TMLSA 15

“Duke Lucas, please.”

Iris was standing beside the duke, saying something to him. The duke looked visibly troubled.

“I’m not happy about it either, but the decision has already been made.”

“Even so, please reconsider. The lives of my friends depend on your decision.”

Clasping her hands together, Iris looked at him with earnest eyes.

Something I had only just realized was that there was quite a height difference between the two of them. If they ended up together someday, they would make a surprisingly good-looking pair.

“The forest is like a home to the animals and fairies. Destroying it just to build a villa is ridiculous.”

“…”

The duke seemed about to say something, then stopped and let out a sigh. Avoiding Iris’s pleading gaze, he turned his head and suddenly froze upon spotting a familiar face.

“Arkenas. Where have you been…? Were you with the young lady?”

“We simply happened to meet.”

Arken lied without batting an eye.

Understanding why he did it, Karin stayed silent.

He probably didn’t want anyone to know he had opened up about his true feelings.

So it was a secret conversation only the two of us knew about?

The thought made her heart race for no reason.

“Karin! Will you listen to me too?”

At that moment, Iris’s desperate gaze landed on her. Passing by Arken and the duke, Karin walked over to Iris.

The Foundation Day celebration was attended by every noble in the capital, so Iris must have received an invitation as well.

“What’s wrong?”

“They decided during the State Council meeting to clear the forest and build a villa there. I was asking the duke to stop the project. The forest is where my friends live.”

“I see.”

Karin listened absentmindedly.

She already knew exactly what was happening without needing an explanation.

This was the second major event in Even a Clumsy Lady Wants to Fall in Love!

The “Save the Forest” event.

In the original story, Iris asks Duke Lucas to stop the villa construction and protect the forest.

At that point, the duke had already fallen deeply for her, so he agreed without hesitation. He investigated corrupt nobles, gathered leverage against them, and eventually persuaded and threatened enough people to cancel the project.

But…

“Duke Lucas, please.”

“You’d be better off asking someone else.”

“You’re the only person I know who attends those meetings.”

“You could attend the meeting yourself and speak up.”

“But I’ve never been to one before.”

Unlike the original story, the duke wasn’t taking Iris’s request seriously.

It was all because the story’s first button had been fastened incorrectly.

On that stormy day, Iris had come to the mansion instead of the cabin, and the plot had gone off track.

Or perhaps it had started even earlier, when she and Iris became friends.

A faint sense of guilt crept into Karin’s heart.

“This isn’t something that can be solved just because you ask me. I’ve already done everything I can. If you want to protect the forest, find another way.”

It was an unusually gentle refusal for someone like the duke.

Only Iris could make him respond that kindly.

If Karin had been the one asking, he would have said something like:

“Why should I do that? What nonsense.”

And walked away without another word.

Realizing the duke wasn’t going to help, Iris’s shoulders slumped.

She looked so pitiful that Karin was reminded of a puppy whose treats had been taken away.

There is one way… Should I say it?

Before possessing this body, Karin had reread the novel countless times and often imagined alternative solutions.

This event was one of those cases.

In her opinion, there was a much easier way to stop the construction than gathering blackmail material on nobles and persuading them one by one.

The problem was that she would need the duke’s cooperation.

Still, since Iris was involved, maybe he would agree.

After a moment’s thought, Karin decided to take a chance.

“Iris, there actually is one way.”

“Really? What is it?”

“Well…”

After making sure nobody else was nearby, Karin lowered her voice so only those beside her could hear.

Though, of course, the duke needed to hear it too.

“You need to get Sir Martha, the Commander of the Knights, to help.”

The duke, who had just been about to leave, stopped in his tracks.

“If you convince Martha to attend the meeting and ask him to speak on your behalf, His Majesty will definitely cancel the construction.”

“What nonsense.”

The duke snapped coldly.

He looked exactly like a fish biting a baited hook.

Pretending not to hear him, Karin continued.

“I can persuade Martha. But it’ll be difficult for him alone at the meeting. He’ll need someone influential to support him.”

“Oh! Then…!”

Iris clapped her hands with a bright smile.

Then she turned toward the duke.

“Duke Lucas, could you help?”

“…”

The duke’s lips immediately twisted downward.

Beside him, Arken frowned as though he had just heard complete nonsense.

“What exactly are you implying? I fail to see what His Highness Baron has to do with Sir Martha.”

Since leaving the dressing room, Arken had been unusually quiet.

Apparently, Karin’s suggestion was absurd enough to make him break his silence.

“That’s difficult to explain. Trade secret.”

Karin wagged her index finger.

No matter how much she trusted Arken, she couldn’t reveal the truth.

In the right circumstances, Martha was basically a cheat code.

A card that only Karin possessed.

And she had no intention of showing that card to anyone.

Life after transmigration was hard enough already.

“Duke Lucas, what do you think?”

Iris pressed him again.

The duke deliberately avoided looking at her.

Even her pleading gaze failed to move him.

What now?

Apparently, merely mentioning Martha wasn’t enough.

Fortunately, Karin had another idea.

“Well, if you’re not confident, you don’t have to do it.”

She tossed the words out casually.

The effect was immediate.

The duke’s previously composed face crumpled.

“What does confidence have to do with this?”

“I’m confident I can persuade Martha. But judging by your reaction…”

Covering her mouth, Karin smiled mockingly.

“It seems you’re the one who lacks confidence.”

“…”

“Well, I suppose that’s understandable. Once I persuade Martha, the rest will be as easy as eating soup. Though perhaps even lifting a spoon and putting it into your mouth is difficult for some people.”

“…”

“I don’t really understand it myself, but considering your usual behavior, it’s not impossible that—”

“That’s enough.”

The duke cut her off.

“You’re deliberately provoking me. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

Caught red-handed, Karin was briefly startled.

But seeing how agitated he had become, she knew she had succeeded.

“Your claim that you can persuade the commander is what makes no sense.”

“Makes perfect sense to me.”

Karin answered innocently.

The duke glared at her confidence before a cold smile appeared on his lips.

“Fine. Convince Commander Martha first. I’ll help him during the meeting after that.”

Got him.

While the duke looked triumphant, Karin had no doubts she could persuade Martha.

She nodded enthusiastically.

The duke sneered.

“I have no idea what makes you so confident. Still, watching your disappointed face should be entertaining enough.”

His attitude was unbearably arrogant.

True, she had started the provocation.

But still.

A surge of irritation shot through her.

Rolling her neck, Karin rubbed her palms together.

“Fine! Just wait. I’ll flatten that nose of yours.”

Flatten it so much no one would even know he ever had one.

Making that solemn vow, Karin suddenly thought of something and smiled brightly.

“In that case, how about a wager? If I fail to persuade Martha, I’ll give you one of the Grand Duchy’s mines.”

At that, the duke let out a loud scoff.

“Hah! Looks like I’m about to gain a free mine. Then I’ll stake…”

He began confidently, only to hesitate.

Apparently he was trying to think of something equal in value.

Too bad. I’m not giving you time to think.

Smiling sweetly, Karin said:

“Then Duke, why don’t you stake your assis—”

“Then I’ll stake the territory beneath the Northern Mountain Range.”

“…”

Karin immediately closed her mouth.

Damn it. He didn’t even give me a chance.

Her success in persuading Martha was practically guaranteed.

Whatever the duke wagered would eventually become hers.

I was going to tell him to stake his aide!

Specifically, she had wanted him to wager Arken.

If Arken spent more time at her estate, becoming friends with him would be much easier.

“Why are you suddenly silent? Perhaps you’re the one who’s afraid.”

Not afraid. Thinking.

For a brief moment, Karin considered asking him to replace the territory with Arken.

Should I ask now?

Then she noticed Arken staring at the duke with complete disbelief.

If she suggested wagering him, that look would undoubtedly be directed at her.

“I understand what you’re thinking. It’s fine. It has nothing to do with me anymore.”

His calm, resigned words resurfaced in her mind.

Karin quietly abandoned the idea.

Right. We’ve only just started becoming friends. I can’t ruin that myself.

Besides, wagering a person was morally questionable.

“If you want to withdraw, it’s not too late—”

“When did I ever say I was withdrawing?”

Since things had turned out this way, she’d simply take that northern territory and use it to support the Second Grand Duchy.

Interrupting the duke’s excited rambling, Karin shouted:

“Fine. It’s a bet!”