IJWQLBIV 11

Chapter 11: An Unexpected Turn

2021.12.07

No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t just stand by and let Rohel and Noxia drift apart like this. I pulled myself together and caught up to Noxia.

“W-wait a moment!”

Noxia turned around, a puzzled expression on her face. When our eyes met, I instinctively swallowed hard. I had to handle this carefully. Right now, I was the only one who could connect Noxia—the protagonist of The Beloved Saint—with Rohel.

“I think… you might be misunderstanding something, Noxia.”

“Misunderstanding? What do you mean?”

“The Crown Prince isn’t the kind of person you think he is.”

“But… you heard earlier, too. He tried to approach us without even having feelings for us. Weren’t you hurt as well and trying to avoid that situation?”

I hadn’t expected that my quiet approach might have given Noxia that impression.

Could it be that she acted so boldly because of me?

My head throbbed, but I forced myself to stay calm. If I didn’t correct this now, I might lose my chance forever.

“I don’t know what you’ve heard, but the Crown Prince has foresight. As you know, to become a powerful kingdom, the royal authority must be strengthened.”

“That may be true, but…”

“And didn’t you see his face earlier? You’ve probably heard the rumors, but isn’t he incredibly handsome?”

For a moment, I felt Noxia and Ascan staring at me, bewildered. Maybe praising Rohel’s looks was too sudden—but honestly, being handsome was definitely a plus!

“What I’m saying is, right now, you’re judging him based only on a fragmentary view!”

“Me… judging him?”

“Yes. The Crown Prince is a sword prodigy, learning fencing since he was five, a strategist who’s never lost in mock battles. That’s not all—his eyes are filled with intensity, his lips are rosy red like petals, and there are countless young ladies in the capital who fall in love with him at just a glance.”

“I’ve heard such rumors too, but…”

“Then you know just how promising the Crown Prince is, right? Brains, swordsmanship—he excels in everything. It’s only natural that someone so perfect has some ambition.”

Noxia stared at me, confused, until a sudden realization widened her eyes.

“Wait, are you saying… you like the Crown Prince?”

“No!”

I shouted before I could stop myself. I didn’t need any unnecessary misunderstandings. I took a deep breath to steady myself and continued.

“It’s absolutely not that. I just don’t want the two of you to misunderstand and avoid each other. Our family can’t afford to grow distant from the royal family.”

“I’m not planning to avoid him publicly either. But even if I hear this, we can’t just genuinely mingle, can we?”

“That’s why I said it’s a misunderstanding. Can’t you trust me?”

I emphasized sister and spoke gently, and Noxia hesitated, no longer responding. In the original story, Noxia wanted a good relationship with Tanasia. Even outside the novel, my experience told me that she wanted to get along with me. I didn’t want to exploit that, but the kinder I was, the more likely she was to listen.

“Let’s try talking to the Crown Prince again, just once more. Okay?”

My own survival aside, I couldn’t just watch the two protagonists drift apart. After a moment of hesitation, Noxia relaxed slightly and nodded.

“Alright. If you want me to, I’ll try talking to him again.”

“Good choice! Let’s go back now…”

I was planning to return to the place where I had parted with Rohel, but then—click-clack—someone approached quickly in the royal garden where we were standing and talking.

“Miss Brelov! So you’re here!”

A lady appeared, dressed in luxurious attire from head to toe.

Who is this?

I couldn’t tell just by looking at her, but Noxia recognized her and greeted her warmly.

“Mrs. Tearu, what brings you here?”

“Forgot already? You promised to show me your water-manipulation abilities. Do you know how many people are waiting to see you?”

“Oh!”

Noxia suddenly remembered the promise she had made. Listening to Mrs. Tearu, I could immediately predict what would happen next in the story.

Oh no!

In the original story, Rohel and Noxia first met at the ball. The reason they were so strongly impressed with each other was specific: a secondary villainous female, hating Noxia, had planned to set off an indoor firework to humiliate her just as she showcased her water-controlling abilities. Startled, Noxia accidentally sprayed water everywhere—and Rohel, like a prince on a white horse, saved her from the mishap. I had planned to just watch that romantic moment from afar…

This is bad!

If this event went off now, the story would diverge from the original. Panic set in.

“Noxia!”

At my urgent call, Noxia, who was talking with Mrs. Tearu, looked at me.

“How about talking to the Crown Prince before returning to the ballroom? I don’t think dragging this out will help.”

Mrs. Tearu gave me a displeased glare. She clearly didn’t like being stopped from taking Noxia to the ballroom. Even from her look, I could feel the difference in how she treated Noxia and me.

“Should I? But there are people waiting for me…”

Seeing Noxia hesitate, Mrs. Tearu linked her arm with hers.

“Are you referring to the Crown Prince? He will come to the ballroom anyway, right? Why not meet him there?”

She wasn’t wrong. Even if we went back now, I couldn’t be sure Rohel would still be there. But if Noxia returned to the ballroom now, the day’s crucial event might not happen as it should. I, the only one aware of the original story, felt a surge of anxiety.

“You’re right, Mrs. Tearu. Don’t worry—I’ll talk to him again once we see him at the ballroom.”

“Still…”

I wanted to hold onto Noxia somehow, but I couldn’t think of a good excuse. While I hesitated, Mrs. Tearu led Noxia toward the ballroom. Watching her surrounded by the nobles, my mind was in turmoil.

What if Rohel doesn’t show up? How will the story unfold?

I had never imagined this reality. If things went this way, the villainess might humiliate Noxia and make her a laughingstock. In the original story, Tanasia would have relished it—but not me. I only wanted a quiet, prosperous life, not for Noxia to be unhappy.

This is maddening.

I had limited options, but I couldn’t just watch the story deviate like a spectator.

“Ascan.”

Ascan, standing a step away, responded.

“Yes?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor…?”

I could feel his surprise at my choice of words. Normally, a master wouldn’t ask a servant; he’d command. But there was no time to argue.

“Go into the ballroom immediately and tell Miss Crisha that I want to see her for a moment.”

“Understood.”

“What she looks like is—”

“I know. She occasionally visits the Brelov household.”

“Ah, right.”

Reyana Nine Crisha. In the original story, she was a secondary villain who hated Noxia, making her my friend in a way. She was the mastermind behind the indoor firework plot to embarrass Noxia. Distracting her to buy time was crucial.

“Make sure she can’t go anywhere if possible.”

“I’ll try.”

Ascan moved as usual, stiffly, and I instinctively grabbed his sleeve. He looked at me, puzzled, but I had to emphasize.

“Please, as much as you can.”

For a moment, his gaze softened, and in a low voice, he replied:

“Understood.”

He quickly disappeared into the ballroom to locate Reyana, as I had asked. My task now was simple: find Rohel. Even if things had started off wrong, I wanted to ensure he and Noxia had a good meeting, just like in the original story.

Where are you?!

I scanned the royal garden and ballroom, but there was no sign of Rohel. Panic surged. Time was running out. Noxia would soon demonstrate her abilities in front of the nobles. As I rushed through the ballroom, I finally spotted Rohel standing with a few nobles.

“Your Highness!”

I called out loudly and approached him. He wasn’t near Noxia like in the original story. Whatever had changed, if I didn’t act, the two of them would never meet. Rohel noticed me and seemed to recall our earlier encounter in the garden.

“You in the garden earlier…”

“Yes. I’m Tanasia Brelov.”

“You seem urgent. What’s the matter?”

“There seems to have been some misunderstanding earlier. I’d like to speak with you again.”

“I thought there’d be no chance. Lucky me.”

Rohel bade farewell to the nearby nobles and approached me. I gauged the direction of Noxia and moved, prompting Rohel to follow.

“Where are we going?”

“My sister was there too. I think it would be better if the three of us talked together.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

Rohel agreed, and as we approached Noxia, I saw water in several glasses floating upwards like an inverted waterfall. Luckily, Noxia was still demonstrating her powers. Rohel, fascinated by this, watched her with interest. We had arrived just in time. It seemed the original meeting wouldn’t completely go awry.

Phew, that’s a relief.

I exhaled quietly.

Ascan seems to be keeping Reyana in check as I asked.

If the fireworks went off at the wrong time, I had sent Ascan to prevent disaster. So far, none had exploded—Ascan had done his job well.

Once the fireworks go off, it should lead to the romantic scene as in the original story.

Even if it didn’t, it didn’t matter. Noxia avoided humiliation, and Rohel seemed slightly interested in her. I could finally watch her display her abilities with peace of mind. Then I heard the voice of Rohel’s retainer, Reigald.

“Your Highness.”

Rohel turned toward him, listening closely as Reigald whispered. Just then—pop! bang!—the indoor fireworks exploded. Beautiful against the palace ceiling, but enough to break Noxia’s focus.

“Ah!”

She lost control over her water. I quickly assessed the situation. The mistimed fireworks meant Rohel couldn’t save her in time.

No, this would ruin everything!

Panicking, I stepped in front of Rohel, intending to guide him to Noxia. But the situation went completely off course.

Staggering, Rohel lost balance and only took a single step forward. Noxia managed to regain control and gathered the scattered water. But with a sweeping motion, a torrent of water poured straight onto Rohel’s head.

The protagonist of the day, Rohel, was drenched, and the surrounding crowd fell silent. And the one most shocked? Me.

Ah…

I knew instantly. We were really in trouble.