The main reason for these rumors was that the young lady’s father, the archduke’s late son, was said to have fallen head over heels in love with a demon.
This, in turn, was largely because the young lady’s mother, despite being a future archduchess, never made any social appearances. Eventually even her very existence was called into question.
When the young lady’s father died, his passing was announced by the archduke himself, and only he, his granddaughter, and a handful of retainers attended the funeral. This, of course, only served to further fuel the gossip.
Meanwhile, the archduke was said to be a very doting grandfather.
There had been several attempts by nobles to use their money and influence to set up their second or third son as the young lady’s future husband. These potential suitors had even met with the archduke and his granddaughter… But after those meetings, it was said that none of them were ever heard from again.
These days, the empire’s nobles tended to keep their distance from Archduke Woodstock’s granddaughter. And yet…
“…I know just how ambitious my father is. Deep down, he wants the archduke’s title for himself. That, and his wealth, and everything else.”
Precisely because of how isolated they had become, if I were to join the archduke’s family by wedding his sole heir, my father would effectively gain control of the entire noble house—or so he believed.
Fortunately, House Grenville was one of the most influential aristocratic families in the empire, with impeccable social standing. That would be enough to get my foot in the door.
As for my dreadful stepmother, I was sure she would relish the thought of finally being rid of me.
Of course, given the rumors, there were no guarantees I’d come out unscathed, but it was worth the risk. This was a chance to survive and to seek revenge for my past lives.
“…I don’t care what she’s like. I’ll ingratiate myself with the archduke and his granddaughter, and I’ll gain my own power beyond this accursed family’s reach. And then…”
I’ll lay waste to House Grenville once and for all.