LVSMLA 21

Chapter 21

After finally persuading the children—after repeating like a parrot about thirty times that I had no interest in them whatsoever and only hoped they would become good friends—I managed to get permission for the Gilros and Beringham children to join in. Getting on the good side of a nine-year-old and a seven-year-old was, without question, the hardest thing in the world.

“Then I’ll go back and tell my father,” Lawrence said kindly, wearing his usual gentle smile.

I looked at him with a doubtful expression. The “kind-hearted seme” label attached to Lawrence was starting to feel suspicious. The original story only showed a fragment of this world. Maybe Lawrence was a “kind seme” when he was the main lead—but it didn’t seem like he was kind to everyone.

It was good that he agreed with my opinion, but I could clearly feel that both Lawrence and Calisto were not normal people. Even small children were already trying to manipulate me. It seemed I should step back appropriately after helping them make friends in joint classes.

Even aside from the children, I had plenty to do. I had at least prevented the Wynyeits Count family from falling into ruin, but if I wanted to live well in this world for the rest of my life, I needed a new source of income. Not just for myself, but also for Calisto.

If I wanted to help him ascend to the throne without sending him to the military to suffer, an enormous amount of money would be necessary.

Fortunately, the count’s household had funds set aside for investment in a new harbor development project. Lately, I had been busy thinking about where to invest it. On top of that, I also had to spend time with Calisto, who clung to me every day. Children really were not things that grew up on their own.

Then, an unexpected guest visited the count’s estate—someone I never thought I would meet in person.

It was the Duke Harrington, the younger brother of the Empress.

My father arranged a meeting so that Harrington and Camoys could discuss a business venture. When I heard they would meet at the Wynyeits estate, I immediately begged my father to let me attend. I thought it would help to understand the situation in detail.

Although I was only twelve, in this world people could take over family businesses at fifteen after proper education. In cases like mine—already designated as heir—participation could begin even earlier. My father gladly allowed me to attend, seemingly pleased that I showed interest in the family business at a young age.

“An honor to meet you, Your Grace,” Camoys, the viscount, said while bowing nervously.

Duke Harrington merely nodded arrogantly in response. The viscount seemed slightly offended, but he appeared to accept that this was natural treatment for him. Fortunately, the atmosphere was not too bad.

“My name is Etienne Wynyeits,” I said, greeting the duke.

Harrington’s sharp, snake-like gaze stuck to my face. He curled the corners of his lips and smiled faintly.

“You have an excellent son, Count. How old did you say he was this year?”

This was in stark contrast to how he ignored Viscount Camoys entirely, as if he were invisible. The viscount also looked displeased at how he was being treated, but what could be done? In this world, status mattered more than age.

My father answered.

“Twelve. He has shown interest in business, so I’ve brought him to participate in the family affairs early.”

“Does he resemble the Countess? Quite pleasing to the eye already. He’ll grow into a remarkable beauty.”

“…Your Grace,” my father’s expression darkened at Harrington’s remark, known for his lecherous reputation. Noticing this, Harrington laughed loudly and even patted my father’s shoulder rudely.

“No need to be so stiff. I was just joking because he’s so striking.”

“But still, I happened to think of my nephew. He’s about the same age as your son. They might suit each other quite well.”

“The nephew you refer to… His Highness, the First Prince, Roengrin?”

“Correct. Roen just turned fifteen recently, didn’t he? The Empress is considering selecting a fiancée soon.”

My father’s expression stiffened further, and I was startled by the sudden mention of Roen.

First Prince Roengrin de Bish. In the original story, he was the Empress’s only son and a supporting male lead. After Etienne’s death, he appeared in full force as the final antagonist who fought against Calisto for Lawrence until the end. He was appointed crown prince right before Calisto’s rebellion, but once Calisto seized power, he and the Empress were executed.

“Why is Roen appearing here already? And an engagement? Are you crazy? Am I walking straight into a death flag?”

I panicked internally. I had come here to interfere with a harbor development project, but it looked like I was about to cause even more trouble.

In the original story, there was no connection between the First Prince and Etienne. Their timelines didn’t even overlap properly. So why was an engagement suddenly being brought up?

If anything, it made more sense for Roen to propose to Lawrence, not me. Later in the story, Roen becomes an “out-of-place second male lead” instead of Etienne.

Besides, becoming the First Prince’s fiancée meant allying with the Empress. There was no way my father, who was secretly hiding Calisto, would accept such a marriage.

My father spoke calmly.

“But His Highness the First Prince is an Alpha, is he not? A prince consort must be an Omega. Etienne has been assessed to likely manifest as a high-ranking Alpha.”

Yes, this was it—I felt relief at the reminder of the biological “trait” system.

In the original story, Etienne was publicly known as a dominant Alpha. In this aristocratic empire, being recognized as an heir required Alpha status. However, there were hints that his actual trait might be different—possibly a lower-ranking Alpha or even an unmanifested Beta.

But for an Alpha prince, producing heirs was critical. He absolutely needed an Omega consort. That was why in the original story Roen targeted Lawrence, who was a Beta but later manifested as Omega upon adulthood.

“An Alpha? Is that true? He looks like an Omega to me. Such a beauty—what a pity,” Harrington said, scanning me up and down with a sticky gaze.

I felt a chill crawl over my skin.

My father stepped in front of me protectively and bowed to the duke.

“The child is still young. Discussions of marriage are premature.”

“Ah, don’t be so serious. I was only joking because he’s so lovely.”

But in noble society, there is no such thing as a harmless joke. Every joke carries intent.

It was fortunate I would never become an Omega—otherwise I might have been dragged off and forced into becoming the First Prince’s consort. Just thinking about it gave me cold sweat.

“Now then, shall we return to the business discussion?” Harrington smoothly changed the subject. “I am naturally interested in eastern trade, but there is a shortage of suitable ports in my territory. Costs are higher than expected, and funding is tight. I’m not sure how far we can even proceed.”

He sighed dramatically.

The Camoys viscount and my father exchanged troubled looks. He wasn’t just asking for business rights—he wanted funding and even help securing land. A typical greedy opportunist.

But…

“That might not be such a bad thing,” I thought, looking at Harrington’s oily face.

People driven by greed can be dealt with using the same energy.

I forced my lips into a neutral expression and spoke casually.

“Why not just use the port land the Count originally intended to develop? That way you wouldn’t need to purchase new land, and funding issues would be solved automatically.”

“Etienne!” my father shouted, startled.

But Harrington burst into laughter.

Once a noble speaks, their words cannot be taken back. Even as a child, as the heir present at the meeting, my words carried weight. Now my father was trapped—unable to retract the proposal.

“Indeed! That’s an excellent solution!”

Harrington was delighted, already imagining taking the prime eastern trade route without effort.

I shrugged lightly and added:

“But if you receive the Wynyeits land as a gift, the tax burden will be enormous.”

“Hm, that is true.”

He frowned, realizing it. I continued:

“Then how about a trade instead? Exchange land from your own territory. For example… Blest Harbor.”

“Oh?”

His eyes lit up.

Blest Harbor, a decaying fishing village on the northern coast, was worthless in everyone’s eyes. Trading it for our prime harbor land seemed like a massive loss for us.

But only for now.

In a few years, eastern trade would collapse, and the value of our harbor would plummet. Meanwhile, northern trade would rise as the new center of commerce.

The Wynyeits family would sink with the decline of eastern trade, while Harrington—who just happened to own land on the northern coast—would amass a fortune.

I intended to exchange their futures.

We would give away what would become worthless land and take what would become a golden goose, while no one yet knew its value.

“I think that’s an excellent idea. What do you think, Count?” Harrington asked.

“…Yes, Your Grace. Let’s proceed that way.”

My father agreed reluctantly but quickly, likely eager to end the meeting.

Harrington, unaware of what future awaited him, laughed heartily.

“Excellent! The Count has raised a very clever son!”

I smiled faintly, dimples forming in my cheeks.