Chapter 20
Gwen’s eyes widened. He clearly hadn’t expected me to say that.
Well, of course. How could he know? They were the type of people who were already struggling just to reflect on their own actions now that they were paying attention—there was no way they could comprehend what worries Erina might have.
Just giving such an answer was already an act of goodwill on my part, so I turned my gaze out the carriage window. The silence was uncomfortable, but I didn’t mind.
‘Only Gwen’s sitting on pins and needles, I guess.’
Roll along as you see fit, Gwen. Honestly, I’m not even really rolling anything here—just being serious.
Through the carriage window, a magnificent building came into view. Seeing the massive and ornate royal palace grow closer, I suppressed the pounding of my heart, a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
Visiting a palace as lavish as those often described in novels—and knowing that two potential male leads were inside—made my mouth go dry.
‘But I’m only meeting one person.’
Even if that person is a wyrm, I just have to meet Crown Prince Shurandis and leave quickly. Stay sharp.
Depending on how I handle this, the thorny path ahead might get cleared—or not—very quickly.
The palace seemed like the embodiment of the word luxury. Even the Duke’s mansion had been dazzling, leaving me almost dazed when I first possessed this body, but this place was on another level.
‘I wonder how much I could make just by scraping the gold leaf off these columns…’
…With thoughts like that running through my head, I followed Gwen’s footsteps.
As the captain of the Royal Guard, Gwen seemed familiar with the palace layout. He moved skillfully through the repeating, easily confusing hallways without a sign of hesitation.
“This is it, Erina.”
We arrived at a door larger and more elaborate than any we had passed before. Gwen turned to look at me.
“I’ll wait outside until you’re finished, so take your time.”
“You’re… going to wait?”
“The palace is easy to get lost in.”
Wait, that’s not the problem. Aren’t you the captain of the Royal Guard? Is it really okay for you to wait outside for just me?
I shot him a suspicious look. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“Don’t worry, Erina. Right now, I’m carrying out the Crown Prince’s orders. The Emperor also directly approved this, so you just need to do your part.”
…I was a little surprised. When did he get that kind of permission?
I gave a slight bow to thank Gwen, then turned to the attendant. The quick-witted attendant knocked.
“Your Highness, the Lady Erina Marvas has arrived.”
Instead of hearing a response, the door opened. It moved as if someone inside had opened it naturally.
“Welcome, Lady Erina Marvas.”
Beyond the wyrm’s attendant who opened the door, Crown Prince Shurandis stood at the center of the room, smiling.
I stepped inside, bowing in greeting.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“You said you would wait for the next meeting, but you arrived sooner than expected.”
“Apologies for my impatience.”
As I bowed and apologized, a low chuckle came from Shurandis.
“You bow your head very easily.”
“…?”
“Lady Erina, there is nothing here for which you should apologize. So there’s no reason to bow.”
I looked at Shurandis. His gray eyes, softly shining and full of kindness, met mine. Following his natural gesture to sit, I took a seat across from him.
“Lady Marvas, I assume there is a reason you sought me out. I would like to hear it.”
The wyrm’s attendant approached and, with the skill of a maid, set a cup of warm tea in front of Shurandis.
I couldn’t help but glance at the attendant. Sensing my gaze, the wyrm’s yellow eyes slowly blinked.
“Does it bother you?”
Only then did I realize my behavior. I quickly shook my head in response.
“No, no. It’s just… fascinating. I’ve heard that wyrms have attendants, but I didn’t expect them to look like this.”
I had seen him once before, but only from a distance as he followed behind Shurandis. Up close, the details were remarkable.
His appearance was a mix of human and reptilian traits: bright yellow, slit pupils like a snake’s, a long tail, sharp claws on his fingers.
Near his hips, another reptilian tail protruded, and on his back, a massive membrane wing folded neatly, enough to cover his entire body. Scales were scattered across his skin.
And yet…
“…You’re beautiful. I saw you before, but you’re truly stunning.”
Yes, beautiful. Crazy as it sounded, it was true.
“Thank you for saying so.”
Shurandis smiled, gesturing lightly. The attendant bowed politely and stepped back.
“Rarely does anyone compliment an attendant’s appearance when it is normally avoided…”
Curious, he tilted his head. Realizing I was about to state my purpose, I quickly spoke.
“Ah, Your Highness, I came to see you regarding Awakening.”
“Awakening…?”
Shurandis’ eyes narrowed, as if in confusion.
“Yes. Actually… neither Gwen nor Russell awakened their powers through the Awakening Ceremony at nineteen. They awakened early, at fifteen. But I…”
“You are concerned because you have not yet awakened, Lady Erina?”
I nodded quietly. Shurandis tilted his head.
“That is hardly something to worry about. The two sons of Duke Marvas were simply exceptionally talented.”
I clenched my fists. Of course, under normal circumstances, that’s what anyone would say.
But I knew the future. No, I now knew the original story that had long vanished. Erina Marvas’ tiniest potential. The criticism and ridicule that would follow the Awakening Ceremony.
“Your Highness… Great Wyrm, can you see my potential?”
It might have been a rude question. He was a candidate for the main male lead and a wyrm.
As he himself mentioned being capricious, he could have suddenly taken back all his favor if he were displeased.
Still, it was worth a gamble. Especially since I had time.
I sent him a look, gray eyes resembling a human’s but not quite human, scanning me. I wondered:
‘Shurandis… is studying me?’
No, there’s no reason for that. He seemed unexpectedly favorable, but that could just be his caprice.
“Lady Erina, do you know? Potential is something given from birth.”
Of course I knew. I had read the original story. That was why the original heroine awakened as a wyrm, and Erina fell into ruin.
But Shurandis didn’t stop there.
“However, sometimes, due to certain circumstances, someone awakens without fully realizing the power they were given.”
“…Excuse me?”
What?! That wasn’t in the story…! Is this a hidden rule?!
‘Why do these hidden rules keep popping up?!’
Author, seriously! If you’re going to write it, write it fully! Stop tossing me random curveballs here!
“Lady Erina, there is no need to be hasty.”
His gentle voice tickled my ear, as if comforting me.
“Awakening early does not necessarily mean exceptional talent, and awakening on schedule does not mean lacking talent.”
As if he knew why I was anxious and impatient, Shurandis spoke words of hope.
They sounded so sweet that I almost wanted to lean on him.
“…Great Wyrm, may I ask a favor?”
I straightened my mind. I wanted certainty over quenching a thirst for vain hope.
“What do you seek, Erina Marvas?”
Shurandis’ voice changed. It felt like the transcendent being mimicking a human had revealed his true nature.
I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed, quietly clenching my fists.
“I want your help with my Awakening.”
His gray eyes shifted. Slit like a reptile’s, a mysterious light shimmered within.
I couldn’t look away from the sudden change. Then the light faded, a smile lingering as his eyes returned to normal, human-like gray.
“-I refuse.”
The response came so briskly and clearly that my legs went weak, and I staggered.
“Oh, are you alright?”
Shurandis hurried to support me, but that wasn’t what mattered.
“You… you refuse? W-why?!”
Hey!! I thought you were going to grant even just one thing! Refuse? Are you joking with me, you winged lizard?!
If I had any strength left in me, I might have grabbed him by the collar and shaken him violently.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—the tension drained from me, preventing me from doing something that would have been a suicide attempt.
“Of course it is natural.”
Calmly, Shurandis leaned me back against the sofa, lightly patting my shoulder as if to reassure me, finishing with a smile.
“The moment an outside force interferes with one who is destined to become a wyrm, they cannot awaken as a wyrm.”
The words, spoken with a smiling face, were staggering. His beauty felt unreal. I almost thought I had imagined the whole thing.
