Chapter 40
When Melodian returned from the royal party soaked in drinks and looking dejected, people around her suggested she cheer up by visiting the night market.
“Miss, would you like to go check out the night market?”
When Melodian perked up at the idea, her nanny mentioned she’d already booked a spot at a fireworks-viewing spot to encourage her to go out. And that’s how they ended up at Lily Restaurant, a famous place to comfortably watch the fireworks.
Sure enough, being out and about did lift her mood. Melodian strolled down the restaurant hallway with a light and cheerful step.
While she was excitedly looking around, her eyes caught sight of large amounts of food being carried into a secret room.
‘Wow, that’s a ton.’
As she was marveling at the sheer amount, she saw Arin beyond the wide-open door to the secret room.
‘It’s Lord Arin!’
Her excitement lasted only a second. Melodian’s eyes were quickly filled with shock at what she recognized.
Globally famous chocolate wrappers, snack packs, cup noodles, jerky. The familiar modern logos confirmed a suspicion—Arin might be a transmigrator like her.
She didn’t know how these modern foods existed here, but the way Arin naturally ate them told her everything: this girl must have come from the same world as her.
She was so overjoyed that she wanted to run up and ask what country she was from. But then—her eyes met those of the man who was always with Arin.
His gaze was ice-cold. Melodian felt as though her entire body was being slashed, her knees buckled, and she gasped for breath. Just as the waiters shut the door to the secret room, she collapsed into the hallway. Tears she hadn’t noticed streamed down her cheeks.
* * *
Back at the Rigel estate, Melodian began gathering information on the man who was always around Arin.
It wasn’t hard. He was apparently so infamous that just describing his appearance prompted her nanny to immediately spill the tea about how vile he was.
He was Duke Deneb Altair, a swordmaster and an absolute jerk. To think such a terrifying man was around Arin! Anxious, Melodian gnawed on her handkerchief.
No matter how much he tried to block her, Melodian couldn’t give up on Arin. Arin was the only other modern person in this world—besides herself. If they became friends, she could get cup noodles, chat comfortably, and even travel together.
Melodian, who’d been struggling with loneliness in this unfamiliar world, desperately wanted to talk to Arin. So she sent a letter to Duke Altair’s mansion—addressed to Arin, of course.
A precious reply arrived the very next day. Melodian carefully opened the luxurious envelope.
The contents were blunt:
“Stop pestering me.”
She rubbed her eyes and read it again.
‘No way… My dear Lord Arin would never send something like this!’
She was sure this was the work of that wretched Deneb. It was an unfounded theory—but it happened to be true.
Meanwhile, Deneb found Arin’s sudden interest in that girl deeply irritating. More annoying than even Lespan. Thus began a silent battle between Deneb, who blocked her every move, and Melodian, who kept trying to get closer to Arin.
* * *
Melodian was furious. Again and again, that terrible man intercepted every letter she sent to Arin. She had completely forgotten the fear Deneb once instilled in her and decided to go to Arin herself.
She knew full well that showing up uninvited was a breach of etiquette. But Deneb had committed far worse offenses against her, so this was only fair.
Even if her father didn’t care much for her, if he found out she’d visited Duke Altair’s house, he might step in. So Melodian hired a carriage at the market, took a roundabout way, and finally arrived at the Altair capital residence.
She had drawn up 100 silly plans to sneak past Deneb and meet Arin. But before she could try even one, she was caught by one of the estate knights. Everything was ruined.
She was dragged in like a criminal and made to sit before Deneb. Being alone with him in his office triggered her stress-induced bladder problems. She badly needed the bathroom.
As she sat there half-dazed, Deneb spoke first.
“You tried to approach her again. Do you have multiple lives or something…?”
“Excuse me?”
“If you want to die, keep writing letters and trying to meet her.”
His calm but firm threat made Melodian blink in disbelief.
To make sure she understood, he sipped tea leisurely while exuding killing intent. Black mana swirled like a serpent and wrapped around her neck.
She couldn’t breathe. Tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily.
“If you don’t want to die, stay away from Arin. This is not a warning. It’s an order.”
The suffocating pressure disappeared as quickly as it came.
“Now get lost.”
Staggering, she barely managed to open the office door.
She thought that was it—that she’d never see Arin again. But standing right outside the office… was Arin. Their eyes met.
“Uh… Lord Yan?”
“Me?”
Whether anyone was watching or not, Melodian wanted to shout, Are you from Earth too? If Arin confirmed it, and they became close, maybe even that terrifying duke wouldn’t dare kill her.
Just as she opened her mouth, Deneb suddenly appeared and pushed her fully out of the office.
“Lady Rigel, I told you already. Leave.”
Just when she thought she was really going to die, a pair of hands gently supported her shoulders.
“A knight threatening a noble lady—isn’t that a bit much?”
She was touched to see Lespan—whom she considered her enemy—standing up for her.
“You’re meddling, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“What?”
“Today isn’t the right time… Let’s meet again another day.”
SLAM!
The door shut in their faces. Both Melodian and Lespan looked annoyed.
“So damn rude.”
“So damn rude.”
Their identical words overlapped perfectly. Their eyes met with mutual recognition. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Without saying more, they calmly shook hands.
Lespan apologized for what had happened at the party, and Melodian explained what had happened at the market. They agreed to end their hostile relationship.
Lespan had realized through this incident that Melodian was trying to say something important to Arin. So he decided to help her meet Arin.
“Tomorrow afternoon, Lord Arin will be at the palace. I invited her. You should come too, Lady Rigel. I’ll make sure you get a chance to talk.”
Melodian, who had once thought Lespan’s smile was fake, now found it rather charming. She thanked him and left.
* * *
At last, the fateful day had arrived.
Melodian power-walked through the crown prince’s garden, which was famous for its roses.
On a normal day, it wouldn’t have impressed her. But her good mood made the blue sky and fluffy clouds look more beautiful than ever. For the first time since transmigrating, she looked at this world with affection.
Then she spotted a little boy with light brown hair, walking with small steps while carefully holding cookies. His chick-like back made her smile.
The child seemed to be in a hurry and nearly tripped several times. Thankfully, a nearby maid helped him avoid falling flat on his face.
Melodian tilted her head. The boy felt familiar. Then it hit her—he was the same child who was with Arin at the night market. At that moment, Deneb appeared out of nowhere like an assassin, said something to the child, and scowled. The child was clearly being scolded.
Cruelly, Deneb snatched the cookie from the kid and chewed it up. The boy burst into tears. Melodian felt like Deneb might devour the child next. She ran forward, determined to protect him.
She shouted familiar words—hoping someone would step in.
“Stop! Don’t! Please don’t!!”
Like a miracle, Arin and Lespan appeared.
* * *
Back to the present: a silent standoff unfolded on the terrace of the rose garden.
Deneb sat across from Arin, glaring at the two foxes flashing sugary smiles at her. His nerves were on edge. He shot them a cold glare that clearly said, Don’t try anything stupid. Seeing Melodian shivering yet glaring back made his blood boil.
Meanwhile, Arin was confused by Deneb’s uncharacteristic behavior. He’d never shown interest in anyone but her. Now, watching him stare so intently at Melodian gave her an odd sense of discomfort.
According to the original novel, Deneb’s only love interest was not Arin—but Melodian. So in a way, it was only natural for him to be interested in her. Arin looked at Melodian.
With red hair like a mermaid and a petite frame, she had soft, snowy skin that triggered a protective instinct. Her striking beauty screamed, I’m the protagonist here.
No wonder Deneb was interested in the original story. And even now—he was blatantly staring.
Arin felt like her heart had dropped into a bottomless pit. Maybe Deneb had only been close to her because they were stranded together, but now… the thought of him being close to Melodian too made her feel down.
Wait—why do I even care about this?
It felt like she had found Pandora’s box in the depths of her heart. And she slammed the lid shut. She didn’t want to know what was inside.
While Arin was lost in her thoughts, Melodian spoke up timidly.
“Lord Arin, um…”
“Yes?”
“I have something serious I want to ask…”
Melodian had seen the Korean writing on some of the modern products and guessed that Arin might be Korean. She desperately wanted a connection. So, she blurted out the most random thing in an attempt to appeal to her.
“If I may ask… whose territory do you think Dokdo belongs to?”
Arin broke into a nervous sweat. She had no idea what trauma Melodian had endured, but this was such an out-of-nowhere coming-out moment.
No, my dear protagonist… you can’t say this here. Other people are watching…
Clueless to Arin’s thoughts, Melodian charged in again like a big, goofy golden retriever.
“Then, uh… do you know Earth?”
Deneb thought she was insane. He couldn’t allow a lunatic near Arin. He seriously considered chopping off her head.
As Deneb reached for his sword, Lespan panicked and gently pushed Melodian’s head down. The gesture looked like a pet owner calming their overenthusiastic golden retriever.
And now, in front of Arin, the red golden retriever heroine was wagging her tail enthusiastically. Arin felt parched—as if that leash Lespan held might be handed to her at any moment.
