I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

Rakrensius’s reaction was exactly as Selleana had expected.

“Lady, that’s….”

His face turned pale immediately. However, it looked more like anger than fear. Though it was unclear what had caused a change in the man who was always afraid, Selleana placed her hand on his thigh to calm him down.

“Master of Tower.”

“…”

“Not yet.”

His blue eyes, filled with confusion, focused on Selleana. They looked like aquamarine reflecting sunlight, which was pleasing, but she disliked seeing him anxious.

Selleana cupped his firm cheek with her hand. “First, I want to check it out myself. To see if this is really all connected to the empress, and if so, if it’s because of you….”

The man’s face, which had already concluded it was his fault, was clouded with guilt. Selleana pinched his cheek as if to say not to do that.

“If that’s really the case, there will be a reaction when I visit.”

“Lady, but that’s—”

“I know it’s dangerous. But I can’t just refuse to enter the imperial palace, can I?”

“Every time it’s Elard this, Elard that, but now it’s of no use…”

Selleana chuckled at his grumbling.

“More than anything, I just can’t understand. Why did Master of Tower make such a vow, and what exactly is Master of Tower’s holy relic…

, I’m not asking you to tell me.” Selleana laughed and searched inside her robe. “Besides, I have prepared for it in my own way.”

What she took out was a letter, sealed with the crest of Elard.

“If I suddenly start acting strange like the others, please deliver this to my parents. It’s a letter describing the current situation in detail. As detailed as possible…”

Rakrensius received the letter and slowly ran his fingers over the seal.

“I didn’t mention Master of Tower. I only wrote about the empress, but my father would probably guess that you’re wary of the empress, so there’s no need to mention you specifically.”

“

… the duke did ask the emperor about it.”

“The point is, after meeting the empress, both my friends and I started acting strange. If Elard is affected, the story will change.”

Affected. Hearing that word made Rakrensius’s face darken.

“

, to be precise, me acting strange means… severing ties with Master of Tower and participating in the crown princess selection.”

“What?”

“There’s no way I would ever, of my own will, marry Pavellian.”

“There’s no way that could happen…”

Right. The problem wasn’t just that her friends were distancing themselves from her. Agnesia Rosalli, Doloret, Michi… Their current behavior seemed to be mirroring the original story they all wanted to escape from.

They all knew what each other’s dreams were, having grown up like sisters for the past eight years.

That was the bond that had kept them going in this suffocating world. Even if their relationships became strained, they would support each other’s beliefs from afar. Though the language they used to make those promises as children was playful, rough, and lighthearted.

Recalling the conviction shining in Selleana’s eyes, Rakrensius suddenly remembered her muttering from earlier.

So, perhaps….

Does the lady know her fate? And her friends’ fates as well?

The man, who had no intention of prying into what the angel wouldn’t reveal, swallowed hard. If Selleana was resisting the whimsical will of the god that had oppressed her all her life…

“

, and this.” As Rakrensius was overwhelmed with emotions he couldn’t even name, Selleana tapped the letter she had handed him. “It’s in that coded script from before.”

“…

, that script.”

“Whether it’s Michi or Doli… any of my friends can interpret it. Just take it to my father and ask him to have one of them read it. One of the four will help. Or you could ask the person who taught you that script, Master of Tower.” Selleana added jokingly.  “I don’t know what’s going on, but I can’t just sit back and take it.”

“But…”

“Anyway, I think I’ll be safe. No matter how much of a saintess or empress she is, messing with Elard would be too risky.”

But would the saintess care about such worldly hierarchies?

Remembering the fear he had experienced with her as a child, Rakrensius’s neck stiffened. That fear deepened the darkness on Rakrensius’s face.

“Hey, don’t wrinkle your handsome forehead.” Selleana smiled brightly and gently smoothed his furrowed brow. “None of this is Master of Tower’s fault.”

“…”

“I chose Master of Tower, remember? You kept saying no, but I forced you to join me, even using psychological and financial means.”

“…No.” Rakrensius, who had been silent all this time, interrupted her and firmly grasped her wandering hand. “Lady, let’s get the facts straight.”

His uncharacteristically firm tone made Selleana’s heart race. The pleasant, low voice that once had whispered in her ear on a summer night continued softly.

“I chose you willingly.”

His unwavering eyes fixed on her, not even hiding behind his eyelids. He didn’t run away from her. Overwhelmed by his firmness, Selleana couldn’t even blink properly.

It was after a long moment of gazing at each other as if capturing each other.

“To be at your mercy.” As he spoke, he slowly brought Selleana’s hand, which he had been holding all along, to his lips. His mouth curved into a bitter smile. The kiss he planted was cautious yet firm. His eyes, hot and steady, stayed on her face as if to scrutinize her reaction.

“Master of Tower…”

Unable to contain her overflowing emotions, Selleana buried her face in Rakrensius’s chest. Hugging his waist tightly, she curled up in his embrace, seeking refuge.

“Thank you…”

“…”

Ever since Selleana found out that Michi had been meeting with Prince Erenst’s party, she had been in deep despair. Even Michi, who had been her last bastion, had turned away from her… Although Michi didn’t show any noticeable changes in front of her, if Selleana hadn’t had Andrea tailed her, she would have known nothing.

To avoid provoking Michi unnecessarily, Selleana had been pretending not to notice, acting normal at home, and being unable to rest comfortably for days. The only one she could confide in was Rakrensius. But… even so, she couldn’t reveal her fragile state. Because who knew how this tender-hearted man would blame himself again.

“Master of Tower, you have no idea how happy I am that you exist in this world…”

So, she absolutely couldn’t let him notice the tremble in her voice as she spoke.

At the very moment, Selleana burrowed deeper into his embrace—

“…Lady.”

Rakrensius’s large hand gently cupped her cheek, tilting her chin upward. He studied Selleana’s face intently, which was nestled against his chest, with a somber expression.

Not wanting to worry him, Selleana quickly blinked back the tears threatening to spill. Yet—

“I don’t understand why someone like Lady would devote yourself so much to someone like me…”

For a man who let nothing about Selleana pass him by unnoticed, he couldn’t fail to realize what was happening now.

Overcome by the burning heat he could no longer suppress, Rakrensius pulled Selleana’s back closer to him. Suddenly drawn in, Selleana found herself sitting on his thigh. Their faces were now so close that their chests nearly touched, their eyes meeting at the same level. His gaze gleamed in the dim light. So near, she could see every fragment of emotion tangled within his eyes. Hesitation, sorrow, confusion, awe, anguish, joy. And desire…

“Lady, I know I shouldn’t be doing this…”

“It’s okay.” Selleana smiled through the tears threatening to fall, wrapping her arms around his neck.

On a day when she’d realized how much she’d lost, she could still confirm that at least this man remained by her side. And she understood now that he wanted her enough to overcome any fear.

“There’s nothing you shouldn’t do when it comes to me, Master of Tower.”

As if spellbound by her words, without either knowing who moved first, their lips met.