CHAPTER 04
The increase in the revolution’s progress meant they had successfully completed their mission using the funds I’d donated.
Ethie’s HP hearts hadn’t increased, but at least they hadn’t decreased either.
Since moving to the new headquarters had improved their comfort level, it probably wouldn’t drop again anytime soon.
Knock, knock.
“My Lady, may I come in?”
Just then, I heard Heros knocking from outside.
I pulled the blanket—which I’d kicked halfway across the bed—back over myself and answered,
“Come in.”
A moment later, he entered, bowed politely, and informed me of today’s schedule.
Then he delivered some good news first thing in the morning.
“My Lady, the High Priest has approved your application to establish the orphanage.”
The corners of my lips curled upward.
“He even asked me to convey that he looks forward to working with you. Which makes me wonder why he rejected it in the first place.”
Exactly.
If he was going to approve it anyway, why make things difficult?
Smiling to myself, I stretched.
Well then.
Time to start another wonderful day.
Unfortunately, my good mood didn’t last long.
Because Heros brought me something I definitely wasn’t happy to see.
“And, My Lady, Young Viscount Philios Regalo asked me to deliver this letter to you.”
I was in the middle of stretching my arms overhead when I frowned and accepted the letter.
My fiancée, Katrin,
Ever since the Duke and Duchess’s funeral, you have not shown your face after spending every day chasing after me. I have been so worried about you that I can hardly sleep.
I hear you’ve even refused the assistance of Count Padelmon Elemore, who is equally concerned for your well-being, which only deepens my anxiety.
If you’re feeling up to it, would you visit the government offices where I work?
I’d like to comfort you and discuss the new future we can build together.
If you reject me again this time, then I shall personally visit your estate to encourage you.
Your beloved,
Philios Regalo
…
Right.
Philios Regalo.
The greatest embarrassment of my life.
Ever since the Duke and Duchess’s funeral a few months ago, I’d refused to meet him, yet he stubbornly continued sending letters.
Incidentally, the man who had introduced me to this human garbage in the first place was my uncle, Padelmon, who coveted House Elemore’s inheritance.
A thoroughly rotten man.
The explanation was somewhat complicated, but to summarize what happened in the original novel—
My uncle and my fiancé had joined forces to swindle me out of the enormous inheritance I’d received.
Had I not transmigrated and looked at everything objectively, I would have remained completely oblivious, lost every last coin of my inheritance, and ultimately been murdered by the two of them.
Just as happened in the original story, where I was betrayed and killed by nobles loyal to the Emperor.
As I pinched the bridge of my nose with a headache, Heros spoke in a concerned voice.
“Shall I tell him that Your Ladyship still hasn’t recovered from your grief?”
I’d already used that excuse several times.
More importantly…
“It’s not that I’m avoiding a pile of filth because I’m afraid of it.”
Frowning, I muttered,
“I’m avoiding it because it’s disgustingly annoying.”
If you reject me again this time, I shall personally visit your estate to encourage you.
“But now he just won’t stop pestering me.”
The irritation in my voice made Heros stiffen slightly, raising a gloved hand to cover his mouth.
I tossed the crumpled letter onto the desk and stood up.
“Prepare the carriage, Heros.”
***
The moment I entered the government building wearing an extravagant violet gown, countless eyes turned toward me.
Considering I was so beautiful that even I admired my own reflection whenever I looked in a mirror, it wasn’t surprising.
Yet true to my infamous reputation as the Poison Rose of House Elemore, no one was brave enough to meet my gaze head-on when I glanced their way.
With elegant steps, I climbed the staircase lined with crimson carpet and stopped before the office that doubled as Philios’s reception room.
From inside came the cheerful laughter of women.
“Ehehe, you’re amazing!”
“Oh my, what is this?”
Looks like he’s having fun.
The heavy door slowly opened.
As I stepped inside…
The women seated intimately on either side of Philios immediately sprang to their feet.
Shrinking back, they looked at me with a mixture of fear and hostility.
They were young ladies from lower-ranking noble families whom I’d occasionally seen at parties.
“Ah, my beloved fiancée. Welcome.”
Philios rose with a dazzling smile and spread his arms, moving toward me as though to embrace me.
The women hurried out through another door without needing to be told.
“I’ve missed you terribly, my love.”
What a disgusting bastard.
I planted my palm squarely against his chest with a sharp smack, stopping him before he could hug me.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
“…Katrin?”
Every time I thought about what the original Katrin had done, I wanted to curse her all over again.
But looking at this man only made me angrier.
How had she managed to pick someone this awful?
“Date me and enjoy the benefits… or spend the rest of your life as a pathetic puppet prince.”
That had actually been the confession she’d come up with for the man she loved.
Katrin’s sense of romance had been utterly hopeless.
She ruled her household like a tyrant.
The only people she called friends were sycophants who flattered her because they feared House Elemore.
There had never been anyone to give her decent relationship advice.
Perhaps that was why her second choice—Philios Regalo—turned out to be nothing more than a handsome face attached to a shameless womanizer.
He skillfully manipulated the difficult-to-handle Katrin while disguising his endless affairs.
If nothing else, I had to admit he was talented at deception.
“Could it be…”
Philios narrowed his eyes with an amused smile.
“…that seeing those women just now upset you?”
When I didn’t answer, he covered his face with both hands for a moment before laughing.
“Oh, you’re adorable, Katrin. Seeing you like this gives me such wonderful inspiration.”
Shrugging, he gestured toward a chair.
After I sat down, he took the seat opposite me and crossed his legs confidently.
“But understand this clearly. Those women are nothing more than readers of my poetry.”
“You know that every great work requires criticism. My one true love has always been you.”
…
According to Katrin’s memories, Philios always came up with pathetic excuses like this whenever she caught him flirting with another woman.
He’d even said something similar after she witnessed him kissing another woman on the cheek.
“This is your first relationship, so you still have much to learn. Don’t misunderstand—I don’t blame you. Even your inexperience is charming. Moments like these remind me what true love feels like.”
Perhaps because it had been a while since we’d met…
His tongue seemed even longer than usual today.
“Anyway, the reason I asked you to come is…”
Go on.
Let’s hear it.
“It’s about the art project I’m working on. I actually need some financial support.”
“Not much. Around one hundred thousand den.”
“If you’re willing…”
“I refuse.”
There was no need to hear another word.
It was finally time to deal with the nuisance I’d been putting off.
“And while we’re at it…”
“Let’s break off our engagement.”
I said it as casually as if I were spitting out a piece of chewing gum.
Silence hung heavily between us.
“…Break off our engagement?”
Philios’s eyes shook violently as the words left his lips.
That’s right.
We’re breaking up.
Why should I stay engaged to an idiot like him?
I was planning to move to the Principality in a few months anyway, so even meeting him to end things had felt like too much effort.
But since he insisted on clinging to me like a leech…
There was no choice but to use pest control.
