I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original Chapter 131

“Lady, that…”

 

“Ansiryeong, was it? It’s a duke’s territory managed by the imperial family for a long time, and the scenery is nice.”

 

Though Rakrensius made a gesture to stop her, Selleana continued without a care.

 

“But the transportation is poor, the market is small, and it’s far from the capital. It’s thanks to Collin’s abilities that we manage to move around. Still, for any other imperial, it would be excess baggage.”

 

“Excess baggage?”

 

“Ah, that…” Confused about the worldview, Selleana quickly thought of an excuse. “Its meaning is like ‘chicken ribs’… something that looks good but is actually useless. It’s a dialect from Elard.”

 

Though she cleverly changed the original meaning, the emperor’s face still showed suspicion. Elard’s territory was too close to the capital to have any dialect.

 

“A-Anyway, what I mean is.” Trying to divert his deepening suspicion, Selleana said. “If you want to help Collin, just grant me some permits. For instance, the expansion plan for the shipyard submitted by the Benichi Trading Company?”

 

“Ah, that one…” As if understanding, Emperor Tashur III pressed his temples. “Right, you’re close with the heir of Benichi.”

 

“To be precise, I am one of the major shareholders of the Benichi Trading Company.”

 

“Lady, a major shareholder…? Does that mean you invested yourself?” Tashur III’s face showed bewilderment. It was an unexpected reaction.

 

In Nepelsian society, it was unheard of for a woman to engage in business, to the point where even Doloret was considered eccentric among the nobility.

 

In the past, I would have kept it a secret, but…

 

Selleana once endured the position of crown princess to revolutionize this stifling social atmosphere. Though she had shaken off that destiny, she could still pursue her intentions in her own way. It was better to start changing perceptions from the top, beginning with the emperor, leveraging his favoritism and guilt towards Rakrensius. Moreover, the emperor seemed to prefer her audacious behavior.

 

Then where did Pavellian learn to be so prim and proper…? Who else could it be?

 

As soon as those questions arose, Selleana, who had guessed the answer, secretly mocked the imperial tutors who had been fooled by Rakrensius’s foolish act.

 

“If you look at the business plan, you’ll see it’s for building large ships to develop trade with the southern continent. I’ve invested a lot in this business, so we plan to name the ship Lea Senior.”

 

Despite her fear of water, which made overseas travel unthinkable, Selleana was particularly interested in trade with the southern continent. Perhaps, if a large passenger ship was developed, she might be able to travel by herself.

 

“Moreover, did you see that the ship will be equipped with a magical power engine developed by the Magic Tower?”

 

“Really?”

 

Tsk tsk, it seemed Tashur III hadn’t read the business plan, finding Benichi’s attitude disrespectful.

 

“If it can sail faster, we could import various fruits like mangoes and avocados from the southern continent.”

 

This was part of the business plan Selleana conceived when she decided to become independent.

 

“As the crown prince had said, I have extravagant tastes, so I need an income to cover my expenses beyond the imperial pension.”

 

“I-Is that so…?”

 

Tashur III looked at Rakrensius with trembling eyes. Rakrensius, for his part, only lowered his gaze, making his expression unreadable. He assumed Selleana had her reasons for saying what she did.

 

“If this is resolved, my father will feel comfortable sending me to Collin. He wouldn’t want his beloved daughter to live even slightly lacking.”

 

“Yes, yes… Lady is indeed quite resourceful.”

 

Due to the significant trouble he caused Elard, the emperor had nothing to say.

 

“Thank you for the compliment. Ah! Please proceed quickly with the selection contest as well.”

 

“Well, as you see… there’s no one to host it immediately, so I’ve asked the former Duchess Langton to take charge.”

 

The former Duchess Langton, the sister of the former emperor and Tashur III’s aunt.

 

Of all people, Langton…

 

However, Eunice Jenon, whom Selleana supported, got along with everyone except herself. Moreover, the Marquis Jenon family, which traditionally held the position of chancellor, was highly regarded across all factions. Even if Langton was part of the assembly faction, if the former duchess had any pride as a member of the imperial family, she wouldn’t oppose Eunice.

 

Pavellian also owes me a debt because of this matter…

 

Selleana smirked like a schemer as she planned how to push Eunice Jenon to win the selection contest.

 

* * *

“Wow, after holding a grudge for months over that national debt recovery show, he did it right away… I guess he really likes his future daughter-in-law.”

 

It was that evening in Doloret’s office. Doloret laughed emptily as she accepted the documents Selleana brought. They were documents approving the shipyard expansion plan, stamped with the emperor’s seal.

 

“Just daughter-in-law? I’m the daughter-in-law of his favorite child.”

 

“Tsk tsk, fathers in this world are all the same…” Agnesia, lying long on the sofa, shook her head with her arms crossed.

 

“Hey, but my father is quite decent, isn’t he? Even if he’s old-fashioned.”

 

“Yeah. Although he’ll eventually allow the marriage, he’s playing hard to get, pushing you to squeeze the imperial family.”

 

My father… Agnesia grumbled inwardly, recalling her biological father, who sold her to Margrave Gotenfrid. Of course, the most frustrating thing was nearly walking into the trap herself due to the saintess’s schemes.

 

“Your father owes the margrave thousands, right?”

 

“He received billions for giving me away and went straight to the casino.”

 

“He received 500 million reot, lost 70 million at the casino. Margrave Gotenfrid is demanding at least the principal back, but he couldn’t repay it, so he became a debtor.” Doloret quickly corrected the information.

 

“He’s probably frantically looking for you…”

 

“What can he do? He has no money to hire the guild, and now that I’m out of the temple thanks to him, he doesn’t even know where I live.”

 

“Still, be careful. He might try to throw you back to Gotenfrid or demand compensation from you. I heard he’s been offering double success fees to the guild instead of a down payment. No one’s taken the job yet, but you never know.”

 

“I just go back and forth between here and Rosi’s place. Nothing much will happen, right? Plus, I have this.” Agnesia waved her glasses, worn on a string, and winked at Michi.

 

“Ahem, I guarantee its effectiveness.” Michi puffed out her chest confidently.

 

Those glasses were the disguise magic tool Michi used to wear.

 

“You don’t need those glasses anymore?”

 

“The most dangerous person is gone, so I think it’s okay now.”

 

Due to his involvement with the deposed empress, Prince Erenst was expelled from Nepelsian and temporarily banned from entering the empire. Naturally, his deal with the Elard guild fell through.

 

“I’m thinking of not wearing glasses anymore. Having gone through the worst, I feel I can handle whatever comes my way. There’s no more deterrent force.”

 

“All thanks to whom…?’

 

“Milady, I’ll be loyal to you for life…!” Michi linked arms with Selleana, who was taking credit.

 

“So, what are you going to do now, Nesia? You’re not going back to the temple, are you?”

 

“Of course not…. Who knew the god I served would be someone who thinks the original story is the best?”

 

As Agnesia sighed deeply, her friends across the room giggled.

 

“For now, Nesia, do you want to cut ties with your father by paying 70 million reot?”

 

“…Where would I get that kind of money?”

 

“I have plenty of money.”

 

Rosalli displayed her wealth, flaunting her gem-encrusted rings on every finger. She had carefully brought these jewels when she ran away, constantly flaunting them while complaining daily about how much Eirene had taken from her.

 

“Hey, forget it…. When would I ever be able to pay that back?”

 

“You don’t have to repay me…. I’m not going to Laten anymore anyway.”

 

“Really? Not at all?”

 

“Laten lost its charm because of Michi. So, I’m thinking of traveling to Gillosen first. The original male lead in my story is the grandson of the grand duke there.”

 

“Do you really want to live according to the original story now?”

 

“He was kind of my type. I’ll meet him, and if he’s worth keeping around, I’ll decide then. Before, I was too hung up on avoiding the original story, right? From now on, I’ll live as I please.”

 

Rosalli aimed her jeweled gun into the air. Click! She pulled the trigger, but it was empty.

 

“Nesia, if you need a new job… I have a business idea I’ve been thinking about with you in mind. Want to try it?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“A foul-mouthed concept cafe. Where you insult your customers.”