I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

* * *

The grand finale of the Harvest Festival was the imperial banquet. As it was the last imperial event of the year, every household, whether staying in the capital or returning to their estates, gathered at the imperial palace. The biggest topic of conversation was undoubtedly the joyous event in the Glen family.

“Is it true that Glen’s second lady is attending tonight?”

“Can you believe it? Even if she was recuperating quietly in the territory, how has no one known until now…?”

“With the social season over, bringing her hurriedly to this banquet seems suspicious, don’t you think so?”

“The second lady… I heard she’s said to be the same age as the first lady, Lady Rosalli?”

“The first lady?”

A gentleman who had been listening quietly chuckled. He was a former suitor who had been rejected by Rosalli.

“Is that lady truly a daughter of Glen?

of course, legally she is.”

People coughed awkwardly as if they had heard something they shouldn’t have, but their eyes confirmed they shared the same opinion.

“So, the first lady originally…”

“Well, she could be the daughter of a vassal family or from a collateral line, right?”

“Who knows? Some benevolent people even take in commoner orphans…”

“Oh come on, no matter how much, would they really…?”

As people gathered in small groups, each engrossed in the same topic, the atmosphere was heating up.

“Duke Glen is entering!”

At the cry of the servant at the entrance, all heads turned in unison toward that direction. The chattering ceased instantly, and an abrupt silence fell over the room.   With only the sweet melody of the chamber orchestra in the background, a member of Glen’s family entered, receiving the full attention of the guests.

“Is that lady the one…?”

“The duke personally escorted her.”

“Her eyes look just like Glen’s.”

The murmurs grew louder.

The Glen family remained calm, as expected, but the center of attention did not.   The woman, holding the hand of the Duke Glen as she entered, had pink hair and green eyes.

Eirene Glen. Her hair was lighter than Rosalli’s, and her eyes were a deep turquoise, like embedded emeralds.

“Wait, that emerald necklace…”

“That’s the one first lady wore at her own debutante, right?”

“They must have a strong sisterly bond.”

The gazes of the crowd darted back and forth between the two women, each escorted by a member of the duke’s family.

Rosalli sighed inwardly, recalling this scene from the original story.

The original Rosalli was too fragile to withstand the scrutinizing stares that questioned her origins. But for the current Rosalli, who no longer cared for the Glen family, the curious glances were nothing but a nuisance.

Rosalli’s light green eyes casually scanned the banquet hall. Sure enough, those who had been rejected after presumptuously giving her gifts were now looking at her with mocking expressions.

Rosalli bore no ill will toward Eirene. It was just unfortunate that she had to face the situation she had been trying to avoid. But since it was a decision she made for her dearest friend, Selleana, everything was fine.

* * *

“Eirene, this is my close friend, Lady Selleana of Duke Elard, Lady Michi of Baron Branto, and Lady Doloret of Baron Benichi.”

“E-Elard…! Wait, Benichi, as in the Benichi Trading Company?”

Rosalli nodded to confirm Eirene’s guess.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Glen. It must be difficult to debut into high society so suddenly, but I hope you adjust well.”

“If you need any help, the heir will surely assist you.”

“If you need any investments, please contact me through my manager.”

“

, yes…”

Eirene Glen seemed flustered by their cold reactions. She had expected them to be friendly, as they were Rosalli’s friends, but they were colder than others. Shouldn’t they be trying to get on her good side if they cared about Rosalli, the adopted daughter?

But it was natural for the friends. They knew from Rosalli what kind of person Eirene was in the original story.

Now that Rosalli’s position was solid, Eirene couldn’t ignore her or try to drive a wedge between Rosalli and the Glen family.

Selleana ended the conversation with a subtle smile, not bothering to say more.

A short while later, Rosalli returned after dropping Eirene off to Evan.”

“Good job, Rosi.”

“

, all for my dear Lea…”

“Yes, yes. I just need to get Pavellian to give up and set a date for the crown princess selection so you can pull your application and run away, right?” Selleana hugged Rosalli as she pretended to wipe away tears.

“But the friendship between the two ladies seems unchanged.”

“They’ve been close since they were young…”

“Lady Elard has a good personality. She must have stayed close because they were both noble ladies…”

“She didn’t even hold the perpetrators responsible for the accident during the hunting competition, saying it was her own fault.”

As people confirmed the strong friendship between the two ladies, they gradually turned their attention elsewhere. Only then did the atmosphere around them lighten considerably.

“Come on, let’s go rest. I’m taking a break from playing the swan today. Let’s chase after that prince.”

Rosalli gestured towards Prince Erenst, who was chatting with gentlemen, and pushed her friends along. They headed to the balcony on the second floor. At Michi’s quick order, a servant brought a bottle of wine and a simple snack tray, then respectfully drew the curtains and left.

“So, how did the duke and his son react?”

“Well, pretty much the same. Just having tea time with her, buying gifts only for her, taking her shopping downtown. You know, things like that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, it was supposed to be more than that.”

Rosalli shrugged as if it didn’t bother her at all.  “Well, they did find a girl they thought was dead, so it’s understandable they’d be affectionate…”

“But wasn’t it a bit much that neither of them danced with you today?”

“I knew this would happen. Do you think I’ve been managing my popularity all this time just to be a wallflower today?”

Though Rosalli’s answer was cheerful, her friends couldn’t help but feel uneasy.  The difference in how Eirene and Rosalli were treated was clear to everyone.

“Alright, alright. Let’s toast, Ladies. This wine is made from the famous southern variety, Cantraniyo…” To lighten the mood, Michi started filling her friends’ glasses while chatting about the wine.

“By the way, isn’t the tower master coming today?”

“He said he couldn’t come in case it got out that we’re close.”

“Well, that’s true… with how poorly Lea hides her feelings, everyone would notice.”

Rosalli gave Michi a teasing look, and Michi shook her head as if to say, ‘Don’t even start.’

“But it’s really amazing when you think about it. How does he know Hangeul?”

The conversation naturally shifted.

“

, whatever it is, it must be related to his holy relic. Otherwise, he would have explained it properly.”

“That sword must be something incredible. Maybe like Excalibur?”

“Would Excalibur teach someone Hangeul?”

“Just saying. A sword with a will of its own. Isn’t there an ego sword here?”

“None have been revealed so far.”

Michi, unknowingly close to the truth, made an almost accurate guess, but no one realized it.

“What about Nesia? Still no contact? If my father is right about that holy relic being related to the temple… maybe Nesia knows something about the tower master’s connection to Hangeul.”

In truth, Selleana had a hunch that the person Rakrensius feared was specifically the saintess, but she used her father as an excuse.

It had been a few days since Doloret reported that there was no contact with Agnesia. In the meantime, Rosalli had been distracted by Eirene’s arrival while Selleana and Michi were busy preparing for the birthday banquet, leaving them unable to gather at their hideout.

“I was actually planning to discuss it with you all today. Something strange has come up…”

“Something strange?”

“What is it? About Nesia?”

“I heard Baron Merlin and Margrave Gotenfrid have been meeting frequently lately….”

“What?”

The friends’ eyes widened. It was because Baron Merlin was Agnesia’s biological father.

“Did that man figure something out?”

“Could something have gone wrong during these things?”

“If that’s the case, isn’t Nesia… in danger?”

Gasping, the friends exchanged shocked looks. Kidnapping, confinement, and countless other bad scenarios flashed through their minds.

“Has anyone seen the margrave today?”

“Now that you mention it, no.”

“Me neither. He would’ve asked me about Nesia if he were here.”

“Oh no…”

Their faces grew pale as they exchanged worried glances.