I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original Chapter 141

Since they couldn’t see each other every day as they used to, Rosalli’s letter was much longer than usual. She filled an entire page. While she had written long letters before when she was feeling down due to the saintess’s tricks, the mood was completely different.

 

“Rosi seems to be doing well. That’s a relief. Let’s all gather on Nesia’s day off and write a reply together.”

 

With Rosalli still on her trip to Gillosen and Agnesia and Michi busy with their own businesses, it had become extremely rare for everyone to gather at the hideout.

 

Doloret was also busier than ever, having taken on several major projects like expanding the shipyard and developing new sea routes, leaving little room for feeling lonely. Last year’s incident with the priestess had caused a major dent in her pride, making her workaholism even worse.

 

“I heard that the grandson of the Gillosen Grand Duke, who is supposedly the original male lead, isn’t just pretending to be decent in front of Rosi but is actually a good person. He’s well-liked in the grand duchy. Nesia said all men are the same, but she missed one.”

 

“Missed just one? She missed two, including my darling.”

 

As usual, when Selleana made her lovestruck comments, Doloret rolled her eyes in exasperation.

 

[When’s your wedding, Lea? I’ll stay here until then. I hear that the duke and his heir are still bothering Doli. It’s not my fault, but I feel bad. I didn’t even break Eirene’s ate, so why can’t she live by the original story and stop bothering me?]

 

“Yeah, I know, right? Rosi, I’ll hurry up and get married so you can see me sooner.”

 

“Do you think that’s up to you?”

 

“That’s why I came to ask for your help, didn’t I, Big Sis?”

 

When Selleana fluttered her eyelashes cutely, Doloret handed over the file she had just organized with a chuckle. The file was titled ‘Immediate Tasks for the Crown Prince’s Office.’

 

“Here. Make good use of it.”

 

“Ugh, my father-in-law is fine, but my brother-in-law is a traditionalist, so I can’t get married, and I’m suffering. It’s tough.”

 

Selleana hugged the file tightly and sighed deeply. Despite being eager to spend more time with Rakrensius and often staying out overnight, she couldn’t proceed with wedding preparations solely because of Pavellian.

 

* * *

“So, Your Highness.”

 

It was a few days later, in the crown prince’s parlor. Selleana, dressed similarly to how she had been when she went to get an annulment over a year ago, sat across from Pavellian.

 

“When will the imperial wedding in Nepelsian take place?”

 

“An imperial wedding? If the princess gets married, wouldn’t that be an imperial wedding? Ha. Ha. Ha.”

 

At Pavellian’s sly remark, a vein popped on Selleana’s forehead.

 

“You know exactly why I came today, don’t you?”

 

“How would I know? Lady hasn’t even brought up your business yet.”

 

“Fine. I’ll bring it up now. When is the imperial wedding going to happen? The selection process ended ages ago. Get married already.”

 

“Ha…”

 

Although Pavellian had already guessed what Selleana wanted, her straightforwardness left him speechless.

 

“Lady, really…”

 

Annoying. He almost said it out loud, but Pavellian held his tongue.

 

Selleana, having been his confidante for over a decade, knew exactly what he was about to say.

 

“What is that look in your eyes?”

 

“A look of respect for Your Highness.”

 

“Doesn’t look like it though…”

 

Tsk, he’s unnecessarily sharp for nothing. Selleana, hiding her contempt, got to the point.

 

“Your Highness knows it too. You have an obligation to marry as soon as possible.”

 

“Why is my marriage an obligation?”

 

“Because you are the first prince, you have a duty to get married. Once you do, your siblings will follow. Get married soon, so they can get married.”

 

“You’re talking about my older brother, not my younger siblings, right?”

 

“How can the fifth prince get married if the first prince hasn’t? You’re not saying this out of ignorance of imperial customs, are you?”

 

Seeing Pavellian’s feigned innocence, Selleana finally snapped. Although imperial customs were established centuries ago, they had become somewhat flexible enough to fit the situation.

 

Besides, His Majesty has a soft spot for Collin, so if we say we need to get married quickly, he would likely understand.

 

The problem was Pavellian, the next emperor and a stickler for principles. If it seemed like he wasn’t being respected even a little, public opinion could turn unpredictable.

 

Despite Rakrensius officially renouncing any claim to the throne and was set to become the son-in-law of Elard, a prominent supporter of the crown prince, public opinion could be unpredictable. If the public perceived their earlier marriage as a challenge to the crown prince’s authority, it would be problematic.

 

“Is there a problem causing the delay in the imperial wedding? Please feel free to tell me. Whether I need to mobilize the Elard trading company, cooperate with Benichi trading company, or ask my father for help, I’ll make sure it’s resolved perfectly.”

 

“Lady, do you really want to get married that badly? Advertising your desperation for marriage like this—”

 

“Yes. I really, really want to get married as soon as possible.”

 

When Selleana cut off Pavellian’s usual sexist remark, he looked extremely displeased.

 

“Seems I don’t know you at all, Lady.”

 

“That’s right. Now that you know, if you don’t want to hear me say this again, hold the imperial wedding as soon as possible, okay?”

 

“Isn’t my older brother’s townhouse still under construction?”

 

“We can start our first household in the Magic Tower. I sleep there every day now, and it’s fine for two.”

 

“W-What…?” Pavellian’s ears turned red at the casual mention of her staying over at the Magic Tower before marriage.

 

Ah, so he can’t stand this kind of talk?

 

“The bed is a bit small, but it’s fine if we snuggle.”

 

“…”

 

“Actually, if we consider efficiency, staying at the Magic Tower is better. We can save even a minute of commute time and spend more time together.”

 

Selleana, an unmarried lady, shamelessly continued to talk about intimate matters, making Pavellian’s face alternate between bright red and pale.

 

“Haa, okay. Since we’re on the topic…” Pavellian sighed deeply, covering his eyes. “I have a concern… If you can address it, I’ll consider holding the imperial wedding early next year.”

 

“What is it? Proposal method? Romance? Bedroom skills?”

 

“…” Selleana’s boldness left Pavellian speechless and pale.

 

Yes, she was right. Though he would never openly admit it, Selleana was right. They were fundamentally incompatible… He couldn’t understand why he had ever thought of her romantically.

 

Unaware that the saintess had forced it, Pavellian was tormented by self-loathing for his past self.

 

“So, what is it?”

 

Satisfied with his discomfort, Selleana smiled seductively. Thanks to Doloret’s report a few days ago, she already knew what was bothering Pavellian. And she knew that the crown prince, uninterested in romance, wasn’t worried about his betrothed. Her earlier words were just to provoke him into revealing his concern.

 

“It’s about my holy relic.”

 

“Ah…”

 

So that was it. The holy relic issue was mentioned on page 7 of Doloret’s report. Once again, thinking that Doloret was right, Selleana listened attentively.

 

* * *

It was a few months later in the Bellanyu Forest, where autumn had settled.

 

“Alright, I hope everyone shows their full skills this year as well. Crown Prince?”

 

At the early morning opening ceremony of the hunting competition, the crown prince raised his shield at the emperor’s call. At that moment,

 

“Waaaaa…!”

 

The light beam that shot up formed a dome, encompassing the entire camp. As always, it symbolized that Orot’s blessing still protected the descendants of Nepelsian.

 

“Oh dear. Look at my darling working hard.”

 

And in a place a little away from the camp, hidden in the grass where no one was paying attention, Selleana took out a handkerchief and dabbed at Rakrensius’s forehead, which wasn’t even sweating much. Usually, he would glance at her in such moments, but he was so focused that he didn’t move, staring at the camp.

 

From their hidden spot, which was not visible from the camp but provided a clear view of it, Rakrensius was using a wide-area perception distortion spell to make it seem like Pavellian’s shield was functioning normally. It was to fulfill Pavellian’s ‘request.’