Chapter 3

“This can’t be right—it ends here?”

Chloe’s eyes, which had sparkled with anticipation when she first received the manuscript, dimmed.

She’d read through the entire introduction I’d completed after numerous revisions in an instant.

“Oh, I’ve only written up to that point so far.”

I answered nonchalantly while subtly observing her reaction.

She seemed to be reading it quite intently.

To hear detailed impressions, it was faster to ask directly rather than beating around the bush.

“How was it?”

I was ready to fix any insufficient or strange parts immediately, but…

“…This was actually created by you personally, Miss, not someone else’s story? My goodness, I had no idea you possessed such tremendous talent.”

Instead, she showed an intense reaction in a different direction.

Amidst the endless stream of praise—no, compliments—when my mind was becoming hazy, about half of her review finally emerged.

This wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

I fidgeted with my burning ear tips.

“So who is the man Rose met?”

“Hmm, that’s a secret.”

“…Why?”

Because spoilers are absolutely forbidden.

I deliberately looked away from Chloe, who had an expression as if her world had collapsed.

‘It’s been a while since I felt this thrill.’

The sensation I’d felt in my previous life when directly searching for sales figures, ratings, and public reactions was gradually reviving.

“I’ll show you when I finish writing it.”

“…Promise! You absolutely must! You’ve made a promise with me!”

Looking at her speaking with an urgent face, I nodded.

Something about her earnest tone made laughter keep slipping out without me realizing it.

I hadn’t intended it since I didn’t have much manuscript written, but I’d ended up cutting it off at quite an interesting scene for Chloe.

“…Cut it off in the middle?”

A thought that suddenly occurred to me.

A forgotten method came to mind, and I became serious.

‘I don’t necessarily need to write this to completion and publish it all at once, do I?’

Recalling the readers who eagerly awaited the next volume when I wrote a fantasy work, I smiled more brightly than ever.

Since there happen to be three male protagonists, it would fit perfectly if I divided it into three volumes for release.

---

“I have no regrets even if I die now—I’ve memorized all the dialogue, so please quickly tell me the next content…!”

Unfortunately, Volume 2 was planned to be released after seeing the reaction to Volume 1.

I didn’t specifically reveal this fact to Chloe, but perhaps because I only needed to write one-third of my target amount, Volume 1 was completed faster than expected.

‘The overall content doesn’t change much.’

Since her will was strong and I didn’t particularly try to stop her from rereading, Chloe had read the manuscript about six times.

“I should start looking into publishers soon. Do I just need to visit them randomly?”

I was worried due to my lack of information, but Chloe, who heard my muttering, tilted her head and said:

“You could just call them—is there really a need to go personally?”

When had she been desperately searching for the next volume with clouded eyes? Her gaze had returned to normal.

“…Call? Here?”

“If you tell the Baron, he’ll probably find decent publishers and call them here.”

I looked at Chloe with a bewildered expression at her matter-of-fact attitude, as if stating something obvious.

Just mentioning it wasn’t particularly difficult.

Chloe, who had grown serious wondering if she wouldn’t be able to see the next volume if I got engaged, was completely on my side.

Unintentionally, I’d gained an enthusiastic reader—no, a reliable ally.

“And you’ve been sitting too long. Please lie down and rest, even briefly.”

“…Okay. Thanks.”

Before I knew it, I was naturally lying on the bed receiving a massage from her.

And using the dinner table, the only time the whole family gathered, I casually brought up the topic of publishers.

“To publish a book, I think I need a publisher first. Could you possibly look into it for me?”

“I’ll make a request to the information guild.”

Seeing Alexis readily accept, I shed the worries I’d been holding.

Learning for the first time that information guilds existed, I made small mental plans to somehow use this knowledge later.

Unlike the Republic of Korea, which had been a democratic nation, this was a thorough class society.

I realized that contract methods I’d taken for granted wouldn’t work here.

Since the Baron family was also strictly a member of the nobility, it was natural for the commoner-run publishing companies to visit us, or something like that.

About three days after making the request to him, two strangers visited the mansion.

“Haah…”

But it was my fault for having expectations.

---

They say interviews are determined by first impressions, and that was certainly true.

The moment I entered the reception room, when the two seated men stood up and our eyes met, I first saw an oily smile along with a somewhat sleazy feeling.

“It’s an honor to meet the beautiful rose of the Blaine family. I’m Houston from Brien Publishing.”

At first, I tried to ignore such small signals and have a conversation.

“I’m Walter from ‘Liu.’ Thanks to the opportunity you’ve given me, I have the honor of meeting the Blaine young lady.”

The man who particularly emphasized the publishing company name “Liu” had been scanning me multiple times with persistent eyes since earlier.

‘He looks a bit younger too.’

He looked at me while engaging in a subtle war of nerves with Houston, who wore a brown suit and boasted a full build.

“The books published by Liu are frequently sought after by noble young ladies and lords.”

Haha.

Artificial laughter spread to everyone, and the simple self-introductions were complete.

I knew that before entering serious conversation, there should be pleasantries and light chat, but…

“Recently in the capital, Lord Valter’s books are popular. Have you read them, young lady?”

I didn’t know it would last an entire hour.

Even when I subtly brought up talk about works, they only engaged in meaningless conversation.

Long past losing the desire to show my manuscript, I finally couldn’t stand it and spoke first.

“I’d like to discuss the detailed contract conditions for the work now.”

“For the young lady to possess such dazzling beauty along with intelligence—it’s truly amazing.”

Is that supposed to be a compliment?

Do they think they just need to express admiration about everything?

I looked at the Liu employee with a slightly disgusted expression, but the other one wasn’t any different.

All that was here was one flatterer and…

“Like a single rose flower. Among all the nobles I’ve seen in my life, I haven’t seen anyone more beautiful and intelligent than the Blaine young lady.”

Two flatterers.

As time dragged on, my eyes lost focus.

Wondering just how far they’d go, I endured while staring into space until their thoughts on contracts finally found their way into words.

“If profits are generated… we would give everything to you, Miss!”

‘As if your book would even sell?’

“If it’s a book containing photos of the Blaine young lady, every young lord in the capital would buy it and more.”

‘It might sell well if you sell the face along with it.’

Hearing those words, what remained of my will was completely shattered, and I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

They never even considered me a writer in the first place.

There was a reason they awkwardly attached appearance compliments to every word, as if dealing with a naive noble young lady.

An attitude of subtly looking down on and ignoring me while paradoxically trying to impress me.

“My physical condition has suddenly deteriorated, so I think I need to leave now.”

How pathetic.

The corners of my mouth, which I’d been forcing upward, dropped as I became serious.

Liu’s side, who first noticed the chilled atmosphere, hurriedly spoke, but…

“Recently there’s jewelry that’s popular among other noble young ladies…”

Indeed, there was no reversal until the very end.

Since they were saying useless things, I lightly ignored them, stood up, and looked down at the two men.

“I hope you both have a safe journey home.”

Since I felt no need to change their prejudices and perceptions.

Though I heard voices trying to hold me back from behind, I stormed out of the reception room.

‘It would be faster for me to start my own publishing company.’

Starting from scratch would take too long, so wouldn’t it work to acquire something suitable and then do as I please?

Perhaps because I’d seen places with no dreams or hope, my expectations had dropped infinitely low. To be precise, it was no different from having already fallen off a cliff.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I headed straight to father’s study.

Looking at the guard standing in front of the door, I said quietly:

“I’d like to have a conversation with the head of the family for a moment.”

My mind was already made up.

I couldn’t give my baby to such a terrible place.

‘Even if I give up everything else, I just need to somehow publish the book.’

Even mobilizing all my previous life’s experience for good promotional marketing, it shouldn’t completely fail to sell.

“The head of the family says to come in, Miss.”

Making a firm resolution inwardly, I entered the study with an even more determined expression than before.