Chapter 4
2. Overprotection Always Begins with Misunderstanding
With the financial officer’s project permit approved, construction of the new train station officially began.
‘Still, I’m worried. Even if we build the station, it’ll be useless if the Railway Guild doesn’t assign a route.’
Before stamping the permit, Bella had voiced that concern.
I had simply laughed, as though she’d told me a very amusing joke.
‘Mother, have you forgotten? I’m the owner of Seton.’
‘Hmm?’
‘Who do you think funded the investment for the guild that operates the magic trains?’
Unless the guild master was a complete fool, he wouldn’t want to see next quarter’s investment slashed to nothing. He’d know how to behave.
I lightly fluttered the newspaper in my hand.
“Hmm, just as expected.”
[Empire’s greatest heiress disappears for two weeks. What happened…?]
[Where has the party-loving socialite gone?]
[Scoop! Elysia Runein heads to the Grand Duchy of Runein—]
It had already been two weeks since I arrived in Runein.
Since I hadn’t shown my face in high society, reporters were enthusiastically churning out garbage articles.
‘Well, the last one was something I subtly leaked myself.’
I’d laid the bait. Now it was time to wait for a bite.
“The train station project is going smoothly too.”
Once we began recruiting construction workers in earnest, Vikal told me that the Grand Duchy was bustling again for the first time in a while.
Money flowing meant the market would revive.
After checking on each of the projects 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 flown by.
I was taking a short break with some tea when a shocked voice rang out from afar.
“Elysia!”
It was Bella.
Two weeks in Runein—and the distant “daughter-in-law” had already become simply “Elysia.”
‘Though she mostly calls me that when she’s startled.’
Well, whatever. Good things were good. Feeling pleased, I stepped out of my room and headed downstairs.
“What on earth is all this?”
In the hall, Bella stood clutching her head at the sight of a mountain of सामान.
Even now, workers were busily unloading more from the carriages.
I answered confidently.
“My belongings.”
“…What?”
“We really should build the station as soon as possible. These were shipped from the capital residence when I left, and they’ve only just arrived.”
I dabbed at my eyes with a handkerchief, recalling my frugal—no, downright impoverished—life over the past two weeks.
Of course, it was all an act.
“Oh, and while I was at it, I called in some contractors too.”
“…Contractors?”
“We need to redo the interior.”
As soon as I said that, a large group of people came bustling in.
“Greetings, Your Grace, Your Ladyship. Where shall we begin?”
“Welcome. The hall is a bit crowded right now, so please start from the inner areas. The butler will guide you.”
“Understood.”
After they left, Bella muttered in disbelief,
“You’re really determined to turn the entire Grand Duchy upside down.”
“Oh, Mother, that sounds so frightening.”
This was clearly something that would benefit the ducal house as well.
Though, admittedly, there was a bit of selfishness involved—I couldn’t live somewhere this shabby for the next three years.
And besides, it was all my money anyway.
They weren’t the only visitors.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace, Grand Duchess… and Lady Runein.”
“Welcome, Madam.”
It was the owner of the last remaining high-end dress shop in the Grand Duchy.
Even the Grand Duchess dressed simply to manage the territory’s finances, so custom clothing had long fallen out of fashion.
Yet this woman had somehow managed to keep her atelier running despite such conditions.
I smiled at her.
“You must have had a tiring journey.”
“Not at all, my lady. Thank you sincerely for calling me.”
“…What is this about? Clothes?”
Bella, who had run the estate with strict frugality, clearly felt uncomfortable with such luxury.
Despite being high nobility, she barely even glanced at glittering dresses or jeweled accessories.
I quickly linked arms with her.
“Summer is coming soon. It’ll get warmer, so we should get some new clothes as a change of mood.”
“Let go—! Runein is winter for half the year. Even in summer, 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 clothing, the people of the North were still wearing winter attire.
Sweat poured down their faces, yet they endured.
‘They simply can’t afford to change clothes with the seasons.’
As a manager who valued extreme efficiency, I couldn’t just stand by and watch.
“Madam, where are the items I ordered?”
“They’re in the carriage. Shall I bring them in?”
“Yes. Please distribute them to the staff.”
The maids who had accompanied her hurried back carrying bundles—uniforms tailored specifically for the northern climate.
‘And I made sure the design wasn’t ugly either. I have a condition where I go blind at the sight of bad aesthetics.’
The more I spent money in the North, the more its economy would revive.
Clothing production didn’t involve just a single tailor. There were those who transported materials, those who wove fabric, those who cultivated the fibers—countless people connected in the process.
So I intended to keep playing the role of a “lavish chaebol heiress” and spend money extravagantly.
That way, whether they were swindlers trying to take my money or genuine opportunities desperate for support, they would all hear the rumors and flock to the North.
‘And as I gradually absorb both material and human resources, won’t Runein’s economy eventually recover?’
In the meantime, 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 new clothes before turning her gaze to me.
I winked.
“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. Isn’t there somewhere I can spend it?”
As I acted like a thoughtless wealthy heiress, Bella raised an eyebrow.
The capital workers, who had been pretending not to listen, glanced our way.
Lowering her voice so only I could hear, Bella said,
“Aren’t you making too big of a spectacle?”
“This much is necessary.”
Maintaining my bright smile, I spoke in a ventriloquized whisper.
That’s right. If I wanted people to grow curious, I had to make things this loud.
So they’d wonder:
‘What’s happening in the North? What is Elysia up to now?’
Right now, it was best for as many people as possible to take interest in Runein.
That way, when the train station was completed—boom!—the synergy would explode.
‘That’s also why I deliberately hired some workers from the capital, even though the northern workforce would’ve been enough.’
Everything they saw and heard here would be eagerly spread back in the capital.
Swallowing a sigh, Bella turned and began walking toward the hall stairs.
Thinking I might have gone too far, I stood still—until she suddenly looked back at me and spoke.
“Daughter-in-law, what are you doing? Come and support me.”
The Grand Duchess was such a captivating beauty with a straight, elegant posture that it was hard to believe she had an adult son.
In other words, she didn’t need any support.
I blinked, then broke into a bright smile as I approached her.
“Oh my, if you like me that much, you should’ve just said so.”
“…I was surprised when Shubel suddenly brought home a bride, but now I understand why you two married.”
“Mother, that’s a bit much.”
As I chattered away while linking arms with her, we ran into Shubel, who was coming down the stairs after placing the
“Mother, my lady. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to enjoy my daughter-in-law’s charms. You go do your work.”
“I’m going on a date with Mother, so you just carry the सामान.”
Watching the two of us breeze past him, Shubel blinked slowly.
For a brief moment, the corners of his lips lifted clearly.
“…How interesting.”
It was an unfamiliar, twisted smile—unlike his usual expression.
