I Reincarnated Just to be Unemployed

[Lucielle’s POV—Ashcroft Manor—Same Night]

The hallway fell silent. Cassian’s footsteps gradually disappeared into the darkness, and I let out the breath I didn’t even realize I had been holding.

"Holy..." I clutched my chest. "...I almost became a widow."

. . .

Wait, no, that’s not how this works.

"I almost died."

Much better, and I rubbed my face, muttering. "My lifespan definitely decreased by at least twenty years."

If someone measured my blood pressure right now, they’d probably declare me legally deceased. With one last dramatic sigh, I stretched my entire body like an overfed cat, every bone cracking in protest.

"Aaaaaah...I’m going back to bed; I worked too much today."

I wandered back toward my bedroom, already planning the glorious future awaiting me with sleep and snacks. Absolutely no interaction with the walking embodiment of death known as Cassian Ashcroft.

Because life was beautiful.

Unfortunately... I had absolutely no idea everything would change the very next morning.

***

[The Next Morning — Ashcroft Manor]

It should have been a normal morning. Wake up. Eat. Nap. Pretend I am a noblewoman. Maybe go on a tiny walk if I felt ambitious enough to pretend I had hobbies.

That was the plan.

The reality? I had barely stepped out of my chamber before the entire manor started acting like I was a visiting emperor.

"Good morning, Your Grace!"

"Did Your Grace sleep well?"

"Was the chamber warm enough?"

"I added extra firewood during the night, Your Grace!"

"Would Your Grace like fresh tea?"

"I’ve prepared honey cakes!"

"Your Grace—"

"Your Grace—"

"Your Grace—"

I kept walking down the hallway toward the front doors, but every step felt like I was being escorted through a funeral procession. The whole thing was starting to feel less like a noble residence and more like a haunted house where the ghosts had etiquette.

My expression remained perfectly blank.

Inside, however...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

Why were they everywhere?! It felt less like leaving my room...and more like walking through a military parade where everyone had suddenly become obsessed with me.

I marched down the hallway with stiff shoulders, hands behind my back, trying to look dignified.

Seriously, who trained these people?! Why are they acting like I subscribed to the premium version overnight?

By the time I escaped the manor... I practically threw myself into the snowy garden.

"Huff...huff..." I bent over, hands on my knees, breathing like I’d just escaped an army. "What...is happening? Why is everyone smiling? This is exactly how NPCs act before they send you on a suicide quest. They are suddenly too human-y; this feels like the opening scene of a horror movie."

I stood there for another moment before looking around, muttering, "Alright, let’s take a walk...."

And then I realized the world outside was white. The entire manor, courtyard, road, gate, trees, fences—everything had been swallowed by snow.

White on white. Snow on snow. The whole world looked like someone had dumped flour on the continent and called it winter.

I blinked dumbfoundedly and muttered, "This isn’t a territory; this is nature’s air conditioner. Where exactly am I supposed to take my fake healthy little morning walk?"

"Your Grace?" A voice interrupted my existential crisis.

I turned my head; standing a short distance away was a knight with neatly combed black hair and striking green eyes as he bowed respectfully.

"Oh."

The knight hesitated before speaking again. "It appears Your Grace has grown tired of remaining inside the manor."

"...Correct."

"If Your Grace wishes..." he smiled politely. "...would you like to tour the territory today?"

My eyes lit up so brightly they could’ve replaced the morning sun. "Absolutely yes!"

LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO!!

Finally, adventure! Civilization! People! I looked toward the grand carriage waiting near the entrance. "This is going to be amazing. I get to explore an actual fictional territory."

Who knew? Maybe I’d find a hidden market. Maybe delicious street food. Maybe a mysterious old bookstore. Maybe—

I reached the carriage door and pulled it open with a bright, hopeful smile. "Let’s see what kind of territory the cold villain owns. Oh, this is going to be fu—"

My smile froze.

Inside sat Cassian Ashcroft, the Grim Grand Duke, the walking problem and the final boss in human form. He was seated like he owned gravity itself, one elbow resting lightly, one leg crossed, expression unreadable, silver hair catching the pale winter light like he had been personally designed to ruin every other man’s confidence.

His ocean-blue eyes lifted and looked directly at me.

"Did you say...territory of the cold villain, my beloved?"

My smile stayed on my face, and my brain immediately displayed the following:

Warning. Final boss detected.

Loading...Error.

Brain.exe has stopped working.

My smile remained; my soul clocked out. Then...SLAM!!

I stood there, completely still as I slammed the door shut. The knight beside me blinked. "Your Grace?"

I slowly pointed at the carriage. "I think...someone installed the wrong passenger."

The knight stared at me with confusion, and with the brave heart that could fight a crocodile, I opened the door again and peeked inside.

Cassian was still there.

. . .

. . .

I quietly closed the door again because this bug wasn’t fixed, but I am a man with dignity, and I decided to open the door again because the final boss can play with my head like a football just because I slammed the door shut.

I opened the door one last time and smiled professionally. "I apologise...It was the wind."

Cassian stared at me with the same cold expression because the air wasn’t moving and the trees weren’t moving. Even the horse looked offended by my lie.

I slowly closed the door again, and I spun around so fast I nearly twisted my female ankle.

NOPE. ABSOLUTELY NOT. I REFUSE. THE FINAL BOSS AND I ARE NOT SHARING THE SAME CARRIAGE. THAT’S HOW SIDE CHARACTERS DIE.

I had barely taken two heroic escape steps when the knight called after me. "Your Grace?"

I forced the brightest smile known to mankind. "Yes?"

"Did something happen?"

"Not at all. I suddenly remembered, I haven’t had breakfast."

"You may eat in the territory," the knight replied.

I blinked. He blinked. The guards blinked. The horses blinked. Even the cold wind seemed to pause out of curiosity.

Because that’s actually...a very reasonable point, then I frowned. Wait. Why am I running away? He’s scary. Yes. He’s terrifying. Also yes. But...He’s not going to eat me.

. . .

Probably.

I puffed out my chest like a strong man muttering,

"Come on, Minato. You survived university group projects, you survived public transportation, so...you can survive one carriage ride."

I puffed out my chest proudly, hands on my hips, standing like the toughest guy in the neighborhood.

"Be a man."

. . .

. . .

"Well...a metaphorical man."

I took one deep breath, then with emotional support. Finally, I marched toward the carriage with the determination of a soldier heading to war.

The knight quickly opened the door. I climbed inside, sat down with my back perfectly straight, hands neatly folded on my knees, and eyes fixed directly ahead. Absolutely refusing to look at the terrifying man sitting across from me.

Because sitting beside Cassian felt like sitting beside the CEO after accidentally replying all to the company email, and just like that...my anxiety just updated to Premium Plus.

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