TMLOH 17

Chapter : 17

If you asked what the single biggest downside of a world that had advanced to modern civilization through magical engineering was, it would be this: there was no Net×lix.

What kind of bleak world doesn’t let you watch movies at home?

Sure, there was theater. But going out every time to see a play was such a hassle, and honestly, inviting a troupe to perform privately at home wasn’t all that appealing either.

The idea of actors performing solely for me…

“Too much pressure.”

With memories of my past life returned, half of me was still a modern person who preferred non-face-to-face interaction.

Long live social distancing.

There were things somewhat like comics, but they weren’t webtoons—more like tools used to stir up illiterate folks.

Yes. This world was practically barren of entertainment or fun content for introverts and shut-ins.

There was some salvation—novels?

Yeah, novels were the only saving grace.

“Seriously.”

How could I reincarnate into a romance fantasy world and end up bored out of my mind because there wasn’t enough content?

“What do people here even do for fun?”

Court parties, home parties, tea parties, dinner parties, standing parties… parties.

Ah. So that’s why everyone turned into party animals. Who knew?

Even when I tried to stay in and read a novel, my overstimulated modern senses found this world’s unrefined content utterly dull. They hadn’t even discovered the messy drama genre yet.

And so it happened—

This homebody ended up dragging herself to a boring social gathering.

To witness a front-row romance fantasy plot unfold—live!

But then…

“Arelene, try this!”

For the record, I had zero intention or willpower to fight fate or change this world. I was perfectly content to live quietly, unnoticed, and fade out peacefully.

But…

“Try this one too.”

“Oh, and this!”

“This one’s good too!”

This wasn’t quiet at all.

How did I end up like this?

“Arelene!”

It was all because of him.

Crown Prince Pession.

The male lead of this novel and the center of today’s gathering.

“Huh? Arelene, what are you thinking about?”

What I assumed was temporary curiosity had lasted way too long.

Could you please lose interest in me now? My peaceful life is unraveling because of you.

“I…”

“Aren’t you going to eat this?”

Can’t you see how many eyes are on us right now? Do you really think I can eat in this kind of atmosphere?

I wanted to snap back, but the sparkle in his eyes completely disarmed me. Fine. I’m the guilty one, right?

“I can’t eat that much…”

“Huh? That’s a lot?”

“…”

I seriously want to punch him.

I clenched my fists and trembled silently, frowning unintentionally.

“Arelene, are you having a headache?!”

Please, just shut up.

“Griam! Her physician!”

“Please.”

Stay still! For once!

After calming down Pession’s unnecessary panic, I felt all my energy drain.

I’m tired.

I want to go home.

I want to sleep.

I desperately needed one of the three essential nutrients for a modern person: nicotine, alcohol, or caffeine. Preferably a cold iced americano.

As my spirit tried to leave my body, Pession placed yet another thing onto my plate.

“Chew it up well before you swallow!”

What is he even hearing when I talk?

My stomach had maxed out 30 minutes ago—it was on the brink. If I ate more, I’d die for real.

Wait… no way?

Was this… some new form of torture?

Food torture…?

“I can’t die like this.”

People get strong in crises.

I scanned my surroundings for someone—anyone—who could save me.

There was no one.

Well, that tracks for my life.

Now how do I get out of this?

“When in doubt—redirect.”

“Your Highness should eat too. You’ve hardly touched your food while worrying about me. Here.”

Smiling sweetly, I pushed my plate toward him. Pession looked at me, deeply moved.

“Arelene, you’re an angel!”

No. I’m really not.

“Since Arelene gave it to me, I’ll eat it all!”

Not that I actually gave it to you. Everything on that plate was stuff you piled on me in the first place.

Once I quieted him down, I could finally feel the surrounding atmosphere prickling against my skin.

Sizzle. Sizzle.

“Who even is she?”

“Arelene? You know her?”

“I don’t.”

“Since when was she close to His Highness?”

“No idea. Anyone recognize her?”

“Not me.”

“What did she even do to make His Highness dote on her like that?”

“There’s got to be something going on, right?”

The murmurs of the other kids drifted in the air.

If I could hear it, could he not?

Ever since I showed up, Pession had clung to me, making our own little world. Naturally, the others felt left out, their shock and resentment clearly visible.

Jealousy and envy.

So familiar, it’s almost comfortable. Like coming home. Like a S×mmons bed.

It was old hat in my past life, but new and refreshing as Arelene.

“I always sat at the edge of the room.”

Who’d have thought I’d end up seated next to the crown prince? Honestly, I wish someone else would take this spot.

“Arelene!”

Pession beamed—apparently, he’d devoured that mountain of food already. Like a vacuum cleaner.

How strong must your stomach be to inhale food like that?

I couldn’t help but envy him, especially since I get indigestion from just looking at food.

“Want more?”

“Yup!”

“Even after all that?”

“Yup! Still got room!”

“Really?”

Wow, seriously. So jealous.

“Here, have some more.”

What started as a defense tactic for my stomach turned into an experiment to see just how much Pession could eat.

Grinning from ear to ear as he polished everything off, he had basically filmed a full mukbang by himself.

A new fact I learned today:

The crown prince can eat for seven.

Sure, he’s still growing—but what I saw today was nothing short of a miracle.

Pession clung to me all day like chewing gum.

Not just at meals—he even gave up his beloved ball games to sit beside me and read books.

“Did you already learn all the Arbet letters, Arelene?”

“Mhm.”

I didn’t remember learning them, but at some point, I just could. Like a language patch had been installed. At least, I could read every book in our home library.

“I studied a lot.”

“Wow, amazing!”

“You can do it too, Your Highness.”

“Yup! I’ll try hard!”

The usually energetic crown prince spending all his time reading thrilled the scholarly kids stuck inside. But when he wouldn’t leave my side, even they were disappointed. That was kind of amusing.

They hovered nearby, pretending not to care, glancing over hopefully. It was… rather pitiful.

“Huh.”

I’d been too annoyed to notice, but the crown prince really was popular.

His usual goofy grin made him seem like a harmless puppy, but now, focused on his book, he looked different.

“Without the smile, his face is actually kind of sharp.”

With moonlight-like silver hair and ruby-red eyes—his boyish features made him look pretty, but even a small frown made him strikingly handsome.

Wow.

Just staring at him was kind of mesmerizing.

“If he were born in the modern world, he could make a living off his face alone.”

Well, not that he’s struggling in this world either.

I don’t know what the author was thinking, but Pession was a rare breed of male lead.

No tragic backstory, no dark secrets, a peaceful family, wise and respectable parents, healthy friendships, reasonable behavior, no mental instability, and no toxic personality traits—a good, wholesome male lead.

“Wait, aren’t romance-fantasy male leads supposed to have tragic pasts, dark secrets, and be obsessive, arrogant northern dukes full of regret?”

No wonder this novel…

…flopped…

…probably.

“No, I liked it!”

“Huh?”

“I mean… I’m enjoying what I’m reading.”

“I see.”

The interest passed quickly, but still, I couldn’t help feeling bad when I looked at Pession.

“I like sunshine male leads.”

Probably.

As long as that sunny energy doesn’t exorcise me, I think it’s fine.