Sigh...
I am the author of the book called "Love in Exchange for Life."
It was a massive hit.
But after I finished it...
I was murdered simply because I killed the favorite character of some no-life loser.
And now...
I've reincarnated as the very person who was obsessed with the character that indirectly caused my death.
I...
I became Duke Gujarastra.
Or rather...
The future Duke of Gujarastra.
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Inside a study room sat a young boy with hair as white as pure silver. He wore an oversized pitch-black shirt paired with brown trousers. Papers were spread across the desk before him as he silently read through them.
"These documents are easy to understand."
"I don't know why, but I can understand this language perfectly fine."
The original novel I wrote was your typical romance fantasy.
The male lead was cold, distant, and reserved. But after meeting the saint-like heroine and our main character, he became someone capable of killing anyone who dared raise their head against her without hesitation.
After all...
I wrote him that way.
"Haaah..."
"Even in my second life, I'm still doing paperwork."
"That bastard Duke dumped everything on my head and ran away to one of his so-called business meetings."
I looked toward the mirror hanging nearby.
"Haha... whatever."
"At least I'm handsome."
"At least my genes are god-tier."
I shook my head.
Don't get distracted.
The matter at hand is why the villainess Navya came here.
After finishing my work, I rang the bell.
Ding~
A butler entered the room and bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Bring Lady Navya here."
"And call my sister as well."
"Yes, Young Lord."
The butler bowed once more before leaving the room.
After a while, Navya entered alongside the butler.
"Where is Sister Eveline?" I asked.
The butler lowered his head.
"Young Miss said she is currently on her monthly cycle and cannot attend."
Hmm...
"You may leave."
The butler bowed before quietly exiting the room.
After he left, I turned toward Navya.
"Lady Navya, I apologize for making you leave earlier."
"I was rather busy at the time, and I wanted to give you my full attention. If you had stayed while I was working, I would've only ended up neglecting you."
"So I ask for your understanding."
"N-Not at all!"
She hurriedly waved her hands in panic.
"I understand. I would've done the same if I were in your position."
"Hmm."
"Then let's talk about why you came here."
"Oh..."
"I came here to give you a business idea."
"So House Gujarastra can gain an advantage in the trading market."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of business idea could possibly give us an upper hand in our cold war against the Merchant Guild?"
She straightened herself before speaking.
"In our Empire, nearly every business targets nobles."
"Horses, jewelry, clothing, luxury goods..."
"But..."
"Nearly seventy-eight percent of our Empire's population consists of commoners."
"So why don't we create businesses focused on them instead?"
She began explaining her idea in detail.
At first, I had my doubts.
But...
I hadn't expected her to be this talented in business.
I was planning to create businesses for commoners eventually, even if she hadn't suggested it.
But hearing such an idea from her...
A girl who never received proper education after losing both of her parents...
It was surprising.
It almost felt as though I was speaking to someone similar to myself.
One thing was certain.
She possessed an incredibly brilliant mind.
And unfortunately...
This body of mine happened to be obsessed with her.
"What a brilliant idea, my lady."
"You're truly a genius."
I smiled brightly.
"A-Ahh, it's n-not that impressive!"
She immediately looked away.
Cute.
No.
Stop.
Don't think like Vihir.
"Your idea is excellent, although there are still a few flaws in the plan."
"But don't worry."
"I can cover those parts."
I crossed my arms.
"Ah yes, Lady Navya."
"Will you be attending Crown Prince Ashok's eighteenth birthday banquet?"
"Y-Yes."
She nodded.
Haaah...
Some things never change.
Like her.
"Will you be attending alone?"
I uncrossed my arms and rested one elbow on the desk while supporting my chin with my hand.
"N-No."
"My uncle, aunt, and cousin will accompany me."
"I see."
I let out a sigh.
"Then let's leave that topic for now."
"There's still an entire month left until then."
I tilted my head slightly.
"So how exactly did you come up with this idea?"
"What inspired you to create businesses aimed toward commoners?"
I bombarded her with questions.
She looked genuinely troubled.
"It's a secret, my lord."
"Sigh..."
"You and your secrets."
She came all the way here just to give me an idea?
I couldn't believe it.
The vicious character I had written was acting completely differently.
Was it because of my reincarnation?
Or something else?
Whatever it was...
As long as it benefited me, I didn't care.
I stood up and walked toward her.
Without realizing it, I gently touched her hair.
"My lady..."
"Please tell me your real reason for coming here."
"Real... reason?"
"I-I..."
"I came because I missed you."
"Because I wanted to see you..."
She closed her eyes tightly as the words escaped her lips.
It almost looked as though even she didn't understand why she had said them.
Ba-dump.
Ba-dump.
My heart pounded violently.
"T-To see me?"
"You traveled all the way from Everguard to Gujarastra just to see me?"
I knew this was probably another one of her schemes.
Yet...
The words escaping my mouth weren't mine.
Even my heartbeat wasn't mine.
The expression on my face was one I, the author, would never make.
So...
Were these Vihir's feelings?
The feelings he held toward Navya?
I...
I didn't know.
In my previous life, I had been too focused on survival to think about relationships or love.
This feeling was strange.
Yet...
Why did it warm my heart?
A single tear escaped my left eye.
Before it could fall, I wiped it away.
Haaah...
Get yourself together.
I changed my expression.
Then I kneeled before her.
Taking her hand gently, I kissed the back of it before pressing it softly against my cheek.
"My lady..."
"Tell me..."
"Is it true that you came all this way simply to see me?"
"M-My..."
"My..."
"Even if it isn't true..."
"I can't help but be happy."
"So promise me."
"You'll never leave me."
"I won't."
She smiled brightly.
For a moment...
Time itself seemed to slow down.
Flower petals drifted through the open window.
It was a magical sight.
"You can come to me whenever you want, my lady."
"Even if the entire world stands against you."
"Even if it is the Emperor himself who hurts you."
"I won't stand by and watch."
The atmosphere around me bloomed with warmth.
Within the darkness of the room, my golden eyes reflected only one person.
Then—
Knock knock.
A butler entered the room.
"Young Lord."
"The Duke has returned."
"Haaah..."
"That old man always arrives at the worst possible moments."
"N-No, it's fine."
"I was about to leave anyway."
Navya stood up.
"I'll walk you to your carriage."
She nodded.
We left the room together.
For fifteen whole minutes we walked side by side in silence.
Before we realized it, we had already reached the carriage.
The carriage was pulled by four white horses.
It possessed six windows and two doors, each engraved with the symbol of House Everguard.
A talwar pressed against the neck of a bear.
A symbol representing their duty to protect the Empire from dangers lurking beyond its borders.
House Gujarastra had its own crest as well.
A white lion surrounded by eight golden coins.
The perfect representation of greed, wealth, and trade.
As she climbed into the carriage, she used my hand for support.
"Then..."
"I'll see you at the Crown Prince's birthday banquet."
"I'll be waiting for you, my lady."
"I'll do the same, my lord."
The carriage slowly disappeared into the horizon.
I stood there quietly for several moments.
Sigh...
Why was I acting like some obsessive stalker, leech, or yandere?
It's not as though I love her.
This body is simply functioning the way it was written to function.
Which means...
After the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, she'll naturally fall for him.
Because that was the role I wrote for her.
That was her fate.
Which means...
"I can't change anything?!"
"No..."
"There has to be something."
"Why didn't I get some cheat ability like every other reincarnated author?"
"A system?"
"An OP skill?"
"ChatGPT?!"
"A robot assistant?!"
"A manual?!"
"At least give me something!"
"Haaah..."
"I got absolutely nothing."
I sighed in frustration.
"Honestly, this novel is complete trash."
"I know I wrote it, but it's still trash."
Now...
I have to meet that old dog who only understands money.
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That night, after falling asleep...
I had a dream.
A long table stretched endlessly through darkness.
Sitting across from me was another version of Vihir.
Strangely enough...
I had my original appearance.
Vihir looked directly into my eyes.
Then he spoke.
"You..."
"The god who created me..."
His voice trembled.
"Can you give me..."
"A happy ending?"