I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 60

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 60

Most information regarding Hillia’s activities fell into Evangeline’s hands.
Of course, those were only the details Hillia had deemed acceptable for Evangeline to know.
Evangeline tilted her head as she reviewed and cross-referenced the gathered intelligence.
“She’s been purchasing quite a substantial amount of supplies for the banquet, which is what I expected. But it seems far more than necessary…”
The rather handsome man seated across from her then opened his mouth with a cunning smile.
His chestnut-brown bob swayed gently, and his blue-gray eyes sparkled behind the monocle.
“It’s only natural, given she’s never hosted a proper banquet before. Quite different from you, Evangeline.”
He was Wilhelm Filermo, the publisher of “Epistola,” the gazette sweeping through the Capital City’s salon society.
A man who had started as a salon newsletter publisher and later created what could be called the press itself.
Naturally, as a Possessed who knew the future, Evangeline had taken in this debt-ridden man and made him flourish within a single year.
As a result, the salons of the central high society now competed to receive his gazette and contribute articles to it.
‘Of course, my relationship with Wilhelm must remain secret.’
Evangeline’s control over the Capital City’s salon society owed much to Wilhelm’s gazette.
Moreover, Wilhelm’s gazette didn’t merely influence the nobility.
Wealthy commoners who admired the aristocracy sought out the gazette, and within days, this information had spread even to the common folk in the marketplace.
She had effectively seized control of the press.
Evangeline gazed at Wilhelm with satisfaction.
He was one of the individuals she had altered from the ‘original story’ and claimed for herself.
In other words, he was spoils of war.
Until recently, the greatest prize had been the male lead, Ludwig.
But not anymore.
‘That alcoholic trash is the original male lead or whatever, but he’s become utterly useless now. …Except for one thing.’
Wilhelm, on the other hand, remained thoroughly satisfactory.
His appearance was presentable, and his abilities matched.
Moreover, he worshipped Evangeline like a goddess.
Unlike in the original story.
In the original narrative, countless talented individuals who had dedicated themselves to the female lead by chance or fate now belonged to her.
Wilhelm was their prime example.
Evangeline smiled gently and extended her hand.
“I rely only on you, Wilhelm.”
Wilhelm’s eyes gleamed.
“I shall do my utmost, my lady.”
He kissed the back of her hand repeatedly, with utmost passion.
After Ludwig’s downfall, the men around Evangeline could harbor hope.
She had begun displaying far more lenient behavior than before.
Just like now.
As if tempting them with the possibility that if they devoted themselves wholeheartedly, they might one day become her one and only.
Sensing his mood, Evangeline smiled faintly.
Yet she did not abandon her suspicions entirely.
“She’s been purchasing all manner of local specialties from every region. Rock salt and boiled salt from the east, vast quantities of wheat and butter from the south, animal fats and sugar. Spirits from everywhere, not to mention livestock, poultry, and seafood without question. Barley and turnips from the west….”
Certainly, such a grand banquet would require an enormous quantity of supplies.
“As a result, transport ships are moving in large numbers. Nearly double the usual amount. Most of those supplies are said to be entering the Prince’s Palace.”
Wilhelm deliberately seized upon this to mock Hillia.
“What sort of banquet would require barley or turnips? I could understand oil, wheat, and sugar, but….”
“Who knows….”
“In any case, thanks to this, the entire Capital City is bustling. The Prince’s Palace has been spending quite generously.”
“True enough. Besides, on the same day, Lady Quinifel’s ball will also be held at the Empress’s Palace.”
“That’s why, surprisingly, the evaluation of Princess Delphin among the Capital City’s merchants and commoners is not unfavorable. …At least she’s spending money.”
“Those ignorant swine will always be what they are. But it does irritate me.”
It was only natural. The merchants of the Capital City were thriving thanks to Hillia.
Seeing Evangeline’s displeasure, Wilhelm immediately catered to her mood.
“Even so, Artanus Hall will be completely empty. All those purchased supplies will go to waste, unused.”
“Exactly. That’s how it will be. No, that’s how it must be.”
Evangeline, who had been lost in thought for a moment, snapped her fingers as she spoke.
“Ah! What if such a rumor circulated? Hillia Delphin saying to a starving beggar, ‘If you’re hungry, why not eat cake?'”
Wilhelm’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“A brilliant idea.”
Wilhelm’s gazette contained various articles and illustrations.
Even commoners who could not read sought out the gazette’s pictures and satirical drawings.
Wilhelm began writing out how the illustrations should be drawn.
“If we depict her with an arrogant expression, discarding all the lavish party food, while saying that to a beggar, it should work perfectly.”
“Yes! Exactly that!”
The ignorant masses would accept the picture printed in the gazette as fact, regardless of whether Hillia had actually said such words.
“You are truly brilliant, Evangeline. Your ideas are genius.”
Evangeline laughed wickedly.
‘I’m merely borrowing memories from Earth, but after all, I’m the first to conceive of it here, aren’t I? It doesn’t matter.’
Ruining the banquet at Artanus Hall and shaming her with the dress was not enough.
‘I must make even the commoners spit upon her and despise her.’
Wilhelm pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket as he spoke.
“With the front-page article of the gazette to be published on the day of the banquet, the fall of Princess Delphin is assured!”
This was a sample of the gazette scheduled for publication in three days.
Two noble ladies were depicted there.
The ridiculous figure of Hillia, humiliated after imitating someone beautiful, and.
Evangeline’s radiant, composed figure shining before her.
Evangeline laughed brightly upon seeing it.
“Yes. It will happen exactly as shown here.”
Just as in this picture.
She was confident. All her preparations were flawless.

* * *

I exhaled a long breath and stretched my weary body across the chaise lounge, exhausted from the constant tension.
“Ah, pretending to be a clueless fool is genuinely exhausting.”
Before me, the dress that Madame Fileren and the Kemel atelier staff had fitted me into earlier was displayed on a torso.
Anny, who had kept her mouth shut throughout the fitting, frowned as she looked at the dress.
“This is really terrible. It doesn’t suit Your Highness’s complexion or hair color at all.”
And yet Madame Fileren and the atelier staff had praised that dress profusely.
All to ensure I would choose and wear it.
I laughed bitterly.
“Well, they must have tailored it to suit Evangeline instead.”
It was clearly made with far inferior quality and deliberately less ornate than the dress prepared for Evangeline.
Evangeline’s scheme was transparent as day.
‘She plans to wear a similar dress that’s far more beautiful and extravagant at the banquet to humiliate me.’
Hadn’t she already attempted something similar at my wedding?
Evangeline had chosen my wedding dress.
And even before my regression, she had worn nearly identical gowns to important occasions multiple times to shame me.

“My, even if you’re jealous of the flower of high society, at least do it properly. Why resort to such crude imitation?”

Anny clicked her tongue as she looked at the dress created through Evangeline’s elaborate schemes.
“Seeing it like this… there really is no comparison.”
I let out a soft laugh.
“Right?”
I knew exactly which dress Anny was comparing this to.
Indeed, Josephine Soleno, or rather Rita Morgan….
‘No, wait—Frida Wes now. She’s truly a genius.’
Frida Wes was the alias I had created for Isephin.
And just recently, she had opened her shop in a prestigious location where high-end dressmakers gathered.
Of course, she hadn’t taken clients yet, and no sample dresses were on display.
Designer Frida Wes’s debut and the atelier’s first masterpiece would be unveiled at the banquet in Artanus Hall.
“The dress I’ll be wearing is incomparably beautiful.”
Anny nodded with an excited face.
“Yes. It’s truly a dreamlike beautiful dress. Everyone will be amazed by your beauty at the banquet!”
I smiled back at her.
Today was the final fitting day before the banquet.
And on the day of the banquet, those belonging to the Prince’s household and Isephin herself would dress me.
On the banquet day, I had no intention of letting Madame Fileren or anyone from Kemel’s atelier inside.
‘Madame Fileren probably won’t even come, too busy fawning over Evangeline….’
In any case, what that meant was….
“There’s no need to keep that shabby dress around anymore.”
As if waiting for my words, Anny’s eyes sparkled.
“So what should we do with it?”
Honestly, I wanted to burn it just like Ludwig had done with the wedding dress.
But that seemed like wasteful destruction of resources.
The dress itself wasn’t at fault.
I was contemplating this.
Anny approached and whispered in my ear.
“…What about something like this?”
I was surprised. Anny had come up with such a scheme?
“Do you know how angry I’ve been watching what the Marquis of Ruse’s daughter and her faction have been doing beside you?”
Anny’s small shoulders trembled with fury.
“I’m certain. Then that woman will feel several times more humiliated. Please allow it, Your Highness!”
“Anny… but if you do that, Evangeline’s wrath might reach you too….”
Then Anny smiled brightly. A smile filled with unwavering faith.
“I’m not worried at all. You’ll protect me, won’t you, Your Highness?”
“….”
I was at a loss for words.
But Anny’s fury and courage moved my heart.
It was different from before my regression. Now, Anny would never be sacrificed so meaninglessly like she had been then.
I will protect it no matter what.
I nodded in agreement.
When I added a few more words, Anny’s eyes widened.
“…Will that really be alright?”
“Yes. And don’t worry. I won’t use it as is. I’ll make it far more beautiful for you.”
Isephin was scheduled to arrive secretly this evening.
Along with the finest seamstresses I had procured.
As if on cue, a Servant delivered a note from the Black Mercenary unit containing information.
The contents were simple.

「The transport of barley and turnips has been completed.」

Excellent news. With this, all preparations were complete.
‘The banquet is only four days away now.’
By then, much of what I had prepared would be revealed.
And everyone would come to know.
‘Who the true protagonist really is.’
I found myself increasingly anticipating the day of the banquet.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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