I recall the first time I immersed myself in this game.
In other words, it was a time when I didn’t know that this place was a gaming world.
At that time, I, who only thought about remembering my past life in Korea, was simply delighted to have obtained a new life.
So, even if the newly met parents didn’t like me much, even if my siblings disliked me, even if I was ostracized among friends, it was okay. After all, it was a better life than the past, and I could have hope for the future.
So, I wanted to experience love. I wanted to love, to feel pain, to make promises for a lifetime… I wanted to live an ordinary life like everyone else.
So, I fell in love very easily, unaware that it was a game set up by that love.
– Please call me Dehan.
A dazzling golden blonde that couldn’t be expressed, sea-colored eyes sparkling like a jade coast, a confident expression as if fearless of anything in the world, a courteous attitude… everything was the embodiment of the ideal type I had fantasized about.
From that day on, I spent time with him. Writing letters, escaping the mansion for dates, secretly kissing in the temple prayer room… like that.
I thought I could spend my life with Dehan.
I imagined marrying him, having children, and seeing that child grow up and get married someday.
Until I die.
The moment when I was dying from drinking poisoned tea, and Dehan, embracing me as I vomited blood, wailing loudly, is still vivid. His face, smeared with my blood, remains ingrained in my mind.
I saw that face of Dehan four more times, and in the end, I witnessed him dying.
Was it because of that?
So,
‘Ah… it’s annoying.’
Why am I so irritated like this?
I muttered while standing alone in the middle of the greenhouse, looking at Dehan.
Irritation surged as soon as I recognized him. My chest felt tight. I was angry. Uncontrollable expression.
‘He’s probably around 5.’
Since there was a 2-year age difference.
It was the first time seeing the young Dehan…
‘Does the face stay the same even when he’s younger?’
So, I couldn’t look straight at him, especially since the vivid image of Dehan dying at my hands was still fresh.
“How do you know my name?”
Dehan, who had no idea about my feelings, asked. I answered without looking at him.
“Read the report. You’re the only young one among them, so I know.”
It was an excuse, but a somewhat acceptable explanation.
Perhaps because of that, Dehan didn’t say anything more and just stared at me silently. I avoided his gaze and remained silent.
“Your Excellency.”
Dehan tilted his head and spoke.
“I didn’t know there was such a young lady. It’s fortunate that I realized before committing any rudeness.”
Why does he sound like he’s 25, not 5? Is it possible to be this mature at the same age as Merdes?
‘Was Dehan always like this?’
It used to be a tone filled with affection.
‘Is it because he’s young.’
I clicked my tongue.
“Ugh, fine. Can you go out from here? I want to be alone.”
I said that, thinking being with Dehan would bring back old memories. However, an unexpected response came.
“That seems difficult.”
“What?”
“I don’t know where to go if I go out. I came here after being chased out of the dining hall… If you really insist, I’ll go, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to kick someone out in this cold weather.”
“…”
It’s definitely strange.
Even if I don’t know Dehan’s childhood, this is really strange.
The Dehan I know is kind, considerate, and thinks of others first, even if it means suffering a loss.
But this guy now…
‘Is he shameless?’
I frowned.
“Hey. Why did your personality change so much?”
I murmured without realizing it, and Dehan’s eyes flickered.
“Do you know?”
Oops. I made a mistake.
I turned my words, avoiding his sharp gaze.
To find out the reason for his shameless personality, which must have a clear cause.
“Are you currently a novice at the Central Temple?”
“No. I’m at the Northern Province Temple.”
“… North?”
“Yes.”
According to the game story, the place where this guy lived was in the West.
Entering the novice status at the Western Temple marks the beginning of his childhood… Why is he suddenly in the North? Not just the personality, but the content seemed different.
No, wait. Maybe in this episode, he was born in the North, not the West.
So, I glanced at him and asked,
“Where were you originally living? Where is your hometown?”
Dehan’s eyes narrowed slightly. His expressionless face cracked into a faint smile.
“Ordinary people don’t often move their residence or talk much about their hometowns. But it seems young lady knew as if I didn’t live in the North.”
“Uh, um.”
“I’ll ask again. Do you know?”
What’s this? Why is he so clever on the topic of a 5-year-old?
Why am I so foolish?
‘I was startled seeing Dehan.’
If it were my usual self, I wouldn’t have created such a situation, but I seem to be shaken more than I realize.
‘This is awkward.’
Whatever I say now might sound like an excuse. Not answering might arouse suspicion.
‘How…’
At that moment, unexpectedly, someone entered the greenhouse.
“Shekina! You’re here!”
“Why are you not in the annex? What’s here to see?”
The twins. Merdes and Pardes.
Wow, they’re alive.
I smiled brightly at them.
“I’m just enjoying the view here! The sunset is beautiful!”
“There would have been enough in the annex… What’s with this guy?”
Pardes, wiping away the laughter she was holding back, stared at Dehan with a serious expression. Dehan, finally withdrawing his piercing gaze, nodded slightly.
“I’m a novice from the Northern Province Temple.”
The twins faces wrinkled in disbelief.
“A temple guy?”
“But why are you here? Do you have something to say to Shekina?”
“No.”
Dehan chuckled and looked down at me again.
“It seems the words are with Lady Shekina, not me.”
This guy is weird… I groaned in frustration.
“No! Go away! You’re not welcome! Get lost!”
In response to my shout, Pardes glanced at me as if to say ‘now.’
“Hey. Shekina told you to leave. Leave right now.”
“… Yes.”
Dehan bowed slightly and turned to leave. It was only then that I realized Dehan had to wander in the demon lord’s castle on this cold day, so I spoke up.
“Uh, there’s a servant’s room next to the dining area. You can wait there until dinner ends.”
A sly smile appeared on Dehan’s partially turned face.
“Thank you. Now that you’ve informed me, I should answer your questions as well.”
Approaching me, Dehan grabbed my shoulder without anyone stopping him and whispered in my ear.
“Hey! What are you doing? Why are you sticking to Shekina?”
“Are you crazy?”
Dropped by the twins hands, he grinned at me and actually left.
“What’s up with that guy?”
“A novice? How can a novice be so calm?”
The twins looked confident, watching Dehan’s retreating figure, but I couldn’t help but worry about them.
– I grew up in an orphanage in the West.
I recalled Dehan’s whispered words.
– In a place that became ruins after being attacked by a band of thieves.
Those thieves. They must be demons for sure.
How is the game progressing?
***
Shoooaah-
The cold winter wind whistles.
Dehan, walking away from the greenhouse, suddenly stopped and turned around. Although it seemed like he was gazing at the transparent glass walls of the greenhouse, he wasn’t. He was thinking about ‘Shekina’ who should be inside the greenhouse.
Seeing Shekina lying on the floor, Dehan almost involuntarily smiled.
Even though she was a tiny baby, just lying there made her look cute, especially with her chubby cheeks squirming and her little hands fidgeting.
But beyond the cuteness, Dehan thought it was just as well.
He already wanted to learn more about the margrave, and with such a young child, she would probably babble on, which suited his purpose.
However, the guard seemed more vigilant than he expected.
No, it looked more like she was taken aback. Was she surprised that he appeared? Dehan narrowed his eyes slightly.
“She definitely knew me.”
If so, how, and why?
Continuing his pondering, Dehan concluded that dwelling on the mystery further was pointless. He shook off the thoughts and resumed walking.
“Anyway, I’ll see her again.”
He would inevitably encounter her again.
He would come back to this place.
Thankyou for coming to this sites and read my translation, enjoy! Sorry if theres still have any mistake on the translation. See you on the next update!
Click bellow to support me on ko-fi.
