I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

“Son…” Arshilla’s eyebrows arched sharply as if drawn with a brush. “You know very well that she’s essential to the crown prince’s destiny. Only when he ascends to the throne can you attain everything.”

“Does it matter who my brother’s consort is? His fate doesn’t specify a name.”

“But Elard has already taken the role of supporting the crown prince.”

The boy’s face hardened in dissatisfaction.

Eonel, practically an extension of Arshilla, often caught snippets of her thoughts. He knew she had been willing to allow Lady Elard to withdraw from the selection.

Arshilla, who assumed Eonel merely understood her well, had no idea about it.

Eonel had grown up hearing he was special. Indeed, he was. He was the son of Arshilla, the apostle of the god, and a being that contained Arshilla’s power within a human body. Given that he could randomly catch his mother’s thoughts, his mindset naturally mirrored Arshilla’s inhuman one. Unlike Arshilla, who mimicked a human to manifest in this world, he was fundamentally human.

“Then, Mother.”

Arshilla smiled at her son, inviting him to speak.

“If my brother’s destiny is to ascend to the throne… can’t we hasten it?”

“Hasten it…”

“Father’s fate was sealed long ago, wasn’t it?”

“Son.” Arshilla gently interrupted him. “Don’t be too hasty. While you lost some vitality due to bad luck… In the end, all fate leads to your future.”

“…”

“I’ve always told you. Your destiny is not set in stone. That means…”

“I am the only truly unique existence in this world.”

“Correct.”

Arshilla smiled warmly as she caressed her son’s cheek. She had no intention of revealing Rakrensius’s existence to Eonel. After all, Rakrensius was nothing more than a counterbalance to ensure Eonel’s existence within the equilibrium. She couldn’t afford to let young Eonel, driven by personal feelings, complicate matters by targeting the fifth prince.

However, the doubt that had sprouted in the ten-year-old boy’s heart showed no sign of subsiding.

“Mother, I still don’t understand.”

Arshilla caressed his head.

“I can be anything, can’t I?”

“Yes.”

“If I want to become emperor, why bother putting my brother on the throne first?”

“Is that what you think?”

“And the same goes for Lady Elard. It seems unfair to be so entangled with a mere being whose destiny is only to become the crown princess.”

“Son, haven’t I always told you? Even though they are mere beings… they’re elements that make up the harmonious world of Orot, and thus should be treated with respect.”

The boy’s frown deepened. To Arshilla, this display of emotion was just further evidence that her son was still immature.

“Each brick may seem insignificant. But if you break them carelessly… won’t the beautiful temple of Orot collapse?”

Orot’s world, the beautiful temple of the equilibrium…. These were concepts difficult for Eonel, born as a human in the human realm, to grasp.

“Son, haven’t I repeatedly told you how greatly I defied the equilibrium to have you?”

“Yes, you said it caused leaks.”

“So, we cannot touch it anymore.”

“…”

“Don’t be too hasty…. In the end, what’s good for me is good for you.”

But the boy’s rebellious glint didn’t fade. Anyway, the boy was using his mother’s divine power as his life force, and he had lost some without any gain.

* * *

“Is anyone there!”

The chains on Selleana’s wrists rattled as she swung her arms.

“This is unjust! Let me see the emperor!”

Despite shouting this dozens of times, she received no echo in return. She was in an underground prison somewhere in the imperial palace. There were no signs of life anywhere on the same floor, likely to drive her mad. Even the guards had been pulled back to prevent her from persuading them.

But the fundamental fear of being alone in an underground prison was inescapable. So she kept shouting.

“Do you know who I am? I’m from Elard! This isn’t fun!”

Her throat was sore from all the shouting. Without Di to praise her acting, it wasn’t fun. She clicked her tongue.

It had been over an hour since she was thrown into this place. Dragged from the Rose Palace, she had been stripped of all her possessions, save for her chemise and underdress. Even the choker, which was Di in disguise, was being taken away.

Though Di was safely retrieved by Rakrensius, being utterly alone was suffocating.

At least she still had the pouch with the scrolls. Without any metal on her and the bias of Nepelsian not to thoroughly search a noble lady, it went unnoticed.

Her hands were bound, but it gave her some comfort.

More importantly…

Thinking of that hope gave her strength, and she rattled the chains again, shouting.

“I demand an audience with the emperor! This is unjust!”

[It’s a perfect environment to go crazy, but have you already lost it? Shout while smiling.]

At the sudden sound of Di’s voice, Selleana beamed. If Di was here, then surely….

“Lady…”

As expected, Rakrensius appeared, holding Di, and Selleana’s face lit up with a radiant smile. He had used invisibility magic to sneak in and a perception-disruption spell to make it seem like she was still alone.

Unlike her bright face, Rakrensius’s expression was somber. Seeing her bound with chains and sitting in such a poor state was painful.

“…I’m sorry. I know Lady will say there’s nothing to apologize for.”

“Master of Tower, you’re getting better at reading my mind.”

Rakrensius knelt and sat before her. His eyes, now level with hers, were dim. “It pains me to see you like this… But once this is over, I’ll repay you with all my heart.”

“Then give me a vow kiss.”

Her playful tone made him smile painfully. Urged by the rattling chains, he pressed her wrist against the wall and leaned in. The cool sensation of his lips against her chafed wrist brought a soothing feeling.

The kiss was gentle, just a press of his lips. Though he longed for the soft texture and smoothness he once tasted, he knew his place and withdrew. Or he tried to.

“

, Lady…!”

Selleana poked her tongue out to lick his lips. “Next time, don’t be so stingy.”

Her playful smile made her eyes crinkle. His blush of embarrassment was always charming.

“What did my father say?”

“First, he prepared to mobilize his private soldiers.”

“

.”

“He sent messages to the families present at the Harvest Festival banquet, asking them to gather at the imperial palace if there’s a disturbance at the manor.”

“The empress must have gathered her forces at the Rose Palace in anticipation.”

“Indeed. It’s clear why they’re all there.” Rakrensius chuckled, pulling out a small, thin notebook from his robe. “Here, I made something useful.”

He opened the first page to show Selleana. The pages were blank.

“It records everything the holder says and hears.” As he finished speaking, his words appeared on the previously blank page.

“

An automatic transcript?”

“Something like that. Di will know everything without you having to relay it.”

Their conversation was instantly recorded.

[Since it’s recorded, it can be used as evidence, and even if we can’t keep up with your movements, we can understand the situation.]

“

…. When did you make this?”

“Right after Lady was arrested by the imperial family today.”

“Oh dear. Those poor wizards…”

“Well, I’m not exactly the best superior, so it’s nothing new. This might be uncomfortable, but… excuse me.”

Rakrensius turned away and reached under her dress to tuck the notebook into her pouch. His face was beet red as he carefully avoided touching her skin, making Selleana giggle.

“Master of Tower, really, between us.”

“…Don’t tease me.” Rakrensius, still not looking at her, adjusted her dress.

“…

”

Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Rakrensius quickly chanted a spell, undid the perception-disruption, and concealed himself.

The approaching footsteps belonged to….

“Long time no see, Lady.”

“…Hello, Sir Tiel.”

It was Tiel Orelli, Michi’s male lad number three from the imperial knights. Having encountered each other at Marderung’s safe house yesterday, his gazes were noticeably cold.

“His Majesty wishes to interrogate Lady personally.”

[The moment has come.]

Selleana swallowed dryly, not showing any sign of excitement despite the anticipated situation.