The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

Remarkably, the rental service targeting commoners exploded in popularity among nobles as well.

For nobles lacking finances yet compelled by status to host lavish weddings through exorbitant dress purchases, Roati’s mid-range packages presented an incredible opportunity.

They could hold elegant ceremonies without exorbitant costs.

Moreover, they need not disclose pricing publicly – a crucial consideration in nobility’s reputation-conscious society.

Hence, we maintained strict confidentiality throughout all proceedings.

Beyond the dresses showcased, requests even poured in for high-end dress rentals.

Beginning with the fashion show, Roati’s renown spread not just across Felosite, but neighboring regions as well.

* * *

“Still not here?”

Beatrice sat on a rose garden bench, continually gazing skyward.

“She’ll arrive shortly, Your Highness. Please be patient a little longer.”

“You really are incompetent, you know. As a Felosite, I had higher expectations, but you’re utterly useless…”

Tapping her chin while shaking her head side to side, Beatrice’s behavior so terrified Priscilla that the girl knelt groveling before the princess.

“N-No! I’ll do better, I promise!”

Seemingly satisfied with Priscilla’s actions, Beatrice raised one corner of her mouth in a slight smirk.

“Yes, that’s better. Honestly, did she really say she’d come today?”

“Yes, I sent word directly to headquarters myself. She should arrive any moment.”

That maid Lorraine who served Karena – she operated on an entirely different level than this idiotic brunette.

Not only diligently monitoring Karena’s every move as requested, she voluntarily provided Felosite news she hadn’t even asked for.

Thanks to her, Beatrice gained valuable insights into the rumored ‘Roati Company’ as well.

That the lord named Roati, of ambiguous gender, uniquely understood women’s minds better than anyone.

And that they had developed new wedding packages earning rapturous acclaim from Felosite commoners and nobles alike.

‘No one will ever dare call me ‘rustic’ again.’

If she hadn’t heard it herself, the insipid gossip from foolish noble ladies would have deeply grated on her.

“Your Highness! There’s a messenger bird incoming!”

It was the awaited letter from Lorraine.

“Quick, go retrieve it! Hurry!”

* * *

In a blink, the Roati Company skyrocketed to become the Empire’s preeminent association.

Their flagship tiered wedding packages were already booked solid two years in advance just to secure a date.

Even adequately compensating staff, the company’s cash reserves long since surpassed the Felosite Archducal family’s assets.

The astonishing fact was that of all imperial noble houses, the Felosite Duchy ranked among the wealthiest.

Yet within just one month of launching the packages, I had amassed a staggering fortune.

Including my personal princess assets, I likely exceeded even my imperial father’s wealth.

Ironically, Beatrice had unintentionally aided this meteoric rise.

Under the name Lorraine, I consistently raised Roati’s profile until cementing it with the fashion show.

In truth, even when we were close, Beatrice had earned the unflattering ‘Most Rustic Princess Imperial in History’ moniker, ostracized by the capital’s social circles.

The same held true in the original story when she was the proper heroine.

Her association with me improved her standing somewhat, but it seemed to breed an inferiority complex.

If Roati could freely enter the Empire, it would greatly benefit Your Highness.

With a Roati branch in the imperial capital through Your Highness, your standing would rise even higher. You would earn the ‘trendsetter’ nickname!

By what means I knew not, but Beatrice had issued Roati a special permit for imperial business operations and unrestricted entry.

More than anything, it granted my deepest desire – an invitation to the imperial palace sat atop my office desk.

* * *

In the preparations for my first outing to the palace as Lord Roati, my disguise mask underwent significant advancements.

Previously impossible voice modulation during the prince’s investiture ceremony was now fully viable.

Moreover, the earlier limitation of only one face per mask had improved, allowing me to rapidly switch between any number of appearances at will.

“Let me come with you this time, Rena.”

Upon hearing I had accepted Beatrice’s palace invitation, Gabriel came to me.

“It could be quite dangerous.”

“You and Hailey are going to that perilous place too. Leaving aside special abilities, I’m stronger than you physically.”

During my business engrossment, Gabriel had undergone rigorous military training alongside the Felosite knights.

Ever since learning of Beatrice and Liam’s betrayal, and the ‘piece of God’ behind it all, he had pushed himself to utter limits.

It was an arduous sight, even for me.

Perhaps it was his way of overcoming it.

“But this time, we must avoid confrontation as much as possible. I’ll only take minimal escorts.”

The ‘minimal escorts’ I mentioned were Gebino Augusto.

Whatever deal transpired between him and the ‘piece of God’, when Jonathan regained his divine power, Gebino simultaneously recovered his physical capabilities.

So unless mana or divine power was needed, Gebino would suffice.

My special ability could still adequately counter such forces.

“This is also my revenge against those two who betrayed and deceived me.”

No matter what I said, Gabriel seemed utterly resolved.

“Very well. Besides Hailey and myself, just you and Gebino. Only you two.”

Thus we began the preparations for our palace visit.

Aside from Hailey, Roati’s chief planner, the other two required disguising their identities.

To do so, we needed to officially list them on the Company’s personnel roster.

Gabriel became Ruell Forsto, while Gebino took the alias Hans Digger.

The two would be hired as laborers for physical tasks like moving cargo.

We even rigorously trained addressing each other by those new names. Only after spending several days at the office could we complete the flawless preparations.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright seeing Beatrice and Liam…?”

Inside the carriage headed for the palace, I asked Gabriel one last time.

“I have you there, Rena. My real sister, who would sacrifice her life for me.”

“Brother, we must endure for now. When the time comes, we’ll properly get our revenge.”

Bracing ourselves together, we opted to remain stoic as owner and staff for the remainder of the journey.

After around half a day’s travel, the imperial palace came into view.

“After being surrounded by Felosite’s palace, the imperial one seems… rather unimpressive, doesn’t it?”

I shared Gabriel’s wistful sentiment as we entered the imperial grounds.

“You must have endured quite an arduous journey to arrive here, Lord Roati.”

Beatrice welcomed us disembarking the carriage with a radiant smile.

The unmanned, ornately decorated carriage curved in soft, elegant lines.

Despite previously witnessing it through the Felosite Archduke and Archduchess, Beatrice couldn’t tear her eyes away from its opulence.

“It seems this carriage model is quite popular in Felosite. The Archduke and Archduchess also arrived in the same one last time, did they not?”

“Ah, that’s because this is the most expensive model available.”

I deliberately responded to Beatrice in a tone slightly too brazen for a commoner.

Though briefly taken aback, she smoothed her expression, giving no outward reaction.

“I see. Well, it is exquisitely gorgeous and luxurious.”

“In Felosite, only two possess this carriage model. The Archduke of Felosite, and myself – Roati. No, perhaps only two in this entire world own such a carriage. Hahaha!”

Beatrice, who had initially addressed me informally, now spoke politely.

No doubt unawares, the force of Roati’s presence had overawed her.

“Then where shall we hold our consultation, Your Highness?”