Chapter 1.2

The three people, who had been taking turns knocking on the door, finally went quiet after about an hour. I was already completely exhausted and just lying there, barely breathing, so their persistence was impressive. The Grand Duke and Sion were swordsmen, so their stamina was a given, but the Grand Duchess’s endurance was no joke either.

‘I’ve never had such low physical stamina. I need to build up my strength more than anything.’

It was probably more surprising for a frail young lady who couldn’t even guarantee she’d live to see tomorrow to have good health.

As the room grew quiet, I must have dozed off for a moment. It was a deep sleep, where I didn’t even dream.

“How can she be so pretty even when she’s sleeping?”

A voice, heard in a half-asleep state, belonged to the Grand Duchess. Something warm and soft stroked my head. It must have been her hand.

The touch of a mother, felt for the very first time in my life, was so warm that it felt like tears might start to flow. So this is what a touch full of affection feels like. My closed eyelids grew hot. I felt like I would burst into tears if I opened my mouth, so I squeezed my eyes shut and pretended to be asleep, wanting the touch to continue.

The Grand Duchess stroked my head, held my hand, and pulled the blanket over me as she spoke.

“Every night, I had a dream. A sad dream where you went far, far away. When I woke up, my heart would pound so much that I’d have to see you lying in bed to feel at ease. But that day, something was different.”

A faint hint of moisture was in her calm voice. I held my breath, waiting for her next words. After a long silence, she continued.

“You were standing in a bright dress in front of a magnificent door. You smiled beautifully at me. As soon as the door opened, a dazzling light poured out from beyond… and you said, ‘Thank you, Mom.’ I couldn’t say anything and just stared at you. After a while, you said, ‘Please keep loving me from now on,’ and then you dissolved into the bright light and disappeared. It was that hellish night when everyone said you wouldn’t make it through.”

I clenched my fists under the blanket. Was Eloe saying her final goodbyes before she died? If so, what did she mean by ‘Please keep loving me from now on’?

‘…Could she be talking about me? Did the real Eloe know I would possess her body?’

I tried to recall my first day of being in Eloe’s body, but I couldn’t remember anything. My consciousness after the accident was completely cut off, as if a piece had been torn out.

The Grand Duchess held my other hand with both of hers and rested her forehead against it.

“Eloe, we’ve been a bit strange these past few days, haven’t we? For us, every moment we spend with you is a miracle and a dream. That’s why we wanted to leave some kind of a trace. A trace that you were with us, that you were alive in this world, that you stayed by our side.”

I never dreamed that the reason for all the commotion with the statue and the puddings would be so deeply heartfelt. In this world, there were no photos or videos.

Then why couldn’t they have just drawn a portrait? The swordsmanship seemed a bit much, but I quickly dismissed such thoughts. Instead, a new question formed in my mind: What would the real Eloe have thought?

Would she have been happy? Or would she have felt burdened, like me? Was my feeling that their affection was excessive just because I wasn’t the real Eloe?

My heart, which had been swelling with emotion, suddenly turned cold.

“Your mother… I’m happy with whatever my daughter does, as long as she’s safe and healthy. So, Eloe, please just be as you are now. We’ll protect you. We’ll cherish and love you even more. So you can only feel happiness.”

Kindness and tenderness overflowed. Even though I knew this affection wasn’t meant for me, I felt truly happy and joyful, yet at the same time, sad and tormented.

Feeling the hand on my face, I mulled over the last words Eloe had left for the Grand Duchess.

‘Please keep loving me from now on.’ It was a selfish delusion of mine to hear those words as if they were about me, not Eloe.

To be honest, I want to be a real family with these kind and gentle people. I want to call the people who love me Dad, Mom, and Brother. I want to throw away the guilt and live as Eloe.

The unconditional affection I’d never received in my life was so sweet and wonderful. I was happy.

But because of that very feeling, because of the desire to be a real family with them, I was sad. A real family wouldn’t have to think these things. They liked me not because I was me, but because I was ‘Eloe’.

“Eloe? What’s wrong, hmm? Did you wake up because you’re in pain? Are you okay? Here, let me see.”

It seemed I had unknowingly shed tears. The Grand Duchess noticed before I did and woke me up in surprise. A hot lump welled up from deep inside me, and when the Grand Duchess wiped away my tears with her hand, it finally burst out.

“…Hiccup, sob.”

“It’s okay. It’s okay, my daughter. Mom’s here. It’s okay.”

The Grand Duchess embraced me and patted my back. My chest ached, and my breathing hitched. For the first time, truly the first time ever, I called out for my mom.

Mom, Mom… The Grand Duchess, who somehow understood my mumbled sobs, replied.

“My beloved baby, it’s okay. Everything will be alright. Don’t worry. Mom will be by your side.”

Her voice, as she comforted me, was calm and gentle like a lullaby. Leaning into the Grand Duchess’s voice and warmth, I cried my eyes out, as if trying to wash away the guilt, anxiety, and regret.

 

***

 

The family members at the lunch table were tiptoeing around me. My eyes were as swollen as a pufferfish’s lips from the earlier outburst, which seemed to make them even more hesitant. But I, who had cried my heart out and felt refreshed, had no particular thoughts. To me, a mountain was just a mountain, and a river was just a river.

I could see them all giving each other looks, silently urging someone to speak to me first. The one who finally stepped up was Sion, who had the least “say” in the family. He cleared his throat and said, “Eloe, are you still mad?”

They must think I was crying out of anger.

“I wasn’t mad. I was just overwhelmed.”

“I didn’t know you’d hate it that much, my dear. As you said, we’ll make the statue smaller so it can fit in the house first.”

“For the desserts, we’ll keep the design but change the name. That should be okay, shouldn’t it?”

“What about you, Brother?”

I was talking about that ridiculous “Eloe School of Swordsmanship.” When I turned and gave him a sharp look, Sion looked troubled and muttered, “Changing the name wouldn’t make sense…”

Ugh, what a doting brother. But that side of him is exactly what I like about Sion.

Alright, what’s done is done. If I can’t avoid it, I might as well enjoy it. When will I ever receive this much love again?

Shamelessly, I made a decision that suited me and said to the three of them, “You’re all giving up so fast. I thought you were going to create an ‘Eloe World’.”

“An ‘Eloe World’… Why didn’t I think of that? Honey, where should we build it? What’s a good place?”

“Please calm down, Father. I wasn’t being serious.”

At my sharp retort, the Grand Duke, who had been on the verge of excitement, instantly deflated. It was such a drastic change that it felt like I could hear him whining.

I swear, I can’t live like this. I shook my head from side to side.

As I was chewing on some fresh salad, Sion, who had been feeling the pressure, spoke again. “Eloe, for a change of pace, should we all play a card game after we eat?”

“That’s a great idea. Eloe loves that.”

Oh, right. That was part of my background, too.

Eloe, who spent most of her time in bed, enjoyed playing card games with her family. Her favorite game, surprisingly for her innocent appearance, was poker.

What’s more, Eloe’s poker skills were surprisingly top-notch, to the point where her family could barely win even when they were determined to. Of course, Sion never played to win and often threw games just to see Eloe happy.

Hmm, poker.

‘I know the rules generally, but I wonder if I’ll be any good.’

Oh well. It’s not a high-stakes gambling den where you’d lose a hand for cheating, so I can play with a relaxed mind. I’m pretty lucky, after all. With a light heart, I nodded. The three people, who had been holding their breath waiting for my answer, smiled in relief.

They seemed so happy. My own mood brightened up a little as well.

 

***

 

“Looks like I’ve won this game.”

The Grand Duke smiled confidently before revealing his cards. His hand looked strong at a glance. Sion’s visible cards weren’t very good, and his expression was appropriately grim. It didn’t seem like an act.

I just smiled back at the Grand Duke without a word. He returned my smile with a grin. The atmosphere was tense because there was something at stake in this round.

“Showdown. Everyone, reveal your cards.”

The Grand Duchess, acting as the dealer, spoke. Sion and the Grand Duke laid their hands on the table.

As expected, Sion’s hand was nothing special. With a dark expression, he lowered his head.

The problem was the Grand Duke’s hand. He had a 5, 4, 3, 2, A of clubs—a straight flush. He was certainly justified in his confident declaration of victory.

“Alright, Eloe. You show yours and get ready to grant your father’s wish.”

The Grand Duke grinned. After playing a few games without stakes, things had gotten a little dull, so I had suggested that instead of money, the loser of this round would grant the winner’s wish. The Grand Duke and Sion readily agreed, and the Grand Duchess, lacking confidence, took on the role of dealer.

“If you don’t feel confident, you don’t have to show your hand.”

“No, Father. We have to follow the rules.”

I pouted and flipped my cards over. Silence fell over the table. The Grand Duke, who had raised his arms in victory, froze in that exact pose.

I stood there and delivered the final blow to the defeated Grand Duke.

“Since I have a 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 of hearts—a straight flush… I won! Isn’t that right, Mother?”

“Hahaha, indeed. Your father has been soundly defeated. Eloe has won this game. Everyone, let’s give her a round of applause.”

The Grand Duchess clapped enthusiastically. As I returned her applause with a bright smile, the Grand Duke remained frozen like a statue.

It’s not over until it’s over; you can’t get complacent. So this is the taste of victory. It’s so sweet.

Savoring the joy of victory, I held my chin up high. Sion and the Grand Duke drooped like boiled spinach and exchanged glances. I waited for the applause to die down before getting to the point.

“My wish is…”

Suddenly, my world went dark. Someone had covered my eyes with their hands. What’s this? So sudden! I flailed my arms in surprise, and then I heard Sion’s voice from behind me.

“Hurry, Father.”

“Okay, okay. You can take your hands off now.”

“Let go! Brother! Let go right now! What have you two been scheming? I said let me go!”

“Sorry for startling you.”

My vision returned. It was now clear what the Grand Duke and Sion had conspired to do. From my perfect straight flush, the 7 of hearts had been swapped with a 7 of spades.

This wasn’t just cheating; they’d outright switched the cards. I was dumbfounded.

Rendered speechless, I looked back and forth between the Grand Duke and Sion. The Grand Duke gave a benevolent smile and spread his arms.

“Come now, Eloe. Will you hug your father and give him a big smile? That is your father’s wish.”

“Father, that’s not what you said! You clearly said you’d hand the wish over to me.”

“When did I ever say that? Bring me proof! Bring me proof!”

“Are you going to be so underhanded?”

“In the world of competition, the winner makes the rules. ‘Underhanded’ is just an excuse from a loser. You should learn that, my son.”

The Grand Duke and Sion began a competition to see who could be more despicable and low. Then they looked at me and shouted at the same time:

“Eloe, you’re on my side, right?”

“Brother’s right, isn’t he?”

Oh, here we go again. I put on the brightest, prettiest smile I could and replied, “You’re both equally despicable.”

The two men, who had been waiting with bright, hopeful eyes, froze like statues. Humph. I glared at them both and spun on my heel. From behind me, I could hear the desperate cries of the Grand Duke and Sion following me.

“No, don’t go, Eloe…!”

“Father told me to do it! Eloe, I sincerely apologize! Eloe!”

There was a crash as something was knocked over and spilled. Sion, having tripped over a table leg, was now wrestling with the Grand Duke.

Honestly, I can’t live like this. I shook my head in exasperation.

I happened to glance out the window and saw a brilliant red sunset. It seemed I’d been so engrossed in the card game that I hadn’t noticed the time.

Perhaps Eloe didn’t like the card game itself, but rather the time she spent with her family. No, she probably did. Because I had a really good time, too.

I looked at the two men tangled up on the floor and the Grand Duchess watching them with a look of disdain, and a faint smile touched my lips.

 

***

 

The corridors of the ducal castle were brightly lit, even in the dead of night. Since it was so late, no one was walking around. I awkwardly set down the lamp I had brought with me just in case and pulled the hood of my robe over my head. I crept along the hallway.

I had vaguely told the servants guarding my door that I was going to my brother’s room, and they seemed to understand, not questioning me further.

The usually busy corridor felt different now that it was empty.

‘It’s so bright, yet it feels a little eerie.’

Maybe it’s because the lighting is so bright and the ceilings are so high. It’s better when it’s quiet like this to gather my thoughts.

Without a care, I started walking wherever my feet took me. I wanted to go out and stroll in the garden, but it was obvious that not only Sion but also the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess would follow me if they were in bed.

Days had passed without me finding a proper way to save Sion. My mind was getting more and more anxious, yet I was living a happier life than ever before.

When I opened my eyes in the morning, a loving family greeted me. I no longer had to eat alone in a dark room, staring at a monitor, and I didn’t have to suffer alone from a high fever in the middle of the night.

My life had changed 180 degrees, all thanks to Eloe’s family.

Whenever I had time, I thought about how I could repay them. And every time, the conclusion was the same: saving Sion was the biggest repayment I could give them. Only I could save him.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say I was using Sion for my own selfish reasons. Honestly, I wanted to be accepted by them. I wanted to become a real family with them. That’s why I wanted to be free from the guilt that tormented me all the time. Of course, I also didn’t want to see my favorite character die.

The problem was, I didn’t know how.

‘It’s so vast… how many square feet is this place?’

The endless corridor was lined with rooms on both sides. All the doors looked the same, making it hard to tell which room was which. How did the servants tell the difference? Would I be able to if I lived here long enough?

The corridor that seemed to go on forever finally ended, and a staircase appeared before me. Up or down? As I was contemplating which way to go, I heard the faint sound of conversation. Following it, the sound of footsteps on the stairs echoed.

The footsteps were getting closer. Someone was definitely coming up.

It wouldn’t be good to be caught wandering the corridors, so I quickly got away from the stairs and slipped into the nearest room. It was a huge relief that the door wasn’t locked.

“Phew…”

So much for clearing my head. What am I doing, acting like I’m in a spy movie? A sudden moment of clarity hit me. I should just go back to my room, wash my feet, and go to sleep.

Did the person who just came up from the basement pass by? I’ll just peek through the door…

‘Why do I feel a chill down my spine?’

I quickly turned around. But there was nothing there. The pale moonlight was just illuminating the neat bed.

Was I imagining it…? Still, it feels unpleasant.

Wait, come to think of it, isn’t this a horror movie cliché? Going out alone at night and becoming a victim. I need to go back quickly.

I was tightly pulling the robe over me and reaching for the doorknob when it happened.

“Why’d you only notice now? I was so bored I was about to die.”

“Gah! W-what…?”

“That’s what I’d like to ask you.”

The man’s voice, tinged with mischief, was powerful. A large hand grabbed my shoulder and forcibly turned me around.

My body spun with the sudden force, and I found myself face to face with the man.

His hair, silhouetted against the pale moonlight, was spiky, just like his personality. His forehead was wide and clean, and his eyebrows were thick and sharp. His slightly slanted red eyes were transparent and beautiful, like carved rubies. The clear, three-dimensional lines from his forehead to his nose and lips were in perfect, flawless harmony. His lips, as red as his eyes, curved into a gentle smile. Perhaps it was the mole at the corner of his mouth, but his normally cold and sharp expression vanished, instantly replaced by a decadent image.

For a moment, my heart sank. He was sinfully handsome, but…

‘Why are you here…?’

“What are you? You’re wearing something white, so are you a ghost?”

Jeras said in a teasing tone. He didn’t even know who I was, but the fact that he was so rude and disrespectful on our first meeting meant it had to be Jeras.

That’s why I couldn’t understand. Why was the Second Prince, who was supposed to be hunting demons, here?

“If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to.”

Jeras shrugged his shoulders. He seemed willing to let me go, but I wasn’t falling for it.

I glared at him with all my might, full of vigilance. Jeras didn’t hide his look of contempt and disdain.

“I’ll make you want to answer.”

“…That’s ridiculous. Who says you will?”

Ugh, that annoying tone. If he were even half, no, a quarter as decent as Sion, I would have cherished him with all my heart.

When I couldn’t take it anymore and snapped at him, Jeras curled one side of his lip and took a step closer. For every step he took, I took two back. But soon, my back hit the door. Damn it.

“Stop. Don’t come any closer.”

“I don’t want to. Why should I listen to you when I don’t even know who you are?”

So he really doesn’t know who I am.

Now that I thought about it, Sion had made up various excuses to Jeras and had never introduced him to Eloe. He probably did it out of fear that Eloe would fall for him, a seemingly perfect man on the outside, despite his rotten character.

“You’ll regret it if you find out who I am.”

“You’ll regret it if you find out who I am, too.”

Ugh, I want to punch him! As we exchanged meaningless words, Jeras was right in front of me.

He leaned against the door, trapping me between his arms. His tall body cast a shadow over my face. His crimson eyes stared down at me.

“What will it take to make these arrogant lips obedient?”

His grip on my chin was strong, but it didn’t hurt as much as I expected. When I tightly pursed my lips in defiance, Jeras smiled with his eyes as if he had expected it.

“You’re not a ghost. So why are you wearing that?”

What do you care if I wear a cloak or a sack?

I tilted my eyes up, and Jeras slowly lowered his head. His face, so close it felt like he was about to kiss me, grinned like a mischievous boy.

“Can you handle pain well?”

“…Can you?”

I tilted my head back with all my might and headbutted Jeras. Since he was so close, it didn’t have a big effect. But Jeras was visibly flustered, rubbing his forehead and pulling back. This was exactly what I was aiming for.

Reviving the feeling from the time I fought off a pervert in the alley of my old studio apartment, I gathered all the strength left in my body. My knee, holding a sharp angle, shot out like lightning and accurately connected with the space between Jeras’s legs.

“Gasp!”

“Oh, my bad. I guess you can’t handle pain.”

“You, you…!”

Jeras collapsed to the floor, trembling. How dare he try to threaten me.

He wouldn’t be able to get up for a while, but there was no time to waste. I quickly opened the door and ran out of the room.

Which way did I come from? The stairs are to the left, so I should go right…

“Do you think I’d let you get away?”

Jeras’s voice came from right behind me. An immense murderous intent radiated from him. My hair stood on end, and goosebumps covered my skin. The murderous aura, a sensation I had never felt before, choked the air out of my lungs. I forced my legs to move and took a step forward.

“Ah.”

I lightly bumped my forehead against something hard and cold. It was Jeras’s armor. The cold touch of metal was vivid.

I’m screwed. How did he get here so fast?

“First below, now above. You’re a very daring lady for a first meeting.”

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

I couldn’t stand the sight of him. I whipped off the robe and threw it over Jeras. As he fumbled with his arms for a moment, I quickly dashed past him. But the robe didn’t even buy me a second, and Jeras was on my heels in an instant.

I glanced back at the terrifying presence and almost stumbled. The face of Jeras, his brows furrowed as much as possible, was truly terrifying.

“Stay away! Stay away! I said, stay away!”

“You’re not by any chance…”

“Eloe! Where are you, Eloe! Answer me!”

It seems there’s no law that says a person must die.

I shouted loudly, as if in response to the voice of a savior coming from far away.

“Help me, Brother! There’s a pervert here!”

 

***

 

Both Sion and I watched Jeras as he polished off his fifth plate.

We sat side-by-side, but our gazes toward Jeras were completely different. Sion’s held a mix of pity and concern, but mine was nothing more than an unpleasant stare at an unwelcome guest.

One thing was surprisingly interesting, though: despite his speed, his movements were as graceful as a nobleman leisurely enjoying a formal meal. I suppose even a ruffian is different when they’re royalty.

“How many times must I tell you that it’s difficult when you arrive without notice? Had you contacted us beforehand, we would have prepared a more ample meal.”

“How can I contact you beforehand when demonkin can appear at any time and any place? Ah, give me some more of this. It’s delicious.”

A waiting servant removed his empty plate. Jeras propped his chin on his hand and tilted his head.

“And Sion, your words are sharp, aren’t they? Are you so upset that your carefully hidden sister has been found?”

Sion replied with a straight face. “I wasn’t hiding her. Eloe has been recuperating because of her poor health. You know that.”

“For someone with poor health, her knees are remarkably strong. They almost tore my leg off.”

That mouth of his. He says whatever he wants in front of an innocent person like Sion!

I quickly interjected. “No, Brother. That Prince… I mean, His Highness suddenly touched me, and I was so startled.”

“Is our Princess going to insist on calling me a pervert to the very end?”

“Who is ‘our’ Princess? Eloe is my sister.”

“If she’s your sister, then she’s also my sister, which makes her ‘our’ Princess. Anyway, Princess, you’ve suddenly become so well-behaved. It’s okay to speak informally to me, you know.”

“How could I possibly speak informally to His Highness? I didn’t know you were the Prince before. I hope you’ll let go of the misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding, you say. Let’s just call it that.”

His endless chatter was so infuriating I could die.

I had several reasons for not liking Jeras, and his personality was a big one. No one in the novel could match his skill at getting under people’s skin. If only he didn’t have such a sharp tongue, he wouldn’t be so detestable.

A servant brought out a new dish. It was a freshly baked soufflé pancake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. It looked delicious. All this stress was making me crave something sweet.

“Princess.”

“Yes?”

Jeras pointed at the soufflé pancake with a long finger.

“I’m not going to give it to you.”

“…What?”

“Even if you stare at it so desperately, I won’t give it to you. This is mine.”

His long finger tapped the edge of the plate.

This is unbelievable. Hey, mister. I never said I wanted to eat it, did I?

“It’s fine. I don’t want to eat it.”

“I’m not giving it to you.”

“I said I don’t want to eat it.”

“I said I’m not giving it to you.”

“No, I’m not eating it.”

“Yep, not giving it to you.”

Oh, for real. A wave of heat and profanity welled up from deep within me. Is this guy a genius? If there were a competition for making people angry, he’d be guaranteed to win.

Next to me, Sion fidgeted nervously. My expression must have been terrifying.

Calm down. Sion is here. I have to calm down for Sion’s sake. Getting angry here will only hurt me.

I stayed silent, feeling like I’d swear if I opened my mouth. Jeras cut the cake into a bite-sized piece, scooped up a generous amount of cream, and slowly began to speak. I thought he’d finally be quiet, but this cursed Prince, as always, never stopped at just one or two lines.

“Looks delicious. It’s a shame the Princess won’t get to eat it.”

“I’m not eating it. I don’t want to eat it. I won’t eat it even if you give it to me! I won’t eat it even if you pay me!”

I held back, and held back, and held back. I couldn’t hold it back anymore.

When I shouted, a belly laugh erupted from him. It was a genuine, hearty laugh that only came out when he was truly amused, but I was not happy at all. Not even a little.

I glared at him as he clutched his stomach and laughed, then I stood up from my seat. I didn’t want to be in the same room as him for another second. I hope I never have to see him again! Please!

“My apologies, Princess. I’ll give you this, so please don’t go.”

“Your Highness, please enjoy it all by yourself and live a long, full, and happy life. Brother, I’m tired, so I’ll be going up first.”

“I’ll walk you.”

“No. I’ll go alone. What if someone with a petty mind picks a fight?”

“But…”

I nodded to Sion, who stood there awkwardly, to reassure him. Jeras chuckled and swallowed his cake.

Leaving the sweet, delicious-smelling dining room behind, I returned to my room.

“Ah! I’m so angry!”

The rage and annoyance boiling up in me were beyond anything I’d felt while reading the novel.

What is wrong with that man? Does our Sion have to die to save a guy like that? Why? Why should he? I absolutely won’t let that happen. Not over my dead body!

I pictured Jeras’s face and punched my pillow over and over. My anger just wouldn’t subside.

My furious night continued well past midnight.

 

***

 

My wish to never see him again remained just that—a wish. The next morning, Jeras joined our family at the breakfast table.

I deliberately sat as far away from him as possible and slowly chewed my bread. The lack of sleep from my frustration had killed my appetite.

“It seems this subjugation took quite a while. Your Highness, you always work so hard.”

“Not at all. I’m happy to be so well received by the Grand Duke after a campaign. Especially now that the Princess is here.”

Jeras replied politely. It seemed he was trying to act normal in front of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. As if I’d fall for that. I scoffed internally and put a salad with a refreshing dressing in my mouth, not even looking in his direction.

He could talk about me all he wanted. I wouldn’t pay any attention.

“When do you plan to depart for Vebers?”

“Ah, I was originally planning to leave tomorrow, but I’ve changed my mind. I found something interesting.”

“Something interesting?”

“Yes. It seems I’ll have to stay in Moniasha for a few more days. Is that alright?”

“You are always welcome. We will do our best to ensure you have a comfortable rest.”

“Sion, you like this, too, don’t you? You said you didn’t want to go to Rivai.”

My head turned on its own at the mention of Sion’s name.

Sion, sitting across from me, had his usual calm expression. He didn’t confirm or deny it, maintaining his cautious demeanor.

So he didn’t want to go to Rivai. Well, of course. Who would want to go somewhere by force? Living far from family is nothing but hardship. There are no upsides.

Poor Sion. If I could, I would go in his place.

‘Wait a minute…?’

My mind went blank, as if I had been hit in the back of the head.

That’s it. I can go to Rivai in Sion’s place. All the problems I’ve been worrying about would be solved. The best way to avoid getting caught up in an incident is to not be there in the first place.

Why didn’t I think of such a simple solution sooner? I feel so stupid.

“Eloe, you don’t look well. You haven’t eaten much either. Are you alright?”

“Me? Oh, I’m fine. I think I just went to bed a little late yesterday.”

“If you’re tired, don’t push yourself and go rest.”

The Grand Duchess looked at me with a tender, worried expression from beside me.

‘If I go to Rivai, I’ll have to be away from the three of them…’

Just the thought of it made me feel lonely. I had lived without a family for over 20 years, but in less than half a month, I had already learned what it felt like to be without one. As they say, you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. It seemed I had already gotten used to this loud, affectionate family.

I steeled my wavering heart and forced a bright smile.

“I’m fine. Please don’t worry.”

I will go to Rivai instead of Sion. I want everyone to live happily ever after, just like we are now. I will make sure it happens.

I swallowed the rest of my words. The Grand Duchess squeezed my hand under the table. Her gentle warmth gave me strength.

For me, who knows everything about the future, nothing is impossible.

Rivai? So what? I’ll go. I’ll save my favorite character!

 

***

 

“Absolutely not.”

“What? Why?”

“Why? Are you being serious, Eloe?”

Why would I lie when I’ve just had a good, expensive meal?

I stared at him with genuine innocence, and the Grand Duke let out a deep sigh. He rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb, his expression far from pleased.

He must be parched; he gulped down a cup of hot tea and continued to sigh. The cozy atmosphere of our family tea time, which we were enjoying while Jeras was out, was quickly fading.

Did they think I’d give up? I acted completely clueless, as if I had no regard for the atmosphere, and spoke again. “I want to go to Rivai. I want to. Please let me go.”

“Eloe, stop. Father has already said no. And I am also against you going to Rivai.”

Sion, who had been silently observing the situation, joined in. The Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, and Sion all had their eyes fixed on me. If they thought I would be intimidated, they were mistaken. I had built up immense inner strength from giving presentations for my college group projects.

I fully expected them not to send me easily. I was already well-acquainted with my family’s obsessive affection and doting nature.

I recalled my days of single-handedly answering countless questions to defend my grades and entered battle mode.

“I know you’re all worried about me. But my health has improved a lot. I’m perfectly fine even when I go for a walk with Brother every day. Right, Brother?”

“Rivai is not a place you can go for a walk. If you’re feeling cooped up, we can find a suitable place within the Duchy. Rivai is out of the question.”

“Are there monsters in Rivai? I may have been bedridden for a long time, but I’m not an idiot. I know you were captured in the Empire in my place. This time, I’ll…”

“Eloered.”

The Grand Duke’s heavy voice crushed me. My excited rambling stopped dead in its tracks. It was rare for the Grand Duke to use my full name. The Grand Duchess and Sion also looked visibly tense.

The Grand Duke looked straight at me and said, “Your mother and I had one wish. For you, who is so precious, to become healthy. We can’t describe how happy and joyful we’ve been every day since that wish came true.”

His voice was filled with a profound sincerity. I slowly lowered my head. The Grand Duke continued in a gentle voice, like he was comforting a child.

“We cannot lose you, who has barely remained by our side. The affairs of the Duchy are not for you to worry about. Your brother and I will take care of everything, so you must focus only on taking care of yourself. Do you understand?”

“But,”

“This conversation is over. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Sion, find a good place for Eloe to visit.”

“Yes, Father.”

The Grand Duke had gently but firmly cut me off. The Grand Duchess looked at me with a worried face, and Sion’s expression was just as grim as the Grand Duke’s. This was not the time to be making demands.

But I wasn’t going to back down so easily either. If there was something I could do for this family, I wanted to do it. And that was saving Sion.

‘I have no choice.’

I still had a plan to counter the doting Grand Duke and the younger-sister-obsessed Sion. I huffed loudly and declared, “I won’t eat anything until you promise to send me to Rivai.”

My plan: “The I Won’t Eat!” strategy. It was primitive and childish, but for three people who were utterly obsessed with Eloe, it would be a devastating blow!

As expected, the faces of all three of them went pale. I pressed my lips together firmly and turned my head away.

I’ll show them the fasting skills I honed during my many diets.

 

***

 

It has been two hours since I lay in bed, staring into the darkness. I can’t sleep.

My stomach, experiencing emptiness for the first time in a while, must be feeling a sense of crisis. It was protesting, loudly demanding food or it would start digesting the stomach wall instead.

Grumble! An immense hunger came with a ferocious growl. I couldn’t stand it any longer and sat up abruptly. The violent movement made my stomach growl again. Ugh, seriously!

Anyone would think I’d been on a hunger strike for three days. But sadly, it had only been two meals—lunch and dinner—since I declared my “I won’t eat!” strategy.

This was far from what I had expected. Eloe’s body was incredibly slender, a perfect example of a frail, beautiful young lady. Her eating habits were also to eat small, frequent meals, so I thought a hunger strike would be a breeze. I was wrong.

‘…Is it because of my gluttonous soul?’

As I touched my hollow stomach, the thought suddenly crossed my mind. Maybe the original Eloe wouldn’t have had any problem skipping a meal…

No. No! The first and second meals are always the hardest part of a fast. It’s like that for all humans! I’m not the weird one!

‘Dinner looked so delicious.’

To show my unwavering resolve, I didn’t stay locked in my room but purposely went to the dining room at dinnertime. Luckily, Jeras wasn’t there. The three people who had been in a deep state of worry brightened up when they saw me. But when I just sat there without picking up my fork, they panicked.

The Grand Duchess anxiously wrung her hands, and Sion kept talking to me, trying to persuade me. The Grand Duke pretended to be nonchalant on the outside, but his trembling eyes showed his true feelings. His hand trembled so much as he lifted his cup that water trickled down his chin. The Grand Duchess and Sion were so focused on me that they didn’t even notice the Grand Duke’s clothes were soaked. Only the butler attending to them looked helpless.

Yet, none of the three said they would send me to Rivai. How stubborn can they be?

I went straight back to my room and didn’t move an inch. No, I couldn’t move. All the food I didn’t get to eat kept appearing before my eyes.

‘How delicious must that grilled veal tenderloin have been…’

As they say, you know what you’re missing once you’ve had it. I had eaten it before, and it was truly delicious. The steak from family restaurants in Korea was all fake. If I hadn’t known what it tasted like, it would have been fine, but knowing it, I couldn’t calm down.

Sob, I’m hungry. I shouldn’t have gone down to the dining room. Smelling it only made it worse. I think the smell of grilled meat is still lingering in my nose. The smell is so realistic. Is it because I’ve been eating too well? Am I having hallucinations after skipping just two meals?

No, that’s not it. This isn’t a hallucination. It’s the real smell of grilled meat. Who’s grilling meat that the smell is so strong?

‘I should go tell them to stop grilling.’

I put on my black robe and opened my door. Then, I used my heightened sense of smell to follow the scent.

I’m not doing this because I’m hungry and want meat. I’m really going to give them a piece of my mind.

Intoxicated by the smell of meat, I came to my senses as I turned a corner. Sizzle, I heard the familiar sound.

As I fully rounded the corner, I saw the back of a man crouched in the middle of the hallway. White smoke billowed from his dark purplish hair.

“Excuse me, what are you doing grilling meat in the middle of the hallway? The smell is reaching my room…”

Wait, purple hair?

“They said you were fasting, but you really came.”

That mocking voice belonged to Jeras. I turned around the moment I heard his voice. No need to even check his face. I’m already sensitive from hunger. Nothing good will come from dealing with that guy.

‘You don’t run away from poop because you’re scared of it. You run away because it’s gross.’

“Princess, I thought you liked meat.”

“No. I hate meat. It’s the thing I hate most in the world.”

“Is that so? What a shame. I was going to keep it a secret if you ate it.”

…He’d keep it a secret?

The delicious sizzle and the scent of sizzling meat held my feet in place.

But it wasn’t enough for me to completely throw away my pride and dignity as a princess. I still had my back to Jeras and asked, “Are you really going to keep it a secret?”

“You’re so suspicious. Have you been lied to your whole life?”

“I am a humanitarian who overflows with trust and affection for others. It just doesn’t apply to a single person.”

“That’s hurtful. Anyway, come here. I’ll keep your secret.”

My reason was screaming that something was fishy, but my hungry body had already succumbed to the smell of the meat.

As I got closer, I saw that Jeras was grilling a piece of meat cut into a suitable size on a mini barbecue grill. Surprisingly, his hand movements were quite practiced, probably because he spent two-thirds of the year living outside the Imperial Palace to hunt demons. The novel even mentioned that he was surprisingly self-sufficient.

But I have to ask.

“Can we go somewhere else?”

If the two of us grill and eat meat in the middle of the hallway, there’s no way it would stay a secret. The servants passing by would surely see us.

Jeras flipped the meat over and looked up at me. His red eyes crinkled in a way that was very ominous.

“Do you want to go to a more private place? Our Princess is quite proactive.”

“Who is ‘our’ Princess? Ugh, never mind. You can have it all to yourself.”

“You’re so impatient. Don’t go. I hate eating alone.”

I couldn’t bring myself to turn away heartlessly. Why did he have to say something that would suddenly make me feel soft?

The meat cooked quickly. Jeras handed me a plate with the meat on it. Where did he get a plate from? As I took the plate in a daze, the grill disappeared in a flash of light.

I spotted a pendant in Jeras’s hand. Oh, is that what that is? It’s the artifact with a magic spell on it that lets you put things in and out of it like a warehouse, anywhere and at any time!

I always thought it was cool when I read about it in the novel, but seeing it in person made me even more amazed and envious. It looks so convenient. I want one, too.

“Come closer.”

“No.”

“You have a lot of ‘no’s’, Princess.”

Jeras sighed. The pendant glowed, and a cloak with shimmering powder sprinkled on black fabric appeared. I know what that is, too. It was an invisibility cloak that erased one’s presence. It was one of Jeras’s favorite artifacts.

“You said you wanted to move. Do you want to get caught on the way?”

Jeras wrapped the cloak around himself and held out one arm. He had a point. Besides, the meat on the plate was getting cold quickly. I had to eat it now.

I had no choice but to step inside the cloak with him. Jeras only draped the cloak over my shoulder and didn’t do anything else.

I kept a decent distance and tried to match his pace. But…

‘He’s so fast!’

His steps were fast, and his strides were long. He was walking leisurely, but I was practically running to keep up. My legs are going to split!

“Could you please slow down a little? I can’t keep up.”

“It’s just that the Princess’s legs are short. I can’t help that.”

Ugh, my head is throbbing. I should just stop talking. I grabbed the back of my neck and followed Jeras with quick steps. Still, his strides were a bit shorter than before, so it was easier to follow.

But still, couldn’t he say something a little nicer if he was going to accommodate me? Is his body made of thorns that pop up whenever he says something nice or pretty?

“We’re here.”

Jeras lifted the cloak. We were in the garden gazebo, where the bright moonlight streamed in. There was a table and chairs for tea time, making it the perfect place to eat something.

I sat on a chair, and Jeras took out the grill again to cook the meat. The sight of the rosy meat turning brown as it cooked was always delightful.

We ate the meat in silence. I thought it was beef, but it tasted different from any beef I’d ever had. It was richer than beef, yet light, and it melted in my mouth.

Mmm, it’s really good.

“It suits your taste, it seems.”

“Yes, it’s delicious. What kind of meat is it? I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

“Curious? You’ll hate it if I tell you.”

“…What is it?”

“Demon meat.”

Clatter.

The fork with the meat on it fell from my hand. Jeras calmly cut a small piece of meat and put it in his mouth.

My stomach churned. I felt like I was going to throw up. I covered my mouth with one hand and stood up from my chair, and Jeras burst into laughter.

What? What is it? Did he trick me again? I stared blankly at Jeras as he chuckled and continued, “I’m just kidding, of course. Do I look that crazy to you?”

“More than you know.”

“It’s the meat of a creature called a Labni. The texture is soft, so it tastes good. It has wings, so it’s hard to catch. So calm down and eat, Princess.”

Would you eat it if you were me?

My appetite was gone. With his shifty demeanor, I couldn’t tell what was a joke and what wasn’t. Most of all, his excessive kindness toward me bothered me. As you can see, he is absolutely not a kind and gentle person.

‘He must have an ulterior motive.’

Jeras, seeing me with my arms crossed, put down his fork. Was it because the moonlight was behind him? His red eyes seemed to have a darker look to them.

Our eyes met. His serious expression and sharp gaze were unfamiliar. His narrowed red eyes followed me relentlessly, as if trying to dissect my inner thoughts.

Why, why is he looking at me like that? It was so unnerving that I looked away. His lips, as red as his eyes, slowly moved.

“Want me to help you go to Rivai?”