Chapter 04
At her words, I lifted my head and looked at Lady Rosanna.
The moment our eyes met, she wore a speechless expression.
I could guess why.
Because just now, I had stuffed my cheeks full of chicken to the point they were bulging.
I hurriedly chewed the meat in my mouth.
In my defense, I had truly been observing proper table manners at first.
But the longer I ate, the more suffocating it felt!
I was starving—who has the patience to keep up perfect etiquette like that?!
In the end, I gave in and began shoveling food into my mouth as I pleased.
It seemed that the natural grace the possessed character’s body remembered didn’t apply to a starving me.
After gulping down the chicken, I flashed an awkward grin.
Lady Rosanna, perhaps amused, let out a small snort of laughter.
Good. At least I wasn’t going to be scolded for my manners.
Relieved, I took a sip of water.
“How about getting married?”
“Ghk!”
Her next words made me choke.
“Oh my! Daphne, are you alright?!”
“Miss! I’ll call a doctor!”
“I—I’m fine! I just choked!”
Waving off the horrified Maria and the maids, I turned back to Lady Rosanna.
“Marriage?”
“Yes. There’s no better way to repay your debts than marriage. With your standing, you could receive a proposal from a fine young man of a respectable house. If you wish, I can help.”
Right.
This was a romance fantasy world.
For a woman to earn a large sum of money, marrying into a good family was the most common path.
The real Daphne had once considered marriage as well.
Though in the end, she hadn’t gone through with it.
And I absolutely refused.
“It’s just so sudden…”
“Of course it is. Think it over at your leisure. I didn’t mean to pressure you. As for the interest on your debt, I can help with that.”
Ugh!
That was even more burdensome than marriage.
After her unexpected suggestion, no further conversation followed.
The meal ended just like that.
Afterward, a maid escorted me to my room.
My new room had white wallpaper and wooden furniture, with flowers and plants placed here and there.
One wall was made entirely of glass, beyond which I could see a wide wooden terrace.
“Miss, you’re here! Isn’t your new room lovely? It’s like a forest nymph lives here!”
“It is.”
Nana was already inside, humming as she watered the plants.
“The dress you’re wearing suits you so well. It seems Madam put a lot of thought into it.”
“She should’ve just given me the money instead.”
“Pardon?”
“Nana, how much do you think I’d get if I sold these?”
I glanced at my earrings and necklace.
They looked expensive.
Nana narrowed her eyes.
“You’re not thinking of selling Madam’s gift, are you?”
“I’m desperate for money! Who cares if it’s a gift!”
“How heartless, Miss! I won’t know a thing about it!”
With that, Nana told me to call if I needed anything and left the room.
Frustrated, I dove onto the bed and ruffled my hair.
Never mind the carefully braided hairstyle or the elegant dress.
That wasn’t the important part.
“Ugh, why do I have to look like the ungrateful one?! I’m a hundred million gold in debt! What am I supposed to do?!”
Marry like this?
That was the absolute worst! Daphne was only twenty-one here!
Originally, Daphne avoided marriage by seeking out the main male lead, Pieron Mayville.
By chance, she had overheard debt collectors talking and learned the location of the capital’s largest illegal slave market.
She also knew that Duke Mayville was helping his close friend, the Crown Prince, eradicate the roots of the slave system.
So she traded that information for financial support.
And that’s how their romance began.
Of course, that method was useless now.
When I’d gone around asking yesterday, I’d heard the slave market had already been completely wiped out, and the count who ran it had been executed.
And the one who carried it out was, of course…
“Ugh, damn you, Cesia Eos.”
Fine. Take it all. Take the money and the glory.
But couldn’t you have left me just one thing?!
You read the novel too—you should know how desperate Daphne was for money at the beginning!
“Ahhh! I can’t stay like this! At this rate, I’ll be strapped into the marriage-route rollercoaster!”
I jumped up from the bed and rang for Nana.
She entered promptly.
“You called, Miss?”
“I’m going out. Let’s find something comfortable to wear.”
“You’re really going to sell things?! Cold-hearted Miss… but I’ll follow you anyway!”
“I’m not, so don’t worry!”
Nana smiled in relief and began searching through the dressing room.
Behind her stretched an enormous walk-in closet.
“M-My goodness, what is all this?”
“The other maids said that whenever Madam and the eldest young lady went shopping, they bought heaps of clothes for you too. They’re glad these clothes and accessories finally have an owner. I thought Madam didn’t like you much, but perhaps that’s not the case?”
At Nana’s bright smile, I bit my lip.
Before guilt could swallow me whole, I needed to get out.
After finally shaking Nana off, I headed to the plaza.
I told the coachman to return before sunset and stepped down from the carriage.
This time, wearing a robe that covered my face well, I felt relieved that no one seemed to recognize me.
The imperial capital’s representative plaza was bustling with people.
To the left, the market street overflowed with energy. Children splashed around the fountain in the center. Performers entertained crowds, and vendors sold food and trinkets.
How nice it must be, I thought.
To laugh so freely without worries.
I couldn’t.
Lady Rosanna had offered to cover the interest, but perhaps I should find a job and repay the principal little by little?
I walked to a free newspaper stand near the market entrance.
Flipping to the back page, I found job listings.
The problem was that most were restaurant jobs.
“Even after possessing a noble lady, do I still have to work at a restaurant?”
Cleaning tables and serving food—I was sick of it.
I’d done more than enough of that in my previous world.
“…Did I?”
For a moment, my thoughts blurred like fog, and a sharp headache pierced my skull.
Shaking it off, I focused on the listings.
Was there nothing suitable for a noble lady?
Perhaps companionship for elderly nobles? A governess for young children?
After scanning the paper, I nodded.
Of course such refined positions wouldn’t be listed here.
I put the newspaper back and wandered the plaza.
Should I just run away?
Even if I found a job, how long would it take to earn a hundred million gold?
Maybe marriage really was easier.
But I hated that idea, so running away it was!
I could flee to another country!
After entertaining the thought, I smacked my forehead.
“There’s no way that would work.”
The people Daphne owed money to were part of a massive criminal organization spread throughout the empire.
I couldn’t evade their eyes.
Daphne, didn’t you do anything else? Anything Cesia didn’t interfere with?
As I clutched my head in frustration, my arm passed through a floating circle in the air.
A buff gauge appeared with a flourish.
“Ah! That startled me.”
I stared at it.
“It’s full?”
The golden gauge that had been halfway filled was now nearly at the top.
What did I do to fill it?
Does it go up when I eat?
As I watched, it rose even further.
Hey, I didn’t do anything! Why are you rising?
The gauge climbed steadily until it reached the top.
The words “Buff Gauge” began flashing brilliantly.
“What is this? Am I the only one who can see it?”
I looked around, but everyone passed by as if the glowing sign didn’t exist.
I narrowed my eyes.
If you’re a buff gauge, then what? Are you going to give me money? Stop sparkling and get lost!
Just then, a bell rang.
“Lottery tickets! Buy your lottery tickets! Once a month only! Life is long, but fortune comes in one shot! Seize your golden opportunity!”
…Now that caught my attention.
I dashed over at lightning speed.
A small booth labeled “Lottery Sales” stood there, stacks of paper piled high beside it.
“Damn it! Another blank!”
“Me too! How many has it been already?!”
“Is this a scam?!”
Men scratching their tickets tossed coins angrily.
The vendor laughed and shook his bell.
“A scam? This is a government-run project! Among these papers, one holds the first prize! The grand prize is one hundred million gold! Invest one gold and win a hundred million!”
I instinctively searched my robe pocket.
As if by fate, a single coin met my fingers.
I pulled it out.
A one-gold coin gleamed in my palm.
…This is it.
Electricity ran through my mind.
If this isn’t fate, what is? I’m going for it!
“I’ll take one!”
“Certainly! One gold received. Choose one from here~”
Before me lay what looked like tens of thousands of papers.
This lottery had no second or third prize. Only first place.
Give me strength. Anything—just help me!
As if answering my plea, the buff gauge shimmered.
And among the countless tickets, one began to glow.
My body moved on instinct.
My hand reached out and grabbed it.
Using a coin, I carefully scratched off the silver coating.
With each scrape, my breath grew heavier.
The moment a drop of sweat fell from the tip of my nose—
“I-I struck gold…”
“Step right up—! Try your lu— Huh?!”
I had won the filthy first prize.
