I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

“The imperial family’s intentions are already set. You know how difficult it is to go against them.”

“…Yes, Father. I really have no excuse. I’m sorry.”

“Have you forgotten all that you have enjoyed as a member of the Elard family, all thanks to the grace of the imperial family?”

She felt frustrated at her father’s response, which was no different from the old days.

“From the moment I had a daughter, I thought her becoming a lady of the imperial family would be the greatest happiness for her.”

“Yes, you always said that…”

Since her childhood, her father has repeatedly emphasized it. The only way for his daughter, Selleana, to continue her prosperous life as Elard was to join the imperial family. However, the duke’s face was quite different from when he recited the same words in her childhood.  

“…I know you don’t get along very well with the crown prince.”

“You…knew?”

“How could such news not reach me?”

He knew, but he left it alone, thinking that the best future for Selleana would be to become the crown princess.

“Yes. You know your happiness the best…”

Duke Elard’s face showed a mix of awkwardness and affection. He thought it was just a phase of puberty when she was younger, but as an adult, he could no longer ignore her steadfast claims.

“As a father, I respect your choice.”

“Father…!”

“But as the head of the Elard family, I can’t support this.”

“…”

“Lea, you’re an adult, aren’t you?” The Duke’s words were warm but firm. “You must take responsibility for yourself.”

Do as you wish. If you can solve it yourself.

* * *

The man’s long fingers tapped over the desk. Next to him was a neatly folded piece of dark blue silk embroidered with gold thread. It was something that caught his eye as it stood out at the end of the woman’s hair, who he had been waiting for news for several days. No, that woman had caught his eye even before that.

Her dark blue dress, revealing a perfect silhouette and adorned with multicolored beads shining like the Milky Way against the night sky, made her already fair face even brighter. Her petite face, with distinct features, eyes like vibrant flames and warm as the evening sunset.

The memories of that night became clearer with each passing day.

“It’s already been 10 days…”

Anxiety was evident in the man’s hand gestures as he tapped on the desk.

It was that morning.

The moment his angel’s voice rang, he couldn’t move. In fact, he had been awake long before the angel opened her eyes. He was barely able to contain the excitement of having the angel in his arms, so he stayed still in fear of waking her up.

Thinking that she wouldn’t wake him up after she woke up, he just pretended to sleep. Being silent, pretending as if he wasn’t there— he was good at that. His heart beat wildly as he imagined the angel’s gentle movements. Still, somehow, he succeeded in not showing any sign that he had woken up, just like what she wanted.

When the door finally closed, he regretted it.

No. It might have been a mistake for her. She might have had many such encounters.

The words that seduced him were still fresh in his ears, but being fooled is also the duty of the charmed. On the other hand…

There was also a sense of guilt for deceiving her. This wasn’t his real appearance. His looks that intrigued her weren’t his own.

When he saw the silk headdress that had fallen on the corner of the room, he rose from his seat in agony. He decided to think of it as fate.

Thus, he left a short note at the hotel.

[The hair accessory is in my possession.

Please contact me through Nick, the scruffy guy who buys three bags of Etinya fruits every week.

Collin, the red eyes.]

If he wrote down his real name, it would be a nuisance to her, so he wrote down his childhood name, which no one in this world knows.

The manager raised an eyebrow slowly at the note. Unbeknownst to the man, the manager had no intention of delivering the note, treating it as just another hassle attached to Lady Elard.

He waited like that for ten days. He hadn’t heard from her. It was understandable if she realized her loss late, but ten days was too long. Yet…

[Collin.]

“…”

[Rakrensius.]

“…”

[Rakrensius Colendor Ansi Nepelsian.]

“…Just say it. I’m not in the mood to talk.”

[Where have you been in the mood to talk lately?]

Rakrensius sighed deeply and swept his hair away. Silver hair, as thin as a silk thread, tangled in his fingertips and gently flowed down.

[Humans, after all.]

“Di.”

[Did you like her that much?]

“…It’s not about that.”

It was also the 10

th

day his friend made such harsh noises from time to time, and each time, he felt deeper into that day’s memories.

[Why are you so anxious?]

Why, indeed.

Was it because he felt it was fate when he encountered the lady shouting outside his room at the tea salon?

Because she introduced coffee to him with an angelic smile?

Because of her confidence when she reached out to him a few days ago, shining brightly?

Or because he was drawn to her amber eyes that shined like crimson when she wanted something?

In fact, he didn’t know anything else about his angel.

Frequent visits to the imperial palace without her parents indicate high status. A taste sophisticated enough to enjoy foreign beverages. Strikingly beautiful. An ardent reader of Wilshe. Wealthy enough to rent an entire hotel to show her liking. And that alias, Lea Kim.

Her bold words offering to teach him to dance, the feel of her small chin in his hand, her slender waist easily encircled by his arm, her long eyelashes fluttering, the sound of her laughter, her small, soft lips… Everything about her was enchanting. The sensations she introduced to him that night were overwhelming.

He thought of waiting at the tea salon but refrained, fearing she might not want to meet him again. He considered contacting her through the address she sent fan letters to Wilshe but didn’t want to taint her feelings for Wilshe. However…

[This might be my last letter.]

Was it because of the word in Lea Kim’s last letter? He felt he might never have a chance again.

He didn’t want to let her go. Giving up has been something he’s done all his life.

Fiddling with the silk piece that had adorned his angel’s head, Rakrensius blurted out. “Di. Don’t you have anything new to publish?”

[Black-haired beast. Creation doesn’t happen in an instant.]

“Creation, what?”

[Thanks to me, you’ve had unforgettable memories, yet you say you can’t do anything.]

Right. Unforgettable memories. So vivid over time he found himself lost in daydreams daily. He really couldn’t let her go. So, he had no choice.

“…She’s that reader. Don’t you think she’s a person with a strong competitive spirit?”

[It certainly seems like it, seeing as she has been sending letters tirelessly for 3 years.]

“Right?”

Rakrensius pressed his lips gently to the angel’s headdress as if stamping a seal.

For the first time in his life, he felt a strange motivation with a burning desire in his heart.

* * *

A few days after receiving conditional permission from her father, she went to the imperial palace. Selleana entered Pavellian’s parlor with determination.

“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince. May Orot bless the little sun of Nepelsian.”

“Yes, Lady. You are as beautiful as ever. I was surprised when you suddenly requested an audience.” Today too, the blond-handsome man, boasting his healthy smile, greeted Selleana with a happy face.

Although Selleana doesn’t feel it, Pavellian treats her with respect in his own way. Had it not been for Elard, his mother would have died early, and the way for him with weak external relations to become the crown prince would have been much more difficult. Selleana playing in society like a playground was perceived by him as supporting him in the future.

“Thank you for your hospitality even though it’s not the usual day of our meetings.”

“For you, Lady, of course.”

Unconditional trust. For the past ten years, Selleana had been like a tongue in his mouth, always compliant.

“The ball you organized was highly praised. I would have attended if it wasn’t a masquerade ball. It’s a pity.”

“I’m glad to hear only good things have reached you, Your Highness.”

“Don’t mention it. You’ll have to manage events and household affairs in the imperial palace in the future, so it was good practice.”

“…”

“

of course, Lady has to win the selection contest first.

”

Always ending conversations talking about ‘After marriage’. Selleana felt her affection for him wane again.

“Your Highness, I happen to have something to discuss regarding that matter.”

Selleana clasped her fingertips, which were folded over her knees. She dressed maturely and wore heavy makeup, referencing her attire when she went for a refund in her previous life.

“Your Highness.”

Selleana took a deep breath and said in one go. “I will not participate in the crown princess selection.”