The Villainess’s Guide to Winning the Male Lead - Chapter 117

“So it’s settled then.”

“Wow…”

While preparations for the wedding were underway at the Duke’s residence, my task was to notify the Tower of Mages.

Since I had a long-term boyfriend, the news of the marriage wasn’t a big surprise.

One of the magicians raised their hand.

“Go ahead, speak.”

“What about your role as the Tower Master? You’re not planning to quit, are you?”

I had a lot of thoughts about this too. Being the Duchess wouldn’t be an easy task. Balancing it with the responsibilities of the Tower Master would be challenging.

But Hans was the one who dissuaded me from quitting.

‘You love being the Tower Master. So, you should continue.’

He seemed not to understand why I was even considering it.

After all, Hans could manage well on his own; there was no need for me to help with his duties.

“Don’t worry. I’ll continue as the Tower Master.”

A collective sigh of relief came from all around. These folks really didn’t want to take over the Tower Master role.

“Can all of us attend the wedding?”

“What? Why would you come?”

“What? Of course, we should attend! We’re colleagues!”

One of the magicians exclaimed, seemingly taken aback by my response. I replied nonchalantly.

“Then choose only five. There’ll be a lot of people anyway.”

“Five is too few…”

“Rock, paper, scissors then.”

And so, they started playing amongst themselves. They were really amusing.

Leaving them to their game, I exited the workspace.

I usually teleported around, but I decided to use the stairs for a change.

Descending floor by floor, I took in the sights of the Tower.

“…”

I thought I’d feel nostalgic, but knowing I would continue working here even after marriage, no special emotions surfaced.

“Tower Master.”

Someone was descending the stairs towards me. It was the magician who acted as my secretary.

“What’s up?”

“Her Majesty the Empress has come to visit.”

Laila?

I wondered why someone of her stature would come here. After becoming the Empress, Laila didn’t visit the Tower often.

“To the reception room?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there.”

I quickly used a teleportation spell.

Laila was seated in the reception room, surrounded by several magicians, engaging in conversation with them.

Without any airs of an Empress, Laila was chatting as amicably as she used to. She wore a genuinely happy smile.

“Ah, Camilla—”

Laila noticed me and waved.

I gave a small smile and approached the group.

“What brings you here?”

“Just checking on how Camilla is doing—”

“Now, of all times?”

Laila burst into laughter and then continued,

“I rushed here as soon as I heard about the wedding.”

“Where did you hear it from so quickly…?”

Most likely, Kabir had spread the word. The news must have circulated around the imperial palace by now.

“Are you holding the wedding at the imperial palace?”

“We have a perfectly good Duke’s residence, why would we need to do it at the imperial palace?”

“It’s a grand celebration! We should invite as many people as possible.”

“The thought alone is displeasing to me.”

Ideally, I’d want a modest gathering with people I know, like Lumi’s birthday party.

But due to adult circumstances, that wasn’t possible. We had decided to invite only the nobility connected to the Hayward Ducal family.

‘If we end up going to the imperial palace…’

The guest list would probably triple what I had in mind. Absolutely not what I wanted.

However, Laila answered firmly with a smile.

“No, you must.”

“…?”

“It’s already decided.”

“What?”

Laila rummaged and pulled out a piece of paper.

It was a document regarding the wedding, almost like a proposal.

And at the bottom, the imperial and Hayward Ducal family’s seals were stamped.

“….”

I felt like I was starting to dislike Kabir.

* * *

“Explain this.”

I stormed into Kabir’s office, slamming the desk. Hans was also there, brought along by me.

Kabir, as if braced for this, answered indifferently with his arms crossed.

“It’s been decided.”

“Explain, uncle.”

“…I’m sorry.”

He finally averted his gaze from me. I let out a deep sigh.

“I had no choice because of Irmin. You know that.”

“….”

Irmin still doted on me like a seven-year-old. It was obvious that he insisted on having a lavish wedding for his only disciple.

It was the Emperor’s command; Kabir was helpless. Understanding his situation made it impossible to question further.

‘I can’t even complain to Irmin.’

While it was okay to confront Prince Irmin, it was impossible to do so with Emperor Irmin. Biting my lip was the best I could do.

“Lips.”

“Yes.”

Hans interjected, and I stopped biting my lips.

Hans, too, must have disliked the commotion, but he seemed composed about it.

I whispered to Hans,

“Doesn’t this bother you at all?”

“It’s not our real wedding, so.”

Our wedding was set to happen twice. Once as Camilla and Owen, and then our true wedding.

“We can invite only close friends to the other one.”

Perhaps knowing we had the opportunity for a simple and ordinary wedding was what allowed him to remain calm.

“Right, I should give my best to Camilla’s life for now.”

I decided not to get too absorbed. While Camilla’s life was indeed my real life, the difference in perception compared to my time in the Celestial Realm was significant.

“That’s just how it is.”

“Change of heart?”

Kabir seemed taken aback by my sudden composure.

I smiled brightly and replied,

“You too must be in a difficult position, Duke. We fully understand.”

“Camilla…”

Kabir looked moved, his expression innocent. Hans, on the other hand, was looking at me as if I was a puzzle.

“Has the wedding date been set?”

“It was supposed to be discussed with you.”

“Already decided, yet you say we need to discuss… Just let us know the date, and we’ll be there.”

That’s how noble weddings were. Follow what the higher-ups decide.

Kabir seemed aware of this, appearing apologetic.

I reassured him with a smile,

“It’s alright.”

We would have another wedding anyway.

Though Kabir couldn’t be invited, there was still another opportunity to create memories.

* * *

We came to the Celestial Realm for the wedding preparations.

The members I met in the Celestial Realm were always the same: Poppopo, OnlyFinley, and Carrot.

The location was no different, the usual café in front of the company.

“Here, the design for the invitation.”

Poppopo was in charge of our wedding invitations.

True to her word of being a design major, the final product was beautiful.

“Wow…”

“Though I won’t be giving a wedding gift. That’s okay, right?”

“No, we should still pay you for the design work!”

“Forget it, it was a fan’s labor of love.”

Poppopo laughed heartily.

Besides her, OnlyFinley helped with the venue, and Carrot was the MC.

‘Having a wide network really is beneficial.’

Most of the other wedding preparations were helped by the viewers. Hans and I only needed to focus on the human world wedding.

OnlyFinley asked excitedly,

“When are you going for the wedding dress fitting? I want to come see.”

“Why would you come? It should just be Hans and me.”

“Can’t you broadcast it?”

At Carrot’s words, I looked at him incredulously. He knew we couldn’t broadcast in the Celestial Realm, so why such a pointless suggestion?

Carrot seemed to realize it was a futile wish and made a disappointed face.

“Following you to the dress fitting would be intrusive, and we can’t take photos either.”

“Just come see it at the main event.”

“But that’s so far away—! I want to see it now!”

Carrot and OnlyFinley were both nagging. Hans, sitting next to me, looked fed up.

Ignoring the two, Poppopo addressed me,

“When are you going to see the dress?”

“Tomorrow.”

“It’s quick.”

“We’re using the honeymoon as an excuse, so we can’t stay long.”

The human realm wedding had already concluded. We had excused ourselves to a secluded estate for our honeymoon but in reality, we had come to the Celestial Realm.

Our honeymoon destination was the Celestial Realm. Calling it a ‘honeymoon’ felt odd since we ended up doing wedding preparations here too.

I sighed deeply and slumped over the table.

“Why does marriage involve so many steps?”

“What can we do?”

Maybe it was a relief that there was no additional pomp and circumstance. If that had been the case, I would have faced even more overwhelming steps.

“Slackers. Found you.”

Someone approached us.

Our eyes collectively turned towards the newcomer.

“Hello.”

There was Ian, looking haggard. Ever since he took over as manager in place of Hans, he had been in this state.

“He looks like he’s about to collapse.”

“I wish I could just collapse.”

Ian slumped down in an empty seat. Calling us slackers, it seemed he had snuck out to take a break as well.

Poppopo, seated next to Ian, asked in bewilderment,

“Do you even have time to relax?”

“I need to rest at least when Jiha is here. Buy me a coffee, will you?”

“Making demands so confidently.”

Despite her grumbling, Poppopo obediently got up and headed to the counter.

Ian watched her go, smiling, then turned to look at me.

“Oh, right.”

It seemed like he suddenly remembered something.

Finally, he said,

“I have a wedding gift for you two.”