Chapter 3

As I lifted my hand to boldly declare war, my eyes flew open.

“You’re awake.”

A sweet voice drifted from beside me. I looked around—seemed like I’d been transported into a carriage after fainting.

“Milady! Are you alright?”

I tried to call Mary’s name, but my head throbbed, probably from overthinking even while unconscious. Pressing my palm to my forehead, I blinked to clear my blurry vision. The wavering fog sharpened at once.

Since I wasn’t fully collected, Mary yelled at the coachman to hurry.

“Mary… I’m fine. More importantly, what happened?”

“Milady, are you sure? Your head isn’t spinning? You don’t feel nauseous?”

Mary’s eyes brimmed with tears as she anxiously checked me from head to toe. I waved her off.

Fainting from shock… seriously? Was fainting always this easy? My head spun—but not from the collapse. From the dread of my own future.

‘…Hah.’

I swallowed the sigh rising in my throat and leaned back toward the cushion—

Except… it wasn’t soft. It was firm.

And there was a strong grip around me, holding me steady inside the shaking carriage. Someone was supporting my whole body. Even breathing beside me.

Like a creaking robot, I slowly turned my head toward the presence.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Evan looked down at me with deep worry in his eyes.

I was in his arms.

‘There is literally an empty seat next to me!!!’

A silent scream jammed in my throat. I jolted upright—only to fall right back into his chest as the carriage lurched. Evan gently stroked my head to calm me.

I froze. His soft murmur brushed directly against my ear.

“You fainted just moments ago. You might still be dizzy, so stay still. We’re rushing back to the manor.”

“That’s right! Milady, you need rest!”

“We’ll have the physician examine you.”

Somehow Mary and Evan—who had only just met—were in perfect sync.

I stared blankly at Evan and stammered with a trembling voice.

“W-why… am I… in your… a-arms…?”

I was too shocked to speak properly. My favorite character—my absolute bias—was literally holding me. Words were impossible. And when Evan smiled that smooth, teasing smile, my soul left my body.

Rolling his eyes lightly, Evan replied, “The road is rough since we’re in a hurry. Your maid wouldn’t be able to support you well. So I held you instead. Does it bother you?”

“N-no… Thank you.”

I ducked my head to hide the heat on my cheeks. His scent was actually pleasant.

Evan might be labeled a “capture target” in this supposed reverse-harem game, but everyone knew better. He was the main route. The undisputed male lead.

‘Which is why the player character was just “the heroine,” and Evan was “the male lead.” Sorry to the other guys.’

When fans of the other love interests complained about discrimination, the developers rebranded and called everyone a “candidate male lead.” But everyone still knew the truth.

His body was already well-built. Lean at first glance, but the muscles under my back said otherwise.

I stayed there like a doll nestled in his arms. Every time the carriage turned sharply, he held me steady.

Then I felt a strangely smug stare from the front. Mary was beaming at me. I narrowed my eyes.

‘You did that on purpose, didn’t you?’

My lips parted, but I let it go. Honestly? Good. My overprotective family always rushed in whenever I so much as stood next to a man. I’d never been allowed to sit comfortably like this.

And this was my favorite character.

My nerves buzzed. Sweat threatened. When I shifted slightly, Evan seemed to misinterpret it—thinking I wanted to escape—so he soothed me again.

“We’re still in transit. You might stay dizzy. Just rest like this.”

I peeked up at him. He noticed and gave me a gentle smile. I snapped my gaze away.

The person who’d made me laugh and cry from behind a screen was now right in front of me. My face burned uncontrollably.

Fine. Think positive. My body here is strong. The poison incident could happen anytime—but I was once a player. I’d crafted antidotes for Alosi Poison Herb before. Sure, with system help, but still better than nothing.

Once I returned to the manor, I swore to secretly devour every herbalism book available.

***

The moment we arrived, I was confined to my room to wait for the physician.

No one listened when I insisted I was fine. The servants had panicked seeing the coachman racing back, and Mary—who I thought was on my side—became the strictest, forcing me onto the bed.

“I’m really fine. Please tell them that. If not, the house will explode into chaos again.”

“No.”

And the one who shut me down wasn’t Mary. It was Evan—standing naturally in my room like he belonged there.

I pouted. I couldn’t even snap at him. He was my favorite, after all…

Then hurried footsteps approached, and the physician rushed in.

“I heard you collapsed?”

“Yes. And the weather isn’t even that hot today… Milady, are you truly alright?”

“She stared blankly into space and just collapsed.”

Evan explained the scene in unnecessary detail. I let out a helpless laugh. Everyone was serious except me.

The physician checked my pulse with utmost care. Finding nothing alarming, he sighed in relief.

“Her condition seems normal. It appears she endured a great shock…”

A pang hit me. Well… yes. Realizing I was inside a game was pretty shocking.

“Perhaps the sudden outing stressed your body. But you’re perfectly fine now.”

“See? Told you.”

I beamed, urging him to agree with me—but he instead dropped a bomb. He would represcribe the medicine I supposedly stopped taking because I had “recovered.”

I protested fiercely; he refused.

“A small ailment can return as a greater one.”

I gaped. One fainting spell and the consequences hit like a tidal wave.

“Lady Lepina, are you truly alright? I heard your health is very fragile.”

Evan’s trembling lashes and soft, wavering eyes were almost pitiful. His hand hovered close, hesitant to touch me.

It felt… off. He was treating me like a delicate treasure. But I was just his friend’s little sister. Was this level of concern normal?

‘Was Evan always like this? Warm toward people? I remember him being cold. Except toward the heroine.’

Still… I didn’t dislike it. Because he was my bias. I reassured him with a bright smile.

“Don’t worry. My family just tends to overreact.”

Since the physician found no issues, I hopped off the bed.

“Milady, please stay lying down!”

“I’m fine. And we shouldn’t leave a guest standing, should we?”

Mary glanced at Evan, flustered.

‘He helped me. And he’s Piote’s friend. I can’t just leave him like that. At least offer tea.’

And there was no way I’d waste this rare alone-time with my favorite.

I smiled at Evan—friendly, harmless.

“Won’t you stay for tea? My brother should be back soon. Tell me how he’s doing at the Academy.”

Evan smiled like sunlight. Said it would be an honor.

Yes! Internal victory.

“Are you sure you can move?”

“If I just lie around, my body will weaken more. Strength matters.”

“…That’s true.”

I hummed, pleased. I wasn’t made of glass; I wouldn’t shatter. As I passed Evan, I teased lightly.

“And if I faint again… you can catch me again, Lord Evan.”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

He placed a hand over his chest like a knight in a storybook, lifting his eyes with a graceful smile.

I swallowed the urge to audibly swoon.

‘His smile is unreal.’

He looked just like he did when smiling at the heroine. I nodded, proud. This is what being a successful fan feels like.

I was about to ask if Piote had returned when the butler came sprinting down the hall, breathless after hearing I’d fainted.