Chapter 13

chapter 13

So it started with the organizer, let’s call him X. He is kinda cute and I was interested in him. Couldn’t really like anyone from my class since majority was too young and only three of them are the same age as me and older. X passed around this paper saying,

X: Write down any problems you have with your room and we will try to solve it. Light mumbling and pretending to scribble: boyfriend…. ah yes, my room doesn’t come with a boyfriend… And money… X: Don’t worry, we will help you with that “boyfriend”. Light: startled Light: I’m counting on you then! awkward laugh

Little did I know that he has bionic ears cuz he heard me all the way from the other side of the room. I mumbled expecting that only my new found friends would hear. However, now everyone knows I’m single and probably thinks I’m looking for some summer fling. XD.

We were supposed to have a welcome party in a bar but sadly… it turned into a walking tour instead. We didn’t even have dinner so I was hungry af. So in front of the shop while I was talking to a friend(let’s call her A), X walked towards us.

X: Hi, you guys are Filipinos right? Us: Yes. X: Could you speak or teach me some Filipino words? Light: Uh… Anong gusto mong sabihin ko? Anong gusto mong malaman? Light: which means. “What do you want me to say” and “What do you want to know” X: Oh, so how do you flirt in Filipino? Light: Flirt? X: yeah, flirt. A: You probably say something like “ang ganda mo” or “ang gwapo mo” which means “you’re beautiful” or “you’re handsome” Light: oh, but don’t we usually do those funny and corny pick up lines? A: Ah, yes Light has more experience than me. I leave this to you, Light. Teach him how to flirt. I’ll go and buy some pizza. *pats my shoulders* Light: WAIT! A! I’m coming with you! I’m starving too! R!(another fil friend) Take over for me and teach him! Later, X~ A: has this “what the fck Light?” look Light: nani?(what?)

a few minutes later R:… I thought you like the guy? A: Exactly! I gave you a chance and you blew it. Light: …what do you mean? R: That was your chance when he asked how to flirt! Light: …OH MY GOD! YOU’RE RIGHT! A: How can you be so dense? I did that specifically for you. Light: Im sorry. I was starving and hunger gives me tunnel vision! I know now that I’m dense so pls!!! time, hit me or sth as a signal. Or speak in fil so only I can understand. Pls! Give me another shot! R: Dont worry, we can team up and help you A: okay okay, we’re routing for you. Light: that’s right! I still have 10 more days! 10 more days of seduction AHAHA. I can do this! the end of this story? You guys should know I wasn’t serious. Well nothing happened between us and I lost interest quickly… Instead he had something with someone else(who was waaay younger than him and other rivals~) and it was quite entertaining to watch ahaha! I met awesome friends and a really sweet guy. I want to copy his sweet gestures too if only it would work on a man.

Among the crowd, he drew everyone’s eyes with the knights escorting him.

‘Who’s that?‘

It was common for nobles to escorted by knights, and the Imperial Palace wasn’t an exception. However, carrying a sword was a different story.

It was forbidden to carry a sword inside the Imperial Palace with the exception of the Imperial Knights whose duty are to prevent any conflicts.

Usually, the escorting knights will be on standby in the waiting room just outside the Imperial Palace or leave their swords to the guard before entering.

As for Dave who is a mage strong enough to be considered as a threat— the only reason he was able to enter the Imperial Palace without any special sanctions was simply because the royal family placed a magic circle that suppresses any magical power on the entire palace.

Strangely enough, the knights who followed the boy had white uniforms and swords.

‘Is he a part of the royal family’

She curiously watched the boy as his pace gradually slowed down.

He had jet-black hair, a common color seen in Korea, and unusual golden irises. His body size was similar to that of the 15-year-old first son of the Carthia’s, Riggs Carthia.

He still has this youthful look, but he was a head taller than Yurina. He looks like he trains a lot with his big and well-defined body.

His appearance was akin to that of a fantasy novel, a cold-blooded character however warm-hearted towards their woman.

Dave, who was following behind her, stepped forward and bowed.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”*

He intentionally said ‘Your Royal Highness’ and these words made her see white. Yurina took the hint he gave and lifted the skirt of her dress with one hand and did a curtsy.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”

She doesn’t understand how in the world she was able to say it. Yurina just reflexively spoke and greeted him as her sweat rolled down her back.

Black hair, golden eyes, a face with a cool expression with the title of ‘Prince’.

No matter how much she wanted to deny it, the little boy in front of her seemed to be the man she thought he was.

‘Curtis Genocian’

The male lead in the novel that she must avoid.

“Raise your head.”

It was an intimidating voice, like the chill of ice poured over her head.

Yurina managed to hold her bearing despite his piercing icy voice as she hid behind Dave. She lowered her head and held her breath to not get Curtis’ attention.

“It’s been a while, Lord Kest. Seeing that I haven’t seen your face for a while, don’t you think Marquis Carthia rarely lets you go?”

“I’m always busy, and I’ve also been busy these days.”

The two continued with the conversation unaware of just how much Yurina wanted to go home quickly. To be exact, Curtis was the one who did the talking and Dave simply stood there and listened.

Yurina was desperately clinging behind Dave, waiting and hoping for the two men’s little chat to end swiftly.

“Why don’t we talk over a cup of tea and spend a little more time with each other?”

Suddenly, Curtis invited Dave. They’ve been talking for more than 10 minutes however, he decided to decline his invitation. Dave continued on with a smiling face as he rejected him for the first time.

“I’d love to, but I did not come alone today….”

Curtis’ gaze went to the person behind his back and saw Yurina.

“Hm.”

After making that small noise, he strode towards Yurina’s direction who was behind Dave like a baby bird clinging to her mother.

“I can see that. Is this the person Marquis Carthia cherishes so much?”

‘Don’t come any closer. Don’t look at me.’

Yurina shut her eyes and screamed internally. But her words fell to deaf ears and Curtis’ voice rang in front of her.

“Raise your head.”

Yurina held back the urge to shake her head, still, she raised her head. She didn’t want to face him directly so she peered her gazed down slightly.

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Yurina Carthia.”

“Yurina Carthia…”

Curtis tapped his chin with his fingers as she gazed down at Yurina.

“Why do you look anxious? Do you think I’ll bite?”

“No. I don’t.”

“Hm.”

He seized Yurina’s chin and raised her head which revealed a grim face. Yurina had to face his golden eyes and gaze without a moment of notice.

In that moment, she held her breath like a herbivore hiding from its predator. The longer she stared at his face, the faster her heart beat gets.

‘Why is he doing this?’

An uncertain apprehension swept over her body like a tsunami. The mere sight of him gave her an instinctive rejection.

Curtis was different Raynard, a child who could handle her however he wishes. This is the man who has been studying to be King ever since he was born. A man who has everything under his feet.

It’s funny that a 22-year-old girl was now afraid of a boy who was 6 years younger than her. Curtis definitely has that intimidating pressure.

Perhaps, even if she didn’t know of the original novel, she would still be scared of him.

Cutis scanned her face and the corners of his lips lifted into a smile.

“Rumor has it that the Young Lady Carthia is a very beautiful woman despite her young age, but it seems like it’s not all just rumors.”

He muttered clearly with interest. He then let’s go of Yurina’s chin.

Yurina endured long enough and only then was she able to take a deep breath.

“I’ll remember you, Yurina Carthia.”

He left those words like a bolt that came out of the blue and disappeared into the library with his escorts. Yurina was finally released from the pressure and could breathe properly as soon as she could no longer see a glimpse of his back.

“My Lady, are you alright?”

After nodding to him, Yurina recalled Curtis’ last gaze.

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’

He had a crooked smile that seemed arrogant which was different from Raynard’s facial expression. That proud look somehow seems like he was hiding something unpleasant inside which ran shivers down her spine.

She racked her brain trying to find out why he was smiling at her like that and just like a corn kernel, a memory popped with a loud noise.

‘No way.’

Before Lydia and Curtis became a couple in the original novel, he first fell in love with ‘Yurina Karthia’.

She doesn’t remember how she got back to the mansion. When she came to her senses, she was already sitting face to face with Raynard in the small drawing room which Raynard was now using as a study room.

“You’re a little weird today.”

Raynard got up from his seat and put his hand on Yurina’s forehead instead of practicing writing. Her forehead seemed to be hot and not hot at the same time.

“Hmm, ” as if he was groaning in pain with his other hand on her forehead.

“Do you have a fever?”

“I’m just a little tired,” Yurina said flatly and tore his hand off from her forehead without much force.

“Isn’t that because you’ve been looking at those weird letters?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Yurina closed the book and plopped on it. She no longer had any strength to argue with Raynard right now.

He kept asking if she was okay, but she just closed her eyes without bothering to answer.

‘Being lovers with the Prince…’

How did the two of them become lovers? How did ‘Yurina’ and Lydia become rivals? Why did Curtis abandon ‘Yurina’ and how did he fell in love with Lydia? She tried to recall them but no matter how much she tried, it didn’t come to her as if there were rocks blocking the road.

It was as if there was a force stopping her from remembering. Otherwise, why else would she remember so few about it?

She wondered if it was bad for her to remember Curtis and ‘Yurina’ as lovers, but she felt like it would be better to recall it. No, it didn’t matter whether she remembered it or not. His last words,

—I’ll remember you, Yurina Carthia.

That was already proof that Curtis was already interested in her. However, Yurina wasn’t interested in being the Crown Princess.

While Yurina was pondering about it, Raynard brought a chair and sat close beside her. He poked Yurina’s arm.

“Yurina, whats the matter?”

It was a question she never bothered answering to, so she opened her eyes. And filling her view was the worrisome look on his face.

‘How strange.’

For Raynard to ask her such a question that not even her sensitive family ever asked her before.

She couldn’t tell if he was awfully sensitive to other people’s feelings or if she was simply relaxed in front of him.

Whatever the reason was, she felt lighter just knowing that someone was worried about her.

When Yurina didn’t say anything and averted her gaze, Raynard approached her, with his face closer to her than before.

“It’s okay. You can tell me. What’s going on?” His face devoid of a smile seemed really reliable to her. He could have a stern look on his face if he wanted to, to be honest. His eyes looked at her strongly.

It was a ridiculous look, but when she stared at his expression, for a short while, she thought that it was absurd to think that he seemed to be more of an older sibling than herself.

Well, he is just a 12-year-old boy, isn’t he?

“It’s a secret.”

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Still, it’s a secret.”

“I swear I won’t tell anyone. Don’t you believe me?”

“I don’t believe you.”

Rather, she doesn’t want to believe in him. Yurina laughed, swallowing the words she wanted to say.

She was originally from another world, where she died in an accident. And when she opened her eyes, she woke up in a different world. As soon as she tells her story, what awaits her is ridicule and humiliation.

And she knows that she will die in the future. It’s the perfect story for someone who has lost their mind.

She felt like she was alone with no one to open up to or sympathize and share her story with.

This unfamiliar world seemed strange to her today.

Raynard approached a little closer and stuck his forehead onto Yurina’s.

“I won’t, so talk to me.”

He pleaded once more. His warm breath tickled her lips as his bangs tangled with hers.

Yurina stared at his red eyes, which were peeking through his hair, and Raynard’s eyes beamed at her back.

“Mm? Tell me.”

That soft little whisper sounded like a hypnotic spell. Before she knew it, she was already speaking.

“I had a dream.”

She couldn’t tell the truth so she decided to tell her little story under the pretense of a dream.

“I see. What happened in your dream?”

“In my dream, it was my debut. I can’t remember well, but I think there was a guy whom I liked. And I think he liked me too. We were lovers, I think?”

“…Mm. Then?”

Yurina didn’t notice the slight delay in Raynard’s response.

“But at one point, I realized that the man who was my lover fell in love with another woman. After that, I died at the hands of her father. Maybe he thought I was going to get in their way.”

“Hmm?”

“And today, I saw the very same man in my dreams.”

“Hm hm?”

“When I saw the guy, I was reminded of my dreams…”

Maybe he was thinking ‘What the hell is she talking about? Why is she making a big deal out of it?’. Yurina couldn’t stand to look at Raynard’s face, so she closed her eyes instead.

How would he react? She bets he would just laugh at her. It was a ridiculous story, she even thought so herself.

While Yurina gave herself a mocking laugh, Raynard stood up from his seat and wrapped her shoulders from behind. She could feel his warmth on her back.

“You must’ve been scared.”

“…Huh?”

Yurina looked at his face with her eyes wide open. Without any hint of mischievousness or insincerity, Raynard squeezed her shoulders a little more.

“If it was me, I think I would’ve been really scared.”