Chapter 11
If I caused chaos in the Kalinos family, most of the Kalinos bloodline would naturally become my enemies.
Even if Duke Kalinos backed me up, there would definitely be limits to what he could do.
But what if I had the support of the Kalinos Elder Councilâespecially the Elder Council Chairman?
Then my comfortable life of causing trouble in the Kalinos family would be guaranteed.
Besides, if I built a connection with the chairman, I’d have plenty more opportunities to make money.
…Come to think of it, the original novel did mention a way to win Hennessy over.
He had one enormous secret that he had never told anyone.
“You’re looking at Chairman Hennessy.”
“He’s quite an eccentric. Even I haven’t spoken with him very much.”
If even Duke Kalinos admitted he was eccentric, then he must truly be an extraordinary person.
“I’ll meet him and persuade him myself.”
“You already have a plan?”
“Operation Number One:Â Pretend to be perfectly normal until after the wedding, then stab everyone in the back!”
“In other words… a fraudulent marriage?”
I smiled brightly at him as he tilted his head.
“Yep! I’m really good at things like that!”
Chapter 3. The Arrival of a Completely New Kind of Troublemaker
Hennessey, the chairman of the Kalinos Elder Council, let out a long groan as he gripped a bottle of potion.
That arrogant young elder gets on my nerves every single council meeting.
The shameless brat was always bragging about his own achievements while belittling everyone else’s.
Just looking at the youngest elder, Agnes, proudly lifting his chin with a satisfied grin made Hennessey’s blood boil again.
“Ahem.”
The Kalinos Elder Council was made up of ten respected family eldersâmen and women over forty who had achieved outstanding accomplishments, whether from the direct or collateral branches of the family.
They were highly respected within the duchy and worked closely with the Duke, offering advice and discussing important matters together.
However, from the conservative chairman Hennessey to the newly appointed progressive youngest elder Agnes, the ten elders constantly fought for influence within the council, each trying to keep the others in check.
Still, when an important matter came up, they had no choice but to set their rivalry aside.
“The agenda today is His Grace the Duke of Kalinos’s marriage. So this is the lady His Grace wishes to marry? Giselle Florette.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Since she had been chosen by the Duke himself, Hennessey had expected someone extraordinary.
But judging from all the rumors, she didn’t seem very impressive.
She looks like a frail young lady, completely unsuited for a dangerous place like this.
The Kalinos territory bordered the Land of Monsters, making it an extremely dangerous region.
Only someone brave enough to face monsters without fear could become the Duchess.
Closing the file, he spoke coldly.
“I’ve seen enough. I oppose this marriage.”
“Ah… yes. But wouldn’t it be better to at least meet her once?”
“Is there any need? If there’s a chance to meet her later together with His Grace, that’s one thing. But having lunch with her alone would just waste my time.”
He folded the documents and shook his head.
Thenâ
That sound…
A bluebird flew to the window and pecked repeatedly at the glass.
There was even a small note tied around its ankle.
Hennessey hurriedly opened the window and untied the note.
“What is this?”
“Sir? Is something wrong?”
The moment he unfolded the note, the corners of his mouth twitched.
“It’s nothing. I’m just going out for… a walk.”
“What? What about the other agenda?”
“Postpone it. It’s not urgent anyway!”
Hennessey immediately stood up and hurried out.
To our anonymous author,
We are sending your royalty payment of 1 silver per copy for Volume 1 of Nobility and Protestant Ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, and The Open Society and Its Enemies.
Someone finally bought my book!
In truth, Hennessey had a secret dream.
Rather than being known as the chairman of the Kalinos Elder Council, he wanted to quietly gain recognition as a famous author.
So he had published a self-improvement book under a pen name that nobody knew.
But…
More than a year had passed, and not a single person had bought it.
I’m not the kind of man who gives up.
So I spent my own money on advertising.
He invested in the biggest bookstore in the capital, filling an entire display shelf with copies of his book,
Nobility and Protestant Ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, and The Open Society and Its Enemies.
Apparently the promotion had worked.
Just one month after starting the campaign…
One whole copy had sold.
He hurried excitedly toward the bookstore.
But when he arrived, he froze.
His books were being dumped off the display shelf in piles.
“H-Hey.”
“Yes?”
The young clerk removing stacks of books looked at him impatiently.
“Sir, could you move? I’m busy.”
“Why are you taking those books down?”
“They don’t sell. Stuff like this belongs on the bottom shelf now.”
“…Actually, it’d probably be better to just shred them or throw them away.”
“W-What did you say?”
“Please step aside. Seriously, who even writes books like this? Must be some pathetic person.”
Even though Hennessey was actually one of the Empire’s most influential figures, his shoulders drooped.
If I published under my real identity as chairman of the Kalinos Elder Council, plenty of people would buy it…
…But my pride won’t allow that.
Watching his books fall to the floor, he swallowed back tears.
My book simply wasn’t born in the right era.
Pulling his hat lower over his face, he sadly turned to leave the display.
Thenâ
A cheerful female voice rang through the bookstore.
“Hey, you there. The rude little guy with no eye for qualityâand a heart as small as your height.”
“Huh? Lady, what did you just call me? Little guy? Ha!”
“What? How did you immediately know I meant you? Were you already thinking that yourself?”
Sometimes one personal insult hit harder than a hundred ordinary ones.
“H-How… rude…”
“So what? You were rude first.”
She lightly nudged the pile of books the clerk had carefully stacked with the tip of her foot.
The books collapsed like dominoes and scattered across the floor.
The clerk stared in disbelief before angrily pointing at her.
“What do you think you’re doing?! When was I ever rude?”
“Mhm, mhm. You weren’t rude at all~”
“What are you talking about?”
The woman cupped her face with both hands and smiled sweetly.
“Mhm~ So bookstore workers are allowed to insult other people’s books now?”
The clerk looked completely overwhelmed.
“…So… is this because I criticized this book? You’re offended because of that, customer?”
She lowered her hands and smirked.
“Nope. You’re a child and I’m an adult.”
“You should show respect to your elders.”
“Don’t you know Confucianism?”
“…Huh? What’s Confucianism?”
“…That’s exactly why you can’t appreciate Nobility and Protestant Ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, and The Open Society and Its Enemies.”
The author of Nobility and Protestant Ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, and The Open Society and Its Enemiesâ
Hennesseyâ
could only stare blankly.
…I don’t even know what Confucianism is.
Still, hearing someone mention his book for the very first time made his heart race, and he quietly continued watching.
Until the woman landed a direct hit on his heart.
“You know… that book?”
“It’s actually pretty good.”
“It’s fun to read.”
“…”
The fleeing bookstore clerk no longer mattered to him at all.
She… she said my book was fun?
Staring blankly at the only copy that had ever been sold, Hennessey quickly turned toward the woman, his eyes shining brightly.
