CHAPTER 21: GIRL IN TROUBLE

After our rather tense conversation with Roger, we parted ways. I promised to give him a couple of days to think it over. Although, deep down, I already suspected what choice he would make. My words were bound to have an effect on him.

Everything would be decided in two days. If Roger managed to convince his father to take me with him to the imperial banquet, it would mean his consent. If not... I would have to get myself out of this situation on my own.

Either way, I still needed to get into this event. And it didn’t matter whether Roger helped me or not.

At the same time, I realized that I was not doing the right thing. I needed the influence and financial support of the duke, and at the same time, Roger’s help. In essence, I was going to use both the son and the father without either of them knowing. At first glance, anyone would say that I was a cunning woman with the most terrible intentions.

Perhaps they would not be wrong.

However, I found that in the current situation, I simply had no other choice. Considering that I was responsible for the fate of the entire family, I clearly had no room for unnecessary sentimentality. And since I had decided to be the villain instead of Ruby, there was no turning back. I only hoped that all my efforts would pay off in the future. Ruby would never have to experience the humiliation associated with her family. Her aunt would make sure that her niece got the best inheritance!

In the meantime, to achieve all this, I would temporarily "borrow" one of her love interests. Regardless of my actions, the original plot of the game must begin one way or another. The heroine will return to the palace as expected, and love interests will surround her. Let them go about their business...

Only Rubyella and I will be far away from these events. The girl will rule the duchy, and I will arrange a happy old age for myself somewhere far away. I will buy a house by the sea and sometimes come to visit Ruby...

All these rosy dreams made me believe in a bright future. I will definitely achieve such an ending for us!

Inspired by such thoughts, I left my meeting with Roger with a light heart. Now, thanks to our collaboration with Duke Dickens, we have more funds. I think it’s time to get our own transportation.

Until recently, as a penniless aristocrat, I had to hail a carriage on the street every time. To be honest, I was sick of it. Today, I’ll ask Edison to take care of this!

I stood in my usual spot on the sidewalk and waited for an empty carriage to pass by. I couldn’t wait to get home as soon as possible. With all these things going on, I was so busy that I didn’t have much time for Ruby. Today, I was going to spend the rest of the day with her.

And while I was waiting for transportation, I happened to notice a child in the middle of the street. From behind, I could tell it was a girl. About the same age as my Ruby. She was standing all alone and looked very upset. Could she be lost?

I sighed. Well, I still had time.

I was going to approach her and, if she really was lost, take her to the police station. Let them figure it out there.

I had already taken the first step, but in the next moment, all my good intentions were shattered. All because she turned in my direction. I recognized her immediately. Golden hair, a sign of kinship with the imperial family. Green eyes like a pair of precious stones. Her whole face was unnaturally beautiful and doll-like.

If you put this girl, dressed in rags, in a row with the most beautiful aristocrats of the empire, she would surpass them all. This radiance was like an angel descended from heaven.

The main character looked around in search of her adoptive father. Her face turned pale and her lips trembled. She didn’t know where to go.

At that moment, my heart sank.

"No. To hell with it. To hell with helping her!"

Meeting the heroine was like a red flag for me. It’s not that I treated her badly. That was impossible, considering that I was playing the whole game on her behalf. Angela is really a very good person. Under different circumstances, I would have gladly reached out to her. But... We were not in that position now.

According to the game’s plot, the Weinstein and Stone families are enemies. Rubiella and Angela are sworn rivals whose hatred for each other is stronger than death. I was the aunt of the former, so it was obvious whose side I was on. We clearly didn’t need any extra problems.

"Angela, I’m sorry, but in the end, you’re the main character. Someone else will definitely help you."

I was about to turn around and get out of there as quickly as possible. But... I suddenly realized that I couldn’t do it. My feet seemed to be glued to the ground.

And the next moment...

System notification: Story quest "Girl in Trouble." You have participated!

I was so shocked that I even forgot how to breathe.

What the hell?!

Wasn’t the only story quest I’m participating in supposed to start in eight years?