I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original Chapter 18

The only ones Selleana had discussed this matter with directly were the Duke and Peredo. Even then, it was truly the first time since she had met the empress. Everyone was busy in Elard, and Selleana deliberately held back on speaking until the situation was somewhat settled.

 

“Yes, that’s right, Big Brother.”

 

Selleana dabbed her lips with a napkin and smiled at her family.

 

“When I said I would not participate in the selection, they said they would wait until I made up my mind.”

 

“What does it mean to make up your mind?”

 

“If I bring a man I want to marry, even if it means giving up the crown prince, then I don’t have to participate in the selection.”

 

A small flame sparked in the eyes of the three Elard men, excluding her mother.

 

W-what is this?

 

A protective cliché opposing their youngest daughter’s man? They had tried to pair her with Pavellian since she was young, and now suddenly…?

 

“Don’t worry, Big Brothers. Don’t worry, Father. Her Majesty assured me that this matter will not change the relationship between the imperial family and us, knowing well the loyalty and faith of Elard.”

 

“No, Lea, that’s not the issue.”

 

Theonis looked rather troubled, fiddling with his lips as if choosing his words.

 

“Are you pursuing the master of the tower as your desired partner to avoid the crown prince?”

 

“I won’t allow it if it’s tower master.”

 

“Yes?” Selleana was taken aback by the duke’s sudden utterance.

 

The Master of the Tower? The socially awkward man who always hides his face in gloom?

 

Interpreting Selleana’s stunned expression, Theonis cautiously asked. “Lea, do you know who the master of the tower is?”

 

“The fifth prince, right?” Selleana’s confident reply stirred the dining room.

 

“Lea, you know he’s the fifth prince, and still…!”

 

“Surely, you’re not seriously pushing him to avoid your engagement with the crown prince?”

 

“I knew this wild child would cause trouble…!”

 

As expected, her father and brothers, who knew the master of the tower’s identity, reacted in their own ways.

 

“The son born out of wedlock you saw outside, he’s the master of the tower? Lea, how did you know?” Her mother, true to Nepelsian women, reacted in her own way.

 

Selleana carefully answered each of them. “Mother, first of all, I heard it from Doloret.”

 

“Aah… Because Benichi is a special family.”

 

In the Nepelsian noble, it was virtuous for women not to be interested in politics. Therefore, politically sensitive matters like the fifth prince’s whereabouts were even harder to disclose. The Benichi, being a rapidly growing merchant family, were just considered differently.

 

“And I went to the tower to find the man who fits my ideal type. They say there’s a magic that can find someone matching certain criteria…?”

 

Definitely not because she caused trouble and was trying to fix it…?

 

Selleana hoped her prefabricated excuse sounded sincere, as most nobles were ignorant of magic, and nobody would know such magic didn’t exist. After all, detection magic itself was a second-class confidential spell.

 

“Your ideal type, Lea?”

 

“Yes, if I’m going to marry a man I present as the reason for giving up the selection, he better be to fit my taste.”

 

“Our Lea… you were serious?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“That’s right, Brother. I asked her long ago. She told Father and then acted so recklessly, didn’t she?”

 

“I thought Lea was just whimsical because of the upcoming selection.”

 

“Whimsy is right. I didn’t realize it would last this long.”

 

Selleana felt a surge of annoyance as her brothers discussed it right in front of her.

 

A month ago, she first told Pavellian she wouldn’t participate in the selection. Since then, Selleana had met Pavellian and the empress to push back selection and struggled to find Collin… During this time, her family dismissed her desperation as mere whimsy.

 

“Father.”

 

The duke’s eyes slowly turned to his youngest daughter.

 

“Does Father think so too?”

 

“If that’s the case.”

 

“Did you really hope I would give up by telling myself to take responsibility? You knew what the empress told me.”

 

The duke tried not to show it, but Selleana couldn’t miss the flicker of embarrassment on his face.

 

“You said you respected my choice. Did you just say that to appease me?”

 

“I did respect your choice, Lea.”

 

“Father!” Peredo interjected as if protesting.

 

“But I don’t think your brother’s thoughts are wrong either.”

 

Selleana’s gaze hardened.

 

“You’ve done well so far. Humans are weak before fate; such feelings are natural. Learning to take responsibility for your decisions and possibly changing your mind in the process…”

 

So Father also hoped I would give up on my own. She didn’t need to listen further to her father’s words. They were too familiar. Elard’s responsibility and duty. The happiest life as a woman. The meaning of becoming a woman of the imperial family. She knew them all too well.

 

“Then… if I bring someone as my marriage candidate to the imperial family, what would you do? You knew what the empress told me.”

 

Though the duke tried to hide it, Selleana couldn’t miss the hint of discomfort on his face.

 

“…I first thought you’d approach this matter with the pride of Elard. If you really brought someone… Then we would talk again, step by step. It’s Elard’s marriage, after all.”

 

Talk again, step by step. It sounded like he would seriously consider her alternative, but Selleana knew. Her father never expected her to achieve anything.

 

“…I understand.”

 

Finally, Selleana smiled at her family. It was the charming smile that made her adored in social circles. Seeing it, the Elard men seemed relieved. At least she understood.

 

Contrary to their misconception, Selleana was suppressing bubbling anger. …Yes. I feel betrayed, but it’s not surprising. I never expected full understanding. It wasn’t because they didn’t love her, but because that’s how this world was. Selleana remained silent for the rest of the meal.

 

Back in her room, Selleana started rummaging through her wardrobe that night. “Here, here, here, pack these. Shoes from here to here, all of them.”

 

“Yes, Milady.”

 

Following Selleana’s orders, the maids moved swiftly and efficiently. Her previous life’s memories made her become a rational and generous master, so the maids in the east wing were loyal to Selleana. One by one, trunks began to fill with dresses and accessories.

 

“Lea, what’s going on? What happened?” Michi, who had been enjoying wine alone during Elard’s dinner, rushed in. “What’s all this… Are you running away?”

 

“Yes. Start packing your things too.”

 

“What happened during dinner?”

 

Only then did Selleana turn to look at Michi. “I’m taking a drastic step. It seems like my will is being underestimated at home.”

 

Her face looked quite relieved but with a slight bitterness, enough for Michi to sense the situation. There must have been friction with the family over this matter.

 

“But isn’t the emperor’s birthday celebration coming up soon? Is it okay to leave now?”

 

Michi’s cautious question made Selleana’s eyebrows twitch.

 

Tashur III’s birthday celebration in the midst of summer. A perfect place to make a statement, with nobles from all over Nepelsian attending.

 

“…It’s about time to spread bigger rumors.”

 

“What rumors?”

 

“Rumors that will make the imperial family unable to accept me.”

 

One corner of Selleana’s lips curled up in a scheming smile.