I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

Like a fool…

It wasn’t the first time that her heart skipped a beat or fell when Selleana casually muttered something, but it was certainly not just a day or two. To hide his embarrassment, he turned his head as if it was nothing.   And of course, there was no way Selleana didn’t notice any of it. 

“Come on…. You know this seduction is different from that seduction.” 

Selleana poked his shoulder with her finger. Her fingers traveled up his shoulder, down the back of his neck, along the outline of his shoulder blade…. 

“Master of Tower is the first person I’ve flirted with in that way in my life. Right? Don’t be upset.”

Her fingers, which had reached down to his waist, tickled his side. 

I’m not upset…. Muttering that to himself, Rakrensius couldn’t turn to look at Selleana for a while, unable to reveal his flushed face. 

* * *

It was the picnic the next day.   It was a grand gathering with the direct lineage of Ellard and the direct lineage of Rondel, along with the third prince of Latten and his friend, the heir of the Marderung trading company. 

“This is Artur from Marderung, my close friend. He came with us because we have been close since our time at the academy with Raidos. Would that be alright?” 

…Of course, it is. 

Michi’s male lead number 3, with long purple hair tied loosely down to his waist, was indeed a handsome man. It was the first time seeing him up close, and the attention to detail in his appearance, like the tear mole, was quite meticulous. 

Selleana skillfully adjusted her stance to block Michi with her body. 

The group gathered at the entrance to the Elard stables, then split into carriages and horses to move to the lakeside. Selleana, who would usually ride with her brothers, chose the carriage this time. 

“Lady Mellisa? Shall we ladies ride comfortably in the carriage together?” 

“

, of course…! That sounds lovely!” 

Selleana, like an escort, held Mellisa Rondel’s hand to help her onto the carriage and glanced at Prince Erenst. He, who somehow wanted to arrange a place with Michi, could not manage to join the ladies in the carriage, so he just clicked his tongue. 

The lake they arrived at was deep in autumn, and the colorful hues of the autumn leaves subtly reflected on the water’s surface. 

“Welcome aboard the Lea Junior.” 

Theonis introduced the small ship moored by the water.   Except for the wheelhouse, there was no separate cabin, and the ship was designed to seat up to ten people around on the deck. In the middle was a table set with sparkling wine and simple finger foods. 

“Please be careful, Lady Rondel.” 

“Thank you, Milord.”

“Sir Artur Marderung, welcome aboard the Lea Junior. Lord Rondel, please board safely. Your Highness…?” 

“

, just a moment.” 

Prince Erenst stalled for time, looking at those who had not yet boarded the ship.   To be exact, he was looking at Michi.   Just seeing Michi’s honey-blonde hair in person had already moved him.

As Selleana and Michi took a step closer to the ship, then, suddenly… 

“

…!” Michi staggered, gagging. 

“Oh dear, Michi. What’s wrong?” 

“I-I’m getting nauseous… from riding the carriage too long…”

Although not a very skillful performance, Michi’s beauty, which could not be concealed even by glasses, lent credibility to the act. All attention was focused on the fuss that Selleana and Michi concocted. 

“

, Lady…!” 

Whether that was an opportunity or not, as Prince Erenst was about to step forward to help Michi. 

“Lady Branto, are you alright? Can you get on the boat?”   Theonis, who had approached quickly, supported Michi, blocking Prince Erenst. His fluid, graceful movements didn’t reveal that he had deliberately cut in. 

Although it was unknown what conversation Michi and Theonis had exchanged exactly, it seemed Theonis had decided to help them. 

“No, I.. I don’t think I can handle the boat… When I was younger, I almost drowned.” 

“

, what a shame….” 

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me that before?!” 

The Elards made a fuss, accustomed to such repertoire. 

“We cannot cancel the promised boating for the guests… Stay here for a while, then.” 

“

, nauseous… So, Lady will be staying here alone.” 

Just as Erenst, who was delighted by this, was about to step forward. 

“Lea, could you escort His Highness?” Without a moment’s hesitation, Theonis signaled to Selleana to guide Prince Erenst. 

“Sir Peredo was on night duty last night, so he was looking forward to some rest anyway. Perhaps we should ask him to attend to Lady Michi as well.” 

“

”

Prince Erenst’s eyebrows twitched. He finally realized that the defensive attitude towards him was not just Selleana’s personal feeling. Even though he had confessed to being smitten with Michi, Theonis did not aid him. 

His face darkened ominously. 

The boating continued in a somewhat tense atmosphere. 

“Are you alright, Lady? You seem a bit pale….” 

“

, I’m fine. Just a bit worried about my maid over there.” 

“Oh my. Lady seems to truly care for Lady Michi.” 

It was just a thoughtless compliment from Mellisa Rondel, but Prince Erenst’s face hardened even more. 

Even while swallowing a victorious smile, Selleana felt like she was going to die. 

Originally having a fear of water, she had almost drowned in the lake not long ago. Although the Lea Junior was built for Selleana, who developed hydrophobia, the accident had made it difficult for her. 

[The earrings disrupt the sense of balance and make one forget the rocking feeling of the boat, while also suitably blocking the sound of water. Also, I incorporated a function into the bonnet to make the surrounding scenery appear vague.] 

Even though Rakrensius had pondered all night and sent over various magical tools at dawn, she was still dizzy, and her heart was pounding. 

If Selleana couldn’t board the ship, the boating would have been canceled altogether. 

“So, have you discussed it with the trade group?” After enjoying one or two glasses of sparkling wine, Prince Erenst brought up the topic. “How was it? Did they react positively?” 

“Yes. Our trading house owner and employees found it fascinating due to its physical efficacy and unique taste, so they agreed that it’s worth selling.” 

Prince Erenst’s face showed satisfaction. He had sent samples of the medicinal tea he had brought from Laten, along with a reply to the boating invitation. 

“Then, the purchase price is…”

“I thought about 50,000 reot per can.” 

“What…. At Marderung, we were planning to bid 300,000 reot per can.” 

With Artur Marderung’s sudden involvement, Theonis’s eyebrows furrowed briefly.

Even though they had repeatedly requested to do business with us, they created a competitive situation with the Marderung trade group…? He pretended to ponder the bid price, hiding his displeasure, as he scratched his chin. 

Theodore recalled the conversation he had with Michi a few days ago. 

Although she couldn’t make proper eye contact due to her shyness, her gentle voice expressed her firm intentions.   

Theonis still thought it was right for Michi to accept Prince Erenst’s courtship. But his dear sister, who cherished her so much, as well as the person herself, said that wasn’t the path, so there was no other choice. 

Even though she was a commoner being adopted as daughter of one their vassals, Theonis had enough sense to understand.

For the first time, Theonis partially understood Selleana and Michi’s concerns. 

* * *

“…You’re not really sick, are you?” 

“

, yes. Of course not.” 

Only Michi and Peredo were awkwardly left in the shade of a tree by the lake. Their conversation, which had never been mixed properly before, continued sporadically.

Peredo, lying with his arm as a pillow to fit his night duty role, spoke abruptly. “Is there some sort of trend?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems like it’s becoming a trend among young ladies to avoid getting involved with the royal and imperial families.”

Michi chuckled at Peredo’s grumbling. She remembered Selleana telling him that if he liked Pavellian so much, he should marry him himself.

“No, I’m genuinely curious. Both Lea and Lady Branto…”

“Milord.”

“Yes.”

“They say that happiness for a woman lies in being loved by her husband, right?”

“…You two really have no secrets to each other, do you?”

“I’m not as clever as the lady, but I do know that if you can choose who loves you, you’d be happier.”

“In that case, is there anyone who can be compared to the crown prince and Prince Erenst?”

“If someone has noble blood, does that make their love nobler?”

“But isn’t the position of a princess consort nobler—”

“I don’t even speak Laten.”

“…”

Peredo, who was about to retort, stopped himself.

Even though the imperial language was the common diplomatic language of the continent, it wouldn’t be used within Laten itself, let alone within the Laten royal family by a daughter of a baron who would become princess consort.  Peredo, unable to admit that Michi had a point, chose silence instead.

“

, here they come. I wonder if the lady is okay.”

Just then, the Lea Junior docked at the lakeside. The party that had enjoyed the boating disembarked and approached, but their expressions were not very good. The only one wearing a smile was Theonis.

Peredo’s eyebrows were raised slightly.