Chapter 45
I don't know if other romance fantasy novels are similar since I haven't read them, but the "protagonist's men" in I Became the Youngest Daughter of a Count Family have incredibly distinct personalities. Age, temperament, status, talents... It's no exaggeration to say they have nothing in common except their obsession with the protagonist and their good looks.
Among them, there's this recurring pattern: "Especially clear aptitudes." Whenever the protagonist gets into a bind, a genius hunk in that exact field shows up out of nowhere to help her for free. For example? If she's struggling with tough homework, she bumps into a handsome, smart guy who helps her out gratis.
And this trait doesn't spare her fiancé either!
"Pleased to meet you, Your Grace Duke Somac. And Baron Somac. I'm Kang Moon-soo from Chimac County."
"Kang Moon-soo? Unusual name."
"Welcome."
The sleek, middle-aged man reminiscent of a leopard was Duke Somac, and the smaller leopard beside him was the protagonist's fiancé and heir, Baron Somac. The Somac family, inheriting royal and founding merit bloodlines, were depicted as generations of heavy drinkers and natural-born warriors.
Not that it mattered much.
Since no wars broke out until the novel's end, the Somac talents never saw the light of day.
Maybe that's why? Despite being the protagonist's fiancé, Baron Somac was portrayed as lacking as a husband.
"Seeing me was your wish?"
"Yes."
"Wish granted."
"......"
The noble father and son who acknowledged my greeting showed no desire to chat with me at length.
"Anything else you want to say before you leave?"
"Your Grace is gathering beer to invade the Empire's colonies—"
Thwack!
Startled by my words, Duke Somac slammed his palm on the table and shot to his feet.
"Who are you?!"
"Kang Moon-soo."
"Where did you hear that from, and from whom? If you want to leave here alive, confess now!"
"I read it in a book. Not from a person."
Not a lie.
"A book...?"
"A book that records the future."
That's two volumes so far. I have three more volumes' worth of future info!
...Or so I'd pompously claim, but the future knowledge from the novel was extremely limited.
Can't be helped.
Maybe the author didn't want to turn the protagonist into a spinster past her prime? The novel only covers four years, from her 16th birthday to her 20th—not her entire life as the beautiful noble girl Anjilina Chimac.
And due to the genre, it's heavily skewed toward her romances, so I only vaguely know the major historical events. Even those are limited to the kingdom and imperial capital, her main stages... I know zilch about the global situation.
"Nonsense."
"Then here's more info. Baron Somac."
"What?"
"You know this woman. Valentine—"
Thwack!
This time, the son slammed the table and stood.
"How do you know she woke up?!"
"I just told you—I read it in the book? She's the woman you were secretly meeting, away from your fiancée."
"It's true we met, but I did nothing misunderstood!"
"I know. I'm telling you the future."
"Ah!"
In the original novel, where the protagonist made no mistakes, it unfolded like this: Fiancé Baron Somac gets caught cheating, but the duke's family—who treasured their son—covers for him... Enraged, the protagonist retaliates by starting her reckless hunk-collecting (romance) spree.
Already doomed, though.
He got caught cheating first, leading to a baseless breakup. Innocent commoners died in the war between the two families... How they avoided backlash is a mystery.
Really weird.
It felt like some invisible force was protecting the patient.
"Anjilina said something similar when she got caught kissing her guard knight. 'Aren't you meeting that Valentine woman too?'"
"She has a similar book as me."
"...Unbelievable."
But just seeing the two nobles focus on my words without chasing me out told me everything. They were almost convinced. One more step to full belief.
"The Empire is growing steeply under the young emperor's excellent rule. He's rated the greatest emperor in history."
This wasn't my opinion—it was canon, so certain.
"...True."
Even the duke admitted it.
"But his excellence has a side effect: growing discontent among the nobles. They can't stand the Empire's overflowing power just sitting idle."
"...That's true too."
To summarize part of volume 3's plot: A disgruntled imperial noble rep—who happened to be a total hunk—falls for the protagonist on sight after she meets the emperor and abandons the war!
So no war happens. Anyway, knowing the future let me seize conversation control easily, giving me breathing room.
"Your Grace. Any other questions?"
Now I was asking if he had anything to say.
Without displeasure, he replied, "What happens to House Somac?"
"It vanishes."
"What?!"
Thwack!
This table might shatter soon.
"Since Anjilina Chimac, your former fiancée, never bears the duke's heirs, the line ends."
"Haha..."
Thud!
Expecting rebuttal, I was surprised when Duke Somac meekly sat back down, accepting it.
Why? In his stead, Baron Somac sighed and explained.
"Kang Moon-soo, as you said, the Empire's power is growing terrifyingly fast. To survive, we must unite the kingdom's full might against them. No room for infighting."
"And that prince shows up over one girl, splitting the kingdom's power...!"
Duke Somac vented his frustration.
"I planned to forgive Lady Chimac and marry quickly. To reunite our once-allied houses against the Empire. But the prince interfered and ruined it."
Irony at its finest. Duke Somac builds strength against imperial ambitions, while the prince sabotages the marriage to check that power...
Tangled up real good, huh?
They'd self-destruct without my meddling!
I wanted to laugh.
"I was even ready to hand over our iron mines—one of our key revenues—to House Chimac to mend ties. Otherwise, this kingdom falls."
"Father?"
"But Kang Moon-soo, hearing you changed my mind. A surviving nation means nothing if the house dies out."
Correction: Without my intervention, it'd follow the original plot.
"You believe me?"
"Have to. You know the Empire's state clearer than I, the kingdom's sole duke, barely grasped."
Simple, obvious reason to believe. This was the medieval era!
Not modern Earth, where you could log online and get detailed news from the antipodes in seconds.
"Glad to hear it."
"Now I'm curious. Why'd a future-knower like you seek me out of all the royals and nobles?"
Duke Somac pinned the core with a sharp gaze.
Cool.
The author, chasing hunk variety like ice cream flavors, dumped all unlikable or unnecessary traits on the fiancé: philandering, hot-tempered, aggressive, battle-mad... Justifying readers' view that the protagonist deserved better than marrying him.
But they didn't know this: "Somac Empire."
"What...?"
"Don't you want to build a nation that loves beer?"
This hunk, hated by his creator, was a born tyrant.
* * *
War, regardless of era, makes commoners' lives hell. That's why we call war-starters "tyrants"—though historians slap different titles on those who succeed at land-grabs: Great Emperor, Sage King, Hero, Hegemon...
Fits the saying perfectly: Kill a thousand, you're a murderer; kill ten thousand, you're a hero.
In other words, "Tyrants aren't always bad!"
Those who've lost loved ones won't agree, but from a big-picture view? Different story.
Don't our history books prove it? They package successful tyrants' "achievements" to record history.
"Kang Moon-soo, from today, you're my son's teacher."
"Pardon?"
"To give future advice freely in private without awkwardness, teacher fits best."
"Ah!"
Deep meaning there!
"And I'll enfeoff you as a baron. Landless knight-noble, but it'll aid external activities."
"Thank you!"
Me, a noble? One day!
"Due to retainers' backlash, that's all I can do. Don't know your goal in seeking me, but for advancement, rack up real merits."
"Of course."
"Formal announcement later, but let's get along. Baron Molrang!"
"Molrang..."
I almost mentioned my surname "Kang" from my parents, but stopped.
It's a dream.
No attachment to a throwaway house name.
"Know the origin of Molrang?"
"No."
Not curious, either.
"It's the name of the pet raised by a legendary sage said to know all the world's secrets."
"Ah, I see."
A pet's name... Better not knowing.
"Baron Molrang."
"Yes."
"My spy in House Chimac says you have considerable spear talent."
"Just good stamina."
"Humility's a double-edged sword for nobles. Remember that. To avoid disdain from other nobles or commons, you must bluff too."
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Good. Head to the training grounds behind the mansion. The knight commander—who dislikes your barony—wants to see your skills."
"...Understood."
A commoner rising without merits? Unsurprising resentment.
Felt once more: No free lunches in this world.
"For Somac."
"For Somac."
They shouted the slogan in a pose like the Statue of Liberty holding a goblet instead of a torch! A traditional Somac rite, passed down generations.
This detail wasn't in the novel...
After joining Duke Somac in it, I left the study.
Behind the mansion, he said? I'd spent two days crash-learning noble etiquette here, but it was so vast I still got lost.
"Where am I... Hm?"
"Haa..."
A woman who broke her promise to let me meet Duke Somac was leaving the mansion with listless steps.
"Didn't go as planned, huh."
"Mock away. You earned it."
Not bad, but for the greater good, I'd overlook petty grudges.
"I could help you."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm Baron Molrang, teacher to Baron Somac."
"Pardon?"
"Very close."
"Ah! You tricked me?!"
"Not the words of someone who broke a promise."
"R-Right. Sorry, Baron Molrang."
Her attitude turned polite at "noble."
Bluffing is a virtue!
Practicing the noble mindset Duke Somac taught.
"That lady—"
"Lady Anmirina Chimac."
"......"
"Sorry for interrupting, Baron Molrang."
"I can convince Baron Somac to pair with Lady Chimac."
"Really?!"
"But I need Lady Chimac's cooperation. The houses' rift is real."
"Please tell me. Lady Anmirina truly adores Baron Somac!"
"Even against Count Chimac's will?"
"...She wants to be called Duchess Somac."
Meaning she'd betray family for marriage to her love! Perfect tyrant's wife.
"Good answer. I need time to persuade Baron Somac too, so meet again in two days."
"Thank you so much! Baron Molrang!"
"No problem."
Good for me too!
The closest are often the biggest threats.
That'll snap her awake.