Chapter 71 …

Daphne still does not remember what happened that day.

Since she doesn’t remember that day, she probably doesn’t know about Eden’s existence either.

“Since she doesn’t remember, that’s why she can look at me without any reaction. Or… is she hiding something inside? But it doesn’t seem like she’s that good at hiding her expressions.”

An ordinary person would never remain calm while standing face to face with someone who once tried to kill them.

Back then, Lucius had wanted Daphne to die. That was why he lured her out and pushed her into the well.

If Daphne had actually died that day, Eden wouldn’t have gained such a strong presence like this.

Do you really believe everything that child said?

Daphne Sterren had long been famous for her intelligence. She always spoke with the confidence of someone who knew everything.

The moment young Lucius heard those words, he was certain that Daphne wasn’t lying.

That she was the original author who created this world.
Its creator.

The way her lips arrogantly spoke—as if she knew everything, even the relationship between the Emperor and Empress, and even Crown Prince Lucius’s personality—and yet those same lips said she would show mercy to Eden.

“I’ll write a story about you. You weren’t originally a character, but since you appeared, I should write one for you. From now on, you’ll have a name. You’ll have a story too. You’ll meet someone you love and make close friends. You’ll defeat bad people. I’ll make you into a hero. As long as I remember you, you’ll become the perfect protagonist. But when that time comes… you mustn’t forget me, okay?”

Then what do I become?

Even as a child, Lucius instinctively knew those words weren’t just empty boasting or childish nonsense.

He didn’t know Daphne particularly well, but the imperial family and the grand ducal house interacted frequently.

Because of that, he encountered Daphne often. And every time, she looked at him with clear displeasure.

Only then did Lucius begin to understand why Daphne seemed to hate him so much.

“Lucius—I made him into the villain. Villains always end up ruined in the end. They do bad things and get punished. But I’ll make you the protagonist instead.”

Why am I the villain, and he’s the protagonist?
Why do I fall, while he gets to be happy?

That was why Lucius pushed her.

He shoved Daphne deep into the well, wishing for her death.

Even as she screamed for help, he turned away from her cries.

Then Eden ran in and struck him with a stone.

After that, Lucius lived for a long time having forgotten that memory. It was only relatively recently that he recalled it.

At first he thought it was merely a dream.

But too many circumstances matched up strangely well.

That day had not been a dream.
It had really happened.

Lucius realized then that his life existed only to become the villain in Eden’s heroic tale.

“Daphne seems to remember nothing about Eden… or about that day. Is that why Eden’s existence remains unclear? Even now, there are still more people in both the imperial palace and high society who don’t know about him. At this rate, Eden might even die on the battlefield without anyone noticing.”

But the thing that bothered him the most was the existence Daphne mentioned—the one she called “Puppy.”

The slave she said she brought from a foreign slave market.

What were the chances that this slave was actually Eden?

Lucius was certain that Daphne had forgotten that day.

But if someone asked him what probability there was that this “Puppy” was Eden—

he would say 80 percent.

Why so high?

Because that day, thanks to Daphne, Eden had learned that he was the “protagonist” of this story.

Protagonists always face many trials.

Yet they overcome all those hardships through fate, miraculous coincidences, and unbelievable luck.

Lucius had no intention of simply sitting back and watching.

He had no intention of becoming the villain in Eden’s heroic narrative.

Nor the side character who eventually falls to poetic justice.

“So, Daphne… no matter what it takes, I will…”

Just as he slowly lowered his wine glass onto the table—

A violent gust of wind and rain struck outside, and the window burst open.

The curtains whipped violently as rain and wind poured inside.

Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

Lucius stood and walked to the window to close it.

For a moment, he simply watched the heavy rain pouring down.

“Perfect weather for someone to die.”

There were things he wanted to say to Daphne.

That sometimes villains can become the protagonists.

That happiness isn’t reserved only for good people.

That she doesn’t get to decide everything.

Though he didn’t know if he would ever get the chance to tell her.

* * *

“What is all this, Your Grace?”

“They’re donuts. Just what they look like—donuts.”

“The Crown Prince bought donuts for you? I can’t really picture that.”

“Exactly. I didn’t expect to receive them either.”

“But Your Grace, were you really that hungry? I didn’t think you’d buy two whole boxes.”

“One box has another owner.”

“Ah… the young lady?”

If he mentioned Puppy’s name, it would definitely become troublesome, so he brushed it off vaguely.

“…Well, yes. Eat the ones in this box. I’ve eaten a lot today, so I’m full.”

“But they were bought by His Highness the Crown Prince. How could I dare eat them? You should have them later instead. But by the way… how was your date today?”

Sally glanced at me cautiously as she asked.

Since Lucius had ordered everyone else to stay ten steps behind them, she must have been curious about what kind of conversation they had today.

“It wasn’t bad.”

“What? Isn’t that a little too brief of an explanation? Even from far away, Prince Lucius shines! The two of you looked so good together. It was like a painting!”

Sally clasped her hands together as if praying, her eyes sparkling.

I couldn’t help letting out a small laugh.

Well… Lucius really is handsome.

“Your Grace is amazing too. How can you remain so calm with a face like that right in front of you? If it were most noble ladies, they’d clutch their hearts and faint. Someone even fainted from excitement just seeing the Crown Prince before!”

“Hm. Is that so? I don’t think he’s that impressive. If you ask me, Puppy is a little more—”

…What did I just say?

Feeling uneasy, I looked at the maid.

She was staring at me with a very meaningful smile.

“Wait—don’t misunderstand. I’m speaking objectively.”

“O-of course. Puppy is objectively very handsome.”

“Right? Exactly. Objectively. You have to look at things objectively. And objectively speaking, Puppy is a little more my type. No—well, not like that— I mean… you understand what I’m saying, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Sally raised both hands and gently waved them downward as if telling me to calm down.

Unlike Sally, who claimed to understand what I meant, I had no idea what I was even saying.

I must be crazy. Definitely crazy.

How many times had I repeated the word “objectively” just now?

Even a passing dog would know that statement wasn’t objective at all.

“…Forget everything I just said. I showed a very pathetic side of myself.”

“Please don’t say that, Your Grace. How could it be pathetic? The 모습 of someone in love is very beautiful.”

“…What did you just say?”

“Huh? Ah, I’m sorry, Your Grace. I was being rude—”

“No. I mean… do I really look like someone who’s in love? I’m not scolding you. I’m asking if I really look like that.”

“…Will you promise not to get angry if I answer honestly?”

“I absolutely won’t. Just tell me what you see. Not just you—do other people see me like that too?”

“……”

“Come on, say it. I said I won’t get angry.”

Only after I pressed her several times did Sally finally speak, cautiously watching my reaction.

“Actually, Your Grace… everyone already knows that the way you look at Puppy is unusual.”

“…Everyone?”

“Yes. Well, the donut incident yesterday is already known to those who know. And there are other things too… Whenever Your Grace seems lost in thought, the end of your gaze is always directed toward Puppy. And Puppy’s room was moved to the second floor near the secondary bedroom…”

“But even leaving all that aside… it’s the way you look at him.”

“What about my gaze?”

“They say it’s the gaze of someone clearly in love.”

“That obvious?”

“There’s a saying that even a passing dog could tell. It’s about that obvious, Your Grace.”

“Not that obvious?”

Sally nodded slowly, as if telling me to just accept it.

I shook my head rapidly in denial.

“No. I’m just saying that objectively he’s my type. It doesn’t mean I have feelings for Puppy, or that I feel any kind of desire for him. Absolutely not.”

“Oh really? But when you were drunk last time—”

“…I have nothing to say about that incident, but still. Absolutely not. Go tell the servants. We’re not that kind of relationship, and we shouldn’t be. My mind is firm on this.”

Sally listened quietly, then smiled gently and said,

“Your Grace… sometimes life becomes easier if you’re just a little more honest.”

Her words sounded exactly like she was saying I was lying to myself.