Chapter 3
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 3: Semi-Forced Debut
Lydia Ashley Aurelion.
The 7th Imperial Princess of the Aurelion Empire, which could be called the center of the continent.
A popular heroine who appeared in the dating sim Spring of Gran Ark Academy, which Noel loved back when she was ‘Kim Doha’.
She wasn't his number one bias, but she was the second favorite character.
Such a person had made a surprise visit to the Grace Viscountcy right now.
Naturally, with that sudden visit without notice, the Grace Viscountcy was in chaos as if a mana bomb had gone off.
Of course, in visible places, they maintained their elegance like nobles, but just like a swan paddling frantically beneath the surface, the unseen places were a war zone.
They weren't prepared to receive guests, yet a VVIP popped out, so it couldn't be helped.
Moreover, the reason for the visit was even more surprising.
“Did you really write this novel, Lady Noel?!”
She didn't know exactly what twists and turns led to this, but the Imperial Princess had come to meet the author who wrote 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」.
Princess Lydia expressed her interest with twinkling eyes, sparkling as if they would turn into stars.
Facing such a Princess, Noel hid her perplexity and made a desperate effort to grasp and accept the situation.
A VVIP visiting without any notice was shocking enough, but the reason for that VVIP’s visit was a novel she wrote?
A rush of dizziness and confusion hit Noel like inexplicable violence.
And amidst that confusion,
‘Wow! The real Golden Retriever Lydia is right in front of my eyes…!’
As a dating sim otaku, emotion welled up at the fact that she was meeting an original character in the flesh.
Noel’s mind was incredibly busy being both confused and moved.
For reference, "Goldie" was the nickname fans used to call Princess Lydia.
It was attached because her dazzling platinum blonde hair and her max-level affinity personality were just like a Golden Retriever.
Meanwhile, someone else got a nickname closer to a derogatory term like ‘Lewd Pink’ and was ridiculed.
As Noel, who somehow ended up becoming that Pink, she couldn't help but feel complicated.
Anyway, although her appearance was merely that of a precocious 15-year-old lady with two years left until her coming-of-age ceremony, her inside was a member of society who had experienced all sorts of hardships.
Apart from being flustered, Noel stepped forward to respond politely as a loyal member of the Imperial nobility.
“It is an honor to meet you like this, Your Highness. I am Noel Grace.”
If Noel’s tutor Sophie had seen this appearance, she would have been moved to tears saying ‘Teaching her was worth it!’—it was textbook etiquette.
At that greeting, Goldie—no, Princess Lydia also belatedly calmed her excitement and greeted her elegantly.
“I am the 7th Imperial Princess, Lydia Ashley Aurelion. Please, call me comfortably as Lydia. Today, I came to meet the author not as a Princess, but just as a reader.”
Please treat me comfortably.
Hearing Lydia say that, Noel swallowed a groan.
No matter how desperately she thought about it, she still didn't get it.
‘The Princess read the Makjang novel I wrote?’
What on earth happened….
What? She read 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 and became a fan?
How do you know about that?
If she could follow her heart, since she was asked to treat her comfortably, she wanted to just ask openly.
However, just because a high-ranking person tells you to be comfortable, you can’t really be comfortable.
The Princess’s escort knight lady also had stern eyes.
Avoiding the direct speech she usually used, Noel dealt with the uninvited VVIP with the most noble tone possible.
“Princess Lydia. If it is not rude, I would like to ask. Where on earth did you come across the novel I wrote?”
Noel threw the question while desperately feigning composure.
No matter how much she thought, she didn't know.
Considering Sophie Ember’s character, she wouldn't have leaked 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 on her own accord.
Even if this was an Arcane Punk fantasy world where magic engineering was developed, the novel couldn't have grown legs and walked out on its own.
Noel couldn't help but ask through what route the Princess encountered the novel and eventually came to find her.
At Noel’s question,
“I encountered it at a reading session. The novel Lady Noel wrote was recited at the last reading session.”
The Princess informed her with a beaming smile.
Reading session.
The moment she heard that word, Noel felt like thunder struck inside her head.
‘Noah──! This troublemaker!’
It was obvious who the culprit was without even looking.
She thought she had diverted her interest by promising to write a different story, but apparently not.
Due to the unique occupational disease of a web novel author, Noel had prepared a save manuscript (backup) for 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 separately, and it seems her sister secretly took that to the reading session.
If she followed her heart, Noel wanted to find her sister right now and spank her, but,
“W-wait a moment, Your Highness.”
Right now, there was a problem more important than that.
Noel’s cheek twitched as she threw a question, as if she couldn't help but ask more.
“Surely, all the people who attended the reading session that day…?”
Please say it isn't so. Noel’s eyes pleaded.
To those eyes, Princess Lydia responded with a bright smile that would make even a flower feel shy.
“Yes, everyone received a huge shock. To think such an amazing novel existed in the world! Including me, everyone was talking about how we felt like we lived our lives at a loss until now.”
‘Noaaaaah──!’
Noel screamed her sister's name internally once again.
Since she wasn't interested in the details, she didn't pay attention, but the reading session Noah attended was one where a Princess participated.
Surely the other attendees would be illustrious as well.
Thinking that the Makjang adultery novel she wrote was recited and echoed in a place where those who could be called the flowers and stars of the Imperial social circle gathered… it was maddening.
She felt like she could already hear such slander in her ears.
Actually, the gossip of noble ladies or whatever didn't really matter.
On Earth, she made a living writing while eating the malicious comments of extremely spicy readers as a side dish.
Compared to malicious comments that felt like they were gouging out her heart, the slander of nobles in this world wasn't even itchy enough to make her snort.
But that was by Noel’s standards.
Nobles are those who consider honor as their life.
If her parents found out about this fact──?
‘Father is fine. He’s unconditionally on my side. But Mother?’
She might grab her forehead and collapse.
No, it would be better if she only collapsed.
‘Not Noah, but I look like I’m going to get spanked. At this age!’
Then she would spring up and spank the buttocks of her grown daughter.
She couldn't get spanked at this age!
The problem wasn't just that; sparks might fly toward Sophie Ember, who was responsible for her liberal arts education, for no reason.
Considering their bond so far… and above all, considering she had done a lot of eye-shopping thanks to Sophie Ember’s feminine figure, she had to fix this, if only for the grace of her teacher.
‘──But is this a problem that can be fixed?’
It can’t.
No matter how much she thought about it, this was hopeless.
But they say the game ends the moment you give up.
With the determination that it’s not over until it’s over, Noel spat out whatever words came to mind to somehow patch things up.
“My sister committed a rudeness. To let Your Highness hear such a poor piece of work. If you would please overlook this mistake generously──.”
“A poor piece of work?!”
The Princess cut off Noel, who was earnestly pleading for her to just forget it as it was nothing special.
As if she heard something she could absolutely never accept and couldn't let slide.
“Please do not say such things. 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 written by Lady Noel was a truly thrilling and dramatic story. I have never felt such a feeling in my life…. Comparing it to any classic masterpiece, I like 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 more.”
As an author, it was truly pleasing to hear, but as a noble lady, it was maddening to hear.
“So, about that… I have a request.”
Whether she knew her feelings or not, the Princess’s remark continued with a cautious vibe.
“A request, you say?”
She didn't know what request the Princess was going to make, but she didn't really want to hear it.
Still, listening to it was the duty of an Imperial noble.
“Please speak comfortably.”
Noel already felt bad.
Because she vaguely guessed what request she was going to make.
‘Please let it not be that.’
To Noel, who was praying inwardly like that, the Princess spoke while smiling like a fully bloomed flower.
“How about officially publishing the novel Lady Noel wrote? I really want everyone to enjoy such a good work together.”
‘Why? Why must we? Can’t you just enjoy it alone?’
Suppressing the urge to refuse like that, Noel spoke like a noble lady.
“It is undeserved praise. Publishing a messy writing with many shortcomings that only dizzy the eyes is not good for the honor of the Viscountcy, so please──.”
“Ah, if it’s that, it is fine.”
It’s a request, so please die—no, please cancel it.
Noel’s pleading words were cut off before they could even finish.
She didn't even want to know what was fine, but it was because the Princess said this while smiling.
“The Viscount has already said it is good.”
‘Ah, is that so. The outer moat was already filled in.’
Viscount Grace was a man who fit the description of a "Daughter Fool" perfectly.
Surely the Princess must have coaxed him.
Contrary to looking just like a flower in a greenhouse, Princess Lydia was a character with quite deep schemes.
It was like that when playing the dating sim too.
Unlike looking like a graceful princess with a good-natured smile, she often showed a meticulous side.
That’s why she was popular for such a multi-dimensional character, and Noel also considered Princess Lydia her second bias when she was Kim Doha.
But being played by the Princess’s preparedness in this way, she felt like screaming.
‘Let’s be cool. Think calmly.’
It’s a request from a Royal, and her father’s permission has already been given.
Is there… really a way to overturn this board?
She was quite skeptical.
This could already be called an unavoidable decision.
Then── if you can’t avoid it, you have to enjoy it.
It’s already riding a tiger’s back (point of no return).
Then let’s go until the end.
Is there any other way but to mentally win like that?
‘The Makjang adultery novel I wrote is getting published?’
Noel quietly thought about what kind of things would happen if that became the case.
But….
‘Surprisingly, doesn't it seem okay?’
She thought it might not matter much.
There will be those who view it negatively and badmouth it.
Viscountess Grace will probably foam at the mouth.
But a Royal acknowledged it, and other noble daughters said it was good.
Then at that point, the work gains an "Anti-Criticism Shield".
『How dare you insult a work Princess Lydia likes? Other nobles say it’s fun too? Thoughts are free, but don’t you think you’re being a bit presumptuous?』
It means the fandom will defend it like this.
And just like Webflix rankings, one word from an authority figure can make invisible philosophy appear and nonexistent artistic value emerge.
As a result, if people evaluate 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 highly and the number of people writing while ‘referencing’ it increases?
‘Even in this world lacking stimulation, the Age of Dopamine might finally begin.’
Just as a thirsty deer succeeds in digging a well, Noel thought that perhaps many works she could enjoy might come out.
It meant entertainment that could make her boring life enjoyable might be created.
She had endured boredom and lived for 15 years solely with the determination to see her ‘Bias’ in real life, but now she might not have to do that anymore.
At that thought, Noel eventually nodded, feeling like she was drinking poisoned porridge.
“When the book comes out, shall I sign the first edition for you?”
“Please give me three copies: for collection, for reading, and for propagation!”
She didn't know how a text she wrote in a fit of anger at her sister's trivial provocation ended up coming to this point, but,
‘I never thought I would write again even after being reborn. Is this what they call fate?’
She had debuted as an author once again.
And this time, in a fantasy world!