I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original Chapter 153

“Seriously, that old man finally did it!” Selleana’s fist trembled with anger upon hearing the Di’s report.

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

Suddenly, Rakrensius opened the door and came in. Since they had rented an entire floor of the inn, there was no need to lock the door or knock.

 

“Darling, did you hear? You know, Brother Theo…”

 

[‘The Day before yesterday, he suddenly said he had something to say and asked me to have dinner with him.’]

 

Di quickly changed its tone and read Michi’s message verbatim. Its voice bypassed the eardrums and went straight to the mind. With just a slight change in tone and speed, Di perfectly mimicked Michi’s voice.

 

[‘You know, right? He only comes to see me when you’re coming late from Magic Tower or when he wants to have a glass of wine with Young Master Peri. We’ve never met separately. Of course, it’s not like we’ve never been alone, but… still, it’s the first time he’s asked for a separate dinner.’]

 

“Yeah, that’s why we called him indecisive at best and cowardly at worst.”

 

At Selleana’s chatter, Rakrensius sat down beside her with a faint smile. As Selleana struggled to hold Di with both hands, he placed Di gently on his lap.

 

[‘Actually, it was weird even during your wedding banquet. Even after you left, he stayed by my side. Thanks to that, no other guys dared to come near, which was a relief, but the atmosphere was different from usual, and it made me uncomfortable.’]

 

“Maybe Michi catching the bouquet was a wake-up call for Brother Theo.”

 

“The duchess wouldn’t have brought it up with me that day for no reason.”

 

“I knew my mother was perceptive, but I didn’t expect her to know even about Brother Theo’s feelings.”

 

[‘Then, you know I stayed at Rosalli’s for a few days, right? After that, I went to my parents’ house. I told you, right? I was going to check the summer sales lineup. But this time, my parents told me to go with Lady Russel.’]

 

Lady Russel was the eldest daughter and heir of Baron Russel, the head of Elard Trading Company, who recently came of age and started working in the business. Originally, Elard and his vassals were quite lukewarm about appointing a daughter as an heir, but as it became known that Doloret was the real power behind the Benichi Trading Company, a trend emerged among trading companies to appoint heirs regardless of gender.

 

Baron Russell is a merchant who prioritizes profit above all, and Lady Russell is exceptionally clever among her five siblings.

 

“Until now, whenever Brother Theo went to Branto, he always found some excuse to go with Michi. But when it mattered most, he hesitated. Geez.”

 

“But seeing that he eventually confessed… it seems he sorted out his feelings in his own way, don’t you think?”

 

“Darling, are you taking Brother Theo’s side now?”

 

“I’m just hoping you won’t criticize your brother more than necessary.” Rakrensius pulled Selleana closer, pressing his lips to her temple. The tender touch brought a contented smile to Selleana’s face.

 

“Ahem, ahem, are you listening?]

 

“We’re listening.”

 

[Anyway… ahem, ‘Then, the day before yesterday, I came up from Branto, and he was waiting at the entrance, asking me to have dinner with him. So, I thought we’d just eat at the mansion’s dining hall, but he had made a reservation at Atkins.’… Atkins is the place that’s voted the top proposal spot every year, right?]

 

“Yes, that’s right. Wow… Theo Elard, he’s really stepping up his game.”

 

“…Do you want to go to Atkins too?”

 

“I’d rather have brunch on bed with you, Darling.” Selleana said playfully, rubbing her cheek against Rakrensius’s shoulder. “But what if I said I wanted to go?”

 

“Then let’s go together for our anniversary next year. I’ll propose to you.”

 

[Are you two even listening?]

 

Di growled as though baring its teeth, frustrated at the couple’s easy drift into their own world.

 

[‘So, we got there, and sure enough, he had reserved the top-floor proposal seat… And that’s where he said it. That he seemed to have liked me for a long time and wants to spend the rest of his life with me.’]

 

“Crazy…!” Selleana shuddered, rubbing her upper arm vigorously. She got goosebumps from unexpectedly learning about her brother’s love story. “But, seemed to have liked… He says it like that? Is he really insane?”

 

“Well, maybe at first, he didn’t realize his feelings.”

 

“What about you, Darling?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Did you know from the start whether you liked me or not?”

 

“…Well, thinking about the girl who was yelling about how her life was terrible in front of the Western palace, probably…”

 

“What?”

 

Selleana’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer. She had been thinking of the day they properly met three years ago at the Victory Festival masquerade, or perhaps the day she taught him about coffee at the Benichi Salon…

 

Selleana’s eyes curved into a smile as she looked up at her husband’s face. Of course, there’s no way he didn’t fall for her at first sight, just like how she fell in love at first sight. With a sly grin, she left a quick peck on Rakrensius’s lips and pulled back.

 

“Hey, I didn’t say it was a bad thing. I guess you really did like me from back then, huh?”

 

“Well… maybe that’s why I recognized you right away.”

 

“Hehe.”

 

[If you keep getting sidetracked, I’m going to stop.]

 

“Okay, okay. So what did Michi say in response?”

 

[She said it was too sudden and unexpected, so she needed time to think.]

 

“Hmm.” Selleana nodded with a mock-serious expression.

 

[‘I never thought he would actually confess. After all, he’s going to be a duke, and I’m just…’]

 

“Ugh, status isn’t what’s important. Even my mother said it was okay. Of course, I know it’s hard for Michi not to care at all…”

 

As Selleana pouted and leaned her head on Rakrensius’s shoulder, his large, firm hand gently stroked her shoulder as if to comfort her.

 

[Wait, listen a bit more.]

 

“What?”

 

[‘I guess my type is the kind of guy who bulldozes his way in and overwhelms me.’]

 

“…Huh?’

 

[‘I’ve been thinking about what to say and how I feel since I had a feeling this day would come a few days ago… But when I actually heard him say it, my heart just sank. There was a reason why I was unfazed by all those handsome, gentle, and well-connected guys like the young master, and why I wasn’t impressed by those who tried to win me over. It’s because they weren’t straightforward like a bulldozer… Maybe that’s why the original Michi was swayed by obsessive male leads?’…The bulldozer she means, like you two, right?]

 

“Yes, that’s… true.”

 

Oh my god, Michi Branto. Selleana chuckled dryly. Yeah. Even though the original Michi and Michi she knew are different people, they both have a tendency to be swayed by obsessive guys. Even though their souls are different, they have the same taste. Should she say it’s engraved in her DNA?

 

[Are you okay?]

 

“Me?”

 

[Didn’t Michi just reject your brother? She even wrote to you saying she’s sorry.]

 

“Oh, come on, Mr. Sword. Isn’t it human nature to feel some satisfaction when your best friend rejects your sibling?] Selleana laughed and waved her hand dismissively. “Aha, how satisfying. So Brother Theo got rejected, huh? If only I could see it in person and tease him.”

 

[Hmm… he’s currently writing a letter.]

 

“What? Brother Theo is? He hasn’t given up yet?”

 

[Yeah. Right now… he’s apologizing for his shortcomings, saying he regrets being so passive all this time and that it pains him to have realized his feelings too late. He’s asking if she could give him another chance…]

 

“Uaah, the regretful guy!”

 

As Di relayed the message, Selleana laughed heartily and playfully hit Rakrensius’s shoulder. It was just too funny that her brother was clinging on after being rejected by his crush. Especially since it was Theonis, who had lived his whole life as if he were painting a picture of the heir of Elard, trying to control Selleana’s friendship with Rakrensius.

 

“…So, when you called ‘old man’ earlier, were you talking about Lord Theonis…?” At that moment, Rakrensius asked slowly. “Is the young lord really that old?”

 

“He’s four years older!”

 

Theonis was five years older than Selleana, and Michi’s personality was so cute that it often led to misunderstandings, but in reality, Michi was a year older than Selleana.

 

“For years is a lot?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

When Rakrensius mentioned a specific number, Selleana’s brow furrowed slightly. In truth, Selleana wasn’t concerned about the actual age difference between the two. What did it matter if one was older or younger? Besides, they were both adults in their twenties. However, since Michi was her closest friend and Theonis was her brother, Selleana was extremely biased towards Michi and picked fights over trivial matters.

 

“So, what about me?” Rakrensius asked, pressing his forehead against hers, almost whining.