Chapter 30:
Yvonne never thought of herself as someone who could be the protagonist of any story.
How could someone timid and easily frightened become a main character?
So, when she realized she was a minor character among the supporting cast in a novel, she thought her situation suited that role perfectly.
And she was curious about Selena Balz.
She wondered how charming the protagonist could possibly be.
“Are you Selena Balz?”
Paradis stepped between the two. With his stern expression, he pulled Yvonne close to his side.
“Yes. And you are Paradis Laurent, right?”
“That’s right. By the way… what do you mean Yvonne saved you?”
“The last time at the night market, Miss Moore saved me when I was in trouble. She disappeared before I could properly thank her, so I never expected to see Miss Moore at the reading!”
“Oh… me neither. Um… Paradis? After that, he found me and sent a thank-you letter. So we’re not exactly strangers.”
“I was actually planning to reply tomorrow. You said you’d introduce your younger brother, Franz?”
Paradis turned to Yvonne with a look that said, “What nonsense is this?”
Yvonne laughed awkwardly and avoided his gaze. When she did, Paradis raised his eyebrows.
“You’re going to introduce Franz?”
“Yes… I am?”
Paradis, dumbfounded and incredulous, swallowed a bitter laugh. His green eyes sparkled with mischievous amusement.
“Franz works at the Aliosa Theater, so you should visit sometime.”
“The theater? That’s amazing! Oh, and Miss Moore, thank you so much that day. Thanks to you, I got a job!”
“A job?”
The rapid-fire responses nearly made Yvonne faint.
“Yes! Duke Hischleger knew your whereabouts, so I followed him and ended up working under him! I even failed the imperial civil service exam, so it all worked out.”
“Wha—? Kiriyan?”
Yvonne belatedly covered her mouth.
Paradis and Yvonne exchanged glances.
Kiriyan and Selena meeting…
In some sense, it felt like the original story had begun—sending a shiver down her spine.
For Yvonne, it meant the day she would drink the poison meant for Selena and die was approaching.
“Um… Selena?”
Pale and strained, Yvonne forced the words out.
“Ki-Kiriyan probably won’t be a good boss. You’d better find a better position—”
Since Kiriyan was a lord of the underworld, working under him meant witnessing many harsh realities.
Paradis interrupted Yvonne, who was about to voice her concern for Selena.
“Look, we can talk about it another time if there’s a chance. I have a dinner appointment.”
“Of course. It was nice meeting you today.”
Selena’s carefree smile shone brightly, oblivious to everything.
As soon as Yvonne got into the carriage, she grabbed Paradis and panicked.
“We have to stop Selena from working under Kiriyan! What’s the point if she doesn’t listen? She’ll see terrible things if she works there!”
“Why stop her?”
“Why? The original story is completely twisted! What if Selena loses all her affection after seeing Yan’s terrifying side?”
“Then she’ll end up with the crown prince.”
“But Selena has to end up with Kiriyan for me to survive.”
“Then she just has to become that guy’s lover. The world won’t end, so happy ending.”
Paradis’ attitude was entirely nonchalant, bordering on cynical, clearly marking the matter as none of his concern.
“Nini, you worry too much.”
“You’re just too calm!”
“Think about it. Life isn’t simple, and even the smallest change can completely alter the outcome. The original story was essentially ruined when Selena failed the imperial exam.”
His large hand ruffled Yvonne’s hair.
“The original story has already served its purpose. Forget whatever it said. From now on, anything can happen.”
“That’s true. By the way, will Camilla Sistra really invite me?”
“She’s not the type to make empty promises.”
Yvonne tried to suppress her joy, but her cheeks were already flushed.
Paradis, intending to tease her, decided instead to smile gently.
The carriage, which had been moving briskly, stopped. Outside the window, the tall walls of the palace loomed.
“The crown prince has opened the glass greenhouse gardens for us.”
“That’s off-limits to the public.”
“I’m not a member of the public.”
Paradis shrugged and gently tapped Yvonne’s nose, which was wide-eyed with excitement.
“Come on, let’s go.”
“This isn’t a dream, right? You’re not tricking me? Really? Is this real?”
“Yes. It’s real. So hurry and get down.”
Half-screaming, Yvonne jumped out of the carriage.
The glass greenhouse garden was a place only a privileged few could enter, reserved for foreign emissaries or important royal guests.
Yvonne, who loved flowers and plants, had only imagined its lush beauty from rumors.
“Is it really that beautiful?”
“You wouldn’t understand unless you’ve cultivated a garden yourself.”
Seeing Yvonne’s crescent-shaped eyes sparkling with blue, Paradis smiled.
He forced back a laugh, watching her link her arm through his.
“Hmm… okay.”
Having grown up together closely, Yvonne had no hesitation about physical contact.
Paradis scratched his curly hair and hurried into the greenhouse garden.
There, he encountered an unexpected meeting that made him frown.
“You, the Duke, don’t need to worry about that matter. It’ll be handled with someone else. You just need to prepare well for the baptism this weekend.”
The low voice and meticulous tone were unmistakably Crown Prince Dmitri’s. And the person speaking with him was…
“Damn.”
Paradis muttered under his breath upon spotting Kiriyan Hischleger, serious, conversing with the crown prince.
He quietly tried to leave with Yvonne, but the crown prince, noticing their presence, called them over.
“Paradis. Going to leave after coming all this way?”
Paradis stopped and reluctantly turned.
“I suppose I should have come another day if I knew Your Highness would be here.”
Yet it was the crown prince who had deliberately opened the glass garden today.
That he was talking with Kiriyan, even knowing Paradis would come, was likely an attempt to force a reconciliation between Laurent and Duke Hischleger over Yvonne.
“Not at all. And who is this?”
“This is my fiancée, Yvonne Moore. Yvonne, this is His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Seeing Kiriyan and learning the man beside him was the crown prince, Yvonne nearly fainted.
After Selena, the female protagonist of the original story, now she encountered the male lead and the supporting male.
How could she keep meeting main characters like this?
And earlier that morning, Kiriyan had caught her aunt’s rampage.
“God… can a supporting character just exit quietly?”
Yvonne truly wanted to distance herself from them.
“Hello, I’m Yvonne Moore. It’s an honor to meet Your Highness.”
Her voice trembled like a frightened goat.
A subtle expression spread across the crown prince’s face. He seemed both surprised and slightly shocked.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Moore. You truly are beautiful, as I’ve heard.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Paradis, this is Duke Hischleger. You know him well, I’m sure.”
“Yes, of course. Anyway, you two continue your conversation; we’ll leave.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine.”
While Paradis and the crown prince spoke, Yvonne avoided Kiriyan’s bright yellow eyes, staring at her shoes instead.
Facing him was uncomfortable.
Kiriyan, too, felt uneasy. Seeing Yvonne linked with Paradis on his arm was unsettling.
“It’s probably because she’s Franz’s relative.”
Moreover, his sworn brother secretly loved her.
Although it pained Franz, Paradis and Yvonne were indeed a perfect pair.
Paradis appeared indifferent but was actually very capable; Yvonne was timid but thoughtful and pure-hearted.
It was clear at a glance that they shared a deep bond.
Physical touch between them felt natural, and exchanged glances held genuine affection and trust.
That annoyed him… quite a lot.
“Franz is my brother. No one rejoices in a sibling’s heartbreak.”
Like a grain of sand stuck in his shoe, it irritated him, but he couldn’t show it.
“She’s scared again.”
Every time the crown prince’s gaze touched Yvonne while she talked with Paradis, her eyes wavered.
Timid as a deer, bright eyes… wherever you looked, she resembled one perfectly. Perhaps Franz was similar, but Yvonne seemed far more fearful.
Kiriyan unconsciously smiled, like someone seeing a cute puppy.
Paradis’ eyes darkened as he noticed Kiriyan looking at Yvonne.
He hurriedly ended the conversation with the crown prince and greeted them.
“Well, we’ll be off now.”
“Oh, yes. I’ve held you up too long during your date.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Before moving, Paradis paused briefly, hesitating to speak.
It felt unnecessary, but given the auspicious occasion, he decided to congratulate him out of courtesy.
“Hey, Duke Hischleger.”
“Yes?”
Paradis glanced at Yvonne clinging to him. Her presence made him want to be a better person.
“Congratulations on your baptism.”
Kiriyan’s face turned icy.
His fists clenched so tightly that the veins on his hands bulged.
He had grown up neglected and had never been baptized.
For imperial citizens like him, receiving a delayed baptism was a rare event accompanied by blessings and congratulations.
Yet Kiriyan felt an innate inferiority and shame from his illegitimate status.
Hearing of Kiriyan’s baptism made Yvonne recall events from long ago.
