The Duke Desires Marianne

"What if you marry me, Mary? I'm sure you will live a happy and prosperous life. " I looked at Lucius, the palace guard, who was talking with pride. He puffed out his chest, then began to dictate what benefits I could get if I became his wife. "So how is that, Mary? You want to be my wife, right? " Lucius cupped his hands together while bringing his face closer to mine. Makes me spontaneously take a few steps back. "Sorry Lucius", I raised my hand "I've sworn to serve Princess Sassy until the end of my life. So I can't accept your proposal." I said with a serious face, both hands cupped on my chest. Lucius, who was smiling broadly at first, suddenly had a sour face. He put his hands on his waist, then spoke in a mocking tone. “Come on, Marry, there aren't many lower-class palace maids who can get the husband of a soldier like me. I guarantee you, you will regret it if you reject me. Moreover, your age is quite old and your face...Blurgghh.." His words were immediately interrupted when I suddenly threw my fist at his annoying face until he fell to his knees. "My age? What's with my age? " I smiled sweetly, playing with my fingers which had just landed smoothly on his cheek. "Are you implying that I'm old and don't deserve to be picky?" Lucius's face, which was once filled with a proud smile, now turned pale. He holds his cheek that I just hit, "Mar .. Mary?" His eyes stared at me in disbelief. "You really are Mary, right?" His question made me immediately laugh, "Of course. Who else do you think I am? " I then crouched down, reaching out my right hand, which made Lucius reflexively raise his hand to defend himself. "Why do you look so scared?" I asked while blinking my eyes slowly, putting on a cute expression. I tried hard to hold back my laughter when I saw his frightened face, "Even though I want to apologize and treat your cheeks.." My hand started to rub his cheek. At first, he still looked scared. But, after I stroked his cheeks for a while, he started to loosen up his defenses. "Well now, good boy," I smiled sweetly, continued stroking his cheeks. And as soon as I saw him enjoying my hand, I pulled his collar tightly, “Stay like a good boy and don't make this sister angry. You've heard my nickname, right? " I asked, winking my right eye and then releasing the collar of his shirt. His face immediately turned pale again. He quickly nodded his head. I was even worried that his head would fall off his neck because of the speed of his nod. After that, I stood up, shook my clothes lightly before turning and walked away, leaving Lucius who was still sitting on the ground. *** Nah, let me introduce myself. My name is Marriane, a 25-year-old palace maid. I am often nicknamed the 'castle bear'. Of course, not because I am cute as a teddy bear, but because I am actually scary like a real bear. Though I originally promised to be graceful and pleasant like any other woman, but somehow, those soldiers endlessly bothered me, luring thug souls from my previous life to come out. Yep, I had a life before I became Marianne. I am a modern 25-year-old woman who has suddenly opened her eyes to a foreign world. Obtaining the identity of Marianne, a lowly maid in the palace. In my previous life I was an athlete who mastered various martial arts, starting from taekwondo, aikido, karate and many more. I'm even quite rich and famous because of my success in winning various international competitions. That's why, when I first woke up as Marianne, I had a mental breakdown. Marianne is not a very famous girl, in fact she is very 'ordinary'. And most sadly, she was very poor! Luckily, I managed to use my swimming ability to save princess Sassy, who drowned in the palace pond, so that I could move up my rank. From a lowly servant to a personal maid of a royal princess who is usually filled by noble women. Actually, I don't know the reason why I suddenly transmigrated to this world! As I recall, I was just lying on my bed watching my favorite anime, then suddenly woke up in this world. Besides, my bad luck is getting worse because I really don't know this world! Huhu, god is really unfair! In every novel I read, usually the main characters move to a world they already know and become a beautiful villain who is rich. But why did I end up here?! "Mary .." I immediately smiled when Princess Sassy suddenly bumped into me. She then hugged my body tightly. Her pretty eyes that were slightly reddened looked at me with a sad gaze, making me immediately guess that she had just cried. "Yes, my princess?" I asked, with a business smile, of course. I stroked her hair, which hung down beautifully. Makes me fantasize what if I opened a shampoo business in this world and she became my product ad model. Ah, I think I'll be rich!! Princess Sassy rubbed her face against my chest and said hoarsely, "I'm really over today, Mary." Over? I furrowed my brows, trying to interpret the word 'over' as she meant. During my time as a maid for the Princess, I often heard the word 'over' come out of her mouth. For example, when she tore up a peace agreement with another kingdom, or made the prime minister's son have to be treated in the palace hospital after eating her handmade food. So, this time what reason caused her to say that she was over? "Ye..Ye..O..r..ve..r! De..d.." She started sobbing, desperately trying to say something. "Calm down, Princess!" I let go of her hug and held her shoulders. "Calm down and tell me everything slowly. I won't be able to understand anything if you talk while crying like that" I said softly, staring the Princess right in her eyes. Thankfully, in my previous life I had a sister who was very whiny, so calming Sassy down now wasn't that hard. Huh, dammit! Suddenly, I miss my family so much. Sassy, who was originally sobbing, is now trying hard to hold back her sobs. She bit her lower lip for a moment, then said, "I'm.. I'm.. I'm getting married to Duke Ellenois tomorrow ..." And then, she started crying again.. *** Clip clop clip clop ... The sound of horse hooves is quite loud, mixed with the sound of the wind blowing. I'm currently sitting pretty on a horse carriage holding a fan in my hand, trying to hold back the nausea caused by the shaking of the horse carriage. Oh, God! Being in the modern world is much more fun than here! God should have made me an engineer in this world. Maybe I could create a vehicle called a car, or even an airplane! I feel like I really want to open the window door, let the fresh breeze in to get rid of my nausea. But, sadly, I can't do that. Currently, my existence is a secret that must be hidden from everyone. Even to the servants who accompany me. I started playing with the flower ornaments that filled my very beautiful clothes. The first beautiful outfit I have worn since I opened my eyes as Marriane. "I beg you, help me Mary!!" Sassy words from yesterday danced back in my head. "Help The Princess? But how?" “Please... She held my hand tightly. "Please replace me as duke Ellenois's bride, Mary. I promise that all my life, I will be very grateful to you." She said with a tearful face, as if she really would die if I didn't help her. And.. Here I am, in a horse-drawn carriage to the Eludian kingdom, which is famous for its brutality. Not as Marianne, of course, but as princess Sassy, princess of Airien's kingdom...