IJWQLBIV 05

Chapter 5: Like Misaligned Gears
2021.11.16

I tried to view the current situation as rationally as possible. At first, I thought in a one-dimensional way: Askan would eventually kill me, so maybe I could avoid that ending by keeping him pleased. But I had already done far too many unforgivable things to him, and trusting someone’s feelings in such a volatile situation seemed foolish. My life was mine to protect—I couldn’t hand the hilt of the knife to anyone else. After staying up several nights, thinking it through, I made a decision.

“I’ll prevent the war.”

It might have seemed disrespectful to the emperor of the Kalua Empire, whose lifelong ambition was territorial expansion, but to protect my peaceful life, I had to safeguard the Arwen Empire. If a war could be avoided, many things would change. The Brelov family wouldn’t be annihilated, so they would protect me. Askan, a general of the enemy nation, would have no chance to kill me. Tanasia’s death had been purely because her country lost the war—even though she had survived countless atrocities and only suffered social ruin, she had been alive.

“Yes. This method exists. I came up with it myself, and it’s brilliant.”

Moreover, unlike in the novel, if I prevented Askan from being taken back to the lab, the Kalua Empire might fail in their human weapon experiments—or even if they succeeded, it would take an immeasurably long time. Askan had played a crucial role in those experiments. If, in the meantime, I devised countermeasures against human weapons, the war might not happen at all. If things went according to my plan, not only would I avoid turning into a monster consumed by destruction, but Askan would, too. It was a win-win-win situation—benefiting me, my sister, and even him. Finally, the direction I needed to take became clear.

After a sleepless night, morning arrived—and with it, another hurdle. Orland, who had been away from the estate due to pressing business, was returning. Orland Kanel Brelov: head of the Marquis Brelov family and currently my father. His brilliant mind and cold, calculating personality had made the Brelov family what it was today. He was considered untouchable in both domestic and political matters, yet he had one weakness. And I knew exactly what it was.

“That’s strange.”

As far as I knew, Orland never arranged family meals unless it was a special occasion. Yet today, he had sent word that the entire family should dine together.

“In the book, he seemed too busy with business to see his family often around this time…”

I wanted to understand Orland’s intentions, but there was no way to do so for now. Time passed, and as the clock struck 7:00 p.m.—the exact time of the scheduled dinner—there was a knock on my door, accompanied by the maid’s voice:

“Miss, it’s time for dinner.”

Punctuality like a blade—typical of Orland.

“All right. I’m coming.”

I stood up immediately. The sudden dinner arrangement was a bit odd, but I had no intention of skipping a family meal. Establishing my position as a Brelov family member was crucial to my plan of preventing war.

“…I hope he doesn’t notice.”

I had only briefly encountered Noxia before, but this was my first time meeting my father formally. Although I knew the Brelov family inside out from the book, facing them in person made me strangely nervous. Opening the dining room door, which looked like an entire luxury restaurant had been transplanted into the estate, I saw Orland and Noxia already seated. Apparently, I was the last to arrive.

“You’re already here.”

I greeted as casually as possible and moved to the right of Orland. The seating arrangement naturally formed a triangle: Orland at the head, me to his right, Noxia to his left. I had an idea of Orland’s appearance from the book, but seeing him in person made me genuinely admire him. Over forty years old, yet with sculpted features and a sensual physique, he could easily pass for a man in his thirties. Even considering I was only fifteen, my father was astonishingly handsome.

I was staring, almost mesmerized, at Orland’s shining silver hair, when he noticed me and turned his gaze my way. The instant our eyes met—

“…Ugh!”

A sudden headache struck me, and flashes of Tanasia’s memories raced through my mind. I remembered walking up to him as a small child and being lifted into his arms.

“Dad—”

Orland held me lightly and raised me to the sky. The joy and fullness I felt then were vivid, as if I were experiencing them myself. These weren’t just memories from the book; they were Tanasia’s actual memories, and I was feeling them vividly.

“Are you hurt?”

Snapping back to reality, I shook my head. There was no way I could explain this situation to anyone.

“No, I just had a sudden headache, but I’m fine now.”

Orland’s piercing blue eyes seemed to examine me. Strangely, they didn’t feel unfamiliar—Tanasia’s memories had left a sense of intimacy. I needed to escape this intense gaze before he noticed something odd.

“He might suspect something.”

I racked my brain for a topic to divert the conversation. Unexpectedly, Orland spoke first.

“Tanasia.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve prepared a gift for you.”

“A gift…?”

I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected announcement. Orland silently gestured to the servant standing behind him, who brought a jewelry box. Inside was a set of necklace and earrings, crafted with red diamonds. The brilliance alone confirmed their immense value.

“This is…?”

“I felt bad giving Noxia only the horse before, so I prepared this gift for you. I hope you like it.”

I was dumbstruck. Indeed, Tanasia’s frustration at Orland giving Noxia a horse had caused her riding accident. Somehow, after the accident, it was me—not Tanasia—who regained consciousness. I swallowed my confusion and addressed Orland calmly.

“This is an unexpected gift. Thank you, Father.”

Noxia, watching beside me, smiled approvingly.

“It’s beautiful. It suits you perfectly, sister.”

As in The Beloved Saint novel, she was pure and untainted by jealousy.

“I intend to give fair gifts to everyone from now on. I’ll also arrange family gatherings like this more often.”

“Wow—thank you, Father! I’m so happy!”

Why the sudden change of heart? I didn’t understand, but Noxia seemed genuinely delighted. I noticed her sparkling gaze, directed almost intensely at me, reminiscent of her expression when I accidentally spilled water on her before. But I had no time to dwell on that.

“Thinking ahead, the imperial court ball will be held soon for the Crown Prince’s birthday. This jewelry will be perfect for that.”

It clicked: Orland had likely given me the diamond set with the upcoming ball in mind. Surely he wished for me to shine there.

“Wait—the Crown Prince’s birthday?”

Rohel di Frentz Arwen—the Crown Prince of Arwen Empire and the true male lead of The Beloved Saint. Suddenly, I remembered the first encounter between Rohel and Noxia at the imperial ball. That event marked the beginning of their eventual romance. Considering the timing, the upcoming ball must be their first meeting.

“If Noxia and Crown Prince Rohel meet without obstacles, what then?”

The novel included a harem element with many male characters, but the only man Noxia truly loved was Rohel. My original role had been to interfere out of jealousy, but now I had no intention of doing so. I had no interest in a man who disliked me, and I certainly had no intention of taking my sister’s lover. Ensuring Noxia met Rohel successfully could even help prevent the war by strengthening the Brelov family’s ties with the crown.

“Not bad at all.”

With Noxia’s love fulfilled and a step closer to stopping the war, hesitation was unnecessary. I put down my fork and knife, looking earnestly at Noxia.

“Do you want me to lend you this diamond set?”

“Huh?”

Startled, Noxia’s eyes widened. Even Orland seemed surprised. I wasn’t speaking casually—originally, I would have made her wear a modest dress to the ball, which she later regretted. Now, I had no intention of causing trouble, so it would be better to make her look her absolute best.

“I’m not misunderstanding. I just think it’s better for you to wear it at the upcoming imperial ball rather than me.”

Even the nearby maids looked at me incredulously. But as the novel’s villain, Tanasia, I let it slide.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it will suit you perfectly.”

I had no desire to be the center of attention at the ball. My priority was ensuring Noxia looked perfect for her first meeting with Crown Prince Rohel.

“Do you have your dress ready? If you want, I can choose one that matches the red diamonds.”

“Sister…”

Noxia’s eyes shone with admiration. Orland, watching us, chuckled softly.

“You two seem closer than I expected.”

Despite the unexpected turn, I couldn’t stop now. Orland gestured to a servant behind him:

“Prepare an identical diamond set for Noxia, as well.”

“Understood, Master.”

Orland seemed pleased that I intended to give my gift to Noxia rather than keep it for myself. He advised me:

“It’s good to think of your sister, but don’t give away too much. You should look after yourself too.”

“I… it’s not that…”

Before I could explain, Noxia spoke:

“You’ll really choose my dress with me?”

Clearly excited, she seemed thrilled at the thought. Even if the story wasn’t unfolding exactly as I intended, I had no reason to refuse—ensuring Noxia met Rohel successfully was more important than anything.

“Of course, if you want me to.”

“Yay! I’m so excited! I can’t wait to pick my dress with you, sister!”

Orland, satisfied, gave permission for more food to be served.

A Short Time Ago

Orland realized something unsettling. The household’s reaction to Tanasia’s accident had been unexpected.

“Miss Tanasia was hurt? That’s terrible—but at least it’s not Miss Noxia.”

It hit Orland like a blunt instrument. The servants seemed to assume Noxia would inherit the family leadership over Tanasia. Orland had never once mentioned Noxia as heir, yet the household accepted it unquestioningly.

“Could it be because of me?”

Though unintentional, Orland always prioritized Noxia, simply because she seemed younger and more vulnerable than Tanasia. Tanasia had never expressed resentment, so he assumed she understood his busyness. Now, he realized Tanasia had been hiding her true feelings.

“I’ll have to be more careful from now on.”

Then, the tutor, Matella, revealed Tanasia’s hidden genius.

“Miss Tanasia is a once-in-three-hundred-years genius. She deserves proper education…”

Orland was stunned—Tanasia had hidden her talent to follow Noxia’s natural affinity for magic and spirits. He had initially wanted to scold her for such foolishness, but seeing the household’s reaction and Tanasia’s secrecy made him reconsider.

“She’s been keeping this secret… perhaps the distance made her feel detached?”

Unlike the original story, no urgent messages arrived from Tanasia. The thought weighed on Orland, reminding him of a promise he had made to Charles. He glanced at Charles’ photograph on his desk and whispered to himself:

“Sorry, Charles. I promised to raise Tanasia and Noxia without favor—but I may have fallen short.”

Orland’s weakness—his deceased wife, Charles. Deep in thought, he quietly murmured to the empty room:

“Zen.”

A man appeared, seemingly from nowhere.

“I should postpone tomorrow’s meeting.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have a proper family dinner for a change. Notify Tanasia and Noxia as well.”

Zen disappeared as silently as he had appeared. Orland, unfazed, simply looked at Charles’ photograph with the most serious expression he had ever worn. Unbeknownst to Tanasia, like a tiny misaligned gear, the events of The Beloved Saint were slowly beginning to change.