Chapter 117

Feeling Etias’s heartbeat through his palm, I looked at him for a long time with trembling eyes.

Soon, like a vow, a low voice flowed into my heart.

“I’ll return it to you—ten, a hundred times more than the support you gave me.”

His deep sincerity reached me clearly.

He lifted my hand and kissed the ring.
Under the moonlight, as he swore his love, my chest tightened.

“You’re mine.”

By the time the ball ended, we returned to our seats.

In the warm, friendly atmosphere, many people spoke to Etias and me, but I only smiled faintly and nodded.

After kissing him and hearing that declaration, how could any words reach my ears?

From afar, I felt sorry when I saw the Grand Duke looking at me with a longing expression.

‘But… I only see Etias.’

Foreign envoys who had made up their minds after today’s events also approached Etias.
Other small countries sent word that they too would join the alliance.

“Well decided.”

Etias welcomed them warmly, but often met my eyes beside him.

‘Ah… embarrassing.’

The hot kiss from earlier kept replaying in my mind.

After some time, I heard a familiar voice.

“You shine beautifully, as always.”

“…Heros!”

I greeted him happily as he approached.

After giving Etias a short, polite bow, he looked at me.

“It’s late. You should return now, my lady.”

Etias lowered his head kindly and whispered by my ear.

“Go carefully, Katrin.”

I smiled faintly and nodded.
Then Etias glanced at Heros and slightly furrowed his brow.

Heros smirked and nodded back. Etias twisted his lips faintly, then turned away.

Though Etias was usually wary of other men near me, with Heros, he seemed at ease and trusting.

“You look wonderful today. Not like your usual self.”

Wearing a handsome suit instead of his usual butler’s clothes, Heros extended his arm.

I held it and stepped into the carriage, where he sat across from me.

“And… thank you. Because the Duke’s Beast Peak curse was lifted, things went smoothly.”

When Heros brought the Duke, I had felt a huge relief.

“No, it’s thanks to Elma Pharmaceutical’s technique. That’s the achievement you built up, my lady.”

“So modest. Anyway, how’s the legalization of the Scavengers going?”

After Etias returned to the palace, he repealed the disbanding order and bounty on the Scavengers and recognized their group.

There was some opposition, but their work in Quaden—helping suffering citizens—served as justification. Public sentiment wasn’t bad, so they were no longer an illegal group.

Their liquor business stabilized them economically, and they would likely become a solid information guild in the new empire.

“Yes. I’ll be busy and often away for a while.”

“Do as much as you need.”

“That’s cold. I want to see your face every day.”

“You…”

Exchanging light jokes with Heros, we soon arrived at the mansion.

“…My lady.”

As I stepped down, his low voice stopped me.

I turned back, and in the darkness saw Heros’s brown eyes glimmering.
His face looked desperate yet lonely, with a faintly sad smile.

“Are you happy?”

I froze for a moment.
Then, my lips moved.

“…Yes.”

At once, his voice came again.

“Then I’m glad.”

Hearing his question, I could guess his heart. My chest ached slightly.

Lying in bed before sleep, I looked at the watch on my wrist.

HP: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Now, it only showed Etias’s HP—not revolution data.

Haah.

—“You’re mine.”

Whenever I remembered his voice, my heart thumped fast again.

But could I really stay by his side forever?

The writer who sent me here said I could return if I succeeded in the mission: Etias’s revolution and my survival for three years.

Looking at things now, the second condition seemed possible.
Oswell had built strong alliances and uncovered the West’s plot before invasion.

So three years later, how would I return?

‘Could it be… if I want, maybe I don’t have to go back?’

I placed my hand on my chest.
It was my first time having such feelings, my first love.

The heart that once only wished for his happiness had grown into a bigger desire—so big that I now hesitated to leave his side.

‘What should I do? I wish someone would tell me.’

With a sigh, I was about to sleep.

“Piyo—”

The little bird at my knee scurried closer.
It tapped my watch with its forehead.

That reminded me—when Etias’s HP had dropped sharply, I had seen the cause through Piyo.
Maybe this time too?

I looked at the watch hopefully. The screen flickered with static like noise.
Then lines of code rose upward on the black display.

Suddenly, everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw—

“Welcome, hero.”

A scruffy man with a beard, glasses, a stretched t-shirt, and sweatpants.

We stood in a black, starry space like the universe.

Startled, I checked myself—I was still in the same nightgown I had worn to bed.
So, only my body had been pulled here.

Guardedly, I asked:

“Who are you?”

I glanced him up and down, then spoke sharply.

“…Don’t tell me—you’re the writer who sent me here?”

He slowly smiled, blue eyes shining behind his glasses.

“Correct.”

So it was true.
This man was the author of Star of Revolution—the one who possessed me and dragged me here!

I leaned forward, glaring fiercely, and the first thing I demanded was:

“Are you out of your mind? How can you make such a ridiculous setting?!”

I had written that kind of comment once—and fallen into this world for it. But I still couldn’t hold back my anger.

“And after the revolution barely ended, you make Etias prepare for another war without rest? If I hadn’t noticed, he would’ve been doomed in three years!”

True anger burned in my chest.

Why torment Etias like this? What grudge did he have?

“Hoho, hahaha!”

But the man suddenly burst into booming laughter.

“Hahaha!”

Was he crazy?

As I stared blankly, he gave me a lonely smile.

“Instead of blaming me for dragging you here, your first thought is Etias’s well-being…”

He shook his head slightly.

“Truly… a precious hero.”