I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

After much effort, Prince Erenst finally gave up on meeting Michi. Selleana skillfully changed the subject, steering the conversation toward trade between the Elard Ducal Family and the Laten royal family.

Theonis, too, found the topic more agreeable and willingly stuck to it.

“Then, next time I or our merchants visit Ratenium, let’s take a look at those herbs.”

“That sounds good. The empire also has unique teas like coffee; herbal teas could become popular.”

“I’ve tried it a few times myself, and it was quite satisfactory. If only our Rondel merchant guild had exclusive rights to it…”

“Oh my. If it’s such a special herb, why not inquire with Benichi about it?”

“Lea, aren’t you Elard?”

“I don’t have any share in the merchant of Elard, right?”

“

since the production of medicinal herbs is low, it doesn’t seem like it should be handled in a place with a large distribution network like Benichi. Hopefully, it will become popular among nobles in Nepelsian.”

“Oh my. Then how about giving it to me as a gift? I will promote it.”

“Then will you be able to repay me?”

“

Is gift originally about expecting something in return?”

As if Selleana didn’t know anything about it, her loud words echoed in the greenhouse with loud laughter. However, Prince Erenst’s eyes weren’t smiling.

“

, Lady. Will you be attending the hunting competition?”

“Yes, of course…? It’s a tradition for Nepelsian nobility.”

The harvest festival’s hunting competition was one of the biggest events in Nepelsian high society, attended by all nobles, including women and children.

And for Selleana, it was also a deadline set by Pavellian.

Selleana shivered at the thought of the crown prince’s persistence.

“Then, will Baron Branto also participate?”

“Perhaps…?”

Prince Erenst smiled contentedly at her answer. “Then, I must visit the empire again to establish trade with Elard’s merchants. To participate in the hunting competition.”

Oh no.

It seemed Doloret’s guild members in Laten would have more work than anticipated.

* * *

It was in the imperial palace, the emperor’s office.

“Greetings to Your Majesty, the eternal sun of the empire.”

“

, Duke of Elard. Please, have a seat.” Tashur III welcomed Duke Elard warmly despite the sudden request for an audience.

The Elard family was both a loyal vassal and a formidable bondman. As founders of the kingdom and a family that has never lost its nobility throughout Nepelsian history, their influence was undeniable. With both sons excelling in civil and military affairs and the daughter captivating the social circle, the Elard family’s prestige was expected to continue. The Emperor wished to solidify his successor’s future by aligning with Elard through marriage.

“What brings you to me, Duke?”

“Your Majesty, I wish to discuss the marital engagements of my children.”

“Marriage?

, has the lady found her beloved?”

Tashur III laughed as if joking, but the duke did not join in. The seriousness on his face made the emperor furrow his brows.

“May I dare ask… Would Your Majesty consider uniting my daughter not with the crown prince but with another of your sons?”

Tashur III raised his eyebrows. “My other sons?”

Tashur III had five sons in total. The firstborn with his first empress, Pavellian, two more sons with his second empress, and a fourth son with his current Empress. And before he became the crown prince, he had his fifth son, Rakrensius, with a woman he met during his secret trip.

“As a father, I hold affection for all of my children…”

Tashur II recalled the handsome appearance of his real eldest son, who had only recently made his first official appearance.

“As an Emperor, however, I’d say the most desirable outcome is still for the Lady to become the Crown Princess.”

“I apologize, but my child steadfastly refuses, and as a father, I cannot completely ignore her wishes.”

“Indeed… It must be hard as a father.”

Duty as a father. Reflecting on Rakrensius, Tashur III thought about the son born of a woman he once passionately loved and who had her silver hair. He neglected his son to protect him. He couldn’t do anything that was his duty as a father to that child.

“As Your Majesty may have guessed, since the other imperial members are all minors, I’m talking about the fifth prince.”

“The fifth prince.” Tashur III stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Was the Fifth Prince the beloved the lady spoke of?”

“My daughter didn’t talk about such a trivial thing to her father.” The duke, in true Elard fashion, flatly refused to answer.

The emperor wasn’t particularly offended by this.

Tashur III had been keeping tabs on Selleana, aware of her visits to the magic tower and her relationship with his son. But he had not expected any emotional or romantic connection between them. To Tashur III, Selleana was long considered a match for Pavellian, and she knew little about Rakrensius.

If he could do something for the son he had done nothing for as ‘a father’s duty,’ how wonderful would that be. But as a sovereign, he offered his perspective.

“Well. The imperial family has nothing to gain from this.”

“…”

“Besides, if it’s the fifth prince, the empress’s opinion about it is important.”

“The empress?”

“

, that’s…” After pausing, Tashur III continued after some time. “The empress cherishes the crown prince. She entered the palace alone and ended up with three stepsons, but the crown prince was a comfort to her loneliness. Naturally, she would prefer a noble lady like Lady Elard for the crown prince.”

It was a plausible explanation, but the duke sensed the emperor had chosen an easy answer over his intended words, indicating the emperor held Rakrensius dear. He must be hiding something for the sake of the fifth prince.

“Since the fifth prince was discovered by the empress, without her, I would’ve never known I had another son. So, in matters related to the fifth prince, I must respect the empress’s wishes.”

“I see.”

Though the logic was hard to follow, the duke found no need to argue.

“Then, will Your Majesty first inquire to the empress about this?”

“

, I wouldn’t expect a favorable response, but….”

The duke sensed a hint of difficulty in the Emperor’s tone. Something was amiss.

The Fifth Prince was treated as an idiot and lived as such until he entered the Magic Tower. Naturally, no one in the Senate sincerely spoke of him as a genuine candidate for the next emperor, given the uncertainty of his mother’s lineage and his own deficiencies. It was merely to prevent the concentration of power in the crown prince that his existence was continuously mentioned.

Only the fact that he had drawn an artifact-level treasure to the attention of the imperial family had spread, but nothing was known about his relationship with the empress.

The situation was more complicated than expected. But what can be done? Even when opposing, it was necessary to fully understand the situation, especially since his daughter had run away from home for the first time, taking a strong stand.

Will this benefit or be a loss for Elard?

Will it be okay to let Selleana go down this path?

* * *

It was after Duke Elard had left the audience. Tashur III remained alone in his office, lost in thought.

About a decade ago, after accepting the saintess as the empress through a deal with the order, shortly afterward. The first thing the empress suggested was to bring his bloodline from the far end of the continent.

That woman was like the wind.

The wizard Tirtayana. She wandered the forest at will, manipulating the beasts with her silver hair fluttering.

Before becoming the crown prince, during his time disguised to experience the world he would rule, he met her. After sharing several adventures, they grew irresistibly close, but…

The moment he revealed his identity and promised a future, she vanished. As if she was someone fated not to be entangled with the imperial family.