I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

Eek.

Selleana hurriedly gave a brief greeting according to imperial etiquette. Next to her, Rakrensius also showed signs of bowing deeply toward the emperor.

She tried to recall the expression on Tashur III’s face she had glimpsed, but it was hard to remember accurately due to the dim surroundings and distance. By the time she looked up, the emperor’s gaze had already shifted elsewhere.

“That,

…” Rakrensius took a half step back, distancing himself a bit.

“What is it?”

“We are supposedly meeting for the first time today, right?”

“So, you’re saying we need to maintain a proper physical distance?” Selleana glanced at Rakrensius with renewed curiosity. “Did His Majesty give any instructions?”

“It’s not just the emperor in the imperial family.”

“But isn’t His Majesty’s opinion the most important in the imperial family’s intentions, or what?”

“…” Rakrensius, who chose not to respond further, seemed somewhat stiff enough to make his words not easily dismissible.

If it involved someone from the imperial family other than the emperor…

Selleana couldn’t come to any solid conclusion within the short span of her thoughts. As the silence stretched, she felt Rakrensius’s gaze on her and painted a guilty smile across her face.

“Then, will Master of Tower participate in the hunting competition?”

“Yes, well, for now…”

Her smile smoothly transitioned the conversation.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t like tormenting animals?”

“If I’m not going to participate, what’s the point of being here?”

“Isn’t using magic banned in hunting competitions? You said you couldn’t use a sword.”

“I learned archery when I was younger.”

“

.”

“Well, it’s been a long time, so it’s probably all rusted now.”

“Still, since you’re going, try to catch something.” Selleana smiled lightly. “Even if you don’t give your prey to me because it would reveal our personal acquaintance, I’ll consider it a gift.”

“…I might not catch anything.”

“

, don’t say that.”

Their conversation continued with more light-hearted teasing. Under her eyes, her cheeks rounded, and her amber eyes sparkled brilliantly… Entranced, Rakrensius pressed his forehead as if in pain.

“How many times do I have to say it… the spell doesn’t block sight.”

“But, what did I—” Selleana tried to blurt it out without realizing it but ended up making a mistake. This really would look too friendly.

Selleana casually scanned her surroundings, wondering if she had made eye contact with Pavellian. It wasn’t just the imperial family; unbeknownst to her, most of the campsite had been watching them.

She somewhat understood Rakrensius’s concerns.

“

, there’s too much interest in Master of Tower… Regrettably, I must leave now.”

“Yes, thank you for considering this now.”

“May you have a peaceful night under the blessings of Orot.” Selleana gracefully performed a formal goodbye, her hands gently lifting the hem of her dress. And with a light smile as if to put a period at the end.

Caught off-guard by her demeanor, Rakrensius responded a bit late. “…May you have a peaceful night.” He placed a hand over his heart and bowed slightly…

Selleana quickly winked, unnoticed by anyone else, and mouthed her last farewell. And then she blew a kiss into the air, her back turned to everyone.

The man’s face flushed white and then red at the scene, causing Selleana to chuckle and turn around halfway.

“Let’s go, Michi.”

“Yes, Milady.”

From behind, the familiar sound of Rakrensius’s sigh seemed to echo. However, it was brief. Perhaps because Selleana opened the door for Rakrensius’s social interactions as both the tower master and the fifth prince, people who had been hovering around began to move in that direction.

Even if Rakrensius had renounced his claim to the throne and left the palace, he was still a prince. This was their chance to get to know him.

Selleana glanced at the Langton’s tent, located opposite the Elard tent. Duke Langton, also waiting for the right moment, his eyes gleaming fiercely, aiming to leverage Rakrensius against the imperial power.

Selleana internally expressed her condolences for Rakrensius’s introversion and linked arms with Michi.

“Michi, where’s Baron Branto’s place? Shall we go greet him now? Is it weird with the disguise glasses?”

“It’s okay, let’s go now. Tomorrow might be difficult. My parents think whatever I do is necessary for Elard.” Michi sighed, mentioning the challenge of moving around the next day. The reason was that Prince Erenst of Laten was expected to arrive in time for the opening ceremony the following morning.

“That prince, even if he acts recklessly, will pretend to participate in the hunting competition, right? How was his martial arts?”

“Well, as the main male lead, he should be able to fend off pursuers and take them down.”

“So, he’s strong in actual combat.”

“Yes, it’d be nice if he bragged about his skills and stayed away from the campsite until the competition ended…”

“If he returned within a month after dropping all his business issues, who knows what he might do.”

“Maybe it’s better for you to stay with Rosi from the opening ceremony tomorrow.”

“Yes, that might be better…”

As Selleana and Michi were collecting their plans amidst the crowd.

“Did you see? The moment it was revealed that the master of the magic tower was the fifth prince, she went to flirt.”

“Oh my, yes, indeed.”

They overheard murmuring nearby.

“

, really…”

“Why are they like that again?”

Those eager to criticize Selleana couldn’t help themselves. As usual, they were ladies of the empress’s faction. Perhaps because the empress stayed at the campsite this year, they gathered boldly, chattering conspicuously.

She was briefly relieved that Rakrensius’s overt concern was unfounded.

“They want to get their foot in the door with the imperial family, even if it’s just by half.”

“She doesn’t even greet the crown prince.”

“That’s how arrogant she is, causing long-time servants to flee.” And the added sneers.

But they’re clearly upset that I’m not becoming the crown princess, which is something the imperial family wants, not them. Moreover, arguing about Rakrensius, of all things?’

“…XXX.”

“

? I thought for a moment you were Nesia.”

“Whether I become the Crown Princess or not, that’s up to me.” Selleana stood firm, her delicate jawline pronounced. “There’s a limit to crossing lines…”

“Lea, let it go. Many people are watching.” Michi quickly whispered, noticing Selleana’s clenched fist.

“Really, their heads must be made of rock. Didn’t they see you speaking to His Majesty at His Majesty’s birthday banquet? Are they deaf or brainless?”

It seemed venting anger on behalf of someone upset was the way to go.

“Mixing with those girls will only lower our own standards. They probably don’t even know what 1 plus 1 equals, so why bother and risk starting a catfight? Let’s maintain our dignity, okay?”

Michi continued to soothe Selleana with a rapid-fire tirade of complaints, causing her to eventually break into laughter.

“Enough. It doesn’t suit you.”

“What doesn’t?”

“Just be your usual cheerful self.”

“You too, sound awkward when you curse.”

As the atmosphere lightened, Selleana and Michi burst into laughter together.

“

! Look at that disrespect, ignoring what others say!”

“It’s terrifying that such a selfish person almost became the partner of the crown prince. What a chilling thought!”

The empress faction’s ladies, thinking they had ‘caught’ Selleana at some fault, escalated their criticism to an outright denouncement.

Frustrated by their irrational behavior, Selleana was about to respond when…

“Oh my. Lady Rachard. I was wondering where this group bullying was coming from… It was you all along?”

“G-Group bullying? What are you talking about…!”

“What did we do…!”

“That’s too harsh a word!”

“Oh Orot, heavens… Here, we have eight young ladies from a family known for their piety, ganging up and hurling insults at just two people. We usually call that group bullying. Or is it not?”

Recognizing the voice, Selleana couldn’t help but smile.