Chapter 175………………………………….
The Princess’s Palace was unusually noisy today.
It was because Roelin had insisted on preparing an engagement gift for me, and as a result, famous designers from all over the capital had been summoned.
“Then, how about trying on this dress next? It’s a brand-new design that just came out recently. It’s certain to become the next trend, so we are showing it only to Lady Inferna.”
“Your Highness, rather than a fashionable dress, how about something truly one of a kind in this world? This necklace, made entirely of pink diamonds, is something no one could ever replicate. Unlike a trendy dress, it also has investment value, so it is far more precious.”
Clothing, jewelry, shoes, fans, bags…
It felt as though every designer in the world had gathered inside the Princess’s Palace.
They all stood around Roelin and me, each insisting that their own design was superior.
“Unni, which one do you like best?”
Roelin looked at me with sparkling eyes, her soft cheeks resting in her palms like a rice cake.
Honestly, I would have been happy with anything she chose.
But the truth was, I didn’t feel comfortable receiving such extravagant gifts.
“Anything Your Highness gives me would make me happy, but I believe it is only right that I refuse such excessive kindness.”
I deliberately spoke to Roelin in the most formal honorifics, trying to calm down the commotion among the designers.
I was worried that, if I wasn’t careful, people might start taking advantage of Roelin, trying to sell her anything and everything.
But Roelin scrunched up her adorable face as she looked at me.
“You said you’d be happy with any gift… so why are you refusing? I really wanted you to accept my present…”
“I much prefer the flower bracelet you made with your own hands. Dresses and accessories like these… my room is already overflowing with them.”
When I glanced toward the designers, they fell silent in embarrassment.
Of course they would.
After all, I was the only cherished daughter of Count Inferna.
Even if I wasn’t here, they surely would have sold the same fashionable goods to the Count anyway.
If they don’t want to lose another VIP customer, they won’t dare interrupt me.
“…But I have plenty of money too…”
Roelin pouted, looking at me with regret.
I already knew the budget of the Princess’s Palace.
The funds the Emperor provided were fairly standard, similar to what Prince Lekanon received.
But that didn’t mean it was small enough to ignore.
Because I was certain—
Roelin was not someone meant to be remembered only as someone’s wife, or someone’s mother.
“If you mean the Palace’s budget… then I truly cannot accept it even more.”
“Huh? But I called all these people just to make you happy…”
“That’s why I wish you would send them all back.”
At my words, Roelin reluctantly dismissed them.
As warm sunlight poured endlessly through the large windows, I gently persuaded her.
“The budget given to the Princess’s Palace should one day be used to help Your Highness’s people.”
“……(Use it to help people? Why would I have to do that?)”
Seeing Roelin’s confusion, I calmed myself, then smiled softly.
“Of course His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince will help the people as well… but if the Empire’s one and only Princess personally steps forward to aid them, it will carry an entirely different meaning.”
“A different meaning? Are you saying I have to create a different meaning for the people of the Empire?”
Slowly, I nodded, closing my lips like a clam.
To claim here that Princess Roelin was worthy of sitting on the throne—
That would be outright rebellion.
I wasn’t sure, but in the original story, Repeinon did not desire the throne.
Lekanon also had no intention of becoming Emperor.
So naturally, Roelin would have two choices:
Either she would become Emperor herself…
Or she would make her husband Emperor.
And until now, I had never once raised Roelin’s husband to the throne in the game.
I believed Roelin’s happiness lay in her seizing everything she wanted.
Since I had been transported into this world…
Shouldn’t I at least witness the beautiful ending I had long hoped for before leaving?
Even now, I believed that.
“In the end, it is the taxes of the Empire’s citizens that maintain this palace. If you lose the trust of all people because of short-lived greed, how foolish a choice would that be?”
Roelin stayed silent for a long moment, then let out a short sigh.
“Why were you born a woman, El?”
“Pardon?”
“If you were a man… I would run to Father right now and tell him I want to marry you.”
The maids nearby stifled laughter.
They must have thought it was simply a child’s cute imagination.
But I couldn’t laugh.
“(Of course, even if Unni is a woman, I don’t care. Unni will be mine for life.)”
Because I could hear every bit of Roelin’s heart beneath that sweet voice…
* * *
After leaving Roelin’s bedroom, I received a letter saying Count Inferna was waiting for me.
I had expected him to appear before the engagement ceremony and overturn everything.
But surprisingly, he showed his face only days after it was already done.
“Thank you for coming such a long way, Father.”
One thing that had changed since becoming engaged to Kyle was that I now had my own private reception room.
Before, my ambiguous position as merely the Princess’s companion made it difficult to borrow such a space.
But now, as the Grand Duke’s fiancée, the palace readily provided it.
I didn’t realize House Obern held this much power.
Honestly, I didn’t know much about Kyle, the hidden character.
If I had played the game longer, I would have known his weaknesses and the influence of his family.
But I had come to this world before ever reaching that point…
A pity.
“You look pleased.”
The Count glared at me through clenched teeth, clearly irritated.
I felt relieved after resolving the issue of my engagement to Lekanon.
But it seemed the Count had been unable to sleep, his plans unraveling.
Dark circles hung beneath his eyes.
“You’re thinking that thanks to my fiancé, I can now borrow such a splendid room.”
When I answered like an innocent young lady, the Count stared at me as if speechless, then tugged at his collar as though suffocating.
“Hah… Do you think I placed you in the palace just to earn you a reception room?”
“You didn’t place me here, Father. His Majesty personally chose me, didn’t he? That is why I’ve lived such a luxurious palace life.”
“Surely you don’t intend to be satisfied with merely becoming a Grand Duchess?”
The Count still seemed unwilling to give up on my engagement.
Despite how grandly the Empire had celebrated it, he still believed hope remained.
His eyes were cold enough to suggest he would annul it immediately if I could become Empress instead.
“Would House Obern truly bring disgrace upon our family?”
“What I desire is not some Grand Duke’s house filled only with rumors. I want a position that can control the Empire itself. The place you must give me is not ‘father-in-law of a duke’… but father-in-law of an Emperor. Surely you understand that by now?”
As I stared at the grinding Count, my eyes met his—
And tears slipped down.
Right now, what I needed was not to provoke him…
But to convince him I had no power, buying time.
“Sob… I want to do anything for you too, Father, but as you can see, there isn’t much I can do. I’m already engaged to the Grand Duke of Obern. No matter how much His Majesty cherishes me… would the imperial family truly accept someone already promised to another?”
“……”
The Count couldn’t easily lash out.
It seemed even he didn’t find the imperial family entirely easy to manipulate.
For now, it would be best to deceive him, send him away, and plan for the Crown Prince and Prince to marry soon.
If there are no unmarried imperial men left… he won’t be able to pressure me anymore.
“I’m sorry… for not being able to help the family…”
“There is no need. I will actively look into ways to break off your engagement with the Grand Duke.”
At his words, I nodded weakly like a fragile woman.
Then I dabbed at my eyes with a handkerchief, pretending to wipe away tears that no longer came.
Perhaps uncomfortable at the sight, Count Inferna stood quickly.
“Ah, speaking of which… I heard the Princess summoned all kinds of merchants for you. What do you intend to do with what you received?”
It was clearly a hint not to hide gifts away, but to bring them back to the family.
I put on a sorrowful face and shook my head.
“Your Highness found nothing she liked, so she sent them all back.”
“Hah… You really do resemble His Majesty in your indecisiveness.”
As I watched the Count glare at me with weary disgust…
I smiled faintly to myself.
