“There was a strange rumor for a while. The timing of the lady’s death was very convenient, wasn’t it? There was a rumor that the ducal family, having recovered their real daughter, killed the fake daughter whose position had become awkward. Well, there was no evidence, so it died down quickly.”

How could there be evidence of my death when I’m alive like this?

“After that, the VIP made the dead lady his crown princess, and since then, the Duke has been pushing to make his daughter the new crown princess.”

Things were flowing in a very strange direction.

“Why, the dead lady and the new lady look very similar, right? The ducal family is trying to provide a substitute.”

Lowering my voice, I carefully asked.

“In that situation, how do you think the ducal family would react if I showed up?”

“Wouldn’t you know that better than me, Owl? You know what kind of people they are.”

They’d kill me, d*mn it.

I’ve really stepped in it. Should I back out of the building contract now?

Ugh, why did Crown Prince Vairen suddenly go mad like that? It seems important to know what was said between him and the Duke, but there’s no way to find out.

Cappuccino shrugged.

“Anyway, welcome back to the capital, Owl. Looks like you’ve brought a storm with you.”

“……Thanks for the kind words.”

Ha.

I put my hand to my head. This could really be dangerous. I feel like I should do something……

I lowered my hand after touching my head.

“……I need dye for my hair and medicine to change my eye color.”

These were illegal items that couldn’t be obtained legally. They were strictly prohibited from sale because they could be used to conceal crimes.

But Cappuccino was a merchant who dealt in illegal items from the beginning.

“I thought you might need that.”

He smiled brightly and placed a box on the bar.

“How much?”

“I’ll take just thirty gold. You’re a regular customer.”

Thirty gold for a regular customer…

He’s really sucking me dry to the bone.

※※※

One week later.

In a week, Crown Prince Vairen’s mental illness didn’t heal, nor did Ires cease to be the crown princess.

No such magic happened. But I couldn’t just give up on a contract I’d already signed and return to the Lorentz region……

My money…

The effort I poured into the contract…

And what about the fabric I’ve already ordered? Plus, there’s an important fitting tomorrow.

I couldn’t possibly give up, so I came this far.

“How does it look? Can you tell it’s me?”

“Well, it seems both like you and not like you.”

My hair was now dark brown instead of its previous color, and I wore dark red lenses. Originally, I had light golden hair and purple eyes. Because of this change, even I found my appearance unfamiliar.

This cost thirty thousand gold, but does it show? Is this guy selling me fakes? If he is, I’ll pull those curly locks straight.

I examined my face in the mirror from different angles.

“It looks fine to me.”

After I spoke, the employee who looked me over once offered advice.

“How about wearing your veil lower? A person’s basic features don’t just go away.”

“Huff, that’s true.”

The best quality of our employee was honesty. A veil, yes, a veil. Right, being cautious can’t hurt. Plus, I’m going to do business with nobles, and someone might recognize me.

Huff. I thought by now my very existence would have been forgotten. They even held such a grand funeral. But now I’ve become none other than Crown Princess Ires.

Whether it’s magazines or imperial portraits.

I was everywhere.

Recently, they even published something called “The Lifetime Records of Crown Princess Ires”?

“This is driving me crazy.”

I heaved a deep sigh.

※※※

However, my resolution scattered like morning dew after just one day, literally just one day.

……Maybe I should just run away. Wouldn’t losing money be better than losing my life?

The person I saw in the distance wasn’t the representative I’d been meeting with. It wasn’t Countess Freya, the Empress’s proxy. How could I not recognize her?

Someone who looked like my mirror image.

Rozenne Liberk.

I whispered to the imperial head maid who had come to escort me.

“……The representative has changed.”

The imperial head maid nodded at my quiet whisper.

“Yes, Her Majesty the Empress personally ordered it. Lady Rozenne has been put in complete charge of this debutante ball. That’s why she’s here to observe from today.”

“……Why her of all people.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. It’s an honor.”

“Indeed. Be careful, she’s considered the future crown princess.”

The head maid sincerely advised me. I know. How could I not know who she is?

I wanted to walk as slowly as possible, but Rozenne was already getting closer.

Through my veil, I could see her smooth face. Her bright smile looked noble and lovely. No wonder she’s the female protagonist.

I muttered unconsciously.

“So she’s the future crown princess.”

“Yes, that’s right. But don’t be too afraid. She’s kind and gentle. Everyone in the world will love her.”

Everyone except me. Female protagonists are naturally loved by most people.

Ha, why did we have to meet here of all places? I tugged at my veil unnecessarily. Is my face properly covered?

She won’t recognize me, right?

The head maid guided me to Rozenne. She pushed me into the reception room and left without a second thought. Take me with you…… Was she leaving me alone with her?

I turned around awkwardly to face Rozenne.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Iris Lofrte.”

My heart pounded rapidly.

It’ll be fine.

I bit my lips nervously. I felt like my entire body was shriveling under her gaze.

“Pleased to meet you.”

I clenched my fists with tension.

Rozenne put down her teacup and stared at me. Through my veil, I could see her eyes fixed on me. Those were the same eyes that smiled at me the day I left.

Those eyes filled with a kindness that somehow felt cold and awkward.

“……I’ve heard a lot about you, Iris. I’m Rozenne from the Liberk ducal family. I’ve heard much from Her Majesty the Empress.”

……She didn’t recognize me.

The Empress, huh.

I have no idea how much of the original story has changed. Originally, the Empress and Rozenne were practically enemies. The Empress tried to use Rozenne to harm the Crown Prince, but Rozenne fell in love with Vairen, so that wasn’t going to work.

The Empress was desperate to get rid of Rozenne, who was a thorn in her side.

That failed too.

In the end, as in all novels, the protagonists were victorious.

Anyway, since the Empress was in charge of the debutante ball, Rozenne had never attended such an event before. That’s how it should have been.

But what can I do? Things have already changed so much.

“Thank you, my lady. Her Majesty the Empress must think well of me.”

“Yes. Her Majesty mentioned that Madame Iris supplies quality fabrics at a good price. Thanks to you, our Empire’s beautiful ladies will successfully complete their debutante ceremony.”

“It’s all thanks to your trust in me.”

I spoke with my voice as disguised as possible.

I knew I would face her someday, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. Ah, really! If I had known, I would have bought voice-changing medicine from Cappuccino too.

“The ladies will arrive soon. I’m counting on you. If this debutante ball goes well, we might discuss future opportunities. Oh, Madame.”

My heart sank.

Why is she calling me like that? Could she have recognized me?!

Rozenne, completely unaware of my inner turmoil, spoke gently.

“I want to successfully complete this task and make a deep impression on Her Majesty the Empress. So I was wondering, although it’s a bit sudden, could you make my dress as well?”

Oh, she didn’t recognize me. Phew, she didn’t.

But wait, Rozenne’s dress? Right now, Rozenne Liberk was practically the hottest woman in this Empire. She was expected to be the future crown princess, plus she was a lady. People would be swarming around her, yet she wants my dress?

Ha, where else could I find such a good promotional model?

But is this right?

No, I should be avoiding her. Is this really okay? But can I afford to pass up this opportunity?

Countless agonizing thoughts crossed my mind in just a few seconds.

Pass it up? No way! I need to make money! Don’t I want to succeed?

Be brave!

“Thank you so much for this opportunity, my lady. I’ll do my absolute best.”

“Yes, you should.”

Rozenne smiled brightly.

“I’ve never entrusted clothes to a new dress shop before. I am concerned, but…… you’ll do well, right? Don’t worry about the cost. I just need to shine and look the most beautiful at that event.”

Oh my goodness, what a client!

Welcome!

Rozenne was making me go back and forth between heaven and hell. Don’t worry about the cost! I knew better than anyone how wealthy the Liberk ducal family was. Even if I charged a premium, it wouldn’t be an issue at all.