was on cloud nine and had remained ecstatic for a whole week. Her happiness hadn’t been because she needed her own space, but because she’d attributed a deeper meaning behind the gesture of being granted something of her own. In short, it had given her hope. ‘Yes, it gave me hope that my life was changing,’ Laila recalled with a forlorn smile.

Not wanting to waste any more time, she quickly scanned her surroundings and set off on foot. Thankfully, luck was on her side—the imperial ball was being held on the outer palace grounds tonight. Unlike balls held on the inner palace grounds, security wasn’t as tight. Servants and hired help were allowed to mill in and out of the ball all night as they carried out the commands of the nobility. The idea of sneaking into a ball hosted in the inner palace would’ve been unfathomable, but it wouldn’t be as difficult for Laila to slip into the ball if she pretended to be one of the servants. As long as there’s a chance, she quietly muttered to herself. Taking a deep breath to relieve the tension in her body, she approached the servants’s entrance with quick strides.

Halt. Stop right there.

Laila raised her head to glance up at the guard who called out to her. His face showed clear signs of fatigue. This was common as the guards were usually stretched thin on busy nights when events were hosted. Acting as if she was in a hurry, she explained, Sir, I’ve come on account of my client’s summons. I’m a wardrobe stylist for a lady of nobility, and was told that she was in a hurry.

While it was impossible for guards to remember everyone’s faces, generally they were able to make a snap judgment on an individual based on their appearances. Giving Laila a rough once-over, the guard noted that the fabric of her dress was of good quality—albeit somewhat worn and dated. Even though it was a shabby appearance, it was still more luxurious than what commoners could afford. ‘She must be from a poor noble family,’ he thought. Satisfied with his examination, he gave her a curt nod and pulled out the visitor log. Clicking his tongue, he said, Very well. I’ll let you in, but write down the name of the lady you’re here to see.

Yes, sir. Laila quickly scribbled down the first name that came to mind—Lady of Devon—and handed it back to him. The yawning guard closed the log book without even bothering to check what she’d written and waved her in, so she gave him a quick nod and hurried inside. As long as nothing crazy happened, the borrowing of Lady Devon’s name would go unnoticed and no one would be any the wiser. Dusk was beginning to fade into night by the time she stepped foot into the outer palace grounds. As the last rays of the setting sun faded, Laila made haste towards her intended destination.

When she reached the closest gardens, Laila hid amongst the shadows and paused to catch her breath.