Chapter 04
Overprotection Usually Begins with a Misunderstanding
The construction of the new train station officially began once the Minister of Finance approved the business permit.
‘Still, this worries me. Even if we build a station, it’s useless if the railway guild doesn’t assign any routes…’
Before stamping the permit, Bella had voiced that concern.
I, however, simply laughed as if I’d just heard a very amusing joke.
‘Mother, have you forgotten? I’m the owner of Seton.’
‘Hmm?’
‘Who do you think funded the guild that operates the magic trains?’
Unless the guild master was a complete fool and wanted his next quarter’s investment slashed to pieces, he’d know how to behave.
I casually fluttered the newspaper in my hand.
“Hm, just as expected.”
[The Empire’s Greatest Heiress Missing for Two Weeks—What Happened?]
[Where Did the Party-Loving Socialite Disappear To?]
[Exclusive! Elysia Runein Heads to the Runein Grand Duchy—]
It had already been two weeks since I arrived in Runein.
Since I hadn’t shown up in high society, the reporters were gleefully churning out garbage articles.
‘Though the last one was a hint I deliberately leaked.’
I had already laid the bait—now it was time to wait for a bite.
“The train station is going smoothly too.”
When we began recruiting workers in earnest, Vical mentioned that the Grand Duchy finally felt lively again.
Once money starts circulating, the market naturally revives.
After checking through everything I had set in motion, I processed documents sent from Seton Merchant branches across the empire.
By the time I finished working like a madwoman, the morning had already passed.
I was enjoying a brief tea break when a shocked voice echoed from afar.
“Elysia!”
It was Bella.
In just two weeks since I arrived in Runein, her formal “daughter-in-law” had already turned into “Elysia.”
‘Though she mostly calls me that when she’s startled.’
Well, whatever. Good is good. Feeling pleased, I left my room and headed downstairs.
“What on earth is all this?”
When I reached the hall, Bella was holding her head at the sight of a mountain of luggage.
Even now, workers were busily unloading more from the carriages.
I answered confidently.
“My belongings.”
“…What?”
“I really need to get that train station built as soon as possible. These were shipped from my mansion in the capital—they’ve only just arrived.”
Recalling my modest—no, borderline impoverished—two weeks here, I dabbed at my eyes with a handkerchief.
Of course, it was all an act.
“Oh, and while I was at it, I also called in some contractors.”
“…Contractors?”
“We need to redo the interior.”
At that moment, a large group of people filed in.
“Greetings, Your Grace, Grand Duchess. My Lady. Where should we begin?”
“Welcome. The hall is a bit crowded, so please start inside. The butler will guide you.”
“Understood.”
Once they left, Bella muttered in disbelief.
“You’re really planning to turn the entire Grand Duchy upside down, aren’t you?”
“Oh my, Mother. ‘Turn it upside down’ sounds so frightening.”
This was clearly beneficial for the Grand Duchy.
Though admittedly, there was a bit of selfishness—I couldn’t possibly live somewhere this shabby for three whole years.
Besides… it was all my money anyway.
And those weren’t the only guests.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace. And… Lady Runein.”
“Welcome, Madam.”
It was the owner of the only remaining high-end dress shop in the Grand Duchy.
With even the Grand Duchess living frugally to manage the estate, there was no way custom clothing could be in demand.
Yet this woman had somehow managed to keep her shop alive despite such harsh conditions.
I smiled brightly at her.
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
“No, my lady. I’m truly grateful that you called for me.”
“…What is this about? Clothes?”
Bella, who had always managed the territory with strict frugality, was uncomfortable with luxury.
Despite being a high-ranking noble, she paid no attention to sparkling dresses or jeweled accessories.
I quickly linked arms with my flustered mother-in-law.
“Summer’s coming soon. It’ll get warm, so we should get some new clothes to lift our spirits.”
“Let go—! Runein is winter for half the year. It doesn’t get as hot as the capital.”
“But winter clothes are uncomfortable, aren’t they?”
I glanced around.
Unlike the capital workers in lighter outfits, the northerners were still wearing winter clothes—sweating heavily as they worked.
‘They simply can’t afford to change clothes with the seasons.’
As a manager who valued efficiency above all else, I couldn’t just ignore that.
“Madam, where are the items I ordered?”
“They’re in the carriage. Shall I bring them?”
“Yes. Please distribute them to the staff.”
The maids who came with the madam quickly returned carrying bundles—uniforms designed specifically for the northern climate.
‘And I put quite a bit of effort into the design. I have a condition where I go blind if I see something ugly.’
The more money I spent in the North, the more its economy would revive.
Clothing production wasn’t just about a single tailor. It involved transporters, weavers, farmers—countless people.
That’s why I intended to keep playing the role of a “luxurious conglomerate heiress” and spend money freely.
Then whether they were scammers trying to take advantage of me, or people genuinely desperate for patronage, they’d all flock north upon hearing the rumors.
‘And as I gradually absorb both material and human resources… won’t Runein’s economy eventually recover?’
In the process, I’d clear Runein’s false accusations, destroy the original storyline, and return to my own sweet home!
“……”
Bella silently watched the servants happily receiving their clothes, then turned to me.
I winked at her.
“They’ll feel more comfortable wearing them if you set the example, Mother. Ah, I just have too much money. I feel like indulging in luxury—where should I spend it?”
As I acted like a thoughtless heiress, Bella raised an eyebrow.
The capital workers, who had been pretending not to listen, stole glances in our direction.
Lowering her voice so only I could hear, Bella said,
“Aren’t you making things too big?”
“This is the minimum.”
Maintaining my cheerful expression, I replied through clenched teeth.
That’s right—if you want people to be curious, you have to make a spectacle.
‘What’s happening in the North? What is Elysia up to now?’—they needed to wonder.
Right now, getting even one more person interested in Runein was crucial.
That way, when the station was completed, it could explode with synergy.
‘That’s also why I deliberately brought in workers from the capital, even though local workers would’ve been enough.’
Everything they saw and heard here would spread back to the capital like wildfire.
Bella sighed and began walking toward the stairs.
I wondered if I’d gone too far, but then she turned back to me and said something that made my eyes widen.
“Daughter-in-law, what are you doing? Come help me up.”
The Grand Duchess was a stunning beauty with a graceful posture—you’d never believe she had an adult son.
In other words, she didn’t need help at all.
Blinking, I broke into a bright smile and hurried over to her.
“Oh my, if you like me that much, you should’ve just said so.”
“…I was shocked when Shuvel suddenly brought home a bride, but now I understand why you two got married.”
“Mother, that’s a bit much.”
Chatting as I held onto Bella’s arm, I ran into Shuvel, who was just coming down the stairs after carrying luggage.
“Mother, my lady. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to enjoy my daughter-in-law’s antics. You mind your own business.”
“I’m going on a date with Mother, so you can keep hauling luggage.”
Watching the two of us breeze past him, Shuvel blinked slowly.
For a brief moment, the corners of his lips curled upward.
“…How interesting.”
It was an unfamiliar, twisted smile—completely unlike his usual self.
