MTDL 20

Chapter 20

Today, I finally received a reply from Uncle Armers!

Although the sender’s name wasn’t written, it came under the name of the Albreon Institute of Economic Research, so it had to be from one of those three people.

Excited, I eagerly unfolded the letter.

To my dear Arinel,

Arinel, I heard that you’ve finally come to the capital. I’ve been looking forward to the day we could meet again.

However, before I explain why I cannot come to see you immediately, I must first address the contents of your letter.

Yes.

You have always feared the Great Famine.

And despite the lack of solid evidence, your claims stirred feelings in me that I could not easily dismiss. Every time I looked into your eyes, I found myself wondering whether what you said might truly be real.

You are the first person to make someone like me—who only acts upon rational judgment—feel such uncertainty.

After much deliberation, I decided to conduct a geological survey.

In truth, the survey had already begun in secret before you even arrived in the capital.

As for me, I will be traveling to the eastern region for about a month in order to analyze the survey’s findings.

In any case, it seems we’ll have to wait another month before we can meet again.

I’m truly disappointed that I can’t see you right away, but I’m looking forward to that day more than you could possibly imagine.

P.S. I know you’ve been getting along quite well with His Highness the Crown Prince lately. However, Arinel… I have a son too. When it comes to choosing, it’s always better to have more options.

…

Let’s pretend I never read the postscript.

Regardless, I was practically jumping with joy after reading the letter.

Uncle Armers had actually taken my words seriously and was carrying out a geological survey!

If the survey produced the same results as in the original story, countless lives could be saved.

But as soon as that thought crossed her mind, Arinel froze.

“Then… the original story would change.”

I Quit Being the Tyrant’s Mistress was originally a dark romance fantasy.

After the tyrant Parmes Aslet ascended the throne, the Great Famine devastated the Empire, leaving the country in ruins and causing countless deaths.

The famine reduced the Empire to sprawling slums, the slave market flourished, and the heroine Amelia was sold to Parmes.

She became his mistress, endured his obsessive love throughout the nineteen-year-old timeline, and eventually escaped.

Driven mad by his love for Amelia, Parmes rampaged through the Empire, plunging it into even greater chaos while the people trembled beneath his brutal tyranny.

“But… things have already changed.”

According to her calculations, in the original story, the tyrant Parmes Aslet ascended the throne when she was thirteen.

“I had hoped you’d be happy. The reason I moved up my plans… was because I couldn’t bear to watch you suffer any longer.”

He had already become Emperor.

And she was only eleven years old.

If the geological survey succeeded and the Great Famine could be predicted, preparations could begin two years before it struck.

The famine would still last four years, so overcoming it completely without hardship would be difficult…

But the Empire would surely establish countermeasures.

Her red sugar beet business would also help.

If that happened, the cities wouldn’t fall into slums.

And the circumstances that led to Amelia’s appearance would become uncertain.

“…Not my problem.”

Her thoughts threatened to become complicated, but she simply folded her short arms across her chest and reached a straightforward conclusion.

She hadn’t asked to be reincarnated into this story.

She refused to become obsessed with preserving the original plot of some miserable romance novel.

She’d be happy to meet the heroine if Amelia appeared.

But her own safety was a hundred—no, a thousand times more important than faithfully following the original story.

‘And I don’t want innocent people to die.’

* * *

“A masquerade ball…”

For the first time since Parmes took the throne, an unexpected ball was being held at the Imperial Palace.

And not just any ball—

A masquerade.

Everyone would attend wearing masks that covered the upper half of their faces.

As the heir of a marquis household, Arinel had been informed that her attendance was mandatory.

Standing beside her, Adam smiled faintly.

“Because of His Majesty’s gag order, I can’t explain the details… but I’m certain this party will be a refreshing change of pace for you, Miss.”

When they arrived at the magnificent Imperial Palace by carriage, Arinel saw groups of masked nobles gathered together.

Unlike Lady Machert’s birthday party, more than eighty percent of the guests appeared to be adults.

Standing on tiptoe, she subtly listened to the nearby conversations.

“A masquerade only a few days after the fireworks? I thought His Majesty disliked noisy events where large crowds gathered.”

“He rarely attended balls even when he was still a prince. Since becoming Emperor, he’s only appeared twice.”

“D… don’t you think…”

“…Could this be another purge?”

“But after the Third Purge, didn’t His Majesty declare that no more nobles would lose their heads?”

“Let’s… make sure we both survive tonight.”

The noble wearing a blue mask spoke with trembling determination.

There were three purges?

Just hearing about it made Arinel’s stomach churn.

Wearing a silver dress tailored perfectly to her small frame and a matching silver fox mask, she entered the ballroom.

“Wow…”

The magnificent hall left her speechless.

The enormous space alone was breathtaking, but everything—from the curtains to the chandeliers to the smallest decorations—sparkled brilliantly.

Are all those really made of gold? Real jewels?

Her eyes darted everywhere.

The nobles were dressed extravagantly as well.

Even with their faces hidden, beautiful young ladies wandered about in gorgeous gowns, their elegance impossible to conceal.

“For certain ladies hoping to find the perfect match… this is surely an opportunity. After all, the masquerade was ordered by His Majesty himself.”

A familiar voice came from behind her.

“Because His Majesty the Emperor himself is somewhere in this ballroom.”

The woman wore an incredibly luxurious crimson gown and a rose-shaped mask.

It was Aunt Violet—

No.

Mrs. Allens.

Her short stature, plump figure, and emerald ring on her left hand made her instantly recognizable.

“Mrs. Allens!”

“You look absolutely adorable. Even your posture and the way you walk have improved since last time. Oh ho ho.”

Her eyes sparkled with affection.

When they were alone, Mrs. Allens spoke casually with Arinel.

But in public, she addressed her formally.

That was noble etiquette, so Arinel also treated her like a teacher whenever they were outside.

“Really! Now whenever I wear a dress, I unconsciously feel like performing the crane dance. It’s all thanks to you!”

“Oh, you’re too modest. That’s only because your natural talent supports all your hard work.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Allens. But… what did you mean when you said this was an opportunity for the ladies?”

“It means there are many women hoping to become Empress. After all, His Majesty is only just over thirty and still has no wife.”

She smiled.

“You could say they’re all candidates to become your future mother-in-law.”

“Mother-in-law…”

Arinel gasped.

‘I’m still not even used to the word “fiancé,” and now we’re talking about fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law…’

So…

All these beautiful ladies were waiting to be chosen by Uncle Zimmer—

No.

By Parmes.

Well… he’s unbelievably handsome, and his wife passed away. Even if everyone calls him a tyrant, it’s only natural women would still be interested.

“So unfortunately, I won’t be able to stay by your side tonight. There are too many people who wish to become connected to the Imperial Family, and I attract attention whether I want to or not.”

Before Mrs. Allens even finished speaking, several women who had recognized her hurried over.

“Mrs. Allens!”

As someone who attracted enormous attention wherever she went, staying beside her seemed dangerous.

Arinel felt like she might literally get trampled.

“I’m terribly sorry, but let’s meet again during our lessons. Oh, and here’s a hint—His Highness the Crown Prince is wearing a black mask—”

Before she could finish, more voices interrupted.

“Mrs. Allens!”

“My goodness, what a beautiful dress!”

“It’s an honor to see you here!”

The ladies were coming…

In droves.

Arinel immediately employed the graceful “crane dance” steps Mrs. Allens had taught her and quickly slipped away.

Step, step, step…

Wow… I can actually move surprisingly fast like this.

“Would you like some orange juice… or perhaps apple juice, little miss?”

After finally escaping the crowd, she heard a voice.

Glancing over, she saw the plain white shirt and black trousers worn by palace servants.

Like the others, the man carried a tray filled with glasses.

“Apple ju—”

She was about to answer when she suddenly realized the voice sounded strangely familiar.

Startled, she looked up.

That voice…

Beneath the shimmering chandelier stood a handsome man with brown hair and brown eyes.

Unlike everyone else, he wasn’t wearing a mask.

Arinel’s eyes widened.

“…Uncle Zimmer?”