Chapter 39

* * *

At that moment.

Riko was reading the letter that Jet and Jun had delivered from Lili.

How did she know the schedule for giving the medicine to her younger sister?

The letter came with the next dose of Salvacion, delivered in time.

[Liko Liko!

I decided to write my first letter while sending the antidote to the sisters.

How is the person who needed this medicine now? Has she gotten better?

I hope she has...

Can you send a reply letter to let me know if she's okay?

If it's a hassle, just draw a ○(poop emoji)

↓here]

Riko smiled at the cute request.

[Oh! And I have a question...

Do you know Baron Joseph Ruttman?

He used to be a noble who lived in the capital, and I thought Riko might know him.

I don't know where he is now, so if you know where he is, could you let me know?

But to do business, I need to provide information too...

Hmm, I'll bring a big one soon.

Stay healthy until then ☺♡♡]

Riko's eyes, which had been reading the crooked handwriting with a faint smile, suddenly sharpened.

Do you know Baron Joseph Ruttman?

Joseph Ruttman.

Until about two years ago, his grand title was:

'Master of Politics.'

His ability to read the flow of power, his talent for selecting capable people, propaganda, agitation, strategy...

He was an exceptionally brilliant individual, surpassing even the seasoned nobles in the political arena.

'How does she know and find someone who disappeared two years ago?'

What kind of kid is this really?

Riko decided to stop speculating about Lili's true identity.

"Hey, Riko! Let's have a drink!"

Thud!

A thick arm placed a black beer mug on the table.

It was Billy, a member of the <Red Hawk> guild.

Riko smiled and tilted the beer mug.

"Good job yesterday."

"Thanks. It felt great to teach those scoundrels a lesson after a long time. It cleared up my ten-year-old indigestion. Hehe... Anyway."

Billy's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Did you make your choice? For the Duke of Rubinstein?"

"Maybe."

Riko gave an ambiguous answer.

"Maybe? Didn't you ask us to protect the Duke's daughter to make contact with the Duke?"

"It's more that I received help from her. I haven't met the Duke myself, so I don't know what kind of person he is."

"Hey, don't even say that. He was perfect! From his eyes, he seemed like a genuinely good person, better than I expected!"

"Really?"

"Honestly, there's no better family than the Rubinstein. The Duke's return this time must be a sign from God."

The <Red Hawk> was looking for someone who could bring about a revolution in the corrupt empire.

But it wasn't easy.

Only a powerful and capable person, untainted by the vile power, could do it.

Riko and the <Red Hawk>, who despised corrupt nobles and capable people, paradoxically needed a noble with power to wield the sword of revolution.

"Is there any other place as clean as that?"

"That's true."

Riko had been keeping an eye on the Rubinstein family for a long time.

They boasted the second most power after the royal family, and as Billy said, they were a straight-laced family without a single blemish.

In the midst of this...

'Honestly, I was surprised. The Duke's daughter came to me first.'

Could it really be a sign from God, she thought.

"But it will be difficult."

Billy sighed while tilting his beer mug.

"He seems like a good person, but he doesn't seem to have any ambition."

"..."

"His abilities are beyond question, but a revolution isn't something that can be achieved with just military might. After being away for seven years, he has no connections in the political arena."

Riko nodded.

Enoch Rubinstein's current position in the political arena was like that of a newborn baby.

He had no connections with the central nobles and, after being away for a long time, it would be difficult for him to read the flow of power.

To awaken Enoch Rubinstein in a short time...

'Wait. Could it be?'

Riko unfolded Lili's letter again.

Do you know Baron Joseph Ruttman?

What could be the reason for Lili to look for Joseph at this time?

Joseph Ruttman was the most needed strategist for Enoch Rubinstein right now.

'There must be a purpose. This suspicious girl wouldn't be looking for Joseph just to play.'

Riko clicked her tongue, trying to guess Lili's intentions.

'What is this girl's true identity? Could she be living her second life?'

Riko immediately prepared a reply to Lili.

Finding out where Joseph Ruttman, whom Lili was curious about, was, was within Riko's grasp.

* * *

Uncle and Princess Lala's shoes were in competition, and Uncle Billy was a member of the <Red Hawk> guild?

I was surprised and my mouth dropped open.

'I, I couldn't even imagine that.'

The <Red Hawk> guild members seemed to be like specially trained spies.

Indeed, Riko wasn't just casually well-informed about the capital's affairs.

'After all, it was a good decision to quickly form an alliance with Riko.'

I nodded.

"Anyway, if the young lady is in trouble, the boss's order was to watch over her until the very end and then intervene."

"That's right. Please thank the boss for me."

"Hehe, I will."

"But, young lady!"

Jun clapped her hands and hugged me in a hurry.

"Huh?"

"We don't have time! You need to look the prettiest in the world today!"

* * *

My aunt is hosting a tea party.

The ladies of the prominent central noble families are coming, along with their young daughters and sons.

My aunt probably wants to introduce me to the noble children of my age.

'The original novel was a story about men, so there were no episodes about social gatherings...'

I shook my head and clenched my small fist.

This is not a novel but reality!

I am the Duke of Rubinstein's daughter!

World peace is my father's and Cheshire's responsibility, and I have my own tasks to do.

'I will show the dignity befitting a noble family and dominate the social scene!'

I am the protagonist!

'...the daughter of the protagonist!'

I puffed out my nostrils, determined, and Jet and Jun gasped.

"Oh, no way."

"Would you like to look in the mirror?"

It seemed the dressing was complete.

'Oh. Is this me?'

I went to the full-length mirror in the room and stood in front of it, moving my body from side to side.

Round, wavy hair that reached my shoulders, a blue headband with a hexagonal diamond.

A white and blue lace dress that matched my porcelain-like face.

White knee-high socks and round-toed blue enamel shoes...

'Perfect! I really am the daughter of the protagonist!'

A character with a strong sense of presence!

I leaned in close to the mirror, which never got boring no matter how many times I looked at it.

Even with my nostrils flaring from excitement, I still looked beautiful.

This... Princess Lala wouldn't even be able to show her face?

"You're the best, young lady."

"Ha. I'm completely drained..."

My sisters, who had lost all their energy, squatted down like uncles behind me.

"Hehe."

I touched my slightly chubby, still baby-faced cheeks and blinked.

"Kyaa! Our young lady is the best! So cute!"

"She's crazy! The doll is moving!"

"Oh, that's a bit..."

The thing I liked most was that I looked more mature than usual.

'If I put on a little makeup, I would look even more mature and beautiful.'

I stared at the tall vanity table.

The cosmetics my aunt had bought were always ready, but today I was bare-faced.

My sisters said it was too early for me to wear makeup.

"But can't I really put on makeup? Princess Lala has red lips..."

"No, young lady. You look perfect just as you are. Putting on lipstick would actually make you look less pretty."

"That's right. Makeup can be toxic to your skin at your age."

They were firm.

"Oh, it's getting late. Master Theo said to call you when you're ready."

"Young lady, please wait. I'll go get the young masters."

"Okay."

Jet and Jun left the room, and I was left alone, looking at the mirror again.

'Something is still missing, I guess.'

And I looked up at the high vanity table.

'...Just once! If it looks strange, I can erase it!'

Unable to resist the temptation, I dragged a chair over and climbed up to the vanity table.

There were so many types of cosmetics, and I had to open and check each one.

'Is this an eyeliner?'

When I drew on the back of my hand with the pencil-like tool, it was indeed for eye makeup.

I carefully started to draw on my eyes.

'This is my first time putting on makeup...'

To be honest, in my previous life, I had never worn makeup even though I lived for 25 years.

Why?

I was busy studying.

I only had memories of wearing thick glasses and carrying heavy books around the university campus, writing countless papers.

Maybe that's why I had a stronger desire for makeup.

'This one must be lipstick!'

After finishing the eye makeup, I chose a lip product and applied it to my lips.

"Oh, it's harder than I thought..."

It was difficult to follow the outline of my lips and apply it neatly, but I didn't give up and managed to do it.

'Am I pretty?'

I was confused.

I didn't think I looked significantly prettier than when I was bare-faced...

'But I do look more mature, right?'

I was satisfied, tired of always being called cute.

At that moment.

Knock, knock, a small knock sounded.

"...You said you were awake. Are you in there? Can I come in?"

It was Cheshire's voice.

I hurriedly got off the chair and checked my appearance in the full-length mirror.

'Is it okay? It's not bad, right?'

The size of my lips, which seemed twice as big as usual, was a bit concerning...

But I looked somewhat sultry (?).

I answered, tense.

"Yes, come in!"