The original work <The Curly-Haired Grand Duchess> is one of those classic northern grand duke romance fantasies, set in the wintry North where snow falls year-round and snow blossoms bloom.
In it, a sunny heroine with special abilities meets the future Northern Grand Duke, falls in love with him, and while she’s at it, saves the North.
“And in that oh-so-cliché northern grand duke romance, my ultimate favorite character shows up as the second male lead—Sion.”
I murmured to myself, staring at the character profile floating in front of me.
[My Ultimate Fave: Sion Luxior
Role: Second male lead
Age: Currently 18 (up to early 20s in-story)
Status: Illegitimate son of the former Northern Grand Duke
Backstory: Born to the previous Northern Grand Duke of Luxior, and a commoner mother. He lost his mother at age 8 and only then was his existence made public, allowing him to enter the grand duke’s estate. Due to the North’s culture that values honor and integrity, he’s treated coldly and with disdain as a dishonorable illegitimate child. He now lives in isolation in the Northern annex, enduring a dark and lonely youth.]
“Alright.”
I cracked my knuckles with resolve.
“I, Lin the devoted fangirl fairy, hereby declare that I will do whatever it takes to rescue my fave from his supporting male lead fate!”
Cue dramatic music.
In other words, I was planning to stir up the original story’s plot however I saw fit.
Fueled by passion and fangirl energy, I thumped my chest and pointed fiercely into the air.
“Are you watching this, original author?! I don’t know what possessed you to make me a devoted fangirl fairy, but I’ll make sure you regret it! I’ll turn Sion into such a dazzling, incredible man that the main male lead won’t even stand a chance against him!”
Sion Luxior.
Who is he, really?
A noble, princely appearance.
A silent, steadfast man’s man.
A knight of the North—solitary and beautiful, like a lone winter wolf.
Cold to everyone, yet secretly warm only to his woman.
“There isn’t a main lead alive who can beat this level of charm.”
I declared with full confidence, completely biased.
With just a bit of luck and a little help, Sion could absolutely win the heroine’s heart and rightfully take the spot of main male lead.
“So, for now…”
My eyes sparkled.
“Let’s go meet Sion~!”
Hehehe~
Humming cheerfully, I dashed down the grand corridor of the grand duke’s estate.
***
After flapping my wings awkwardly and bumping into things here and there, I finally made my way through the Grand Duke’s castle.
“Huff—huff—”
At last, I arrived at the northern annex where Sion was staying.
But then—
“…What the…”
I clapped a hand over my mouth at the sight before me.
The condition of the northern annex was far worse than the few lines described in the novel had suggested.
Old window frames and doors were worn out, the floor tiles and corridors were filthy and neglected—clear signs of long-time abandonment.
“My Sion lived in this shabby, run-down place for ten years? These bast—!”
I trembled in fury.
The faces of the villains and background characters who tormented Sion in the original story flashed through my mind like a slideshow.
“They’re all dead. I’m not letting this slide.”
Just as I was grumbling through clenched teeth—
Step. Step.
“……!”
Footsteps echoed from around the corner of the corridor.
I quickly ducked behind one of the hallway pillars.
A moment later, a plump middle-aged man who looked like a staff member appeared.
Trailing right behind him was a young knight, moving quickly.
“Advisor Luman! Please wait a moment!”
‘Advisor Luman?’
That name rang a bell, and my ears perked up.
‘Wait a second—Luman? That Advisor Luman? The sycophant who stayed close to the center of power, secretly monitoring Sion and belittling him since childhood?’
At that moment, the knight stepped in front of Luman, blocking his path. Luman tried to push him aside in frustration, but the sturdy knight didn’t budge.
“Tch! Out of my way!”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that!”
A scuffle broke out between the knight and the advisor, who was trying to leave.
“This decision is far too unfair. Please, I beg you—urge the Grand Duchess to reconsider!”
“You insolent man! How dare a mere guard like you question a decision that Her Grace has already made?! Move aside at once!”
“What exactly did the young lord do wrong? Just because his monthly sword training went a little overtime, he’s being thrown into the underground prison in the middle of winter? That’s completely unreasonable!”
‘…What?’
My jaw dropped.
I was stunned first by the sudden mention of Sion’s name—then shocked again by what followed.
“I’m telling you, there’s no point complaining to me! If you’re that upset, go speak to Her Grace the Grand Duchess yourself!”
“I’ve already requested an audience several times, but she keeps refusing!”
“Then it’s over, isn’t it?! Read the room, man! You don’t actually want to rot away as the guard dog of some illegitimate brat locked away in the annex for life, do you?!”
“What did you just say…?!”
The knight was frozen in disbelief at the advisor’s outrageous words.
In that brief moment, Luman turned and hurried away down the corridor.
The knight stood there, blankly watching him leave, then let out a heavy sigh, looking completely defeated.
“…Haa.”
Having more or less grasped the situation, I slid down the pillar and gave the knight a light tap.
“Hey.”
But he didn’t seem to hear me, probably because I spoke too softly.
“Hey, you. The knight.”
This time I raised my voice, and the knight finally glanced over his shoulder.
“Up here.”
He followed my voice upward—his eyes widened when he saw me clinging to the pillar like a flying squirrel.
“…….!?”
While he stood there frozen in place, I said nonchalantly,
“You said Sion just now, right? Do you know where he is right now?”
Still stunned, he didn’t move an inch.
My patience was wearing thin.
“Do you know or not? Talk.”
“…A… fairy?”
He muttered in disbelief and cautiously reached out a gloved finger toward me.
I slapped his hand away.
“Answer.”
Startled, the knight blinked a few times before responding, his face still dazed.
“…You mean Sion Luxior, the young lord?”
“That’s right.”
I added more details.
“You know, the ridiculously handsome boy with silver-gray hair that shines like morning dew, and deep lake-colored gray-blue eyes? Though, I guess since he’s only eighteen, I should call him a beautiful young man instead of a man. Anyway.”
“……”
After a pause, the knight asked awkwardly,
“…Pardon me, but who exactly are you?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m a fairy.”
“…Why is a fairy looking for Lord Sion? Actually, are you even really a fairy?”
Ugh, this guy.
I leapt off the pillar with a light kick, spinning gracefully through the air to perform a triple axel.
“See that? You saw that, right? I’m a real fairy. So hurry up and take me to Sion. I overheard earlier that he’s been thrown in prison. We have to get him out, now!”
Even as we were wasting time on this ridiculous conversation, my favorite character was probably locked away in some cell, shivering in the cold and suffering alone.
The knight looked flustered as he muttered.
“…What on earth is going on?”
But thankfully, he didn’t seem too slow. After a moment, he nodded firmly and said with resolve,
“…Alright. If you truly mean to help the young lord, I’ll assist you however I can.”
With that, he placed a fist over his chest and declared,
“I am Garen Jade, Lord Sion’s personal knight. I’ll show you the way.”
***
A short while later, I followed Garen to the underground floor of the annex.
We descended a long, dark staircase until we reached a massive, rough-looking iron door.
“This is the place.”
“Great. You stand guard out here. I’ll go in and get Sion.”
“Understood.”
I flew swiftly to the door and slipped through a small barred window.
Unlike the hallway, which at least had torches, the interior was pitch-black—so dark I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face.
“Ugh, I can’t see a thing in here.”
I needed light.
Something to illuminate this prison.
‘How else am I supposed to get even a glimpse—shadow or silhouette—of my favorite in real life?!’
And just then—
Ding!
[You’ve acquired the fangirl skill: <A Heart That Shines Anywhere, Anytime>!]
“…A fangirl skill?”
‘I didn’t know I had those.’
I quickly read the system message:
[<A Heart That Shines Anywhere, Anytime>: A true fan’s love shines no matter the time or place! Even in the deepest darkness, your feelings for your favorite will never be hidden. Let your unwavering devotion light the way!]
“…….”
With mixed feelings, I activated the skill.
“<A-Anywhere, Anytime, Shining Devotion>!”
Flaaash—!
“..…?!”
A spark of light, barely the size of a fingernail, burst from my fingertip and gradually expanded, driving back the darkness of the cell.
‘Whoa… it actually worked?’
Once the space was fully lit, I slowly scanned the room—then gasped.
“……!”
There, tucked into the farthest corner of the prison cell, eyes closed and leaning against the wall, was—
Silvery-gray hair tinged with ash, soft and neat.
Skin so pale it looked like porcelain.
A young man with such breathtaking beauty that even a marble statue would back off in shame.
It was Sion.
Ts is so funny