Episode 68

"The 'Third-Rate Villainess's Luxury Survival Project.'"

"The third-rate villainess, what?"

"In a nutshell, this is a story revolving a minor villainess striving to carry out a life of opulence."

Neat letters gradually filled the white notebook.

Branches extended in all directions from the protagonist's name.

"Originally, Ruby Zephyrite had the worst reputation. She slapped servants, stalked the prince—"

"I heard all about her wickedness from Lapis."

I spent almost a year with a guy who couldn't stand the mention of his sister.

‘He reached his peak hatred when I asked to work here.’

Thanks to that, I learned all about her unsavory deeds that hadn't been leaked.

How she hired a sorcerer to check her compatibility with the prince or collected the prince's hair to create a love potion.

Ute nodded slowly.

"Since the protagonist ended up in that body, it is her duty to clean up the mess."

"So?"

"The story mainly revolves around that cleanup."

"…Isn't this romance centered?"

"It is."

"Someone is supposed to fall in love with a woman who used to pull people's hair and collect hair strands?"

"That's only because she becomes a completely different person."

Could one truly fall in love, even whilst aware that the contents have been altered?

‘They must have quite the stomach.’

If it were me, I wouldn't associate with someone who swings a bottle of alcohol for no reason.

"If the story goes as the protagonist recalls, Ruby Zephyrite will be thrown in prison."

"Will that really happen?"

"This is a world where justice somewhat prevails."

"…"

"Her family would have turned their backs on her completely by then. I don't remember the original story well, but…"

That is usually the fate of minor villains. He added nonchalantly.

"Therefore, the protagonist will make up her mind. I shouldn't end up like the original! What do you think she will do?"

"Live kindly?"

"That's the basics."

"Apologize? That's also living kindly. What else is there?"

"Start a business."

"…What?"

Why is her thinking so eccentric?

‘With the amount of money allocated to her, it is already more than enough.'

Selling her stored jewels would cover decades of living expenses.

‘Though even that would prove insufficient in the face of the upper class.’

The spending scale of the current Ruby Zephyrite didn't seem so lavish.

Just a few hours ago, she was startled looking at the pearl necklace around her neck.

"Why a business? Is she sick?"

"She wants to amass wealth enough that it doesn't matter if her family disowns her."

"If she lives quietly, they won't disown her."

"She's preparing for the worst."

"So she's challenging the uncertainty of a business?"

Live quietly as a rich man's daughter vs. start an uncertain business.

Isn't the former the obvious choice?

"What if she fails in business? As a marquis's daughter, it might be okay even if she goes broke, but…"

"Well, It's someone else's business, so you don't have to worry about it."

"I'm not worried—"

"She is the main character. Everything she touches shall flourish."

"..."

"I don't recall every detail, but the protagonist knows the original story, so she'll do well. You don't need to worry."

"Um…"

"In summary, the possessed protagonist begins various businesses to avoid the original ending, makes money, gathers men and women by her side, and grows closer to her family!"

Too much has been summarized?

‘How does she get close to her family while starting a business at the same time?’

Even Lapis is too scared to go near the child.

Ute smiled peacefully as if nothing was wrong.

"Any questions?"

"Can I sit up now?"

Right, the immediate issue wasn't the possessed person's future.

As soon as I arrived at the clinic…

I was wrapped in a blanket like a burrito.

‘I didn't even realize I was covered by a blanket because I was so lost in his face.'

When I came to my senses, I was lying down, unable to lift a finger.

"I'm not particularly sick."

"Do you know how many hours it took for you to wake up before?"

His soulless smile deepened.

"It wasn't the first time you got hurt then."

"That’s,"

"Were you planning never to tell if I didn't find out?"

"I,"

"I think I've told you not to take burns lightly before."

"…"

"Sonnet."

"Yes…"

"If you keep hiding things thinking the rumors won’t spread to the clinic, it’ll be upsetting, okay?"

"I wasn't hiding it, just…"

"If you say it wasn't a big deal, I'll really get mad."

Using beauty to cheat…

His face neared so close that my judgment was paralyzed.

As I obediently closed my eyes per his wishes, Ute beamed angelically and patted my forehead.

The shadow of his broad hand flickered in my vision.

"Should I match the female lead with the love candidate like I did with the countess?"

"No."

"What…?"

"The romance will come later. The love candidates will eventually develop that affection towards the female lead, but she needs to take care of her future first."

"Then?"

"Becoming a business tycoon comes first."

Ute spoke in a sweet tone.

"Ruby Zephyrite has to become the most influential businesswoman in the Empire."

Ute. Nonsense will forever remain nonsense.

---

Ruby Zephyrite ceased all external activities.

And for days, she filled pages with incomprehensible letters.

‘Letters I've never seen before.'

Unless there was a commotion, the lady never noticed my presence behind her.

Thanks to that, I could meticulously copy her notes over her shoulder.

‘Ute seems to know what it means.’

How on earth?

‘Possession, they say…’

I only learned about souls briefly in cultural theology.

Some people claim to have returned from the future, so the situation of a soul being transferred wasn’t particularly surprising…

‘Though, I wonder what the world that person originally came from looks like—’

Knock knock.

My thoughts were quickly broken.

The servant who knocked was trembling pitifully.

"Young, young lord Knox has visited. He is waiting in the drawing room."

"Who came?"

"Eek! I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"No, uh… Don't bang your head! Don't bang your head!"

The young servant, who seemed ready to kneel, and the flustered lady…

I quietly observed the chaos and then spoke.

"The young lord, your fiancé, has come."

"…Fiancé? My fiancé?"

"Yes. This is not a previously arranged appointment. Should I inform him to come back another day?"

"No, no. Tell him I'm coming right away!"

At my brief nod, the servant hurriedly left.

"The drawing room? …Is it downstairs?"

"Yes. …Are you going like that?"

"Yes, why? Isn't it better than making him wait for nothing?"

The simple indoor dress wasn't suitable for receiving guests, but……

‘When did Ruby Zephyrite ever live with courtesy?’

I neither affirmed nor denied as I stepped out into the hallway.

‘The fiancé was also one of her love candidates.’

I was slightly curious about how a relationship that was already broken would be restored.

Her face, devoid of makeup, appeared gentler than before.

"My lady, hold on."

"Mm?"

"You and the young lord have known each other for a long time."

"Uh, okay?"

"You speak informally to each other."

Her golden eyes widened slightly.

"It's been a while."

"Uh, yes, right. It's been a while."

The two sitting across from each other appeared anything but friendly.

Gripping the hem of her dress, the lady spoke first.

"I, I'm sorry!"

"…What?"

"I want to apologize for the rudeness I’ve shown you…"

The man's eyebrows shot up.

"Rudeness, like what?"

"Just, my every… various behaviors?"

Whether she was pricked by guilt or knew something.

Repeating her apology incoherently, the lady clapped her hands and made a proposal.

"Um, so, I was thinking about breaking our engagement."

Hey! Ute Velvet!

‘Didn't you say the romance would take care of itself?’

I couldn't interfere here either.

As I rolled my eyes, the fiancé sighed.

"Apologizing out of the blue and then calling off the engagement?"

What I'm saying.

"That would be better for you, right?"

Well, it would be.

"Is that all?"

"What?"

"Is that all you have to say?"

A deep, resigned sigh.

The man with dark blue hair brushed his bangs back and muttered bitterly.

"I knew you wouldn't care, but…"

"What?"

"Lady Zephyrite."

Within his bluish-gray eyes, the desire to tear his opponent apart was clear.

"You forgot something far more important."

---

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