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Chapter : 08
This Time, I’ll Change the Male Lead
The next morning, I finally dragged myself out of bed after tossing and turning all night.
“Are you sure the letter reached the Crown Prince’s palace properly?”
“Yes, of course.”
Emma nodded.
“I even received a confirmation seal from Sir Aiden, the man who oversees the palace.”
I bit my lip anxiously.
Even though I sent the request for an audience early and finished getting ready, no reply had come.
“Emma, can I get another cup of coffee?”
“My lady, you’ve already had too much coffee this morning.”
This was already my second cup. Why wasn’t there an answer yet?
“I’ll bring you warm milk instead.”
“…Fine.”
Trying to distract myself, I grabbed a random catalogue.
“What… what is this?”
The moment I flipped the cover carelessly—
“Emma. What on earth is this?”
“Eh? Oh my goodness! What in the world?”
Our mouths fell open at the same time.
Why was my face plastered across the cover, usually reserved for the most famous figures?
A frantic check showed my face on the front page of every paper.
[Who Is the Lady of House Veritas Who Melted the Frozen Heart of the Crown Prince?]
[Lady Veritas—Known for Never Appearing in Public.]
[Exclusive Interview With Countess Rachel Othis, Close Relative of House Veritas.]
What the hell? When did Aunt give an interview?!
[Curious About the Charms of the Lady Who Captured the Empire’s Sun? Find All the Answers at Arian Salon.]
Even the salon I frequented ran a sleazy ad about me.
“Haha… wow.”
A hollow laugh slipped out.
I knew the Crown Prince had influence, but this?
To think the entire Empire would fix its eyes and ears on me just one day after receiving his proposal.
—
It’s useless. It’ll happen anyway.
—
So that was what he meant.
A chill ran down my spine—he was more terrifying than I thought.
“Duke! Please say a word!”
“What do you think about this situation?”
Noise swelled outside the window.
“Hehehe, I don’t know a thing. Not a single thing.”
“Is it true His Highness fell for the lady first? When did you two start meeting?”
My hand froze halfway through pulling the curtain aside.
“Goodness, my lady… are those all reporters?”
“This is insane.”
The enormous front gates of the ducal residence were swarming with people.
The heat of hungry hyenas chasing a scoop could be felt from here.
“We need to go to the palace. Right now. Get the carriage ready—we have to hurry, even by a minute—”
“Duke! It’s been reported that you transferred your shares of the southern mine to Marquess Karl!”
My feet stopped cold.
“Why did you make that decision? Was it compensation money?”
“I don’t know a thing. Nothing at all. Hoho!”
“Step back! This is outrageous behavior toward His Grace!”
“Just one word, please!”
My father’s carriage sped away like fleeing prey.
What are they talking about?
The southern mine went to Karl?
I muttered stiffly.
Why? Father was supposed to hand the mine to me—I insisted on it.
“My lady? What’s wrong?”
“Is my brother in?”
I barged straight into Enoch’s office; the attendants blinked in surprise.
“He is, but—ah! My lady!”
“Brother.”
Enoch didn’t even flinch when I threw the door open.
“….”
He glanced at me once and returned to his papers—just like always.
Not even this chaos ruffled the calm blue in his dark hair-framed gaze.
“What do they mean the southern mine was given to Karl?”
That mine was jointly owned by our house and the Marquess of Bate as the token of the engagement.
“You heard right. Compensation.”
“Why is that slime— I mean, the marquess receiving compensation?”
I was the one who should’ve been compensated.
And I agreed to this annulment only on the condition that I receive the mine!
“The Bate family sent a letter saying they’re willing to go to court over the mine.”
“What… court?”
“There’s no need to make this any louder.”
He rubbed his brow as if a headache hit.
Oddly enough, that made my mind clearer.
Karl Bate—
Acting hurt in front of me while secretly aiming to stab us in the back.
“You should’ve just handed it over. It’s not that valuable.”
I shook my head.
“No. Absolutely not the southern mine.”
If it were just about cutting ties, I’d gladly dump it on them.
But the problem was—
The holy relic will be found there soon!
In the original story, Karl only rose to glory after Kaela died—because of that.
He fell in love with the Saintess, his fiancée (me) suddenly died,
he became Captain of the Holy Knights, and then one of the three long-lost relics was found in the mine.
His life must’ve felt like a comedy.
“I’m taking it back.”
Except now?
I was very much alive, bright-eyed, and watching.
“What are you saying? You plan to go to court?”
“Why waste time?”
I clenched my fists and turned.
So this was his real plan.
Fire roared in my heart.
“Kaela Veritas.”
Enoch grabbed my wrist, alarmed.
“Don’t make this a big deal.”
“….”
He was always like this.
Cold—no, icy—when it came to family affairs,
yet overly wary whenever it involved me.
I understood—it was affection for his little sister.
But I wasn’t letting this slide.
“It’s fine if I’m betrayed. But he dragged Father’s name and our family into this.”
“That still doesn’t make it your matter.”
“Brother. I’m an adult now.”
His eyes narrowed.
“I won’t hide behind the family anymore. I’ll fix what I broke.”
“….”
His grip slowly loosened.
“There’s no need for a trial. The final approval belongs to the Imperial House anyway.”
Meaning, with the Emperor’s seal, I could not only reclaim the mine—
I could ruin the entire Bate family if I wished.
“You…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
I left him frozen in place and headed downstairs.
It probably felt like I drew a line.
I couldn’t help it.
In the end, I was just someone wearing Kaela’s mask.
They weren’t truly my family.
I didn’t want to hurt them by hiding behind their affection.
“Ah! Lady Veritas!”
“My lady! Is it true you’re engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
The moment I stepped outside, every gaze stabbed into me.
“That’s her? Lady Veritas? She’s stunning!”
“This is her first public appearance since New Year’s rites! How did you meet His Highness? How long have you been in love?”
“….”
But what caught my eye was someone far away, swathed in a cloak.
Karl.
He’d waited for me under that tree all night.
Trash with no shame.
“Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince sent me a proposal.”
The neat answer sent reporters into hysterics, quills scratching wildly.
“Over here, my lady!”
“Look this way, Lady Veritas!”
Yesterday’s abandoned fiancée had become the Empire’s brightest jewel.
No wonder Aunt said to aim higher.
“But my lady! You only just broke off your engagement with Marquess Karl!”
Silence fell—everyone’s favorite question.
“Will you truly accept His Highness’s proposal?”
“….”
Even Karl stiffened from a distance.
“Yes.”
The more tense the air grew, the brighter I smiled.
Let every paper print this in bold gold letters.
“I will accept His Highness the Crown Prince’s proposal.”
Karl Bate—
You’re done for.
