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“…You’ve really waited a long time.”
“…….”
“It’s almost time now.”
Retilia’s golden eyes grew distant, filled with a quiet sorrow, as if searching far away. Beside her, Hazen hugged a cushion to his chest, staring blankly out the window.
“-Shunen.”
Just one more day until the long-awaited day arrived.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next morning.
“Wh–What the…!”
As Mary opened the door and froze in shock, I sat up in bed deliberately and flashed her a dazzling smile.
“Good morning!”
Watching her face twist into a scowl in real time, I stretched nonchalantly.
Ah, what a refreshing start.
It was my last morning at the Duke’s estate.
“Shut your mouth. You’d only be making trouble for yourself if you cause a scene today, you know?”
After silencing Mary, I slipped away toward Saren’s room. Unlike mine, her door was ornate and grand.
Click.
I closed it behind me without looking back.
Saren sat at her vanity, surrounded by maids fussing over her appearance.
“You look absolutely stunning, my lady.”
“You’ll do wonderfully there, I’m sure.”
“Oh, Lady Saren…!”
…Give me a break.
Their tearful theatrics as if they’d never see her again made my expression twist in disgust. So childish I couldn’t stand to watch.
Knock knock.
I kindly made the sound with my mouth, and only then did everyone turn their eyes toward me.
Saren’s delicate expression sharpened instantly.
“You— You were supposed to be in the stables…!”
“I got out. Anyway, can you send everyone out for a moment?”
“What?”
“I have something I want to say. For the last time.”
I’ll make it quick.
When I added that calmly, Saren scanned me, assessing.
Then she nodded.
“Fine. Everyone, give us a moment.”
She probably thought, just as she had declared before, that I was leaving with the “main characters,” so she was willing to allow a final farewell.
She clearly misunderstood, but I didn’t bother correcting her.
Once the maids rushed out, silence settled in.
“So? What do you want to say? I don’t have much time, so hurry up.”
“God, your tone is so annoying.”
“You just have to get on my nerves until the end, don’t you.”
“It’s pathetic to get so worked up over something like that.”
I chuckled and shrugged.
“Feeling good, huh?”
As I glanced around her nearly packed-up room, she snorted.
“Of course. You can’t even imagine it, can you?”
“Hm.”
“I’m going to be Hadenberg. I was chosen.”
“Ah, speaking of that—”
I let out a dry little laugh.
I crossed my arms and looked down at her as she remained seated.
“Do you remember what you said back then? About being the ‘main character.’”
“And what about it.”
“I was just wondering what exactly you meant by that.”
“I told you back then, didn’t I? You wouldn’t understand. This—”
She rose from her seat.
Her violet eyes locked with my orange ones.
“In this world, I am the only one who knows. I’m the only one who’s the protagonist.”
“……”
“Isn’t that obvious, given the current situation?”
Wow. Completely off the mark.
I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh in admiration. She raised a brow.
“Let me give you a piece of advice.”
“And what position are you in to give me advice…?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Saren.”
I cut her off with a bright smile.
“What are you going to do when all that expectation turns into massive disappointment later?”
I was even giving her a warning—how generous of me.
As I smiled in satisfaction, Saren’s face flushed red with anger. Her hand shot up again.
Smack!
‘God, she’s got the filthiest habit.’
I hadn’t blocked her on purpose, but of course, she struck the cheek that was already swollen.
Where did this girl even come from? I clicked my tongue internally.
‘Should I just hit her back once?’
I rolled my tongue against the inside of my cheek, holding back the impulse.
Saren pointed to the door, breathing harshly.
“Get out.”
“…Hmph.”
“Get out! Right now! Are you deaf?!”
She really did have a talent for making a fuss.
I shrugged lightly and turned to leave. I’d teased her enough.
“Have fun meeting them, Saren. I wish you bad luck.”
“You damn wretch—!”
“Yup, crazy bitch.”
Leaving that matter-of-fact reply behind, I hummed as I walked back to my room.
Until the five arrived, I intended to spend my time as a happy little bed bug.
❖ ❖ ❖
Nearing noon.
As the sun climbed toward its highest point, tension hung over the Kolhart estate like never before.
“Father, don’t I look beautiful?”
Saren, dressed to perfection, turned to the Duke for reassurance.
Her long, black hair had been neatly pinned up, adorned with amethyst ornaments; her jewelry shimmered; and her dress—layered in shades matching her proud violet eyes—was breathtaking.
“Yes, as always. Of course.”
The Duke, equally well dressed, smiled. Saren blushed and looked ahead.
Dozens of servants lined the sides of the grand entrance, ready to greet the guests.
And then, as the sun reached its zenith—
Flash!
A blue light burst before the front gates.
In an instant, the light vanished, leaving five figures whose presence was unmistakably formidable.
Nobel, with his black tied-back hair and blood-red eyes.
Hazen, gaunt with fiery hair and silver-gray eyes.
Retilia, her long navy hair tied high, golden eyes shining.
Ethan, with black hair and green eyes.
And finally, Isaac, who had transported them all here.
They were the Five—symbols of the Empire’s military might.
Hadenberg.
“Welcome, Hadenberg!”
The Duke greeted them with joy.
The five approached him, their composure radiating quiet power.
Retilia inclined her head slightly.
“Quite a show of preparation.”
“As a ducal household, such a welcome is only natural for guests of your stature. Please don’t feel burdened.”
“So you’re saying this wasn’t much effort, then?”
“W–What a thing to say.”
The Duke coughed awkwardly, his attempt to impress utterly crushed.
He quickly changed the subject.
“Ahem, first, allow me to introduce my daughter, Saren Kolhart.”
“Greetings to the Empire’s Spear, Hadenberg.”
Saren curtsied lightly. Her blushing cheeks and charming smile were like a spring flower.
“I’m Saren Kolhart. It’s an honor to meet you—”
“Let’s get straight to the point, Duke.”
Ethan cut her off.
The Duke and Saren both froze. His tone was not only rude but completely disinterested—the exact opposite of what someone enamored would say.
“How long are you planning to keep us standing here?”
“…I see. Let’s head inside.”
The Duke placed a comforting hand on Saren’s shoulder, then turned. The servants opened the mansion doors.
As he started walking, the five followed. Saren hurriedly called out—
“W–Wait, please!”
“Ugh, why are we even negotiating? You guys get all the good stuff anyway.”
“Shut it, Nobel.”
“Hey, Hazen! Quit leaning on me and walk on your own!”
“Aw, come on, brothers should help each other out~”
They passed right by Saren without so much as a glance, chatting among themselves.
Her face flushed bright red in an instant.
She sucked in a breath and forced herself to shout again—
“W–Wait a moment! I’ll guide you—!”
“What’s with this corridor? It’s stupidly shiny. Should I just blow it up?”
“Hold it in.”
“Yeah, chill.”
Her plea was ignored again.
As their grumbling faded into the distance, Saren stood frozen.
Her body trembled with either anger or humiliation—maybe both. She bit her lip viciously.
Not one of the five spared her a glance. The servants who witnessed everything fidgeted nervously.
Grinding down her emotions, Saren realized the other four had already gone ahead and rushed after them.
Whatever happened, everything would go according to her plan.
She was sure of it.
❖ ❖ ❖
“They’re here…!”
Perched on the windowsill, I spotted the five and cheered quietly.
Isaac and Retilia, familiar faces. Nobel and Ethan, who’d left a strong impression the last time.
And Hazen, the one I’d neither met nor even heard the name of.
Satisfied, I hopped down from the sill.
“Alright, just a bit longer and then—”
Before I could finish mumbling, light flared beside me.
I turned eagerly to see Isaac and Retilia.
“Isaac! Retilia!”
“Shunen.”
“Have you been well? Let me see your faces—wait, you’re still…”
I greeted them warmly. Isaac approached with a faint smile, while Retilia immediately crouched down to inspect my face closely.
“…Why has it gotten worse?”
“Ah.”
The wounds that Isaac’s medicine had partially healed had been reset to square one thanks to Saren’s slap earlier.
Their expressions turned grim.
“To hit the same spot twice… She must have a death wish.”
“It was that sister of yours, wasn’t it, Shunen?”
“Yes.”
“So that’s why you back then…”
Isaac trailed off.
Back then? I tilted my head, curious, but he brushed it off with a vague smile.
“I’ll go get a doctor right away.”
“Please… be careful bringing them here…”
