OPMC 05

Chapter 5

The next day, I opened my eyes in Muzel’s room. I had hoped that maybe, after sleeping, I would find myself back in my own apartment, but of course, that wasn’t the case.

“Phew…”

I let out a long sigh. Even though I knew this world from reading the original novel, living as a character in it was both frightening and nerve-wracking.

On top of that, I wasn’t just living here—I had to dress as a man.

After thinking about all this and finishing my preparations to go out, I stood once more in front of the mirror.

“Hmm.”

I really had become something. When in my life would I ever have such beautiful blonde hair and teal eyes?

Muzel had a more dazzling appearance than even the original novel could describe. She was quite tall, so standing next to the male lead, there wasn’t a huge difference. For a woman, she was remarkably tall.

Her frame wasn’t thin either. Her shoulders were straight, making her a perfect fit for clothing.

Especially because my outfit usually consisted of a coat that reached below my waist, my overall impression was enough for people to perceive me as “a man nearly as beautiful as a woman.”

Even if I quit my assistant job immediately, I could probably make a living modeling without worry.

After concluding that I looked fine from head to toe, I carefully opened the door.

My room was on the same floor as the Crown Prince’s attendants and the maids’ quarters. Perhaps that’s why it felt livelier than other areas.

People I met in the hallway greeted me briefly and hurried on their way. The scene felt oddly familiar. It reminded me of the atmosphere in a company at the start of a workday.

“Sir Muzel! Have a good day today as well!”

A young maid, not fully shedding her youthful appearance despite having just reached adulthood, approached from across the hall and greeted me. I gave her a polite business smile.

“Yes, um…”

I was about to respond with “You too,” but paused. Just saying “you” without a name felt rude.

The young maid immediately noticed my hesitation and introduced herself.

“I’m Gretchen. I greeted you briefly on your first day at the palace.”

“Ah, Miss Gretchen. Sorry, I don’t remember very well.”

“Hehe, it’s fine. At least you knew my name started with ‘G,’ right?”

Gretchen laughed brightly.

“You’re the first person I’ve greeted today, Sir Muzel, so I think I’ll be happy all day!”

She waved her hand playfully and disappeared.

“Haha.”

I awkwardly raised my hand and then slowly lowered it.

It seemed I was more popular with the palace staff than I had thought.

Well, it made sense. Even I would feel curious to talk to a new colleague if he were such a handsome man.

Pretty women are rare, but handsome men are even rarer.

Soon, I arrived at the workplace. The best perk of this job I got through possession was undoubtedly the face of my superior.

A little later, the Crown Prince and the Chief Steward appeared in the office. I politely folded my hands and bowed.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, have you arrived?”

“You came early today.”

Klaus spoke casually and sat on the sofa.

“I need to talk for a moment, so sit down, Muzel.”

“Ah, yes.”

This was unexpected. I sat stiffly on the sofa opposite him.

What could he want to talk about? I felt a subtle tension in my chest.

Klaus opened his mouth with the same dry expression.

“When you spoke with Princess Elfriede yesterday, I heard there was quite a loud voice involved.”

“Ah…”

My heart sank. I had guessed that the Crown Prince would have good intelligence, but I hadn’t expected him to know about such a trivial thing.

Klaus lifted the corner of his lips slightly.

“There’s almost nothing in this palace I don’t know. And if the Crown Prince’s famously handsome aide meets a socialite alone, do you really think it won’t become a rumor?”

My mind went blank at his words.

Honestly, I hadn’t had time to worry about such things. I was focused solely on meeting Lumi.

Only then did I realize that I had caused far more trouble than I thought.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t expect that a brief conversation would spread as a rumor.”

“Honestly, I don’t care what you and the princess talked about, but be careful not to give her any reason to criticize you. Be fully prepared when dealing with her.”

“Do you mean the Duchess’s family might find fault with me, Your Highness?”

Klaus frowned as if I had said something ridiculous.

“Do you think they’d argue with me? I’m talking about you, Muzel.”

“Ah, yes.”

I quickly reviewed the original novel in my mind. How did Princess Elfriede usually behave? The answer came quickly.

She made everyone her enemy.

A villainess is not a villainess for nothing. A proper villainess will recklessly do anything for her goal and has a knack for using those around her as tools.

I bowed my head slightly to Klaus.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. But I should be fine.”

“Oh? You seem confident,” Klaus said, raising one eyebrow in surprise.

His expression was somehow cute, and I couldn’t help but smile briefly.

“Yesterday, there was a bit of loud talking, but we didn’t fight. Her voice just carried a little.”

“Hmm…”

Klaus stared at my face. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

I waited anxiously for his next words. If he asked what we talked about, what should I say? Should I just say, “The princess is interested in you”?

However, Klaus turned his gaze away.

“If you’re that confident, you must have reason. Then I won’t bring it up again.”

I was a little moved. His trust in me without asking further questions touched my heart.

Unexpected comfort in a strange new world.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

I felt both moved and a little bitter inside.

To be impressed by something so small… I must be more exhausted than I thought since the possession. Since when was I this sentimental?

Klaus brought the teacup to his lips and said,

“You’re welcome.”

Perhaps the male lead in this novel was a better person than I had thought.

After the workday ended, I returned to my room.

“Now, how should I meet the female lead?”

I opened my diary and twirled my pen.

To fulfill Lumi’s request, I first had to meet the female lead, Evangelin.

At the moment in the novel, the male and female leads had just passed the scene of their first encounter. It was also about time for the female lead and a supporting male to meet.

Of course, meeting Evangelin wasn’t difficult. I could simply pretend it was an accident when Evangelin went to the sanctuary to pray, just as in the original story.

It was safest to follow the original story rather than creating unnecessary events and getting involved with Evangelin.

The sanctuary near the palace was a place any noble of the capital could visit, so no one would find it strange if I went there.

The plan was already prepared. As long as I executed it safely, that was all. How easy was that?

“Ha…”

Yet I kept sighing, which probably meant I didn’t like the task.

Honestly, I didn’t like what Lumi was doing. But it wasn’t so much that I hated it enough to deliberately interfere.

To be precise, I didn’t want to pay attention to whatever Lumi did. My only concern was how to get Lumi back to the original world.

But what could I do? For now, I had no choice but to follow along until she lowered her guard and gave me a chance to talk.

After organizing my thoughts, I snapped the diary shut with a thud.

“That’s enough. Time to sleep.”

My chest pounded with tension. Could I really sleep soundly?

Muzel’s day started with greeting his superior.

Klaus usually arrived at the office on time, so I got there a little early. No boss dislikes a diligent subordinate, after all.

When the door opened, I was prepared and bowed politely.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, I see.”

The man, sleek like a black panther, replied dryly to my greeting.

His indifference didn’t feel unpleasant; it suited him naturally. This must be the male lead’s aura.

While he sipped the tea brought by the Chief Steward, I, as an aide, reported the day’s schedule.

I couldn’t help but smile. It felt so natural, as if I were really Muzel.

“I need to check today whether the relief supplies for the southern flood victims have been shipped. I’ll be going to the port.”

“I see. Understood.”

Klaus nodded slightly while sitting with his eyes closed.

I silently cheered. It was a perfect excuse. I could go on official duty to the sanctuary and meet Evangelin there, completing the important task!

But then the Crown Prince asked an unexpected question.

“It will take some time to reach the port. When do you plan to leave?”

“Ah. Can I leave now, right now?”

A silly answer slipped out without thinking.

Klaus slightly furrowed his brow and looked at me with his purple eyes.

“Do that.”

“Thank you! Then I’ll go.”

I felt a hint of incredulity in his gaze. It was embarrassing, but I turned away and endured it.

To survive here safely, improvisation was key. I’d need more practice.