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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
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Chapter 2 – I Want To Break Off The Engagement
Selina was dumbfounded.
“Are you seriously going to use the royal decree you got as a birthday present the other day like this?”
“Yes, that’s how desperate I am!”
“Are you a child? How can you, someone who’s already debuted in society, fall for a girl and use a royal decree to ask me to become a villainess? Are you crazy?”
“I’m crazy, insane, out of my mind. That’s how people in love are. Don’t you know? If you don’t, go study. After marriage, you’ll have to at least pretend to love Young Master Patel, right?”
Selina, speechless for a moment, hardened her expression.
“You can never become a villainess with words like that, so you better think again. Honestly, get a grip and grow up. ”
Hearing this Selina turned to leave. Eric shouted,
“Exclusive rights!”
Selina stopped.
“I’ll continue to support your business even after I become emperor. How about I promise you exclusive rights to three items after you inherit the business?”
Exclusive rights granted by the imperial family.
It was as good as a promise of immense wealth.
And not just one, but three items. Selina turned around.
“I get to choose the items, right?”
“Not essential goods like wheat or salt. You know that. But other than that, I’ll give you exclusive rights.”
Even Count Arsene, Selina’s father and a comrade of the current emperor, hadn’t been able to secure exclusive rights.
For Selina, who wanted to become the head of the family and lead the business, it was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
“Write a contract so you don’t go back on your word later.”
“Hey, I’m the Crown Prince. Do you think I’d go back on my word?”
“Write a contract so you don’t say anything different later.”
“Fine, I’ll write it. But do your job properly. If this contract gets out, it’s all over. Got it?”
“Okay. I’m staking my reputation on this. You better keep your promise.”
The contents of the contract were simple.
[Selina Arsene, the eldest daughter of Count Arsene, enters into a contract with Crown Prince Eric Constantinus Gable of the Sephia imperial family. The details are as follows:
Selina Arsene will play the role of bullying Ingrid Hazel, the third daughter of Baron Hazel, whenever they meet.
This will provide Eric with an excuse to approach Lady Ingrid.
As compensation, Selina will be guaranteed exclusive trading rights for three items, excluding essential goods.
This matter will be kept strictly confidential.
The contract period will last until Eric proposes to Lady Ingrid.
In case of breach of contract, the breaching party will take full responsibility and provide appropriate compensation for damages.]
They each signed and kept a copy of the contract.
And thus, Selina sold her reputation.
For the sake of her foolish friend’s love. For the exclusive rights that would secure her future.
The villainess act started small.
‘Close your eyes and just do it.’
Selina, seeing Ingrid at a ball, approached her with a fruit juice.
“Oh my, I’m so clumsy. But it’s the same color as your dress, so it won’t be noticeable, right?”
She spilled the juice on Ingrid’s shabby dress and made a big fuss about it.
The next day, Eric, as if waiting for the opportunity, gifted Ingrid a new dress as an apology on behalf of his friend, and Selina also sent a small accessory out of guilt.
It was an expensive accessory compared to the ruined dress, but she sent it with an apology message, feeling remorseful.
Thus, over the past two years, Ingrid’s social appearances increased, and so did the amount of gifts from Eric and Selina.
Eric’s demands also increased.
“How can you be so unimaginative? Stop using drinks. Can’t you do something bigger?
“I don’t want to bully her, you know. People don’t know the situation, so they only criticize me. They say I’m terrible and avoid me. How are you going to take responsibility for that?”
“That’s why you have to be clever and not get caught.”
“How can I not get caught? It has to be known for you to step in.”
“Do something that makes me look more heroic. That’s the only way Lady Hazel will fall for me.”
“Easier said than done. A fan club for Lady Hazel formed a year ago, and they’re very wary of me. They form a human shield if I even have food in my hand. It’s hard for me too!”
“How can you complain when Lady Hazel only attends a few parties? Do you know how hard it is to give you exclusive rights? I promised exclusive rights with everything on the line. Do you think it was easy?”
The two, bickering and refusing to back down, eventually turned their heads away with a “Hmph!”
“I’ll do my best to fulfill the contract, so please hurry up and make your move, Your Highness.”
“If you can pull off one big incident, I’ll be able to move faster, Lady Arsene.”
And the big incident that happened three months ago was the fountain incident.
Everyone, including Eric, thought Selina was behind it, but in reality, it wasn’t her doing.
* * *
That day was a celebration for Grand Duke Justia’s victorious return from war.
Selina was quite pleased to see Ingrid wearing the pin and brooch she had gifted her.
As she watched Ingrid laughing brightly by the fountain with a glass of wine, Selina was a bit surprised when Ingrid suddenly approached her.
To think she would leave her usual protective group and come alone.
Ingrid clenched her fists as if she was scared but trying to be brave and said,
“T-to become friends, you have to greet each other properly, right? Hello, Lady Arsene.”
At that moment, Eric’s voice echoed in Selina’s head.
‘How can you be so unimaginative? Stop using drinks. Can’t you do something bigger?’
‘Alright, let’s get creative. I can apologize later. This is a necessary step for Eric and Ingrid to be together.’
Selina, having made up her mind, said with a cold expression,
“What did you just say, Lady?”
“To become friends… greetings…”
“Don’t they teach etiquette at the Baron’s estate?”
Selina intentionally raised her voice.
Eric glanced at where the two were standing.
“How long has it been since your debut, and you still can’t greet properly? In a setting like this, only the person of higher status can end the greeting with ‘hello.’ The person of lower status should add a word or two. It’s polite to mention the weather.”
“Oh, I just…”
Seeing Ingrid trembling, Selina smiled with satisfaction and turned around.
Splash!
Startled by the unexpected sound, she turned back to see Ingrid, soaked from head to toe, having fallen into the fountain.
Ingrid, struggling to get up, said with her eyes barely open,
“I… I’ll be more careful in the future, Lady Arsene.”
Eric and Ingrid’s followers, pale with shock, rushed over.
“Take her to the lounge, quickly!” Eric ordered.
People whispered, saying Selina had pushed Ingrid.
‘I didn’t push her. I didn’t.’
Something was strange. There was no one else nearby, so there was no reason for her to fall into the fountain. Unless she fell in on her own.
Overwhelmed by the accusing stares, Selina eventually left the banquet hall.
She hadn’t even congratulated the Grand Duke on his return from war, but she couldn’t stay there any longer.
“Ah…”
Selina, who was running away, bumped into someone.
“Are you alright?”
Thanks to the other person catching her, she was able to regain her balance.
“Excuse me.”
Without even looking at who she bumped into, Selina immediately got into her carriage and left.
The following three months were a living hell for Selina.
Word quickly spread that Ingrid had been bullied by Selina ever since she made her debut in the society.
Ingrid’s supporters began to demand an apology for Selina’s past wrongdoings.
The bad news didn’t end there.
“The young lady seems to be getting more and more violent as the days go by. I want to break off the engagement.”
It was an engagement that was naturally made when the Arsene and Patel families decided to collaborate on trade.
‘It’s difficult because the trade contract hasn’t been officially signed yet.’
Selina, who had no affection for Morgan Patel but was afraid of the damage it would cause to her family, tried to persuade him somehow.
“The rumors about me circulating in society are exaggerated. How about reconsidering breaking off the engagement after I’ve restored my reputation?”
At those words, Morgan chuckled and said,
“Does the Lady not understand even this simple matter?”
“What does that…”
“Do you think I’m here on my own? This is something the elders of the family have agreed to. I told them how horrible it would be for a young lady who attempted murder to become my wife.”
Selina’s face drained of color as she clenched her fists and drew in a shaky breath.
She couldn’t understand why things had gotten so out of hand.
“I hope you live a little more kindly in the future.”
With these words, Morgan left the room.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
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