I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original Chapter 142

“So, right now, it looks to me like the shield is emitting light just like last year, but in reality, nothing is happening?”

 

“Yeah, that’s right.” Selleana nodded in response to Michi’s question.

 

This was exactly what Pavellian had asked them to do in exchange for hastening the imperial wedding. He wanted them to make his shield, which had lost its function after clashing with Di, appear to be intact.

 

“Just like during the hunting competition, we might need it again later… Do you think my brother’s magic can create this illusion?”

 

Although the holy relics were rarely used, they were symbols of the heir to the throne. The fact that the crown prince’s relic was damaged would be considered highly ominous. Fortunately, Rakrensius’s magic seemed to have worked, as no one in the camp seemed suspicious. Amazed by the sight they witnessed once a year, exclamations of awe erupted from all around.

 

Finally, the semi-transparent dome-shaped barrier became completely transparent.

 

“Phew…” Rakrensius let out a short sigh as he finished the spell. Casting a mild hypnosis spell on so many people for such a long time had consumed considerable mental energy, even for the master of the Magic Tower.

 

“Darling, you’ve worked so hard.”

 

Worried about breaking his concentration, Selleana had not been able to touch him properly until now. She hugged his waist and rested her face on his chest, relieved.

 

“Can’t we just make a similar magical device next year? Doing this every year means coming to Bellanyu Forest and working hard every morning. It only benefits Pavellian.”

 

“Hmm, I suppose…”

 

“It doesn’t matter to me if we attend the hunting competition or not. You don’t participate in the competition anyway. Let’s just go on a trip together during the harvest festival next year, okay?”

 

“Well…”

 

Selleana’s eyes sparkled as she spoke sweetly. Rakrensius tried to keep his lips from curling into a smile and responded calmly.

 

“As you said, His Majesty has bestowed the territory of Riishuryung upon me, so as a son, I feel obliged to show my face at imperial events… It’s what your world calls after-service.”

 

“Since when did you become a filial son?” Selleana playfully glared at him and bit his arm lightly in mock annoyance.

 

Oh, dear. Michi, who had been watching their excessive display of affection, shuddered. “Milady, I’ll go see the young lords.”

 

“My brothers? Why?”

 

“I promised to give them handkerchiefs. Lord Peri taught me some swordsmanship for the treasure hunt. And it felt wrong not to give one to Lord Theo as well.”

 

“Oh, I see.”

 

“See you later, okay?” Waving his hand, Michi disappeared into the busy camp, preparing for the hunting competition.

 

Watching Michi’s retreating figure, Selleana slowly raised an eyebrow. “Collin.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“It seems to me… that Michi is quite close to my brothers. What do you think?”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

“I told you. I originally kept them from talking to each other because I was worried they might get too tangled up.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“But since I asked them to look after Michi because of Prince Erenst, they started hanging out, and now they often spend time together without me.”

 

“That’s probably because you come to see me every night.”

 

“Especially Brother Theo. He wasn’t interested in wine at all, but when Michi started the cheap wine distribution business, he created a position for her in the trading company and made time to go with her to the estate.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“I’m telling you, it is.”

 

Suspicious, very suspicious… Selleana narrowed her eyes.

 

“I might end up welcoming my friend as a sister-in-law.”

 

“But Lady Branto doesn’t have any romantic interest, right?”

 

“That’s true. Michi is too good for my brothers, but it might be better for her to live comfortably in Elard than to marry into another family…”

 

“Does Lady Branto even think about marriage?”

 

“She used to shudder at the mere mention of marriage, but now she doesn’t seem particularly averse to it. She used to avoid men because of those original male leads, but now that there’s no danger, she doesn’t seem to care.”

 

“She neither avoids nor pursues it. And she doesn’t want to be tied down by it.”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Just like you.”

 

“Yeah, just like me.”

 

In that brief conversation, there was an understanding born from their shared struggles over time. Just a year ago, at the hunting competition, they couldn’t even reveal their friendship. Since then, Selleana had shattered her predetermined fate with her own hands, and Rakrensius had escaped the saintess’s oppression to hold her hand properly. To be together like everyone else, they had to defy the will of the gods. Finally, they had achieved this ordinary moment of romance.

 

Overwhelmed with emotion, Selleana stood upright and looked up at him. He knew exactly what that small gesture meant. Rakrensius smiled as he kissed her lips. Their eyes shone with uncontainable joy.

 

“Collin. Shall we make a bet?”

 

“What kind of bet?”

 

“I bet that Brother Theo will propose to Michi and get rejected.”

 

Selleana intertwined her fingers with his as she spoke, and Rakrensius laughed softly. Even though her brother was the renowned heir of Elard, his angel had no qualms about belittling him. It showed how much she cherished her friend. Their ten years together and their deep bond held secrets that made their relationship special.

 

“So what should I bet on?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

He won’t propose? Michi won’t reject it? What to choose… Selleana pondered over the options when Rakrensius, looking down at her round head, spoke.

 

“Speaking of bets, it reminds me.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Do you remember the bet we made before…?”

 

“A bet? What was it?”

 

“Last summer. In my office.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

“Let’s make a bet. I believe the situation will be easier than you think.”

 

It was during the time when Selleana persistently courted Rakrensius, and he had to unintentionally reject her because he couldn’t reveal his secret.

 

“We haven’t settled that bet, have we?”

 

“So… I lost that bet, right?”

 

“Isn’t that so?”

 

The saintess had tried to punish Selleana by forcing the original fate on her club friends just because she got closer to Rakrensius. The situation was indeed difficult, and Selleana had been greatly disheartened.

 

“Hmm, since I lost the bet, there’s no choice.”

 

Selleana’s lips curved into a seductive smile. She grabbed his robe and pulled him closer. At the close distance, her amber eyes gleamed softly.

 

“I’ll grant you any wish. Tell me,” Selleana’s red tongue flicked over her lips. The implication was clear.

 

Rakrensius, looking down at her, smirked and pulled her into an embrace. “I do have a wish, but…”

 

“But?”

 

“We need to attend the tea party hosted by the Duchess of Elard for the women of the Elard vassal families. We were invited, after all.”

 

“Oh my, what kind of wish is so urgent that you speak like someone in a hurry?”

 

“Also, what I desire is something you desire as well, so it doesn’t really count as a wish… that’s what I think.” Rakrensius’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he finished speaking.

 

Really, where did that shy gentleman go? Though his shyness was also cute and lovely, her fiancé, who had grown accustomed to their relationship and now flirted with her, was also charming.

 

Selleana squinted her eyes and lifted one corner of her mouth coyly. “Hmph, that’s not right.”

 

“Not right?”

 

“My wish is different from yours. How is it different…” Selleana wiggled her finger. When he lowered his head, she whispered in his ear….

 

“…Really, I must be bewitched by a devil, not an angel.”

 

“Does it matter if it’s an angel or a devil?”

 

“Not at all.”

 

“Exactly.”

 

Selleana chuckled, hugging Rakrensius around the neck.

 

“I’ll come see you tonight.” Her usual whisper melted into his ear.

 

– Side Story 1 Complete –