After I died, Everything Changed - Chapter 48

From the moment the monsters appeared, he must have already been thinking about what his family needed to do.

Offering to help Mergen’s territory and produce weapons… maybe it wasn’t just for now. Maybe he had already seen far beyond, into the future.

“You’re quite wise, Your Grace.”

“Was that a compliment?”

“Do I have a reason to be sarcastic right now?”

“Hmm. It just sounds strange coming from your mouth, that’s all.”

Was I really that harsh before?

“How about we visit the border of Hekla together tomorrow?”

“I wouldn’t mind.”

“Did I mention I’m quite skilled with a sword?”

“You didn’t have to. I already know.”

“Have you also heard that my swordsmanship far exceeds my looks?”

“Sounds like the same point twice. And I’m not sure why your face is part of the conversation.”

Was the Grand Duke always this light-hearted?

I took a slow breath and glanced around the sitting room.

There wasn’t a single item that wasn’t extravagant.

Even the exterior of the mansion was overwhelming.

Maybe that’s why he always seemed so relaxed—because he was the master of a place like this.

But no… being at ease isn’t about the size of your house.

If that were true, everyone in the imperial family would be a saint.

Then again, he is part of the imperial bloodline.

Still, Lahan was someone who carved out his own place in the world.

People can’t help but admire someone who forges their destiny through their own strength.

Especially when that story starts in darkness, from the bottom.

Nobles or commoners alike—sometimes people are born with price tags already on them.

A prince who wants the throne but can never have it.
Someone like me, whose place as heir was already assumed.
Or someone meant to live forever in someone else’s shadow.

I’ve always been the type to accept fate.

And so had everyone around me.

Like puzzle pieces all perfectly slotted into place.

But when just one of those pieces fell out, everything began to unravel.

I changed.
Irene’s role changed.
Henry’s stance shifted.
Abel’s ambitions evolved.
And even Grand Duke Lahan’s attitude had changed.

Everything was changing.

Fast and dangerously—like a river after a storm.

“Do you feel any affection toward House Bahel, Your Grace?”

The question came suddenly. A passing thought, but one I had to ask.

What did he truly feel about the house he now led?

“Affection? I’m not sure I’ve ever had such a thing.”

Lahan frowned slightly, like he was reaching for a memory buried long ago.

“You gave up your imperial name and chose Bahel. I figured there had to be a reason.”

“Are you starting to take an interest in me?” he asked, smiling slyly.

“In you? No. But I am interested in your story.”

“Sharp as ever.”

He seemed almost surprised I didn’t fall for the bait.

Then, his expression shifted into something more serious.

“Do you like sad stories?”

“Depends. Are they any good?”

“To be honest, Lutetia… Bahel… I always thought of them as burdens.”

“Burdens?”

Who else in this world would dare call the imperial name or a grand duke’s title a burden?

I was genuinely curious about what went on in this man’s head.

“So your title means nothing to you?”

“I’ve seen too much. People giving up their pride, losing their souls, even risking their lives… all for the sake of a name.”

“……”

Why did that hit so close to home?

I gave up my pride a long time ago. My soul is no longer the same.
And as for my life—I’ve already died once.

Every word of his cut straight through me.

“But oddly enough, I loved people like that.”

“Why? They sound so… foolish.”

“Because love came first. And if they chose to live that way, who was I to stop them?”

I nodded.

His world must have been filled with people like that—people caught between nobility and royalty.

Something told me that one of the people he loved… was his mother.

“So, which one are you?” he asked suddenly.

“Sorry?”

The unexpected question caught me off guard.

“Obviously, I’m the type who’s already given up pride, sold my soul, and maybe even tossed my life aside. Right now, I’m just trying to see if there’s anything left to bargain with.”

I answered without shame.

It’s not something to be embarrassed about, is it?

“Fascinating. Everything you’re saying is vulgar, and yet your tone is incredibly refined.”

“That’s probably what makes it noble.”

“You’re right. I guess that means I have a thing for noble types.”

“Excuse me?”

“I think I just fell for that line you said.”

“Please. Spare me.”

At this point, I was starting to think the Grand Duke just didn’t have a type at all.

Is anyone wearing a skirt good enough for him?

“Are you always this into women?”

“Would it sound better if I said no?”

Lahan grinned playfully.

There was never a moment of seriousness in a conversation with him.

Things always seemed to end like this—with banter and mischief.

“Another deeply enlightening conversation, as always.”

“So, Nehrzhu… there’s something I’m curious about.”

“What now?”

“Why am I the one taking care of you?”

At the crack of dawn, I was summoned. The culprit was none other than Nehrzhu.

With the utmost shamelessness, this boy had asked me to assist him—essentially to serve as his nurse.

I was so dumbfounded that I came to see him in person, just to understand what kind of nonsense was running through his head.

“You’re the reason I ended up like this. I can’t be the only one stuck in bed!”

“So what, I should be chained here too in the name of fairness?”

“Fairness? As if! Just run my errands, will you? That’s about the level of work you’re suited for anyway!”

“I see.”

So, this was Nehrzhu’s version of payback.

I calmly considered how I might steer this simple-minded boy back to peace in a nonviolent way.

“Do you trust me?”

“What?”

“I mean, I’m technically competing with your brother, aren’t I?”

“So what?”

“And I’m nearly enemies with your mother—definitely in hostile territory.”

Even as I explained logically, Nehrzhu looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language.

“So my point is… if you ask me for water, or food, or your favorite snacks… can you really eat any of that without worry?”

“What…?”

“Because as a tool for revenge…”

I let my eyes slowly sweep him from head to toe.

“You make quite the ideal target.”

I added a sharp, sweet smile.

Nehrzhu stared at me, completely dumbfounded.

Waiting for him to process took a while.

One second… two… three…

My fingers, folded in my arms, tapped rhythmically.

“Y-You! Are you threatening me right now?”

“Whew. Thank goodness. I was worried I might have to explain it in simpler terms.”

At my reply, Nehrzhu’s face turned beet red—like a ripe tomato.

He was furious.

“Are you saying you’d actually kill me?”

“There’s no reason I couldn’t.”

I dropped the smile.

Nehrzhu’s eyes widened like saucers.

“So Nehrzhu, if you’re thinking about bothering me again, I suggest you reconsider.”

As I unfolded my arms, his body visibly flinched.

How could someone have such little nerve?

“Well then. I wish you a speedy recovery.”

Honestly. Getting worked up over the most trivial things.

“You’ve started to gain supporters, my lady.”

“The retainers must be in full survival mode, scrambling to pick sides.”

Anywhere you go, factions and alliances are inevitable.

And for those who enjoy gambling on the unlikely odds, I guess I was starting to look like a pretty decent bet.

Abel was obviously a strong candidate. No one could argue that. But Chloe already had so many clinging to her coat-tails.

For some, switching to my side probably felt like a smarter move than clinging to the end of hers.

“Either way, it’s good news for us.”

“Especially now, you should be rewarding your loyal supporters—clearly and visibly.”

“Time to draw the line, huh?”

I didn’t hesitate long.

The timing was right.

“Give them major shares in the mining and shipping businesses. And reduce my personal control to a minimum.”

“Are you sure about that? Won’t it frustrate you to let others handle the work?”

“What’s the point of clinging to it? If my hands are free, I can grab something else.”

“You’re putting more weight behind the business with Grand Duke Lahan, then?”

Elliot asked as he jotted down notes in his little book.

“That’s part of it. But I’m also thinking about stealing something this time.”

“…?”

A puzzled look crossed Elliot’s face.

“Roosevelt’s latest ventures just so happen to overlap with the one I’m launching.”

I answered casually, fanning myself with the elegant fan Kalyn had brought me.

Strands of hair fluttered around me like threads of silk.

“…Was this your plan from the beginning?”

“And if I said no, would you believe me?”

“……”

Elliot silently flipped to the next page of his notebook.

Apparently, he had a lot to write.

I found myself—strangely—wondering what kind of notes he actually kept in that little thing.

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Let’s start strong. Give the retainers a generous share—just one big win each to fire them up.”

“Understood.”

It was a deal where I got to offload annoying work, the recipients would be moved to tears, and I lost nothing in the process.

A win-win—if ever there was one.

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