Chapter 843
Chapter 843
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 843
Chapter Title: Tyrant for You
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Linda stacked the newspapers Elsa had brought on the table and began flipping through them one by one.
These were newspapers issued by the Bellacarros imperial family across the entire empire. They hadn't existed in the original novel. Of course, just because they weren't mentioned didn't mean they couldn't exist. This world was very different from Earth's Middle Ages.
The first newspapers were published a year ago... a few months after Eugene Bellacarros became emperor...
The content announced taxes on nobles as well. But since this didn't increase taxes on commoners, it was news they would welcome.
As Linda examined the newspapers, she felt a sense of dissonance. They were all subtly manipulated to favor the imperial family. The occasional negative stories were about nobles, commoners, or events in foreign lands. There wasn't a single unfavorable piece related to the Bellacarros imperial family.
"Elsa."
"Yes, Lady Linda. What else do you need?"
"...Other newspapers?"
"Other newspapers? I brought all the ones from the study."
"I mean newspapers published by places other than the imperial family."
"Newspapers only come from the imperial family."
"......Really? They truly have a monopoly on newspapers?"
"Yes!"
Elsa nodded innocently. But Linda couldn't accept it. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
"This can't be. No way those cunning nobles would sit still when they see the profits from newspapers...!"
Especially considering the original novel, the empire's top trading company, the Vermere Merchant Group, wouldn't stay quiet.
The worst scenario flashed through her mind.
The tyrant has already seized control of the empire. The emperor's authority far surpasses that of the nobles. Eugene Bellacarros has established absolute imperial power.
Just thinking about it made Linda's face go pale.
Am I really inside the original novel...? Why is everything so different from what I knew...?!
She had read all the newspapers. They were filled with cunning content designed to incite and deceive the empire's citizens.
"Elsa. Do you read these newspapers avidly too?"
"Of course! They're not expensive, and they're fun. Besides, these days it's harder to find someone who doesn't read them than someone who does. I'm so glad I learned to read."
Entertainment was extremely scarce in this world. Commoners were busy just surviving, so reading newspapers provided them with a big thrill.
"Elsa. You don't believe everything in these newspapers, do you?"
"What do you mean, milady? Of course I believe it all. It's published by the empire's center, the imperial family."
"...You don't think there's any falsehood in the newspapers?"
"Huh? Everyone else says it's real. And why would the imperial family spread lies?"
"The emperor... is using the newspapers to tame the commoners. Don't put blind faith in them."
"Ah. Yes, Lady Linda."
Elsa still looked puzzled. Linda tried to say more but gave up. That expression meant she wouldn't understand without hard evidence right in front of her.
She focused on reading the newspapers again. Since most of it was propaganda for commoners, there wasn't much useful info.
...Accepting black mages and even granting them titles and lands...? In the original novel, black mages are criminals, enemies of the entire continent. And... the emperor is engaged to Ernel...?
It was too different from what she knew. Her expression darkened further.
???
Linda joined her family at the dining table for lunch.
The direct line of the Valentine family consisted of three members.
The family head, Nerun Valentine.
He was a middle-aged man with a gaunt body, thinning hair, and sharp eyebrows and eyes. His sunken cheeks gave him a very grim impression. His red hair was neatly parted.
The eldest daughter, Leila Valentine.
A beauty with red hair and amber eyes. Her fair skin was plump and taut, her figure voluptuous. Her movements with the utensils were exceedingly graceful.
Linda eyed the unfamiliar utensils sidelong as she used them, watching their reactions.
...It's different. Completely different from the novel.
The food on the table.
It was abundant. You could tell it was made by a top chef. The presentation, aroma, and taste were all luxurious.
In the original, it was described as only 2-3 dishes...!
Count Valentine had ruined his clothing business and even gotten scammed, saddled with massive debt. The Valentine count family was on the brink of ruin.
Before coming to the dining room, Linda had confirmed the family's debt through Elsa. The debt was real.
Count Valentine should be overbearing, and Leila should be throwing hysterics and fighting with him...!
Far from overbearing, Count Valentine was quiet. He was the one watching Leila's mood. Leila ignored him and focused on her meal. Anyone could see she dominated the table.
...And Leila's figure is nothing like the description of it being similar to mine. Her breasts are huge. At least E-cup. Mine were A-cup in my past and current life...
Leila's eyes were deeply shadowed. Instead of neurotic hysteria, she exuded a decadent allure that made one swallow hard.
"Linda."
"Y-yeah? Uh, sis. What?"
Recalling the original novel, Linda acted like Linda. Leila gave her a briefly odd look.
"...Is your health still poor?"
"I rested well for the past week, so I'm better."
"I see. Then you should start entering society soon."
"......"
Linda felt awkward. Leila was treating her without a hint of irritation. The original novel's Leila, as the villainess, wouldn't have done that.
"Why no answer?"
"Just... thinking. Do you think I should really debut in society?"
In the original novel, Linda's first social party was a disaster. She became a laughingstock among noble ladies and clashed with Ernel, the villainess and daughter of the northern grand duke.
"I'll help you, so don't worry. There's a victory celebration ball in the capital in three weeks. It'll be your memorable debut. We'll have a lot to prepare. A new dress would be best."
"A new one? No, it's fine, sis. I can wear one from the family."
"Right, Leila. No need to get a new dress for Linda..."
"Father, shut up."
"......"
Count Valentine fell silent. As Leila glared, he looked down and fiddled with his utensils unnecessarily.
"Linda, it's your once-in-a-lifetime debut. His Majesty the Emperor and all the empire's nobles will be there. We can't skimp on preparations. Even His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince is looking forward to it."
"...His Majesty is looking forward to me? Why?"
"Because you're my little sister."
Leila said it as if it were obvious.
Linda was confused. Nothing matched the novel she knew.
The awkward dinner ended. At Leila's request, Linda had tea time afterward. Leila taught her ball etiquette and such. Then suddenly, Leila dismissed the maids from the room.
Linda looked at Leila with tense eyes.
"Linda. Take off your clothes."
Linda panicked. She hastily set down her shaking teacup on the table.
"S-sis? What are you saying?"
"It's preparation for your debut. You're already so frail. We need to be thorough. Don't forget the Valentine name is at stake."
"Even so, stripping suddenly? There's such a thing as propriety!"
Linda wondered if Leila was really a noble. This crossed the line even for same-sex siblings.
Leila sighed. She looked at her one and only little sister with pitiful eyes.
It made Linda feel irrationally upset, as if she were the unreasonable one. And part of her wondered if this was normal in this world.
"What's the problem? Embarrassed to undress? You take baths with attendants just fine."
"...I've been bathing alone lately."
"Sigh. Try to get used to undressing. It becomes nothing after you do it every day."
"Nothing...? Sis, are you in your right mind?"
"......"
Leila stood up. Linda worried she might get slapped, but fortunately, Leila didn't attack her.
Leila calmly undressed. She removed her dress, stockings, undergarments, and shoes, standing fully nude. Her large, well-shaped breasts had slightly sagging pink nipples at the tips, her abdomen was flat without an ounce of fat, and a thick bush of red pubic hair grew between her thighs.
Without even blushing, she stared straight at Linda. Stunned, Linda froze in place.
"What's so hard about undressing? Come on, you too."
In the end, Linda did as Leila said. Otherwise, it seemed she wouldn't be let go. Leila was a woman, after all, and maybe this was just common sense here.
I'm... a woman from South Korea. I've been to public bathhouses a few times. This is nothing.
Her figure was pathetic compared to Leila's. Her breasts were so small only the outlines were barely visible—like a man's chest. She was so skinny her ribs showed. Her golden pubic hair matched her head and was thick.
Leila scanned Linda's body impassively.
"You're too skinny. You should eat more. Your pubic hair is so curly it looks messy... better trim it. Arms up."
Linda bit her lip and raised her arms.
"Small scar on your upper arm. That needs to go... Sit and spread your legs."
"L-legs too?"
"The most important part. Let's get it over with. Spreading your legs isn't hard, is it?"
Leila demonstrated first. She put her legs on the table and spread her intimate area with her fingers. A pretty pink vulva.
When Linda still hesitated, Leila sighed and used force. She sat Linda in the chair and forced her legs apart. Too weak to resist, Linda complied. Leila inspected her vulva and anus.
"Shape, color, smell. All good. Virginity confirmed..."
"W-wait, this is to check if I'm a virgin?"
"Virginity matters. If you're not, better to never debut officially."
Linda swallowed dryly. She hadn't expected such emphasis on purity.
Leila dressed calmly again. She took a glass bottle from a drawer. It contained pink liquid.
"Rub this on your breasts every day. I'll check, so don't skip."
"W-what is it?"
"Breast enlargement potion."
"...Makes breasts bigger?"
"Yes."
Linda quickly snatched the bottle. In her past life, she'd been AA-cup. Small breasts weren't inconvenient, but they were a bit sad. In modern times, breast size was part of a woman's appeal.
"Just in case, don't do anything stupid like losing your purity."
Leila left after those final words. Linda suddenly recalled Leila's vulva. The shock was still vivid.
Leila wasn't a virgin.
???
That night, Linda completed her first plan. She contracted with the ancient spirit sealed underground. It was effortless. The spirit, craving power recovery, was drawn to Linda's exceptional spirit affinity.
Contracting with the ancient spirit granted Linda health.
And three days later.
Viscount Vermere Skellogg, head of the Vermere Merchant Group holding the Valentine family's debt, visited.
He's here...
He would demand repayment. And try to exploit her and Leila through the debt.
Count Valentine, Leila, and Linda greeted him at the mansion entrance.
"My, welcoming a lowly merchant like me? Thank you."
The handsome man with dark green hair and glasses bowed politely. Linda wasn't fooled by appearances. She knew his heart was blacker than dark matter.
Leila crossed her arms before Vermere. Hardly the attitude of a debtor to a creditor.
"What about the items we requested?"
"Yes, yes. The dresses, jewelry, and other items as requested. All brought."