The story begins immediately after the wedding ceremony of Melphina, a young lady from the southern Crawford Marquisate, and Alexis, the powerful Duke of the northern Orland. Instead of a tender greeting, Alexis coldly informs Melphina that he has no intention of loving her as a wife. He clarifies that their marriage is purely a political alliance between their families, and he expects nothing more from her than her role as his wife on paper. In return, he asks her not to seek his love or waste his time with wifely expectations. He grants her freedom to live as she pleases, as long as she doesn't overstep her bounds as a Duchess, allowing her to reside in the capital or her ancestral lands.
Melphina, initially stunned, confirms his words, realizing his offer of freedom is essentially a dismissal. Despite her noble upbringing, she asserts herself, demanding a written contract to solidify their agreement. She proposes three conditions: Alexis will not interfere in her affairs as long as she stays within bounds, she can live wherever she chooses, and she can pursue any activities she desires. She also inquires about an heir, to which Alexis reveals he plans to have his deceased brother's intelligent son inherit the ducal title, effectively absolving Melphina of the duty to produce an heir. To ensure clarity, Melphina insists on a contract, which Alexis eventually agrees to. As a counter-request, Melphina asks for ownership of the lands surrounding Moltor Lake in the remote Encar region of the Orland territory. Alexis, though hesitant due to the land's undeveloped nature, agrees, seeing it as a way to remove her from his sight. Melphina, however, has a hidden past; she is a reincarnated individual with memories of a past life as a player of a dating simulation game, "Maria of the Heart Country." In the game, she was the villainous Duchess Melphina, destined for ruin.
Her past life as Melphina was marked by neglect from her parents, who doubted her lineage due to her unusual birth circumstances. Despite her efforts to gain their affection, she was ultimately used in a political marriage. Her journey to the Orland territory is interrupted by a landslide, causing her carriage to overturn and triggering a flood of her past-life memories. Realizing she is in the game world, she decides to forge her own path, avoiding her predetermined villainous fate. She aims to establish herself in the remote Encar region, away from the capital and the game's heroine, Maria.
Upon arriving at the sparsely populated Encar village, Melphina, accompanied by her maid Marie and knight Cedric, finds the ducal residence to be a humble dwelling. She immediately begins to adapt, enlisting the help of local laborers, including young Ed, Cliff, and Rad, to clean and organize the house. She also demonstrates her culinary skills, surprising Marie and the laborers with her cooking, particularly a white sauce stew. Melphina emphasizes her desire to be called by her name, not "Madam," and to foster a more egalitarian environment, inviting the laborers to dine with her, a radical departure from noble customs.
Melphina's interactions with her staff reveal her compassionate nature and her determination to create a life independent of her past. She hires Ed, Cliff, and Rad as her permanent staff, recognizing their hardworking nature and their need for stable employment. She also navigates the complex relationship with Cedric, her assigned knight, who initially views her with suspicion due to her unconventional actions and her mother's rumored reputation. Melphina clarifies that her marriage to Alexis is a "white marriage," meaning they have never consummated their union, and therefore she is not truly Alexis's wife in the eyes of the church. This revelation shocks Cedric and Marie. Melphina asserts her authority as the new lord of Encar, emphasizing her right to govern her territory as she sees fit. She also shows kindness to the villagers, particularly a young boy named Rod, whom Cedric had roughly pushed aside. Melphina's actions, though unconventional, stem from her desire to protect those around her and to build a life free from the predetermined narrative of the game. She plans to focus on developing the Encar region, preparing for an impending famine, and accumulating personal wealth to ensure her independence, even if her marriage to Alexis eventually ends in divorce.
