Wow, what a cool maze. Whoever thought of this was a real idiot, in my opinion. It totally ruined the scenery of the exotic and rare flowers only found on this continent.

  I made my way to the cottage. It was a fairly simple one.

  I had my food prepared there, just as I had ordered.

  "As expected of Jane!!" I exclaimed.

  All the food from the party were a bunch of luxurious dishes that didn't really fill my belly, but at least they were delicious! I've always wanted to try doing rich people things.

  Unlike in my previous life, I never really got the chance. So this was a momentary bliss before my execution~

  Caviar, foie gras, truffles... Wow, is this what rich people eat? I happily munched through the food Jane prepared for me.

  "Who are you?" A voice startled me. I didn't turn to look.

  "I repeat, who are you?" The figure said as he pointed his sword toward me.

  Of course, I just kept chewing and ignored him.

  "Why aren't you answering?" he roared in a chilling tone, as if he was ready to lash out.

  I gulped down my food, wiped my mouth, and finally faced him. What appeared before me was a handsome jerk pointing his sword dangerously close to my cheek.

  "Sorry, I thought it was rude to speak while eating — but do you know what's even ruder? Pointing a sword at a lady peacefully eating her meal," I retorted.

  It was Peter Edencrown, the male lead of this novel and an undeniable douchebag.

  What a shit show.

  Well, he was your typical novel prince — an underdog of his family who, through sheer power, claimed the position of heir and acts like everything belongs to him. He was like that in the novel too. Either way, facing him now didn't feel scary at all. On the contrary…

  Aside from his face, what exactly did Josephine see in this man?

  He kept his sword leveled at my cheek, expression dripping with superiority. "This is the last time — who are you?"

  "I am Josephine von Konrow, the first daughter of the Konrow Family and the outcast of the duchy," I said, standing my ground and letting my cheek graze his blade. "And you are?"

  He flinched momentarily but kept the sword raised. "What are you doing here, you wench? This is the meeting place between me and—"

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  "And you are?" I repeated.

  "How dare you talk back—"

  "And you are?" I said again, firm.

  Ugh, my appetite is now ruined because of this fucker.

  "Since you won't answer, I'll just call you 'Mr. Nobody' from now on, okay?"

  "I remember now."

  He pressed the sword to my neck.

  "You're the one who's been tormenting Adele, aren't you? How dare you show up in front of me."

  "Hah...!" What a pretentious bastard.

  "So what?"

  "What did you say?" His anger spiked — because I'd provoked him.

  "So what if I tormented her? Will you kill me just to avenge her?" This time, I willfully pressed my neck into the blade.

  "Will you solve it with violence again, Bloody Prince?"

  His rage hit its limit — but he took a step back, thrown off by the fact that I was the one grazing myself on his sword.

  "Oh, what perfect timing." I reached past the mittens on the table, grabbed one, and slapped it across his face.

  "You and me. Duel. Now."

  "What?" Now he looked genuinely surprised and confused. That's a nice dumb face you're making.

  "Do you not get it, Mr. Nobody? I said we're having a duel. Now."

  "Hah! You think you can win against me?" He withdrew his sword and returned it to his scabbard.

  "What? Are you by any chance scared that a lady will defeat you?"

  "You...!!!"

  Provoking him probably wasn't a good idea. But it was fun, nevertheless.

  We arrived at the training grounds on my family's estate. Fairly large for what it was.

  I didn't bother changing my attire — I was already dressed in a polo shirt and pants.

  This takes me back, I thought as I picked a wooden sword off the rack. I tied my hair back and gave it a test swing.

  "I didn't know a wench like you could wield a sword," the arrogant bastard called out from across the grounds.

  "I didn't know Mr. Nobody was talking. Oh, I'm sorry~" I replied.

  "You bitch...!"

  I threw the wooden sword at him and grabbed another from the rack. "The rules are simple. Whoever defeats the other wins."

  "Fine by me." He readied his sword sloppily. "If I win, you stay away from Adele. Forever."

  "Wow, how did you know my plan, Mr. Nobody?"

  "Hmph. You're all talk. Why not prove it, wench?"

  Before he could react, I had already swung and aimed for his neck. He wasn't taking it seriously.

  "My name is Josephine," I declared, catching his flying sword and throwing it back at him.

  "Take this seriously, Mr. Nobody — or you're going to lose. Or is your title of 'Bloody Prince' just for show?" I said mockingly.

  "Don't get carried away by a mere trick!" He finally adopted a proper stance. He was taking it seriously now.

  "You're just lucky!" he spat — and this time he went on the offensive, coming at me head-on.

  Fast. His title isn't for nothing, I'll give him that. But he's got one thing wrong.

  Josephine wasn't weak.

  I matched his pace, parrying each strike precisely. Our swords clashed repeatedly, the sound echoing through the training grounds. His movements were fluid and calculated — but mine were driven by skill and ferocity.

  Slowly, he began to falter. I started pushing him back.

  "You...!" he muttered in frustration.

  Don't underestimate a samurai enthusiast, retard.

  Memories suddenly flooded in — memories of this body. A young girl training alone in the rain, swinging her sword over and over. Eating magic stones to grow stronger. Enduring pain just to earn her family's attention. Yes — what I had now was an amalgamation of both our efforts.

  Overwhelmed, Mr. Nobody began infusing mana into his sword. I went in defenseless, watching as he swung at me with full force. But in an instant, I crushed his sword with brute strength alone — wooden fragments scattering around us.

  "...How?!" he said in disbelief.

  I pointed my wooden sword at his neck. "You lose."

  He knelt and accepted his defeat. "How could I lose to a mere lady?"

  I turned my back and tossed the sword aside. He collapsed in exhaustion behind me, the wooden blade sticking into the ground near his head.

  "Arrogance, Mr. Nobody. That's why you lost."

  I walked away from the training grounds.

  I wonder if Jane can reheat my meal?