Chapter 844 – 844. A Tyrant For You
“The items you requested?”
“Yes, yes. I’ve brought everything you asked for: the dress, the jewelry, and all the other items.”
Linda sensed something was off. Vermer didn’t seem like someone who had come to collect a debt. Rather, he was having his servants deliver gifts to Layla.
“I felt awkward coming empty-handed, so I brought these gifts.”
“What are they?”
“They’re the finest chocolates made by Chef Nunu. They’re all the rage in the West right now. I’m sure Miss Valentine will be pleased.”
“I’ll accept them gratefully. As for the payment for these items… put it on my tab.”
“Yes, I will.”
Vermer’s gaze shifted to the side. He met Linda’s eyes. Vermer smiled and said,
“Miss Linda Valentine, is it? I’ve heard about you. I understand you’re making your debutante this time… Indeed. You are Miss Layla’s younger sister. Your beauty is quite striking. With your looks, Miss Linda, your debutante will surely be a success.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Viscount Skellogg.”
After a brief conversation, they ended up having a meal together. Vermer didn’t even bring up the topic of debt collection. He ignored Count Valentine and only paid attention to Layla and Linda.
Linda looked for an opportunity to speak with Vermer alone. It was strange that Vermer was being so friendly, unlike in the original story, but this was perfect for her plan.
“Viscount Vermer, could you spare me 15 minutes alone?”
“15 minutes? Of course. Is there something you don’t like about the dress I brought?”
“No, I love the dress. It’s more than I deserve.”
“Haha. It’s a masterpiece created by a famous dwarven designer over three months. I’m glad you like it, Miss.”
“Three months? Wasn’t it incredibly expensive?”
“The matter of the price has already been settled with Miss Layla, so you don’t need to worry about it, Miss Linda.”
They had a private conversation. As soon as the meal was over, Layla quickly left for the Imperial Palace in a carriage.
The Valentine estate was close to the Imperial Palace, so it seemed she was often summoned there. Linda later learned from a maid that Layla seemed to have a considerable friendship with Ernel Reist, the Emperor’s betrothed.
‘Looks like the villainesses have something in common.’
Linda didn’t think much of it. This world was already different from the original novel. Trying to figure out every reason would only give her a headache. She didn’t even know why Vermer was being so friendly right now.
“Viscount Vermer, I have a good business idea. Would you be willing to invest in it?”
It was somewhat rude. But Vermer didn’t get angry at all. Linda, who had been tense, felt deflated.
“Oh, a business? I’ll listen to what you have to say.”
“I know there are coffee trees in the West. Do you know about coffee?”
“In the West, some people drink it often instead of tea.”
“I want to open a café using that coffee.”
Linda spoke confidently. She began to persuade Vermer using her modern knowledge. The 15 minutes they had agreed upon turned into 30 minutes, then an hour.
Vermer looked at Linda with genuine admiration.
“…Amazing. It’s very detailed. I never imagined there could be so many recipes for coffee. My gut tells me this café will be a goldmine! Recently, the Empire has become very wealthy after conquering two kingdoms! The café will provide pleasure to the wealthy citizens of the Empire and rake in money!”
“There are some problems, though…”
Linda smiled faintly. She wanted to shout and run around the room.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it. So, about the contract fee… I don’t think I can offer much.”
“I know. The café is my idea, but it wouldn’t be possible without your help, Viscount Vermer.”
“You’re not disappointed.”
“I’m thinking about other things besides the café.”
“May I ask what they are?”
“It’s a secret. Why would I tell you?”
“Haha… I should get closer to you, Miss.”
After Vermer left, Linda let out a shout of joy. Things were going well.
***
Three weeks passed in a flash.
During that time, Linda had been very busy. She worked on her appearance, learned etiquette, and planned her business. She had grown quite fond of Vermer from meeting him so often.
And she was once again amazed by Vermer’s abilities. Vermer had set up a café in just a week. Not just one, but five. Three of them were in the capital and were already incredibly popular.
“How is it, sister? Is this good enough?”
Linda stood naked in front of Layla. She had felt uncomfortable at first, but now she didn’t mind at all.
Her skin was glowing, and her breasts had swelled to a nice E-cup. The hair in her private area was also neatly trimmed.
“Perfect, Linda. Always stay calm. Remember my words. Always stay calm.”
“Yes, sister. I’ll make my debutante a success.”
“……”
Layla looked at her younger sister with a complex expression and nodded.
Linda was full of confidence. She had made Vermer an ally and was smoothly paying off the family’s debts. If she could also win over the Emperor… the tragic end of the original novel’s heroine would not happen to her.
With the help of Layla and a maid, Linda put on a somewhat provocative white panty and garter belt, and a flamboyant light green dress. After her hair and makeup were done, a beauty no less stunning than Layla was born. Linda looked in the mirror and smiled, a smile she had practiced dozens of times a day. It was a pure and refreshing smile that made her want to fall in love with herself.
“Linda, there’s something you need to keep in mind.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“…Never go against Princess Reist. Never.”
Layla said with a more serious face than ever before.
***
Linda was very excited about the banquet.
A party. It was a party in a romance fantasy world, so it was impossible not to be excited. It was a kind of fantasy she had as a fan of romance fantasy novels.
At 6 PM, she entered the Great Hall of the Imperial Palace, where the banquet was being held.
The Great Hall was magnificent, and elegant nobles dressed in finery were enjoying the banquet. The pleasant music was soothing to the ears.
“……?”
Linda felt something was off as soon as she entered the banquet hall. The atmosphere was different from what she had imagined. It was tense. The nobles were smiling, but their eyes were coldly observing their surroundings.
A handsome young man approaching a young lady to ask her to dance? That didn’t happen. The young men gathered among themselves and whispered. They didn’t even approach the women.
And the Emperor’s throne remained empty.
The one who had taken the place of the Emperor as the main figure of the banquet was a beautiful woman. Long silver hair, red eyes, a voluptuous figure, and a face like a sculpture. Her red dress was alluring, and the hand holding the fan was incredibly elegant.
She seemed to be the only one purely enjoying the banquet, more beautiful than any other woman in the hall.
‘Ernel Reist….’
Linda savored her name in her mouth. The greatest villainess of the original novel. Getting involved with Ernel would only bring physical and mental pain. She had to avoid her as much as possible.
Linda turned her gaze away from Ernel. And the most concerning thing. The young ladies and noblewomen passing by were looking at her with pity. That bothered her a lot.
As she was feeling uneasy, a woman of her age approached her and bowed politely.
“Hello, Miss Linda Valentine.”
Her long brown hair swayed softly, and her green eyes sparkled. Her slightly drooping eyes reminded her of a gentle puppy.
Linda knew at once. She was Mura Joland, the only trustworthy friend of the original novel’s protagonist.
“Hello, Miss Joland.”
“Oh my, do you know me?”
“Of course. Miss Joland’s beauty is already famous.”
“Ah, that’s… embarrassing…”
Mura blushed as if she was shy. Linda almost hugged her tightly at that cute reaction.
“Miss Joland, are you also making your debutante?”
“Yes. I am a debutante… but I haven’t received a single dance request. Am I not charming enough?”
“I’m the same. The gentlemen of the Empire must be shy, so don’t worry about it. Oh, please call me Linda.”
“Please call me Mura too, Linda!”
“Yes, Mura!”
Linda smiled. She had liked her character in the original novel, but she liked her even more now that she saw her in person.
Linda spent time talking with Mura.
Slap!
A sharp sound of flesh hitting flesh was heard. Linda and Mura were startled and turned their heads toward the source of the sound.
“Are you kidding me? Why are you looking at me with those eyes?!”
In the center of the banquet hall, Ernel shouted angrily. In front of her was an old woman who had fallen to the floor. A red handprint remained on the old woman’s white cheek.
“…Marchioness Elmarimans…”
Mura muttered the old woman’s name softly.
Marchioness Elmarimans.
The wife of the Marquis Elmarimans, who dominated the eastern part of the Empire.
Linda’s face hardened. Even if Ernel was the daughter of Grand Duke Reist, this was clearly crossing the line.
“Please don’t bother me. If you’re old, you should know your place…”
Soon, the nobles would rush to criticize Ernel and support Marquis Elmarimans. Marquis Elmarimans, who was known for his fiery temper, might even strike Ernel.
But Linda’s thoughts were wrong. No one stepped forward. Rather, they pretended not to notice, trying not to make eye contact with Ernel.
Marquis Elmarimans ran over. He, who was nicknamed the Tiger of the Empire, knelt before Ernel and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Miss Ernel. My wife has been rude. Please forgive her just this once.”
“…I’m sorry, Miss Ernel. I… was presumptuous…”
Marquis Elmarimans and his wife apologized to Ernel.
Ernel clicked her tongue and swung her foot. Her black shoe hit Marquis Elmarimans’ head. Blood flowed from the Marquis’s head.
“I’m sorry, Miss Ernel.”
“I’m sorry… please forgive me…”
“Ha… how boring.”
Ernel sneered at them, kicked the Marchioness in the abdomen, and walked away. The Marchioness couldn’t get up easily and lay on the floor, trembling, before being helped out of the banquet hall by the Marquis.
Ernel didn’t care and continued talking with her group, and the nobles in the banquet hall acted as if nothing had happened.
“…Miss Ernel is so scary…”
“Yes…”
Linda, who had given a suitable response to Mura, trembled at the strangeness of this banquet.
***
10 PM.
As soon as the bell rang, people left like a receding tide. Linda and Mura, who were flustered, tried to follow them, but Layla blocked their way.
“Sister?”
“Don’t move. The debutante isn’t over. Miss Joland, don’t move either.”
Not only Layla but also other young ladies blocked them. Feeling intimidated, Linda and Mura held each other’s hands tightly.
Soon, only the young ladies remained in the banquet hall. There were about 150 of them. In the center was Ernel. She looked around once and, arrogantly fanning herself, said,
“Everyone who’s supposed to be here has stayed. Follow me.”
Her words were polite, but her voice was extremely arrogant.
The young ladies followed Ernel to the Golden Swan Palace. It was impossible to escape. There were dozens of female knights around.
They entered the banquet hall of the Golden Swan Palace. All the windows were covered with curtains, candles flickered on the walls, and dim lights twinkled on the ceiling. The place, filled with decadent beauty, was adorned with lavish jewels and food.
“Now, let’s begin our party. Oh, right, I heard there are five debutantes today? Please come forward.”
Linda and Mura swallowed hard. The atmosphere was eerie.
Someone pushed them from behind. It was Layla.
“It’s just a simple initiation. Do as you’re told. Never resist Miss Ernel.”
Layla whispered to them.
In the center of the banquet hall, Ernel stood facing the five young ladies. The five of them stood side by side, their bodies shrinking.
Ernel, who was sitting arrogantly on a fancy chair brought by someone, scanned them with her red eyes.
“Welcome, debutante ladies. I don’t think I need to introduce myself, do I? …Then let’s begin the initiation. Take off your clothes.”
Ernel said.
The young ladies hesitated.
“Hmm. Are you ignoring my orders? Surely the people in charge told you.”
Ernel’s voice became slightly sharp.
Linda understood why Layla had undressed her. Layla had anticipated this situation.
The five young ladies, including Linda, took off their dresses. Of course, their underwear and shoes as well. Naked, they trembled with fear. With over 100 people looking at their bodies, they felt more fear than shame.
In their minds, the words of the Marchioness who had been beaten by Ernel and the senior young ladies who had told them about the banquet echoed: ‘Never resist Miss Ernel.’
“Two are outstanding, and three are… below average.”
Linda knew that it was an evaluation of their appearance. The two were her and Mura. The other three were, at best, of average appearance.
“Mila.”
Ernel called someone’s name.
A young lady came with a large cup in both hands and placed it right in front of Ernel. It looked like a basin rather than a cup. Inside, a clear liquid shimmered.
Ernel chuckled softly. Only Ernel laughed.
Ernel grabbed her red skirt and lifted it up, spreading her legs in an embarrassing way. She put her finger in the center of the black panties covering her private area and pushed it to the side. She revealed her private area without any shame.
“Huuuung….”
Drip, drip, drip.
A golden liquid dripped from her private area into the large cup. The urination continued for more than 10 seconds.
“Hoo…. The celebratory drink for the debutante ladies is complete. Everyone, have a glass. The glasses are your shoes. Surely… you won’t refuse the celebratory drink I prepared, will you?”
Ernel’s red eyes sparkled like jewels.
