Chapter 45 – The Youngest Daughter of the Count’s Family (8)
[Chapter 3 – Verse 4] The Difference in Perspective!
I haven’t read other romantic fantasy novels, so I can’t say if they’re similar, but the “men of the protagonist” in ‘I Became the Youngest Daughter of a Count’s Family’ are strikingly distinct.
Age, personality, status, talents…
Aside from their obsession with the protagonist and their good looks, they share almost no common traits.
Among them,
‘Their aptitudes stand out.’
Whenever the protagonist faces a tough situation, a genius-level handsome man appears to help her for free.
For example?
If she’s struggling with difficult homework, a smart, good-looking classmate coincidentally helps her out for free.
And this trait doesn’t exclude her fiancé!
“Pleased to meet you, Your Grace, Duke Somaek, and Lord Baron. I’m Kang Moon-soo from the Chimac Count’s territory.”
“Gang Munsu? An unusual name.”
“Welcome.”
The lean, middle-aged man reminiscent of a leopard was Duke Somaek, and the smaller leopard beside him was the protagonist’s fiancé and heir, Baron Somaek.
The Somaek family, descended from royalty and the kingdom’s founding heroes, is known for being natural warriors and avid drinkers.
‘Not that it mattered.’
Since the novel had no wars until its conclusion, the Somaek family’s talents never shone.
Perhaps because of this?
Despite being the protagonist’s fiancé, Baron Somaek was portrayed as lacking as a husband.
“You said meeting me was your wish?”
“Yes.”
“Then your wish is fulfilled.”
“…”
The noble father and son who acknowledged my greeting didn’t seem eager to talk long.
“Anything you want to say before you leave?”
“You’re amassing beer to attack the empire’s colonies—”
Slam!
Startled by my words, Duke Somaek slammed the table and stood up.
“Who are you?!”
“Kang Moon-soo.”
“Where and from whom did you hear that? If you want to leave here alive, speak now!”
“I read it in a book, not from a person.”
Not a lie.
“A book…?”
“A book that records the future.”
Up to now covers volume 2.
I hold three volumes’ worth of future knowledge!
…Or so I grandly claimed, but the future information from the novel was extremely limited.
‘Can’t be helped.’
Perhaps the author didn’t want to make the protagonist an old maid?
The novel only covers four years of the beautiful noble girl Angelina Chimac’s life, from her 16th to 20th birthday, not her entire life.
And due to the genre, it focuses heavily on her romance, so I only know major historical events vaguely, limited to the kingdom and empire’s capitals where the protagonist was active.
I know nothing about global affairs.
“Nonsense.”
“Then I’ll give you more. Baron Somaek.”
“What?”
“You know this woman’s name. Valentine—”
Bang!
This time, the son slammed the table and stood.
“How do you know?!”
“I just told you, I read it in a book. The woman you’ve been secretly meeting behind your fiancée’s back.”
“It’s true we met, but I didn’t do anything to be misunderstood!”
“I know. I’m talking about the future.”
“Oh!”
In the original novel, where the protagonist made no mistakes, it went like this:
Baron Somaek’s affair is exposed, but the duke’s family, valuing their son, defends him…
Angered, the protagonist retaliates, starting her reckless collection of handsome men (romances).
‘It’s already gone wrong.’
She got caught cheating first, leading to a baseless broken engagement. Innocent people died in the war between the two families…
It’s surprising she’s not being criticized more.
‘It’s really strange.’
It feels like an invisible force is protecting the patient.
“Angelina, caught kissing the guard knight, said something similar. That you’re also meeting Valentine.”
“That’s because she has a book like mine.”
“…Unbelievable.”
But I could tell from the way the two nobles focused on my words without dismissing me.
They were almost convinced.
Just one step away from fully believing me.
“The empire is growing rapidly under the young emperor’s brilliant rule. He’s considered the greatest among all past emperors.”
This isn’t my subjective opinion—it’s the novel’s setting, so it’s certain.
“…True.”
The duke acknowledged it.
“But his excellence has caused a side effect: growing discontent among the nobles. They didn’t like letting the empire’s overflowing power go to waste.”
“…That’s also true.”
A summary of part of volume 3’s plot:
A handsome noble, representing the empire’s discontented, falls in love with the protagonist at first sight after meeting the emperor and abandons war plans!
No wonder there’s no war.
Thanks to knowing the future, I easily took control of the conversation, gaining some leeway.
“Your Grace, any other questions?”
I reversed the dynamic, asking the duke if he had anything to say.
Without showing discomfort,
“What happens to the Somaek family?”
“It vanishes.”
“What?!”
Bang!
The table might break at this rate.
“Your former fiancée, Angelina Chimac, doesn’t bear a child for the Somaek family, so the line ends.”
“Hah…”
Thud!
Contrary to my expectation of a rebuttal, Duke Somaek sat down, surprisingly accepting.
Why?
Baron Somaek, speaking for his father, sighed.
“Gang Munsu, as you say, the empire’s power is growing at a terrifying pace. To survive, the kingdom must unite all its strength to resist. We can’t afford to fight among ourselves.”
“But that prince, for just one woman, came and split the kingdom’s power…!”
Duke Somaek exploded in frustration.
“I planned to forgive the Chimac lady and marry quickly. To reunite our once-united families and check the empire. But the prince’s interference ruined it.”
How ironic.
The duke was building strength to counter the empire’s ambitions, while the prince disrupted the marriage to check the duke’s power…
‘What a tangled mess!’
I might not even need to intervene—they’re ruining themselves!
I wanted to laugh.
“I was ready to hand over one of our family’s income sources, an iron ore mine, to the Chimac Count to mend ties. Otherwise, this kingdom will fall.”
“Father?”
“But Gang Munsu, your words changed my mind. If the family dies out even if the kingdom survives, what’s the point?”
Correction.
Without my interference, it might’ve followed the original novel’s trajectory.
“Do you believe me?”
“I must. You know the empire’s situation intimately, which even I, the kingdom’s only duke, barely grasped.”
His reason for believing was simple yet obvious.
This is the medieval era!
Unlike modern Earth, where the internet gives you news from the other side of the globe in a second, information here is scarce.
“Good.”
“Now I’m curious. Why, out of all the royals and nobles, did you, who knows the future, come to me?”
The duke’s sharp gaze pinpointed the core.
‘Impressive.’
The novel’s author, who chased variety like picking ice cream flavors, dumped all the unlikeable or unnecessary traits on the fiancé.
Infidelity, hot temper, belligerence, combat prowess…
This gave readers the impression that the protagonist was too good for him, justifying her actions.
But they didn’t know this, did they?
“The Somaek Empire.”
“What…?”
“Don’t you want to build a nation that loves alcohol?”
This handsome man, despised by the creator, is a natural tyrant.
War, regardless of era, makes life hard for the common people.
That’s why we call leaders who start wars “tyrants,” but historians give different titles to tyrants who succeed in conquest.
Great Emperor, Wise Ruler, Hero, Conqueror…
It fits the saying: kill a thousand, you’re a murderer; kill ten thousand, you’re a hero.
In other words,
‘Being a tyrant isn’t always bad!’
Those who’ve lost loved ones wouldn’t agree, but from a broader perspective, it’s different.
Don’t history books prove it?
They record the “achievements” of successful tyrants, dressed up as history.
“Gang Munsu, from today, you’re my son’s tutor.”
“Pardon?”
“As someone who knows the future, the title of tutor is perfect for giving advice freely in private.”
“Oh!”
Such profound intent!
“And I’ll grant you the title of baron. A landless titular noble, but it’ll help with external activities.”
“Thank you!”
To think I’d become a noble!
“Due to vassals’ opposition, this is all I can do. I don’t know why you came to me, but if you want to rise, achieve something concrete.”
“Of course.”
“The formal announcement will come later, but I’m counting on you, Baron Amolang.”
“Amolang…”
I started to mention my family name “Kang” but stopped.
‘It’s just a dream.’
I decided not to cling to a temporary noble title I’d discard.
“Do you know the origin of Amolang?”
“No.”
Not that I care?
“It’s the name of a legendary sage’s pet, said to know all the world’s secrets.”
“Oh, okay.”
A pet’s name…
Better off not knowing.
“Baron Amolang.”
“Yes.”
“My trusted source in the Chimac Count’s house says you’re quite skilled with a spear.”
“It’s just good stamina.”
“Humility is a double-edged sword for nobles. Remember that. To avoid being underestimated by other nobles or commoners, you need to show some bravado.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Then head to the training grounds behind the estate. The knight commander, who’s not fond of your sudden rise, wants to see your skills.”
“…Understood.”
Of course, a commoner’s sudden elevation wouldn’t sit well.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
“For Somaek.”
“For Somaek.”
A toast with wine glasses raised like the Statue of Liberty holding a torch instead of a flame!
It’s said to be a traditional etiquette passed down in the Somaek family.
‘This wasn’t in the novel…’
After joining the duke in the ritual, I left his office.
He said the back, right?
I’d spent two days cramming noble etiquette in this estate, but its vastness still left me lost.
“Where am I… Hm?”
“Sigh…”
The woman who broke her promise to let me meet the duke was leaving the estate with weary steps.
“Didn’t go as planned, huh?”
“Mock me all you want. You’ve earned that right.”
Not a bad idea, but for the greater good, I let go of petty grudges.
“I could help.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m Baron Amolang, tutor to Baron Somaek.”
“What?”
“Very close to him.”
“You tricked me?!”
“Says the one who broke a promise.”
“W-Well, true. My apologies, Baron Amolang.”
Her demeanor turned respectful at the mention of nobility.
‘Bravado is a virtue!’
I’m putting the duke’s advice on noble mindset into practice.
“I’m talking about that lady—”
“Lady Anmilina Chimac.”
“…”
“Sorry for interrupting, Baron Amolang.”
“I can persuade Baron Somaek to reconcile with Lady Anmilina.”
“Really?!”
“But I’ll need Lady Anmilina’s cooperation. The families’ bad blood is real.”
“Please, tell me. Lady Anmilina truly adores Baron Somaek!”
“Even if it means going against the Chimac Count’s wishes?”
“…My lady wishes to be called Duchess Somaek.”
Meaning she’d betray her family to marry the man she loves!
Perfect for a tyrant’s wife.
“Good answer. I’ll need time to persuade Baron Somaek, so let’s meet again in two days.”
“Thank you so much, Baron Amolang!”
“No problem.”
It’s good for me too!
‘The closest ones are the most dangerous.’
This’ll be a wake-up call.