I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original Chapter 146

At that moment, the gentlemen in the hall all turned to look at Michi with bright expressions.

 

So, whoever catches that bouquet will get married within three years? No one spoke up, but it was clear that everyone was calculating their chances, their eyes darting around.

 

Since the saintess lost her power, Michi had decided not to cover her face anymore, and her popularity was skyrocketing. Initially, her unexpected beauty was the talk of the town, and recently, she had successfully ventured into the mid-range wine market of the Branto territory, proving herself to be a worthy friend of the Benichi merchant guild. The only downside was that, unlike Selleana or Rosalli, Michi didn’t have a strong family backing to leverage into power. Not that she had any intention of manipulating people in high society anyway. Nevertheless, seeing Michi catch the bouquet, people began to imagine that lady would soon have to find a partner and get married.

 

A marriage partner for Lady Branto…

 

Hmm, someone like me would be quite suitable, right?

 

Lady Branto has already reached the prime age for marriage. Wouldn’t she be grateful to anyone who takes her in?

 

Love at first sight? Has Lady Branto ever even properly introduced herself to me?

 

A family like mine would be quite a catch for Baron Branto, wouldn’t it…?

 

While the men continued to indulge in their fantasies, oblivious to their overstepping…

 

“Oho, have things developed between you two without me noticing?”

 

“What are you talking about… ?”

 

“If it’s within three years, then at this rate, you might become a groom before you hit thirty.”

 

None of the other guests noticed, but Michi, who was startled by suddenly receiving the bouquet, reflexively looked for someone specific. That someone was none other than Theonis. Peredo, standing by Theonis’s side, chuckled as he confirmed the direction of her gaze.

 

Who would have imagined three years ago that the ever-perfect-looking heir of Elard would have such a shy expression on his face? Not even Peredo could have imagined it. As Selleana speculated two years ago, Theonis had long been deeply infatuated with Michi, like clothes soaking in a drizzle.

 

In truth, Theonis had practically fallen for her at first sight, though he couldn’t accept that he was smitten with a commoner-born baron’s daughter who was his sister’s maid. It was only recently that he finally acknowledged and accepted his feelings. If he didn’t have feelings, would he have gone out of his way to lend his distribution network just because Michi was interested in wine, a drink he never cared for? Especially when she, a woman, dared to start a business. Moreover, Michi was likely to leave Elard and follow Selleana once she got married, so there was no reason for him to help her career.

 

Peredo, who had noticed this long ago, would always interrupt whenever Theonis tried to go out with Michi under some flimsy excuse, teasing and obstructing his brother. For him, it was intriguing to hang out with Michi since he had never had a close female acquaintance before. The problem was that by the time Theonis realized his feelings, it had already become natural for the three of them to be together wherever they went. It started from the time they were invited to Enet Palace three years ago, where the two brothers joined forces to protect Michi from Prince Erenst…

 

Of course, Peredo, who had realized his brother’s feelings before the person in question, had recently been tactfully stepping aside more often. But the fact that he realized it so late made it difficult for Theonis to figure out how to express his feelings.

 

Theonis had never felt like such a fool before. Adding to that was the frustration of being seen by Michi as nothing more than a friend, just like Peredo. Unable to do anything about it, his behavior became awkward, and he felt that his friendship with Michi was becoming a bit strained. If Michi had looked at him at that moment, maybe…

 

“Hey, toss!”

 

Then, Michi did something unexpected. She had only loosely held the bouquet, not fully grasping it, and suddenly tossed it again. The bouquet flew into the arms of Rosalli, who was standing right next to her.

 

“Aah…!”

 

“Gasp…!”

 

Once again, the reaction came from the guests. But the nature of their reaction was just different from before. The ones who let out a gasp full of bewilderment were Duke Glen and his son. They had been hoping to act as if they were still family with Rosalli just because her name was still listed under Glen in the temple’s register.

 

Despite not having heard anything from Rosalli and only learning of her return today at the wedding venue, they were somehow optimistic. It looked like they had long forgotten how they were so caught up in the excitement of regaining Eirene, forgetting how they had treated Rosalli as if she were an outsider. But now, even that optimism has come to an end.

 

“Josh!”

 

The moment they saw Rosalli, who had just caught the bouquet, giving a sweet wink to her companion, Joshua Gillosen, they realized that all of it had been nothing but wishful thinking.

 

“Rosi…!”

 

Joshua Gillosen, who had been sitting alone in the guest seats, burst in with emotion, and the continent’s first bouquet toss event ended amidst laughter.

 

“Don’t think you can get away with this as a proposal, okay?”

 

“Of course not. I’ve waited over a year for you to make me your lover, so I’ll have to put in much more effort than that. I can’t wait to tell grandpa.”

 

“What are you going to tell him?”

 

“That I think we might get married within three years…!”

 

“You do realize that there’s no guarantee you’ll be the one I marry in three years, right?”

 

“Yep. I’ll do my best so that you don’t even think about anyone else, Rosi. Just keep looking at me… beautifully.”

 

As the handsome man, who appeared a head taller than her, lifted her up effortlessly, a refreshing and melodic laugh escaped from Rosalli—a sound that none of the gentlemen who had admired her ever heard.

 

“They really are in a relationship, aren’t they?”

 

“Sir Joshua Gillosen really does seem like a big puppy…”

 

“It seems like he would do anything for Lady Glen.”

 

A wave of sighs echoed among the young ladies who had been gathered to catch the bouquet. A trend of touring other nations’ social circles in search of potential partners would arise among the young ladies of Nepelsian a few years later.

 

As the prepared schedule was wrapping up and the sun was more than halfway down in the west, the sky began to turn a deep blue from the distant east. The servants of Elard and the palace staff dispatched from the imperial palace began to move competitively to redecorate the garden. It was to prepare for the banquet.

 

Normally, an imperial wedding would be followed by a parade along the main road of the capital. However, since the wedding was held in the Elard territory from the start, all those imperial wedding procedures were now pointless.

 

The banquet would also proceed freely in the garden of the duke’s estate, where the wedding had just been held, allowing the guests to decide whether to stay or leave at their own discretion.

 

“Yes, you’ve all worked hard today. Congratulations again… You’re leaving for your honeymoon tonight, right? Where did you say you were going…?”

 

“The destination is a secret, and we’re thinking of three months. We’re planning to stay at the Arnhem Hotel for a night and leave tomorrow.”

 

The first to take his leave was Tashur III. Though it was an imperial wedding banquet, it was held outside the imperial palace, so there was no need for a member of the imperial family to linger. Especially since it was an event for his child, it was only right for an incompetent father to leave quickly to lighten the mood of the banquet.

 

“Arnem Hotel? In the capital? Why spend your first night there… You could have had it in the palace. I know you live outside the palace now, but it’s still a significant day.”

 

“Arnhem Hotel? In the capital? How could you spend your first night in a place like that… If that’s the case, why not have your first night at the palace? Even if you live outside the palace, it’s a meaningful day.”

 

“Ah, well, we don’t particularly need to go to the capital, but there’s a room there that holds special memories for us.”

 

“A room with special memories…? Surely not.”

 

“Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking.”

 

“Lea…”

 

Tashur III let out an incredulous sigh, only to hear the bold words of his new daughter-in-law. Even if he didn’t know it was the place where they had their unofficial first night, it was clear it was connected to their private time. The groom’s bright red ears, unable to stop his bride and only swallowing his words, confirmed that his guess was correct.

 

“Lady. Or should I call you madam now? You’re truly… consistent as always.”

 

Pavellian, whose face had turned red, managed to respond to Selleana in place of his frozen father. At this moment, he once again felt how completely incompatible he was with Selleana. Not that he would ever admit it to her.

 

“Anyway, congratulations on your union. Thanks to you two, I am also happily connected with my wife, so I hope you find as much happiness as we do.”

 

“I know you two are already very much in love… But since you’re the ones who made it possible for me to marry His Highness, I wish you even more happiness.” Following Pavellian, Eunice, who had married him last year and became the crown princess, greeted the stars of the day with her elegant demeanor.

 

Pavellian couldn’t help but smile contently as he watched his wife’s graceful movements. All he could hope was that his demure wife wouldn’t be influenced by Selleana…