Chapter 9
Edith felt embarrassed, as if her gums were exposed. Yet somehow, she couldn’t shake off the sensation.
Even as the man’s thumb rubbed her lips and moved slightly inward, she couldn’t move a muscle.
“So… daring, Arti.”
The words slipped out in a murmured, almost babbling tone as her fingers were pinned by his.
Her lips twitched involuntarily.
He had merely pressed lightly, but it sent shivers through her body. The sensation of his skin against hers was electrifying in a way she couldn’t describe.
Honestly… it felt good. Am I going crazy?
By this point, any resolve to push him away had vanished. What reason did they have to remain distant? As long as she felt the contact on her lips, all other thoughts froze.
Due to their proximity, she could hear Adrian’s breath plainly.
“Haa…”
A soft, wistful sigh brushed against her cheek.
“I should’ve been more proactive. I thought you disliked me, so I shrank back for no reason.”
It wasn’t that she disliked him; she had been wary because of the original story. But she couldn’t explain that.
It was impossible to tell him that they weren’t real people living in the present, but characters from a novel. Facing those pure, tender eyes, she simply couldn’t speak the truth.
The same went for Clyde. Whether Adrian or Clyde, they were ultimately characters from the story to her.
As Clyde drifted into her thoughts, Edith snapped back to reality.
Just then, Adrian tilted his head. His lips, slightly parted, seemed almost ready to be kissed.
The moisture on them was sensuous.
Those lips, with their tempting color, accompanied by his radiant face, drew close to her.
“O-Oh… we meet again…”
Her voice trembled terribly, barely escaping in time. She had to space out her words. Gathering all her courage, she gently pushed away his sweet hand.
“Too hasty to call us… friends, Arti?”
It was the best she could do. She had no idea how to refuse him without making things awkward. So she settled on the excuse of not being close enough.
Indeed, today marked the first proper conversation between them.
She hadn’t even realized that Adrian had noticed her at the academy. His careful attempts at approach had gone unnoticed until now.
Under normal circumstances, they would have sat at the farthest chairs, conversing with decorum. She aimed to change the atmosphere without hurting Adrian’s feelings.
From a distance just shy of their lips brushing, he whispered firmly.
“Friends… I don’t like that.”
“What?”
“What kind of friends are we as grown adults?”
With a reluctant expression, Adrian finally let her go—but his hand lingered on the back of the chair, gentle and protective.
So that was why that scene from the original story had appeared—to bring her to meet this Adrian.
He could be an Omega meeting Alphas, but he could also be a man meeting women.
His gaze was so warm she could no longer pretend otherwise. He was actively expressing himself through his actions.
Still, Edith reasoned there might be some room to manage the relationship calmly. If he had truly been desperate to win her over, he wouldn’t have stopped after a few attempts. It was likely that he reopened his feelings because she had reached out, signaling her wish to meet.
Thinking of his frequent interactions with Alpha men, she tried teasingly.
“But Arti, you’re an Omega. Isn’t it easier for an Alpha to handle?”
“I’m also a man. Even if I’m an Omega, I’m tall.”
His stance was firm—a clear will to get along with her.
“And strong.”
When he mentioned strength, his whispered tone hinted at more than mere physical power. This wasn’t childlike bragging.
In Edith’s adult-minded interpretation, that strength meant the strength needed at night.
The kind of strength that makes shared beds—and everything in them—intensely memorable.
Understanding the implication, she maintained a confident exterior. Whether in the real world or this one, she would respond to naughty talk verbally, but she wasn’t the type to wriggle awkwardly.
She lifted her slightly flushed face, blinking rapidly to avoid appearing too shameless.
“Yeah… alright.”
Even Adrian’s ears turned red as he watched her reaction.
It was clear he had taken a risk to speak, overcoming his own shyness. As an Omega, he likely didn’t often voice such statements.
“Just remember that, to me, you’re a man. That’s all you need to know.”
Experiencing Adrian—so delicate, yet almost charging at her—she had to feel deeply that he truly was a man.
For the three days of her break, Edith had exhausted herself thinking only about the two men.
A transparent ring floated above her head, and inside it, Clyde and Adrian spun in circles. One had to be an angel and one a demon—but based solely on appearance, Clyde became the demon with a pointed tail.
The common points: both were extremely handsome, and both threatened Edith’s peace.
When exquisite Adrian fussed over her, she admitted she felt torn apart with pleasure. She nearly melted in her seat.
Yet if asked whether she would answer “yes” to his confession:
Well… I’m not sure…
In reality, she had once obsessed over a world-famous actor. The actor was so talented that everyone around her was a fan. Naturally, she had dreamt of being with him multiple times. It was a reflexive fantasy for a devoted fan.
She even entertained absurd daydreams: What if I really ended up dating a world star?
Thinking carefully, it wasn’t entirely appealing. Her private life would be entirely exposed; every action scrutinized. As a celebrity’s partner, she could be criticized without cause by millions of metaphorical “mothers-in-law.”
While many would profess undying love, Edith preferred quiet, peaceful days. Observing the distant sparkle of a star suited her better.
Thus, superstar Adrian is out of the running.
And Clyde? Though he never pestered her, she imagined him in the pool of possibilities.
He was to be an emperor. If the story had unfolded absurdly and Edith became empress, it would resemble a First Lady’s role.
She had never envied a First Lady. The endless ceremonies, decorum, and need for constant composure were daunting. In an emperor-ruled society, the responsibilities of an empress were overwhelming.
Out. Clyde’s out too.
Frankly, neither Adrian nor Clyde would make good husbands. Though the original story required characters to find mates, these two were far from appealing.
Unless she could love someone enough to overcome such a poor starting position.
That was unlikely. Edith still wanted a life of comfort and leisure: earning well while working little, retiring early, and living carefree. Absolutely.
Back at the Crown Prince’s palace, Edith’s position as a serving attendant was confirmed. She passed through the palace gates without issue and headed straight to Clyde’s bedroom. Working next to the bedroom—it still gave her pause.
Clyde was nowhere in sight. Another attendant informed her that she needed to change clothes and meet at the shooting range.
“The shooting range? Why is His Highness going there?”
“He enjoys target practice as a hobby.”
“Hobby?”
“He also enjoys physical training and uses the practice room almost daily. He often reminisces about his days as a commander.”
Clyde hadn’t been designated Crown Prince from birth. His sister had been the heir, while he served in the military. After a tragic accident claimed his sister, he was appointed Crown Prince five years ago.
Having lived a relatively free life before confinement to the palace, it was natural he’d find target practice a fitting escape.
Edith checked the clothes brought by the attendant: riding pants and a coat, several times more luxurious than anything she owned.
“I’m supposed to wear this?”
“It was instructed by His Highness. You may need Lord Ketzmorris to assist with dressing.”
Delicate embroidery adorned the sleeves and collar, accented with sparkling jewels. It was far too luxurious for a mere new attendant.
With Clyde absent, there was no one to question. She dressed and followed.
The shooting range lay north of the palace, reachable only by horse. Riding there was a novel experience. Upon arriving at the open field, the acrid scent of gunpowder filled the air.
Clyde aimed at the targets.
As Edith slowed her horse and approached, the loaded gun fired.
Bang!
The deafening sound was accompanied by letters appearing before her eyes:
[The blood purge continued day and night for seven days. Emperor Clyde, blinded, saw nothing.]
Mocking the clear sky in the background, the cruel words continued:
[Even after turning the palace and city into a sea of blood, Clyde’s destructive psyche remained unsatisfied.]
[The great soldier and marksman disappeared, leaving only a madman. He took the gun himself, and without hesitation, fired at the loyal subjects who had devoted their lives.]
Bang—!
The sound of another shot startled Edith.
Her shoulders trembled, and she shrank to almost nothing.
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end.
Her side ached as if Clyde himself had shot her, just as in the original story.
“Ah, Lord Ketzmorris. His Highness is waiting.”
“Ah!”
She jumped, startled even by the attendant approaching to hold the reins.
Focusing on the fading letters, she reminded herself that, terrifying as the gunfire sounded, the day of the blood purge was still far off.
