TMLOH 03

Chapter : 3 

A Blinding Beauty.

It was an idiom I’d heard many times before, but never had I seen a beauty so blinding that it literally made my eyes open wide.

At least not until this moment.

“Hey, everyone!”

An idol?

That’s what I thought at first, then quickly reminded myself this was a different world entirely and calmed down.

“It’s been a while! Has everyone been doing well?”

Ah, so this is what a male lead in a fantasy romance novel is like.

It was as if he was declaring that just by walking into the room.

‘He’s on another level entirely.’

The other boys I had seen until now had also been incredibly handsome—definitely not background characters—but he was in a class of his own. You could write a whole novel title about it:

“The Male Lead Conquers with Looks. Boom.”

“We’ve been well, Your Highness.”

“Have you been doing well too, Your Highness?”

The entire room was suddenly filled with the overwhelming presence of Crown Prince Pession Allelemagne.

It was as if a completely different being had entered the room—he practically glowed with a radiant aura.

“Alright, let’s go have lunch!”

“Lunch is ready, everyone. This way, please.”

“I asked them to make something really tasty today. You can all look forward to it!”

“Yaaay―!”

The excited children all rushed out of the room together.

And I was left alone.

“…No one really cares about me, huh.”

I already knew that.

With a heavy sigh, I stood up. Only then did one of the palace maids seem to notice me, hurrying over with a surprised look.

“……?”

“I’ll guide you, miss.”

“……Please do.”

Well, of course, I couldn’t find my way in a palace this big.

As we walked through the quiet corridor—far from the lively chatter of the other children—I turned my gaze out the window.

Though it didn’t hurt or surprise me anymore, knowing the truth didn’t make the feeling of being excluded any less unpleasant.

‘I prepared myself for this…’

The one and only beloved daughter of the Duke of Halbern.

That sounded like a prestigious title, but in reality, it meant nothing.

‘This world is a novel, after all.’

A world where the protagonist is already decided.

Regardless of status or background, my role was that of an extra.

A supporting character.

“An extra, huh…”

Having once risen too high and fallen just as far, becoming a background character no one paid attention to wasn’t all that bad. It was actually fine.

When you desperately reach for something you can never have, only to be crushed by despair, you naturally become that kind of person.

I no longer wanted to be in the spotlight. I no longer wanted to be special.

And yet…

“Still, this feels like a bit much, doesn’t it?”

Even as an extra with no screen time, this life was pitiful.

“It’s not like I was asking for much.”

When I realized I’d been reincarnated, I had one simple hope:

Family.

A warm, happy family.

A family that would love me more than anyone.

A family that wouldn’t expect anything from me—who would simply love me for being me. I dreamed, even if just for a moment, that maybe I could have that.

But once again, I ended up like this.

It was so unfair.

Forget love—my mother’s identity was unknown, and I’d never even seen my father.

And on top of that, the entire household treated me like a stain.

Why? Because I was the one and only flaw in the perfect Halbern line!

I mean, it’s not like I asked to be born!

Oh, and I’m terminally ill too?

“Sigh…”

I really couldn’t have even one thing I wanted, huh? Even after reincarnation?

I was just so tired. Of trying. Of hoping.

I didn’t want to do anything anymore.

“Whatever. I’ll just coast through life.”

And that became my new life goal.

Lunch was full of cheerful chatter.

Except for me.

Even though I joined the table late while everyone was mid-conversation, no one really noticed or cared.

The loneliness stung.

After they were full, the children began to decide what to play next.

“What should we play today?”

“Let’s go outside!”

“How about a race?”

A race?

“No, let’s do that one from before. The ball-hunting game!”

“I’m in!”

“That was fun!”

So many active, energetic games were being thrown out.

And my expression grew darker with each one.

Couldn’t anyone consider me?

Well, I suppose to them, I didn’t even exist.

In the original novel, Arellin—my past self—worked hard to avoid being excluded from this group.

Even with her weak body, she tried to play outside with them and often collapsed for a week afterward. She always acted kind and polite just to maintain good relationships.

Because she was always stuck in her room.

Because she was lonely.

‘……’

That’s why Arellin—no, I—had once cherished these moments with children my own age.

I’d go out of my way to lift the mood if it got gloomy. If anyone fought, I’d mediate. If we got snacks, I’d make sure everyone got some.

“Ugh.”

I hated it now.

My lips twisted involuntarily.

I’d already spent a lifetime worrying about how to please others—starting with my own mother.

“Let’s go!”

“Whoever gets there last has to hide the ball today~”

“Yay, yay!”

The children rushed out again, and I stared down at the barely-touched food on my plate and sighed.

A quick glance.

One of the palace maids, who’d been subtly worried about me not joining in, asked kindly:

“Will you not be going, my lady?”

“…I’m going now.”

I stood up awkwardly and smiled. The maid tried to guide me.

“I can find my way myself.”

She gave me a concerned look.

That kind, obligatory sympathy made me uncomfortable. Even she probably thought I was pitiful. I knew.

I avoided her gaze on purpose and walked toward the path the children had taken.

The crown prince’s palace was vast.

Heading toward the garden where the kids usually played, I stopped where no more palace maids were in sight.

“I’m not going.”

I turned toward a path through the hedges. A well-kept little side trail.

“Might as well kill some time.”

A month passed.

Wednesdays and Fridays. The so-called “Wed-Fri gatherings.” My visits to the palace continued unchanged.

But one thing had changed: the way I treated the other children.

I blatantly people-watched.

Since they all treated me like air anyway, it wasn’t a problem.

“Look, His Highness gave me this!”

“Really? I got one of these last week.”

“What?! When?!”

As expected, the male lead’s popularity was sky-high. Every girl wanted to marry him.

Maybe that’s why—I started noticing strange little rivalries between the girls, which I’d never seen before. Huh. Kinda cute.

“Cade already sensed aura, they said.”

“Wow. He’s a bit behind His Highness, but still a genius, right?”

“What’s the big deal about sensing aura?”

“Oh? So you can sense aura?”

“No, I mean—not really…”

“My uncle said His Highness might become a Sword Master before coming of age!”

“Wow, that’s amazing. I have to work harder too!”

“Me too!”

Maybe because they were all nobles, they were so free of worries. Watching them play make-believe games was adorable.

And even though they couldn’t hide their social hierarchy, their subtle power plays were amusing too.

Coming from someone who once lived almost to adulthood, it was kind of cute.

Playing with them as an equal was impossible for me—no matter how many times I was reborn.

‘So peaceful.’

I’d never had free time like this before. I’d always been busy with lessons.

This felt like a hotel vacation—just people-watching and relaxing.

‘When does the female lead show up again…?’

The main character of this story—a romance novel with a possessive childhood friend—is Chloe.

Though her family was low-ranking, Chloe had dazzling talent.

Unmatched magical genius.

The Tower itself took notice of her, and she was summoned by Empress Azeny, who collected talented children like trophies.

‘It was such a sweet and charming story.’

No complex plot. Just chaotic love triangles galore.

“Well then, since it’s come to this…”

I made a resolution. I’d become an audience member—just one more person watching their love spiral into madness.

Yes. This was the front row seat to a palace romance novel!

Well, not a couch seat, but still. A front-row, real-time view.

I’m the real winner here.

“What should we play today?”

“Let’s play the same game from before!”

“Let’s play with the ball!”

“Knight game! Knight game!”

I shrugged my shoulders as the energetic children chattered away.

Once they ran off to play, I’d find a hiding spot where no one could see me and wait until the whole thing ended.

No one ever came looking for me, so it was easy.

Today too, I sat alone in my secret hideaway and quietly looked up at the sky.

Being alone by choice felt different from being excluded.

It felt freeing—and a little lonely.

Sometimes, hiding where no one could find me felt a bit pathetic, but it was still a hundred times better than forcing myself to fit in.

Better than twisting myself into knots to be liked.

Just zoning out alone like this felt nice.

Quiet, peaceful. My thoughts cleared, and I became part of the scenery.

At the duke’s estate, I never had time like this to myself.

‘Their first game ends at snack time, so if I sneak out in about two hours, I’ll be fine.’

I sat under a large tree, scanning the area. If I got lucky, I might catch a glimpse of the white cat that lived in the palace.

I’d only seen it twice, but it was so cute I fell in love at first sight.

On the days I saw that cat, I felt happy all day.

Who owned it, I wondered?

‘Maybe Her Majesty the Empress or one of the Monarchs?’

Interestingly, in this country, princesses weren’t called “princesses,” but “monarchs (Gunju).”

The throne was passed on through succession battles, and Crown Prince Pession—just seven years old—had already secured his position through sheer talent.

He really was a male lead to the core.

I was thinking about that while hiding from the palace maids, holding a treat the cat might like, when—

Rustle.

The bushes moved, and I eagerly looked up.

‘The cat!’

And then—

“Huh?”

My eyes locked with the Crown Prince’s.

“……!”

“……!”

A deathly silence.

I froze.

Why on earth is the Crown Prince here?!