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Chapter 19
Wasn’t the House of Lorobante the most prestigious among all noble families?
The history of Lorobante began alongside the founding of this nation.
The imperial family and Lorobante were both comrades and swords aimed at each other.
“It seems the Emperor of Laigos still doesn’t understand what fate befell the emperors who failed to complete their reigns.”
Lorobante was different from the straightforward, sword-wielding Winchesters.
Lorobante had its origins in gold veins and had permeated every corner of the Empire.
Trade and commerce, civil engineering and architecture, finance—
There was a reason why the saying “If Lorobante stops, the Empire stops” existed.
If Winchester was the sword that protected the Laigos Emperor, then Lorobante was the foundation that supported the imperial family.
And the noose Lorobante cast over the imperial family wasn’t just power and strength.
Lorobante was the family that decided the emperor’s death.
In other words, only those approved by Lorobante could ascend the throne.
It was the foolish Emperor of Laigos who first broke that alliance.
So, was there any reason Lorobante should hold back now?
Robellia steeled her heart.
Hmm.
My mother approached me with a grave expression and brought up the proposal from the crown prince.
A marriage proposal with Crown Prince Aintz Vendelheim, no less.
I remembered Aintz Vendelheim very clearly.
Perfect backstory, looks like an elf, the romantic lead of this era.
He was the other strong male lead candidate radiating charm.
Even I, who had gone all-in on Baldwin stocks, had wavered a few times because of Aintz. He was that beautiful a character.
If Baldwin didn’t exist in this novel, I would’ve invested all my stocks in Aintz without hesitation.
He had blond hair and purple eyes.
A trait inherited from the imperial bloodline.
I remember thinking while looking at the novel’s cover:
Ah, the author is clearly setting up a dual-male-lead situation on purpose.
They were laying the groundwork for a harem for the female protagonist, Camilla!
Otherwise, there was no reason for both male leads to be this perfect.
That line from some drama—“My season is the monsoon”—felt like it was written for Aintz.
He was truly a sweet and honey-coated male lead candidate.
Of course, my natural pull toward dark, obsessive male leads meant I invested in Baldwin. But I still acknowledged Aintz’s stock.
Still, I ultimately chose Baldwin as the true male lead because his story arc was more compelling.
Aintz had the protective shell of Empress Yulia, but Baldwin had nothing left.
He had lost everything and started from scratch to reclaim his family’s honor.
Just like me in my previous life—basically an orphan.
Maybe I was projecting, but still…
Wouldn’t it be strange to deny such a painfully well-written character the position of main lead?
Happiness and sorrow come together, after all.
Besides, it seemed to me that Camilla had feelings for Baldwin.
If the female lead chooses him, then he is the male lead.
Anyway…
Why was this marriage proposal coming to me…?
It was originally meant for Camilla.
Camilla’s count family was in trade, and they planned to export gems from a mine owned privately by Emperor Laigos.
This felt like I was stealing someone else’s opportunity.
No—wait, think clearly, Lila.
This isn’t a bad opportunity, is it…?
If Camilla and Aintz got engaged, what would happen to our lovely Baldwin?
He’d be left high and dry.
Of course, in the novel, it was a forced engagement by the imperial family, so it eventually got canceled…
But since the proposal came to me now, if I can just separate Aintz from Camilla…
That increases the chances of my investment paying off!
Ah, this was a cake I had to eat.
“Alright!”
“Good, I knew you’d hate—what? You said yes?”
My mother looked shocked.
“Yes! I accept the engagement!”
With the bold energy of “Please give me your son!”, I answered cheerfully.
“B-but… Lila, think about it. You don’t even know Aintz very well…”
As if it wouldn’t be awkward to reject something already proposed.
“It’s fine.”
“What do you mean, fine? You’ve never even seen Aintz, Lala!”
“Still, I think it’ll be okay…?”
I mean, the guy’s sweet enough to be the nation’s son-in-law.
And once Baldwin marries Camilla…
Becoming crown princess doesn’t sound too bad.
Since I was born with a golden spoon, might as well use it to scoop up the entire Vendelheim Empire.
Hehehe. Who would’ve thought I’d dream of world domination at this age?
No matter how I looked at it, this wasn’t a bad deal for me.
My mother held her head.
“You do know what engagement means, right, Lala?”
“Yes. It’s a promise to get married.”
My mother sighed deeply.
“Think about it a bit more. You can give your answer tomorrow.”
“But Mom, I—”
“Tomorrow!”
She pinched my lips shut between her thumb and index finger.
Tch. Mom really doesn’t understand me at all.
Even though I’m enjoying the happiness Lila Lorobante should have had, I haven’t forgotten my place.
Since entering this novel, I’ve always understood the value of being Lila Lorobante.
She wasn’t just born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
Lorobante was the family that decided emperors’ deaths.
And I was the one born to eventually inherit that family.
Not to mention the Count of Pracia backing me…
Even without being emperor, there’d be countless wolves circling me.
That’s why I thought it might actually be a good move to become Aintz’s fiancée now.
The imperial family would serve as a powerful shield.
But if I told Mom all this, she’d just be sad.
Mom and Dad want me to stay a happy child who knows nothing of hardship.
So, I smiled like I didn’t know a thing.
Not that it would change my decision.
I decided to go to the training grounds and talk to my baby kitty Baldwin about it.
I was sure Baldwin would support me.
“Engagement?”
“Yup.”
Baldwin’s eyebrows twitched like blades dancing.
“An engagement with Crown Prince Aintz?”
“Yep!”
Camilla wasn’t coming today, so I had come alone to cheer Baldwin on.
He was drinking water beside me under my parasol in the spectator’s seat.
“And you’re going to accept that engagement?”
Exactly.
Hey kid, don’t get jealous just because this noona’s becoming an adult first.
I’ve always been an adult, you know.
Baldwin swept back his hair and drank more water.
Even the glistening sweat in the sun looked like a photoshoot.
“Lala?”
“Yes, Didi…”
Baldwin gave a soft laugh and reached out.
Then he wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.
“You were drooling, Lala.”
Ugh, how embarrassing…
I rubbed my face and twisted my neck awkwardly.
“Why do you want to get engaged to Aintz?”
Oh, that.
“Well,” I said, raising my index finger, “he’s handsome.”
“Then what about me?”
“You’re the most handsome in the universe, Didi. Aintz is second-best.”
Totally not because Baldwin has black hair. Definitely not.
“And?”
“He’s rich.”
“I’m rich too.”
True. Baldwin, once he regains his title, would inherit massive wealth tied to the Winchesters.
Unlike Aintz, whose future depended on whether or not he became emperor.
“Exactly! You’re perfect, Didi!”
“Any other reason? He’s not better looking or richer than me.”
“Also…”
I couldn’t say “it’s for you”…
Wait, why not? I could say it.
“It’s for you, Didi! They said if Lorobante helps Aintz, it’ll make reclaiming Winchester easier.”
I spelled it out plainly—did you get it, my little kitty?
“Ah.”
Baldwin smiled brightly, eyes curving gently.
“For me?”
“Yep! That’s why this engagement is a good idea.”
“You’re so kind, Lala.”
“Of course!”
To boost my investment, I’d do anything!
I’ve rolled out a red carpet just for you, Baldwin—just walk down it like a prince.
Baldwin tilted his head toward me and rested his chin on his hand.
Sunlight poured behind him, giving him a halo.
Then he said—
“Then I’ll do it. I’ll take that engagement.”
…What?
Beep—
Heart failure incoming.
How could you say such a thing with that angelic face?!
“I mean, I’m cross-dressing as a girl right now.”
“Y-yeah…”
“What if I pose as you and get engaged to Aintz? The key is Lorobante’s engagement with the imperial family anyway.”
That’s true, but…
Get engaged to Aintz?
Baldwin was under Lorobante’s patronage right now…
With the right paperwork, it could work, but…
Excuse me, author?
Was this secretly a BL (boys’ love) novel all along?
As I blinked in confusion over the genre shift—
“I don’t want you to get engaged or married to someone lesser than me.”
Baldwin said seriously.
“If it’s just a political engagement, it can be broken later. So I’ll do it.”
…He’s serious.
I think I broke something fundamental here.
Did I accidentally change the entire genre of the novel…?
