Chapter 60

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 60

Chapter Title: Let Them Eat Cake

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Most of the information about what Hilia was up to had ended up in Evangeline's hands.

Of course, that was only the information Hilia had deemed safe to let fall into Evangeline's grasp.

As she gathered and reviewed the reports, Evangeline tilted her head in puzzlement.

"Buying up large quantities of supplies for the banquet was expected, but this is way more than I thought..."

The handsome man sitting across from her grinned slyly and spoke up.

His short, chestnut-brown hair swayed lightly, and his pale gray eyes sparkled behind his monocle.

"She's never hosted a proper banquet before, so it's only natural. Nothing like you, Lady Evangeline."

He was Wilhelm Philermo, the publisher of Epistola, the newsletter sweeping through the capital's salon scene.

He had started with salon gossip sheets and eventually built a full-fledged press empire.

Naturally, as a regressor who knew the future, Evangeline had taken him in when he was drowning in debt and turned him into this success story in just one year.

Now, the central social salons clamored to carry his newsletter and contribute articles.

'Of course, my connection to Bill remains our little secret.'

Evangeline's dominance over the capital's social circles owed much to Wilhelm's newsletter.

And it wasn't just the nobility under its influence.

Affluent commoners who admired the aristocracy sought out copies too, and within days, the information trickled down to the market folk.

She had the press fully in her pocket.

Evangeline gazed at Wilhelm with a smug smile.

He was one of the talents she had claimed by altering the "original story" to her side.

A spoil of war, so to speak.

Until recently, the crown jewel among her spoils had been the male lead, Ludwig.

But not anymore.

'That alcoholic trash is useless now, original male lead or not... except for one thing.'

Wilhelm, on the other hand, was still a source of satisfaction.

His looks were decent enough, and so were his abilities.

Plus, he worshipped her like a goddess.

Unlike in the original story.

In the original, countless talents had devoted themselves to the heroine by chance or fate.

Now, they were all hers.

Wilhelm was a prime example.

Evangeline extended her hand with a gentle smile.

"You're the only one I can rely on, Wilhelm."

His eyes lit up.

"I'll give it my all, my lady."

He kissed the back of her hand repeatedly, with fervent passion.

After Ludwig's downfall, the men around Evangeline now dared to harbor hopes.

She was giving them far more openings than before.

Just like now.

It tempted them to think that devoted service might one day make them her one and only.

Sensing his mood, Evangeline smiled faintly.

Still, she didn't let go of her lingering doubts.

"She's buying up specialties from everywhere. Eastern crude salt and boiled salt, massive amounts of wheat and butter, lard, other animal fats, and sugar from the south. Alcohol, livestock, poultry, and seafood regardless of region—not to mention those. Barley and turnips from the west..."

It was true that a grand banquet like this required enormous supplies.

"That's why transport ships are moving in droves. Nearly double the usual amount. And most of those supplies are headed to the Crown Prince's Palace."

Wilhelm jeered at Hilia, picking faults on purpose.

"What kind of banquet needs barley or turnips? I can understand oil, wheat, or sugar, but..."

"Who knows..."

"At any rate, the capital's buzzing thanks to it. The Crown Prince's Palace is spending freely."

"True enough. And on the same day, Lady Quinibel's ball is set for the Empress's Palace."

"That's why, surprisingly, the Delphin Duchess isn't faring too badly in the eyes of capital merchants and commoners alike. As long as she's spending money."

"The brainless swine can't help it. But it still pisses me off."

It was only natural. The capital's merchants were thriving thanks to Hilia.

Noticing Evangeline's irritation, Wilhelm quickly soothed her.

"Even so, Artanus Hall will be empty. All those supplies will just go to waste with no one to use them."

"Exactly. That's how it'll go. No—that's how we'll make it go."

After a moment of thought, Evangeline snapped her fingers.

"Ah! What if we spread a rumor like this? Hilia Delphin telling starving beggars, 'If you're hungry, just eat cake.'"

Wilhelm's eyes flashed sharply.

"Brilliant idea."

Wilhelm's newsletter featured various articles and illustrations.

Even illiterate commoners sought out its pictures and caricatures.

Wilhelm began jotting down instructions for the illustrations.

"We can draw her with an arrogant expression, tossing out lavish party food while saying that to the beggars."

"Yes! That's perfect!"

The ignorant masses would take a single drawing in the newsletter as fact, regardless of whether she'd actually said it.

"As expected of you, Lady Evangeline. Your ideas are genius."

Evangeline grinned wickedly.

'I'm just recycling memories from Earth, but hey, I'm the first to think of it here. Doesn't matter.'

Ruining the Artanus Hall banquet and humiliating her with a dress wouldn't be enough.

'I need even the commoners spitting on her in contempt.'

Wilhelm pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket.

"And with the front-page story planned for the banquet day, the Delphin lady's downfall is all but assured!"

This was a sample of the newsletter set to publish in three days.

It depicted two ladies.

Hilia's ridiculous figure, humiliated while imitating someone beautiful.

And Evangeline, shining steadfastly before her.

Evangeline beamed at it.

"Yes. That's exactly how it'll be."

Just like in the drawing.

She was confident. Everything was perfectly in place.

I let out a long sigh and stretched my exhausted body—tense from constant vigilance—across the chaise longue.

"Ah, pretending to be a clueless idiot is seriously exhausting."

Before me stood the dress that Mrs. Philern and the Kemal atelier staff had fitted me into earlier, now displayed on a mannequin.

Annie, who had kept her mouth shut throughout the entire fitting, frowned at the sight of it.

"This is just awful. It doesn't suit Your Highness's skin or hair color at all."

And Mrs. Philern and the atelier staff had praised it effusively, without end.

All to ensure I chose and wore it.

I smiled bitterly.

"Of course. They tailored it to suit Evangeline."

It was clearly made far inferior and less glamorous than the one for Evangeline.

Evangeline's scheme was obvious as daylight.

'She plans to show up on banquet night in a similar dress, but far prettier and more luxurious, to embarrass me.'

She'd tried the same at my wedding.

She'd picked out my wedding dress, after all.

And before my regression, she'd shown up in nearly identical outfits multiple times at important events to shame me.

"My, jealous of my place as the flower of society? If you're going to copy me, at least do it right."

Annie clicked her tongue at the dress, a product of Evangeline's elaborate scheme.

"Now that I see it... it really doesn't compare."

I chuckled.

"Doesn't it?"

I knew exactly what dress Annie was comparing it to.

Lady Isepin Solenu—or rather, Rita Morgan...

'No, Frida Wes now. She's a true genius.'

Frida Wes was the new alias I'd given Isepin.

And just recently, she'd opened a dazzling shop in the district of high-end ateliers.

Of course, she wasn't taking customers yet, and no sample dresses were on display.

Designer Frida Wes's debut—and her atelier's first creation—would premiere at the Artanus Hall banquet.

"The dress I'll wear is incomparably beautiful."

Annie nodded eagerly, her face flushed.

"Yes! It's like something out of a dream. Everyone at the banquet will be stunned by Your Highness's beauty!"

I smiled back at her.

Today was the final dress fitting before the banquet.

On the actual night, people from the Crown Prince's Palace and Isepin herself would dress me.

We wouldn't let Mrs. Philern or the Kemal atelier staff anywhere near.

'Mrs. Philern will probably be too busy fawning over Evangeline to even show up...'

At any rate, that meant...

"No need to keep this tacky dress around anymore."

As if she'd been waiting for my words, Annie's eyes sparkled.

"So, what should we do with it?"

Truth be told, I wanted to burn it or rip it to shreds like my wedding dress.

But that seemed like a waste of resources.

The dress itself was innocent, after all.

As I pondered...

Annie leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"...How about this?"

I was shocked. Annie, scheming like this?

"Do you know how furious I've been watching the Ruth Marquis's Daughter's faction scheme around Your Highness?"

Her small shoulders trembled with rage.

"It's perfect. She'll be humiliated tenfold. Please allow it, Your Highness!"

"Annie... but if we do, Evangeline's wrath might turn on you too..."

Annie smiled brightly, with unwavering conviction.

"I'm not worried at all. Your Highness will protect me, right?"

"......"

I was at a loss for words.

But Annie's anger and courage stirred my heart.

This wasn't like before my regression. She wouldn't be sacrificed pointlessly again.

I'd protect her, no matter what.

I nodded.

A few more words, and Annie's eyes widened.

"...We can really do that?"

"Yes. And don't worry. It won't end up like this. I'll make it far prettier."

Isepin was due to arrive secretly tonight.

Along with the finest seamstresses I'd assembled.

Right on cue, a servant handed me a note from the Black Mercenary Corps.

The message was simple.

Excellent news. All preparations were now complete.

'The banquet's just days away. Three days...'

By then, everything I'd prepared would come to light.

And everyone would know.

'Who the real protagonist is.'

The banquet night couldn't come soon enough, for so many reasons.