I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

Viscount Miniel had an empty quiver slung over his shoulder. His attire remained relatively neat, suggesting he had only shot all his prepared arrows to show some effort. He didn’t appear to be injured either. As expected, the hunt he brought back was one of the weakest magical beasts.

“Surely he doesn’t intend to present that spiny rat to any lady, does he?”

“Lacking the skills to impress with his hunting, he’s probably trying to cozy up to as many people as he can. After you humiliated him last time, I doubt he’ll gain much.”

“Indeed.” Selleana agreed with Rosalli’s logical assumption.

At Rondel’s party, when Viscount Miniel was repelled by a light scroll, he fled home without a word of protest. His opponent was Lady Elard, and public opinion wasn’t on his side. The rumors quickly spread throughout the imperial social circles.

“Isn’t that Madam Alzen over there, the viscount’s cousin-in-law? She’s not even acknowledging him.”

“Our Lady Lea Kim is so engrossed with the tower master these days that she’s completely oblivious to social news. Viscount Miniel is being totally ignored by the ladies because of that incident.”

“No surprise there.”

“Given a choice between Elard and Miniel, anyone would choose Elard.”

“Then why didn’t he just waste more time at the hunting grounds instead of returning early?”

“With his skills, staying there would’ve been torture.”

The disgraced gentleman moved towards a group of equally unpopular men, enduring the scornful looks from the crowd.

“Lea, just in case, be careful.”

“Yeah. Even if he couldn’t protest, he might still hold a grudge.”

Confirming his appearance, Selleana resolved to avoid any involvement with him until the hunting competition ended.

* * *

“The rules are simple. Use the consecrated tool to hit the game. You can check the color of the tag inside by untying this ribbon from the stunned animal.”

An official from the committee held up a black silk ribbon. Attached to it was a tag painted gold, silver, or bronze on one side.

“The first-place tag is red. It equals five golds, fifteen silvers, or thirty bronzes.”

The official tapped the tags with a consecrated weapon, and one of the originally silver tags turned bright red. The first-place tag color had no relation to its original color.

Determination shone in Selleana’s amber eyes.

“There are a total of 200 animals. The pattern on the tag is different from last year’s, so no cheating. Best of luck to you all.”

“Thanks to Orot’s blessing, we have fine weather for the treasure hunt.” The empress stepped forward after the official’s explanation. “My son, the fourth prince, is also participating, but I hope everyone competes to the best of their ability without being influenced by that. It’s wonderful to see everyone enjoying the hunting competition, not just the gentlemen. May Orot’s blessing be upon your fortune.”

With the empress’s small firework, the treasure hunt portion of the hunting competition began.

“Lea, see you later then.”

“Let’s make a bet on who finds the most.”

“

. How about 100 million reot?”

“What’s with that excessive amount?”

“It’s time to settle my assets. The final thrill is, of course, gambling.”

“When will that final thrill ever end?”

“

, if only the selection ceremony would happen without you, I could escape freely…”

“I am to blame. I am deeply moved, Milady.” Selleana laughed at Rosalli’s theatrics.

“But since you’ve amassed a great fortune, losing a hundred million reot shouldn’t even make a dent, right?”

“Lose? Why would I?”

“Because I’ll win?”

“Do you think swords have more advanced technology than guns?”

“But you haven’t practiced shooting. After all, I’m Peredo’s younger sister.”

“Prepare to kneel before superior technology.”

With their competitive spirits ignited, the two ladies set off in opposite directions.

The treasure hunt took place in a vast forest stretching from the campsite to the lakeside, opposite the hunting grounds. Selleana chose the direction toward the hill where she had picnicked with friends the day before.

Among them were gentlemen from the hunting competition and ladies in dresses who seemed to have joined on the spot, knowing the fourth prince was participating. They hoped to impress or aid the prince and catch the empress’s eye. But Selleana had different concerns.

Despite the empress’s encouragement to compete freely, if they sought the same prey, she would have to yield.

With the mantra she shared with her friends, Selleana swung her wooden sword.

A wildcat was knocked unconscious by her strike.

“

, Lady Elard…”

“Did she really learn swordsmanship?”

“Impossible….”

The young noblemen were awed by Selleana’s clean strike.

Despite her bravado in front of Rosalli, it was Selleana’s first real combat experience.

She carefully untied the ribbon from the wildcat’s thigh, revealing a silver tag. No time for disappointment. She tapped the tag with her wooden sword just like the official had shown.

“Darn it.”

The tag’s color remained unchanged.

She gently moved the unconscious wildcat under a nearby tree and left without hesitation.

Rabbit. Bronze.

Ptarmigan. Silver.

Turtle dove, bronze.

Hedgehog, bronze.

Raccoon, gold.

Selleana, pushing through the underbrush, started collecting tags from the visible animals. Despite her rapid pace, her obsession with the first-place tag grew as she failed to find it.

Her eyes gleamed with determination.

Without realizing it, she ventured deep into the forest, where there were few people. Her next target was a deer.

The organizers would likely want the fourth prince to win. So, she sought a more challenging game.

While searching for deer, she spotted one at the bottom of the hill she had visited the previous day. Selleana crouched low in the underbrush like a predator, quietly watching the deer. She planned to throw her wooden sword when the time was right. As expected, the deer, grazing peacefully, had a ribbon indicating it was a target for the treasure hunt. Swallowing her anticipation, Selleana aimed at the deer’s unguarded moment.

The sound of the bushes rustling on the other side startled the deer.

A dagger flew through the air, striking the deer’s neck. With a final cry, the deer collapsed.

A bloodbath in the treasure hunt area, where killing was implicitly prohibited. Suppressing a scream, Selleana stood up and saw…

A young boy in modified imperial hunting attire emerged from the bushes. He approached the deer with a blank expression. The deer’s body trembled with its last breath.

The boy, indifferent to the deer’s condition, untied the ribbon and tapped the tag. The silver tag’s color didn’t change, and he tossed it aside in frustration. His demeanor showed he cared for nothing but the first-place tag.

Selleana watched the entire scene in stunned silence.

When their eyes met, despite her surprise, Selleana maintained her composure and greeted him. “Greetings, fourth prince. May Orot’s blessing be upon the small sun of Nepelsian. I am Selleana, daughter of Duke Elard.”

“…So, you’re Lady Elard. Nice to meet you.” The boy’s face remained utterly expressionless.

Yesterday, when he held the torch, he seemed endearingly nervous, but now he looked like an emotionless doll.

“That, the deer…”

“There’s no rule against killing.”

“But… isn’t it pitiful? With your skills, you could have easily caught it without harm…” Perhaps because he was younger, Selleana found herself speaking frankly.

“Well.”

Interrupting her, the boy’s face showed no sign of displeasure.

“Mother said it’s important to reveal one’s true nature when cornered.”

His black eyes, resembling those of Empress Arshilla, quietly observed Selleana.

“It’s the ruler’s virtue to uncover and dominate their true nature by any means necessary.”