How to Escape the Mastermind’s Brainwashing Magic

I, Lionel Mellans, transmigrated as the heir to a grand merchant guild in a fantasy romance world.

For the crime of catching the eye of the mastermind sub-male lead who dreams of rebellion,

I ended up under an ‘ancient magic that makes you fall in love with the target.’

At this rate, I’ll become the rebel army’s money source, get wrung dry, and end up dying together with this guy, Cesare.

Before that happens, I must deceive my love, my trash, well enough to escape.

But…

“What would make you believe me?”

“…Dote on me.”

“My cute Rye. I just need to say things like this, right? Easy.”

This bad bastard who gives me room to maneuver every time I try to use my brain,

No, but it really doesn’t seem like it’s just my imagination!

“Keep trying to make me fall for you.

Then I might actually fall.”

Lionel’s tearful struggle to escape from Cesare, the pretty trash who acts sweet without ever actually loving him!

***

If there was one biggest difference between my past self and my current self, it was this.

In the past, at least I knew my life was precious and tried to keep Cesare at a distance.

Now that I’m under the artifact’s ancient magic?

“…But still, if I die after seeing that face every day… wouldn’t that be a pretty worthwhile life…?”

Even when I die, he’ll be right beside me. I’ll watch Cesare’s cleanly severed neck and think ‘I want to have that neck,’ while waiting for my turn to have my head drop off…

No, that’s not it!

Get a grip, Lionel Mellans!

“This artifact magic thing is really amazing, isn’t it. Crazy. It’s going to get worse as time goes on, this is serious.”