I swallowed hard. Finally, I realized that this was a world of magic and fantasy and an era where murder thrived.
In medieval times, one could kill anyone based on their status. Even Rehan in front of me could have easily killed me using his status.
Dude, now’s not the time to geek out over your favorite stuff. Get it together! You gotta stay alive to keep enjoying your fandom.
‘What point are we at now? Hasn’t the female lead appeared yet?’
The keywords for this novel were “Holy Maiden Female Lead, Savior Female Lead, Healing Water, Dying Male Lead, Weak Male Lead, Gradually Strengthening Male Lead, Pure Male Lead, Golden Retriever Male Lead.” As you can tell from the keywords, it was a salvation story where the female lead, a holy maiden, awakened and saved the dying male lead. My favorite character was sprinkled in there as well.
‘But Evelyne wasn’t there?’
Once you’re possessed, understanding the story comes first. I needed to figure out what situation I was in.
Why was Evelyne almost killed?
“Do you know who did it?”
“No, I don’t. But… I have a suggestion.”
If you don’t know who it is, how can you be careful? Evelyne, what were you doing?
“I am obliged to protect Evelyne under my care until the truth of this incident is revealed and they are stopped, as per the agreement with the Pope, and my duty to lead the people of the empire on the right path. As a prince of the realm.”
Rehan blinked slowly.
“Please grant me permission, Evelyne.”
At that moment, all fear seemed to dissipate.
It was me.
I could go anywhere, even to the center of Seoul Station’s newspaper.
“Okay. Please do that.”
Living together with my favorite character. This was nerve-wracking.
Unfortunately, the sweet life of living together with my favorite character seemed like an extravagant dream. Rehan left, leaving only the people behind.
“Normally, it wouldn’t be that easy for a supporting male lead.”
Indeed, take a woman to the imperial palace. What chaos that would cause. He’s even a prince!
“She was a vegetable for five years and woke up in ruins. We sensed an ominous presence at the temple and received a report, so we sent Rehan to disrupt the ritual. Apparently, Evelyne seems to have awakened due to the failure of the ritual.”
Of course, there must be something sinister going on. According to the Pope’s request, Rehan decided to protect me until the truth was revealed.
In my terms,
‘I’m possessing Evelyne’s empty body. Someone brought me here to do something.’
“Evelyne, what were you doing?”
A chill ran down my spine. What do they want to gain by using me as a sacrifice? It’s probably because using someone as a sacrifice means killing them, right? I’m curious, but if I ask and hear that it’s true, I might be too scared to even go out.
“Don’t worry too much, Evelyne. His Highness the Prince will definitely protect you.”
A maid reassured me with a smile.
“Of course, right? It’s Rehan. Why did I put all my money on sub stocks? Rehan has never failed once in what he set his mind to.”
“But usually in these isekai stories, it’s impossible to go back home. I ended up quitting my job in an unexpected way.”
“But what if my parents are waiting for me there?”
“Evelina must have a family too.”
“Oh…”
The maid looked at me with a pained expression.
‘Isn’t this it?’
The maid said to me in a gentle voice.
“I heard you’ve lost some of your memories, Evelyne. I should have explained better, I’m sorry. You’re alone in the Reginis family.”
I understood what she meant.
“…”
Whether then or now, I’m lonely. I don’t have anyone waiting for me. No one to worry about me.
“Reginis Evelyne…”
My response seemed pitiful, as the maid shook her head and said.
“But there are servants to take care of you. They will surely be waiting.”
The Reginis family, huh? I couldn’t grasp what kind of family it was.
Even though Evelina had been in a vegetative state for the past five years, there was someone taking care of her. Does that mean they have quite a bit of money? And if they took care of Evelina in such a situation, it means they also have loyalty to the Reginis.
Well, this part needed further investigation.
Right now, there’s something more important.
“When can I meet the Crown Prince?”
I need to take care of my well-being.
“The Crown Prince is scheduled to visit this afternoon. He expressed a desire to have lunch with you. If it’s alright with you.”
I agree, completely agree.
I nodded vigorously, unable to hide the rising corners of my mouth, and the maid smiled as she replied.
“I’ll convey that message.”
I don’t know how long Rehan will protect me, but I hope he’ll protect me for life.
Hmm, but no matter how I think about it, Evelina of the Reginis family was never mentioned in the novel.
‘I couldn’t have missed such an episode… Ah, could it be before the original work started?’
The most important clue is still the female lead. And she’s easily accessible.
She’s a saint, so she must be in the temple.
And since Rehan and the Pope seem to have a cooperative relationship, they’re probably asking to meet the saint.
“Have you heard anything about the saint?”
I need to find the whereabouts of the female lead. The novel starts from the perspective of the female lead, and her awakening is the starting point of the story.
The maid’s face, which had been smiling, stiffened at my question.
‘Why, why? Why are you like this?’
After hesitating for a moment, the stiff maid spoke.
“… I heard she died during the ritual, Evelyne.”
—
“Damn it.”
The woman glared at me like a viper. The sacrifice was stolen. They successfully summoned Evelina’s soul and kidnapped her, but there was an ambush.
“That life should have been cut off.”
“Damn prince.”
He always throws a wrench in my plans. But I can’t just sit idly by.
The target was within reach. I must get that hybrid woman at all costs.
“Matteo.”
The man in the mouse-colored hood, who had been nodding and waiting, lifted his head.
The man’s eyes gleamed darkly.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Is there no other way?”
Three voices overlapped in response.
“No, my lord. To achieve your goal, you must retrieve that woman. There are no other alternatives.”
The woman ran her fingers through her hair slowly. Her life was at stake in this matter. Behind her, a bed with white curtains draped over it loomed ominously.
Glancing back, the woman paced around the room. Anxiety gnawed at her feet.
‘No.’
She shook her head.
‘There must still be a chance.’
Confronting the prince with a sword is undoubtedly risky, but what else can be done?
‘Surely, we haven’t been discovered?’
‘The always fortunate emperor’s son.’
If they were found out, Alexander wouldn’t have stayed quiet. He would have manipulated the pope and the emperor to reach a conclusion that suited him. Speaking quietly to her servant, the woman instructed:
“Inform Sera to find out where Alexander has hidden Evelina.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“If… the sacrifice is found, bring her back to me intact if possible. But if the situation doesn’t allow, just bring back her life. Cutting off her legs will prevent her from escaping.”
The woman issued a fierce command.
As time passed, her patience was wearing thin.
“And…”
Since the saint did not awaken and died, someone must be held responsible. Whether it’s the temple that failed to protect the saint or those who demanded the saint’s awakening forcefully.
The woman chose her scapegoat. If someone must bear the blame, it’s only logical to latch onto someone who stands to benefit.
“Spread rumors that the saint died because of the prince. That he’s cursed and caused the saint’s death. Say that there’s no future in the prince’s reign.”
Anything can be turned into an opportunity.
