7

Several days had passed since Nelisa’s transmigration. She decided it was time to make plans for her life.

She couldn’t just live as a dependent of the Wiesbaden family. Once you become an adult, shouldn’t you earn your own living?

Moreover, clinging to the Wiesbaden household like this wouldn’t allow her to properly complete her revival quest.

The ultimate goal of her transmigrated life was to revive her original self who was wandering in a comatose state. She would achieve a splendid happy ending and prove to the mysterious voice that her life was worth saving.

First, Nelisa decided to reject the conventions of this romance fantasy world.

In this world, noble young ladies who came of age typically debuted in society and entered the “marriage market.”

However, Nelisa couldn’t simply accept this ordinary noble lady’s life. She hadn’t even properly dated in her original life, let alone married—how could she rush into such a major commitment here!

Anyway, to live a diligent and virtuous life, Nelisa needed to make a new decision.

⁕⁕⁕

Nelisa visited the study of her guardian, Duke Wiesbaden. After knocking carefully, she heard a response from inside.

“Come in.”

She quickly opened the door and entered.

“Duke, it’s Nelisa.”

“Ah, it’s you.”

The Duke put down the documents he was reading and removed his glasses. This indicated his willingness to talk.

Nelisa approached the Duke’s desk with calm steps. Then she bowed her upper body slightly in greeting.

“I sincerely thank you for taking care of me until I came of age. Now I would like to prepare for independence.”

“Oh, I was just about to look into suitable families for your marriage.”

The Duke responded cheerfully.

However, Nelisa inwardly gave a bitter smile. The notion that independence equated to marriage…. Even the renowned Duke Wiesbaden was no different from other people in this world.

“I’m at a loss for words at your thoughtfulness. However, I want to learn more about the world. I plan to marry slowly.”

The Duke awkwardly stroked his chin.

“Hmm, I understand your thinking. However, a noble lady missing her prime marriage age would be quite a flaw.”

“Yes, I’m prepared for that. That’s why I’m telling you this. Actually, there’s something I want to try. So instead of a marriage prospect, I came to ask you for something else.”

Nelisa continued with conviction. The Duke asked with a curious expression.

“You say there’s something you want to try?”

“Yes, please set up a workshop for me to create things. And I’d like you to hire several craftsmen. People with good handiwork who can actually produce the items I design.”

Nelisa had absolutely no intention of following the villainess path from the original work. Not only did it not suit her disposition, but such a vicious life couldn’t possibly be considered worthwhile.

Instead, Nelisa decided to help this world with her talents. If she could implement modern conveniences from her world in a way suitable for this place, wouldn’t people’s lives become a little easier? Also, doing many such “good deeds” would surely accumulate as merit to revive her original life later.

“Hmm……”

Duke Wiesbaden furrowed his brow. He seemed not to fully understand Nelisa’s intentions.

Nelisa persuaded him more earnestly.

“I feel this is the only time I can do it. I’ve just come of age, and I still have time before I must find a marriage partner.”

“Hmm……”

“This will benefit you more than marrying into a good family. Please observe for a while, and if you’re not satisfied, I’ll quit without any regrets.”

At the words ‘quit without any regrets,’ the Duke finally gave a positive answer.

“Hmm, I understand your desire to try something before marriage. As you said, there’s still time before you reach marriageable age, so I’ll grant your request for now.”

“Thank you!”

Nelisa bowed deeply, filled with joy. The Duke also laughed heartily.

“I’ll soon find a suitable location for the workshop. If you have any specific requirements, tell me in advance.”

She didn’t miss the opportunity and smoothly explained what she had in mind. This was easy for a professional designer who had gone through numerous presentations.

“The size of the workspace need only be as large as a house in the commoner’s district. A place with a spacious yard would be even better. I’d like it to be near the mansion so the travel distance isn’t too far.”

“Oh, what other considerations are there?”

The Duke asked with a slight smile. He seemed quite pleased with Nelisa’s quick responses.

“Above all, the entire building must be well-ventilated. And if I may be a bit greedy, I’d like it to have a couple of rooms attached.”

She answered calmly until the end.

The Duke wore a satisfied smile.

“I understand. I’ll narrow it down to a few candidates and let you choose.”

“Thank you so much, Duke!”

Nelisa was overjoyed. She had thought Duke Wiesbaden would be a difficult hurdle, but things went surprisingly smoothly.

However, as if to say it was too early to be completely happy, the Duke added a final condition.

“But only until you reach marriageable age. Once you turn twenty, I’ll take back the workshop.”

“Yes……”

Nelisa made a firm resolution. Before turning twenty, she would definitely become independent from this household.

⁕⁕⁕

Adelaide was reading a book in the mansion’s library. At that moment, the door opened and the Duke entered.

“Oh, Adele. It seems I’ve interrupted you.”

“Not at all, Father.”

Adelaide smiled brightly and showed him the book she was reading.

“I was just reading a light novel. Are you looking for something?”

“Haha, I came to see the documents about land ownership in the imperial capital. The ones I copied from the imperial library recently.”

“Ah, I’ll bring them for you.”

Adelaide skillfully passed between the bookshelves and quickly brought the materials he was looking for.

“Thank you, Adele.”

“Hmm, but what’s the occasion? Are you planning to purchase land?”

Adelaide didn’t yet fully understand the Duke’s business affairs. Still, now that she was an adult, she was gradually learning about the internal affairs of the Wiesbaden family.

If she were the family heir, she would have immediately received duties upon coming of age like Roberto, but Adelaide was expected to enter the imperial palace as the future Crown Princess. For that reason, she still wasn’t learning the business from the Duke.

The Duke answered straightforwardly.

“I’m looking for a building to turn into a workshop. Nelisa requested it.”

“What?”

This was completely unexpected for Adelaide.

The Duke laughed heartily.

“Haha, my teachings haven’t been in vain. She presented her wishes very calmly and clearly. She also offered conditions that I could accept.”

“Conditions?”

“At first, I was troubled when she asked for a workshop instead of a marriage prospect. But she said she would only do it until she reached marriageable age, and that she would quit without regrets if I wasn’t satisfied. So I gave her permission for now.”

“……”

Adelaide simply couldn’t believe it. A workshop? Did he mean the kind where things are made? Nelisa requested that?

“Well, I’ll be going now. Continue your reading.”

The Duke disappeared outside the library, leaving only the sound of his laughter.

Adelaide muttered in shock.

“A workshop? Why on earth…?”

Nelisa was truly strange.

⁕⁕⁕

Nelisa spread out a large paper in her room and sketched a simple layout of the workshop. She needed to think about the general arrangement of equipment in advance to start proper work as soon as possible.

“Hmm hmm……”

She hummed spontaneously. She finally felt like she was truly living her life since transmigrating.

This kind of work never tired her no matter how long she did it. Even when difficult, it was rewarding. How could she not be happy?

In the midst of this, there was a knock at the door. Nelisa answered casually without looking up.

“Yes, come in.”

The door swung open, and the person who appeared was Adelaide. Only then did she raise her head.

“Adele?”

“Ha……”

Adelaide looked at the large papers spread across the table with bewildered eyes.

“So it’s true? I heard you asked for a workshop to be built.”

“Ah, you already heard?”

Nelisa stuck out her tongue. It had been only about an hour since she asked the Duke for a workshop, yet Adelaide had already heard about it. What an impressively communicative father and daughter. She should remember this.

Adelaide questioned her with piercing eyes.

“What exactly are you plotting? Someone who never wanted to get her hands wet suddenly asking for a workshop.”

“Well……”

Nelisa stretched her body that had been hunched over. She needed to explain properly to Adelaide.

Honestly, wouldn’t it be suspicious? The villainess from the original work wanted to be treated as a noble lady no less than Adelaide. For such a person to suddenly want a labor-intensive workshop was strange.

Meeting Adelaide’s sharp gaze, Nelisa calmly began to speak.

“Adele, calm down. My only intention is to no longer stand in your way. As I said, I will never covet what’s yours, like I did before regression.”

“What does that have to do with a workshop?”

Adelaide still asked in a pointed voice. Nevertheless, Nelisa remained composed.

“It means I’m choosing a path completely unrelated to you. I’ll go my own way without our lives overlapping.”

Nelisa shrugged and added.

“I know you haven’t completely forgiven me. You’re still suspicious. It’s impossible for you to treat me as a friend without knowing anything, like before. Right?”

“……”

Adelaide remained silent, unable to answer immediately.