TPOVF 03

Chapter 03

‘The Valerio Duchy? Could it possibly be that Valerio?’

Yurenia couldn’t believe her eyes the moment she saw the notice.

Valerio was the family name of the male protagonist, Kailus, from 『Obsessive Bondage』—the novel she had been reading right before she died in her previous life.

What were the odds that a family with the exact same name existed in this world? And with the same ducal title, no less?

‘Did I possess 『Obsessive Bondage』?’

Yurenia furrowed her brow.

In the original work, the Valerio Duchy was infamous for being a den of terrifying murderers. But there were no such rumors here.

If there had been, she would have heard about it by now.

‘Then is this before the original story begins? Or after?’

Sometimes, possessors would enter the world before the original story began, or after it had already ended. Given that the ‘Valerio Duchy’ existed, it was highly likely Yurenia was in a similar situation.

‘Either way, it doesn’t concern me.’

Let’s avoid this.

For the sake of a peaceful life, Yurenia tried to pass over the job posting.

But then, the special note at the very bottom caught her eye.

※ Additional 100 gold per month for employment exceeding 3 months

The base salary was already twice that of a typical tutor. And they were offering an extra 100 gold on top?

…It was too much money to ignore.

Entering the family head’s office, Yurenia gripped her bag tightly.

Every first day at a new household was exciting and nerve-wracking. But that wasn’t the only reason she was tense now.

‘The Valerio Duchy!’

Because she had entered the family of the original protagonist.

‘I wonder who the child I’ll be teaching is.’

Yurenia reasoned to herself. The notice said a seven-year-old boy. But there were no young children in the original work.

‘Is this the time period of the side stories?’

That made sense.

In the original’s side stories, Kailus and Emilia have a child. If they were hiring a tutor for that child, it fit perfectly.

‘I get to teach their second generation.’

Yurenia’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. But she didn’t make a fuss in front of the butler.

Though she was only twenty-three, she was a proper tutor with three years of experience. Distinguishing between public and private matters was basic.

“Wait here. His Grace will arrive shortly.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Upon hearing her answer, Branson left the office. Left alone, she looked around the room while waiting for the family head.

Heavy, dark-toned furniture and writing instruments for clerical work sat in precise, ordered arrangements. Every item exuded an air of luxury, befitting a great noble.

‘In a little while, Kailus will come, right? Or maybe Emilia?’

Usually, the family head conducted tutor interviews. But sometimes the lady of the house would receive the tutor.

If the couple had a good relationship, they might interview together.

‘I hope they come together if possible.’

She wanted to keep her distance from the original protagonists as much as possible. But since she’d come this far, she wanted to fulfill her role as an extra.

Because this novel was 『Obsessive Bondage』.

There had been much debate over the trash-mouthed male lead Kailus, but 『Obsessive Bondage』 was Yurenia’s favorite novel.

Moreover, Kailus was her favorite male protagonist.

His tall, imposing stature, his well-defined lean muscles, and his broad shoulders.

Recalling the breathtaking face on the cover that made you click on the novel the moment you saw it, her lips curved into a smile involuntarily.

‘To think I’d actually get to see that face.’

Kailus was an unparalleled beauty.

His face was incredibly beautiful, yet not purely delicate—it was mesmerizing.

The fact that readers kept reading the novel even while cursing at it was partly thanks to Kailus’s looks.

His flowing black hair and fresh emerald-green eyes. Add to that the heartbreaking backstory of being abandoned by his parents as a child.

Kailus Valerio was, literally, a male lead you wouldn’t mind keeping in your eyes. And then there was the pure and lovely Emilia.

The two were a perfectly matched couple.

Just recalling the scene where Kailus tearfully clung to the innocent and delicate Emilia made her heart ache.

And now, she would be taking care of their child?

Working at her favorite character’s house while getting paid handsomely?

The unease she felt when she first saw the notice was completely washed away by the more-than-generous salary.

‘500 gold per month if I work more than three months!’

Yurenia smiled brightly as she recalled the notice. Just one year here would be enough to buy a two-room house.

Right in the heart of the capital, no less!

‘I’ll do my best!’

She hadn’t even had the interview yet, but she was already ready to pledge her soul to the Valerio household.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Just as Yurenia was burning with determination.

The office door opened quietly, and a heavy voice came from behind her.

A powerful, intense voice that made the listener’s heart skip a beat.

As the commanding bass voice filled the office, goosebumps rose all along Yurenia’s spine. She steadied her breathing and swallowed dryly.

‘He’s here.’

Yurenia composed her trembling heart and slowly turned around. Careful not to let her fingertips shake, she gave a proper greeting.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Grace. I am Yurenia Doviné, applying for the position of tutor.”

As she bowed her head, the Duke’s long shadow fell across her upper body.

Even standing silently, he radiated an immense sense of pressure. The heavy air in the office made it feel as though her breath was caught in her throat.

After finishing her greeting, Yurenia took out documents from her bag. Keeping her gaze respectfully lowered, as etiquette demanded when addressing a great noble.

“Here are my resume, my Academy diploma, and a letter of recommendation from the Countess of Kails, the lady of the household where I previously worked.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

The Duke spoke coldly without even taking the documents. His tone was thick with irritation.

“Pardon?”

Startled, Yurenia unconsciously raised her head. Her field of vision filled with the buttons of an expensive black uniform and a solid, broad chest wrapped in a vest.

‘What’s this?’

Kailus was tall, but Yurenia wasn’t particularly short either. Yet the difference in eye level was this great?

As she blinked, the broad chest spoke again.

“I’ve already reviewed everything, so there’s no need to see them again.”

Yurenia tilted her head back, raising her gaze further upward. Only then did she see a man with sharp, cold features.

She caught her breath the moment she saw him.

‘Good heavens.’

The Duke was unrealistically beautiful. The novel’s cover illustration hadn’t captured even half of his appearance.

His almond-shaped eyes were intense, his straight nose looked as if it could be a slide, and his lips were moderately full. Those pleasing lips moved toward Yurenia.

“Most tutors’ careers are all pretty much the same. The important thing isn’t your qualifications—it’s how long you can last here.”

Goodness, why is his voice so pleasant too?

Despite the unfriendly and arrogant content, his mesmerizing bass voice was enough to make her limbs tingle just from listening.

“Hopefully, you won’t make me look for another tutor again. It’s a hassle every time.”

And then there were those blue eyes, radiating elegance and an overwhelming presence.

The Duke’s eyes were truly like jewels. Shining as coldly as high-purity sapphires, a vivid blue…

‘Eh?’

Vivid blue?

“Tutor?”

Yurenia stared at the man before her without even blinking.

‘Why…’

His large eyelids, fringed with thick lashes, blinked slowly. Her pink eyes, filled with confusion, trembled slightly.

‘Why are His Grace’s eyes blue?’

Kailus’s eyes were emerald green.

The Duke of Valerio was incredibly handsome. With a striking appearance of perfect balance and form, and a physique better than any statue in art textbooks.

But.

This man wasn’t Kailus.

‘Was this not 『Obsessive Bondage』?’

This was clearly a family with the same name and the same title as Kailus’s family.

But it was a different household?

“Hey.”

When Yurenia fell silent trying to grasp the situation, the Duke tilted his head and spoke.

“Don’t think you can last long? If that’s the case, you can quit right now.”

“No!”

Yurenia waved her hands frantically and said hastily. Then, slowly sorting out the situation, she asked.

“So… um, you are the Duke of Valerio, correct?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“The problem is…”

Yurenia shook her head. Cold sweat trickled down her back.

‘I guess this Valerio isn’t that Valerio.’

Had she jumped to conclusions?

It was a bit disappointing that her employer wasn’t Kailus. But the attractive conditions of room and board, 400 gold per month, and even an extra 100 gold after three months—remained unchanged.

‘Right, the important thing is the money.’

Yurenia composed herself and offered a gentle smile.

The so-called—

‘Professional smile.’