I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living-Chapter 173

‘Has the original story changed?’

In the original side story, Lianel ended up in a political marriage with Yvette. It seemed the author had wanted to tie up Lianel’s arc with some form of conclusion.

But now, with Penelope’s influence, the ending had shifted. Yvette’s arrival in Halo was undoubtedly a result of Penelope’s actions.

Well, that’s none of my business anymore, Penelope thought.

She wasn’t the guardian of the original plot and decided to accept this unexpected development without much fuss. Of course, she still wanted to scold Yvette for her recklessness in hitching a ride with a merchant caravan.

“Next time, don’t run away impulsively with no plan. It makes no sense to ignore a perfectly safe train and rely on merchant carts instead!”

“I... I did take the train as far as Fellar. I forgot to explain that part...” Yvette murmured sheepishly.

“Still! The fact remains that you hitched a ride on a merchant cart!” Penelope raised her voice, intending to drive the point home. Yvette immediately wilted under her stern tone.

“I’m sorry. I got pickpocketed at the capital’s train station... I didn’t have the money to get all the way to Halo.”

“...”

The admission caught Penelope off guard.

Why didn’t she lead with that?

Ahwin shot Yvette a disdainful look. “You must have looked like an easy target to those pickpockets...”

Penelope stomped on his foot before he could say anything more.

You irritating mage, read the room!

Startled, Ahwin glanced sideways at Penelope, who mimed zipping her lips. Taking the hint, he stared blankly into the distance, staying quiet.

Penelope, her tone softening, said, “Oh, I didn’t realize. You must have been so flustered and exhausted after being robbed. You can stay as long as you like in one of the guest rooms at the castle.”

Yvette’s face lit up with relief and gratitude.

“Really? Thank you so much! I’ll work hard here to repay the kindness you’ve shown me, Lady Penelope.”

Repay kindness? What is she, some kind of mythical grateful animal? Penelope thought, amused.

She asked curiously, “You want to work here in Halo?”

“Yes, I do. I’ve heard there are plenty of job opportunities here, and that it’s a great place for newcomers to settle. Would that be alright with you?”

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“Well, it’s not a problem, but...”

Penelope hesitated, her thoughts briefly drifting to Lianel. Would he come searching for Yvette now?

No, that seems unlikely.

Based on Yvette’s story, Lianel had shown little interest in the marriage proposal. Penelope, too, had experienced his attempts at courtship not long ago—attempts she had firmly rejected.

Lianel likely found the political marriage just as unappealing as Yvette did. His indifferent attitude toward her was probably genuine.

If that’s the case, then there shouldn’t be an issue with Yvette staying here.

As Penelope saw it, Lianel would prefer a marriage that brought tangible benefits to his family. Not to disparage Yvette, but realistically, marrying her offered no advantage to him or his house.

Penelope frowned, puzzled by one lingering question. Then why did Lianel marry Yvette in the original story?

She couldn’t recall. The side stories hadn’t delved deeply into the secondary male lead’s arc.

Shrugging off the question, Penelope decided not to overthink it. Yvette was already in Halo, and it would be unkind to send her away now.

With a warm smile, Penelope said, “Consider this your home. Make yourself comfortable.”

***

Yvette couldn’t find any peace despite Penelope’s reassurances.

How could anyone truly feel at home in a place that isn’t their own?

Unlike Ahwin or the wizards of the tower, who were oddities in their own right (not to mention Lianel’s shameless behavior in the past), Yvette had a very typical sense of decorum.

Her discomfort was especially apparent when she was invited to Penelope’s dining table. Yvette seemed overly tense, flinching every time Penelope spoke, as though bracing for reprimand.

“What did you say just now?” Yvette asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“I was asking if the food suits your taste.”

“Oh, the chef is remarkable. I thought so before, but this meal confirms it. He’s truly a masterful cook—I’d love to invite him to my home someday.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll be sure to pass on your compliments,” Penelope replied, smiling.

Yvette nodded, her cheeks reddening, and resumed her meal with a newfound grace.

The scene was a far cry from her first day, where she’d nearly licked a soup bowl clean. Penelope found the transformation fascinating.

She must have been starving enough to forget her noble pride.

At that moment, Ahwin’s face suddenly filled her vision. He leaned forward, blocking Penelope’s view. Startled, she almost screamed.

“PePe, are you busy today?” he asked casually.

“I... probably will be,” she replied, pressing a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart. This attention-seeking mage...

Yvette glanced at the two of them out of the corner of her eye, pretending to focus on her meal. Her ears, however, seemed fully tuned to their conversation.

Ahwin pouted dramatically. “Why do you always have so much work? Are you running this place single-handedly?”

“I’m the lord of this territory, lazy tower master,” Penelope shot back.

“I’m busy too.”

“Oh, really? Then why don’t you get °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° to it?”

“I am! I’m constantly making time for my work just so I can spend time with you,” Ahwin retorted, his tone indignant.

“Lounging in bed all day must be exhausting,” Penelope said with mock seriousness.

Ahwin bristled. “Have you seen me lounging in bed?”

“Do I need to? You practically live in your bedroom.”

“Don’t accuse me of things you haven’t seen for yourself. Not unless you plan on joining me there,” he countered.

Cough, cough.

The abrupt sound came from Yvette, who seemed utterly flabbergasted by their exchange. Her expression was a mixture of disbelief and shock.

Wait, does Yvette not know we’re a couple? Penelope wondered. No, she must know. She caught us kissing under the school wall less than an hour ago.

Even if Yvette wasn’t the most observant person, it would have been impossible not to notice their closeness.

Embarrassed, Penelope’s face flushed briefly before she regained her composure. She couldn’t let herself be flustered over something so trivial.

I’m the lord here. I have every right to be unapologetically myself.

Ahwin interrupted her thoughts with another question. “So, what’s on the agenda today?”

“I have a meeting with the retainers, and there are documents to review,” Penelope replied, suppressing a sigh. She couldn’t help but think about how much faster she could finish everything if Lucas were here to help.

Ahwin’s lips jutted out in a petulant pout, clearly displeased at the prospect of another day without a date.

“Just wait a little longer,” Penelope reassured him. “I’m hiring a capable new secretary soon. Once they’re here, I’ll have more free time. Besides, now that everyone knows I’m in the territory, sneaking out unnoticed will be impossible.”

“Who says we have to date in the territory?” Ahwin replied smoothly.

He was clearly scheming something involving the magic tower. Penelope couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

“The city below the tower is worth visiting, too. No one will recognize you there,” he added, waving the proverbial carrot.

“Wow...” Penelope’s eyes widened in amazement. Visiting the city beneath the magic tower was an enticing prospect—just as rare and wondrous as entering the tower itself.

Seeing her interest, Ahwin smirked triumphantly.

Just then, Yvette hesitantly spoke up. “You’re hiring a new secretary? What happened to the old one?”

“Lucas is managing things for me in the capital,” Penelope explained. “Right now, we’re accepting recommendations and applications for a new secretary to work here in the territory.”

Yvette hesitated for a moment before asking, “Could I... apply for the position?”

Penelope’s eyes widened in astonishment.