I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

“That, Lady…”

Rakrensius’s response was, for some reason, sharply resonant. “Do you say such things to just anyone?”

“Are you just anyone, Master of the Tower?”

“That’s not what I meant…” Rakrensius pressed his temples, seemingly displeased.

Selleana pursed her lips. Initially, the man who behaved timidly was now somewhat familiar with her. But the problem was his occasional sulking alone.

Maybe it was because Selleana, who had been talking the whole time, bit her mouth. The silence in the office felt heavier than usual. Normally, the master of the tower’s office was always this quiet. It felt difficult to break the silence.

Selleana cautiously looked around the office for the first time.

There was just enough space on the heavy desk for paperwork in front of the seat. On either side, books of various thicknesses were piled haphazardly. Near his hand was a rustic cup filled with a dark brown liquid. So, it was coffee.

Selleana was newly proud of her friend who had established the coffee bean trade. Her heart was pounding excitedly again.

The walls were mostly filled with bookshelves. Books on magic, literature, philosophy, history, political science, and more filled the shelves.

And between the bookshelves on the wall was a sword, oddly out of place in the room.

Swallowing her trivial thoughts, Selleana’s gaze wandered around the room.

“…Really, what is your intention?” The man’s voice, low and grave, broke the silence. “The real reason you’re looking for this man.”

“Why are you so interested in my intentions, Master of the Tower?” Selleana’s beautiful brow creased with discontent.

“You’re impulsively looking for someone yet want to use second-class confidential magic.”

“How do you know if I’m impulsive? Have you ever met me?”

“Didn’t you say you only met him for a day? There are far better options around you. After all, Lady can be the most noble woman in Nepelsian.”

“Does that prove that my mind is impulsive?” Selleana’s voice was laced with thorns.

Continuously disappointed by this man since their first meeting, this was crossing a line. Assuming she wouldn’t be desperate because she had many blessings in this life was utterly rude.

In fact, after remembering her previous life, Selleana had been feeling truly meaningful, wanting to choose a partner to share her life with, not just following the path set by the original story.

“I want him. It’s not an impulsive feeling. If it were like that, would I be visiting the magic tower every day?”

“…”

“If you’re tired of arguing with me, just tell me why you’re rejecting my proposal. Why exactly are you refusing it?”

Rakrensius’s lips under the hood hardened solemnly. There was no way he was tired of arguing. It wasn’t that he belittled her, but it was frustrating that she longed for an illusion while even speaking sweetly in front of him.

Unable to say anything, Rakrensius once again brought up the basis of his rejection.  “As I have repeatedly said, I cannot misuse a second-class confidential  magic for such a personal reason…”

“Isn’t it up to the Master of the Tower to decide if it’s a personal or public reason? Do you keep using that excuse because you think I don’t know?”

Once her feelings were hurt, Selleana had no intention of going easy today.

“Do you really not need my help?” She leaned forward, locking eyes with Rakrensius. The teacup tipped over with a clatter.

“Really?”

“Yes, not particularly…”

“Lies.”

Even without looking, Selleana knew the spilled teacup magically resettled on its saucer. She purposefully tipped it towards her, yet not a single coffee stain marked her dress, and she knew he wouldn’t reproach her for it.

She liked Rakrensius not because his hair was silver or because his hidden face seemed handsome but because she genuinely liked him as a person.

Hiding her bitter feelings, Selleana’s voice rang out more melodiously. “

right.  Yesterday, during the state council meeting, the crown prince’s proposition was deferred because of Duke Langton from the parliamentary faction.”

“…”

According to Doloret, Duke Langton was a representative figure who antagonized Rakrensius.

“If I can’t find this gentleman, the competition to select the crown princess will continue to be delayed, right? With the crown prince lacking maternal relatives and no wife, his support base will remain unstable, right?”

“…”

“

, what a pity. If the pressure on the Master of the Tower lessens, the magic tower could receive more support. My father would have generously sponsored it.”

Pushing her head closer to Rakrensius, his flustered cheek twitches under the hood.

“With the Benichi Company, we could have invested more actively in the development of the trade ship.”

“…”

Selleana was confident in her reasoning. So, the misuse of a second-class confidential magic was clearly an excuse. Surely, there was another reason… But Rakrensius’s stubborn lips seemed unlikely to give any meaningful answer today.

With a click of her tongue, Selleana stood up. It’s regretful, yet why did his lower face under the hood seem filled with disappointment?

As Selleana prepared to leave, Michi approached, handing her a hat while fanning her.

“I hope you’ve heard my reasons. I’m leaving today, but I’ll come back tomorrow. Please reconsider positively.”

“…I will order to block the Lady’s visit from the gate.”

“Saendi seemed very welcoming of my visits. He thinks I can help the tower’s finances.”

Rakrensius’s sharp gaze turned to his aide, who had been watching with interest and now flinched, bowing his head.

“See you tomorrow?”

, the door closed firmly behind her, leaving a void-like silence.

[…It seems the competitive spirit that was intended for Wilshe has turned towards you.]

The sound of the tongueless sword clicking rang in Rakrensius’s mind.

* * *

That evening, at a rare gathering of the direct line of the Elard family.

“Lea, I hear you’ve been visiting the magic tower.”

The master of the tower is quite perceptive. Selleana’s visits to the tower to persuade Rakrensius were not announced to her family. As the beloved lark of Elard, there was nowhere she couldn’t go. But her movements would have been reported through the coachman.

Her father, the Duke of Elard, looked at her intently, making Selleana slightly tense.

As she pondered how to broach the subject, the dining hall fell into a brief silence.

“Are you actively involved in Lady Doloret’s business as a friend, Lea?”

“Big Brother.”

Selleana looked at the man with black hair swept to one side, her eldest brother, Theonis. The successor of Duke Elard, Theonis, five years older than her, was a typical older brother in a rofan novel. Suited for the future head of the family, he was in the liberal arts major and had a calm and intellectual demeanor. Always kind and caring.

“I heard that Lea was deeply involved in Lady Doloret’s tea salon. Are you engaging in another interesting venture?”

“Her? She must be busy fixing her messes, right?”

“Peri.”

“Isn’t that right?”

Ever since Peredo came to visit Selleana and started yelling at her the other day, he has always grumbled whenever they met.

“Yes. Speaking of which, Lea. The selection of the crown princess has been postponed because of your request.”

Theonis’s gentle words were followed by an uncomfortable cough from the duke. The duchess’s eyes also darkened.

 Selleana looked at her family.