IPDE 17

Chapter : 17

Even as an extra, I’ll pass on the death route (17)

I had no idea how much time had passed.

Caught in a situation I’d never experienced before, I only realized a whole day had slipped by.

“Ughhh…”

The moment I entered my room, my legs gave out and I collapsed onto the floor.

I felt like the warmth of Iart’s body still lingered on my neck.

The scent of Iart’s skin, which I had smelled from just a breath away, was still vivid.

No, this is making me sound like such a pervert.

But I figured anyone would feel the same.

It couldn’t just be me.

Staggering to my feet, I stood in front of the mirror and noticed the neatly tied scarf.

“…It’s pretty.”

No matter how much I struggled before, I could never make it look like this.

Iart seemed to have an unexpectedly delicate side.

I decided I would figure out how to maintain the shape as best as possible.

I couldn’t ask to have it tied for me every time… Wait, what am I even saying?

“Ugh, ugh.”

I kept fidgeting with the scarf while letting out exaggerated sighs.

If I didn’t release something, I felt like I would burst.

A ticklish feeling lingered around my stomach or chest—I couldn’t tell which.

This fluttering sensation was so unfamiliar.

I had no idea why I felt this way.

“Ugh, calm down already!”

I vented at my own body for no reason.

Then it suddenly occurred to me—maybe this is how fans feel when they receive fan service.

Yeah, I’d been a fan for a long time, but this was the first time I actually faced the object of my admiration in person.

So maybe these feelings were just awkward because it was all new.

“Ah, that’s it. This is how a successful fangirl feels.”

Once I convinced myself of that, I felt a little more at ease.

After all, familiarity is the best.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness, it’s Taron.”

“Come in.”

Taron entered and approached Iart with a smile.

“The princess has arrived.”

At Taron’s words, Iart put down the pen he had been hurriedly using with a loud clack.

He sighed softly and slowly got up from his seat.

“Show her to the parlor.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After Taron left the room, Iart lingered by the window.

He recalled the events of yesterday.

He had said he gave it to Ireneia to avoid seeing her hurt, but the honest reason was simply to lessen the debt on his heart.

He had hurt her with his own hands, and this time she even risked herself for him.

Iart honestly couldn’t understand Ireneia’s actions.

‘Well, I guess the same goes for me.’

Still, there was no need for him to personally tie the scarf.

“Tch.”

Thinking further about his actions seemed pointless, so he headed toward the parlor.

“Are you here?”

Entering the parlor, Leela greeted Iart with a bright smile.

Iart nodded slightly and naturally took a seat beside her.

“You don’t look well. Something wrong?”

“Nothing much. I just didn’t sleep well.”

“Perfect timing! I brought some good herbal tea.”

Leela smiled and took tea leaves out of a small case.

As she placed the leaves in a cup and lifted the kettle of hot water,

“Ah…!”

Leela let out a short shriek.

Her fingers had touched the surface of the kettle, turning her pale fingertips bright red.

“Are you okay?”

Iart grabbed her hand with a slightly flustered expression.

He then lifted a cold water bottle next to him to cool her fingertips.

“I’m fine, I was just startled for a moment…”

“Be careful.”

Though said bluntly, the words were full of concern.

Iart was always grateful to Leela, and always felt sorry for her.

Just the fact that she had been forced to be his fiancée weighed on him with guilt.

Yet, Leela had never once blamed him.

“Thanks, it’s really okay now.”

“You’re so troublesome.”

Iart put the bottle back on the table and spoke to Taron.

“Taron, go fetch some well-working ointment.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“No, really, I’m fine.”

“Just be quiet.”

Leela gave a slight smile at Iart, who was acting like a tsundere.

After Taron left the parlor, Leela suddenly remembered something.

“By the way, Ireneia is your personal attendant now. How’s that?”

At her question, Iart recalled Ireneia’s face.

He pondered for a moment and felt as if he could hear her words in his ear:

—You were so cool that you broke the wall and ended up being roommates with the attendant next door.

—Did you know? Seeing someone too handsome can make you temporarily forget things.

—If you pass by a puddle, make sure to greet it.

At that moment, a short laugh escaped him.

Iart was startled by his own laughter and looked at Leela with widened eyes.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Ahem, hmm.”

“…Did something funny happen?”

“Not really. She’s just a strange attendant.”

Leela could tell.

From the lively expression on Iart’s face, she realized he liked Ireneia.

‘This is going to be troublesome.’

Leela wrinkled her dress slightly and thought hard.

Things were not going the way she had expected.

“Iart.”

Iart responded by meeting her gaze.

“Actually… at my birthday banquet, I ended up talking to Ireneia separately.”

“What about?”

“Well…”

Leela hesitated before speaking carefully.

“I think… Ireneia has feelings for you.”

Seeing Leela’s pleading eyes, Iart calmly replied.

“Did she say that herself?”

“No, not exactly…”

“Then it’s probably just your imagination. Don’t worry about it.”

Knowing Leela was sensitive to people’s glances, Iart thought it was nothing serious.

Leela bit her lip as she watched him.

A single teary drop fell, and she whimpered.

“But… I’m worried.”

Leela’s sudden tears caught Iart off guard.

“Leela.”

“I’m afraid the same thing from two years ago will happen again…”

At her words, the hazy memory from two years ago became clear in Iart’s mind.

A wave of irritation swept over him.

“Stop it.”

“But… the situation is so similar. I can’t help but worry…”

Just as Iart was about to say something, Taron entered the parlor.

Though the change in his demeanor surprised Iart, he kept his composure and handed the ointment to Leela.

“Princess, apply this. It’s an ointment that works well for burns; it should heal quickly.”

“Thank you, Taron.”

Leela replied faintly, her voice still wet with tears.

After a long silence, Iart broke it.

“I should head back.”

“…”

As Iart left with a scowling face, the knights followed him as always.

Taron wanted to leave too, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave Leela still sniffling behind.

“Princess, was something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. You should follow quickly too, Taron.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please return safely, Princess.”

Suppressing her tears, Leela gave a polite farewell as Taron quickly exited the parlor.

“A greenhouse?”

I asked again in surprise.

“Yes. You know where it is, right?”

“Yes. Thank you, Head Maid.”

I knew exactly where the greenhouse was.

Iart’s personal greenhouse.

Whenever he was in a bad mood, he spent time there.

It had been mentioned often in the original story.

I wondered what had happened.

I heard that Leela had visited since early morning.

Some vague unease stirred in the back of my mind.

“…I wish I could make the tools faster, though.”

Today’s dessert was something resembling madeleines.

I had good ingredients, so I mixed the dough without thinking—but then realized there was no mold.

Using a plain, palm-sized round mold for now, the result was extremely plain.

Shape mattered for madeleines, and the shape!

I sighed at my disappointment, but it wasn’t something I could fix alone right now.

‘Maybe I should subtly ask Iart.’

Even if I asked, today would be impossible.

Being in the greenhouse meant he was in a bad mood, and I didn’t want to provoke him unnecessarily.

“Let’s see… it’s tied well, right?”

After last night’s practice, I could tie a scarf in a somewhat similar shape.

Watching and learning really helped.

I placed the madeleines on a tray and left the kitchen.

“The weather’s great.”

Walking across the garden to the greenhouse, the cool breeze felt pleasant.

Good weather made my mood lift automatically.

“Ireneia.”

As usual, Edwin appeared first.

He called my name with a slightly heavier expression than usual.

“Huh?”

“Earlier… no, forget it. Just quickly deliver the dessert to His Highness. He’s not in a good mood today, okay?”

“Okay, don’t worry.”

I wasn’t the type to cheer up someone in a bad mood or stand in front of them.

Mood was something people managed themselves, and unwanted help would just be annoying.

“Wow…”

Entering the greenhouse, I was greeted by vibrant greenery and colorful flowers.

I realized I liked nature more than I thought.

The fresh smell of grass felt cleansing.

Now I understood why Iart came here when he was upset.

‘Found him.’

Walking further inside, I saw Iart sitting alone at a two-person silver table.

He seemed to be resting; his long eyelashes were visible even with his eyes closed.

His lashes were longer than mine. Seriously, what’s lacking?

I approached quietly, trying to make no sound.

Up close, I could admire Iart’s statue-like beauty without him moving.

Just as I was thinking to wake him gently…

‘…No way, crazy.’

Familiar purple smoke started swirling above Iart’s head.

The same smoke I had seen when I first met him was now gradually coloring his hair.

‘I need to get out, now.’

Hesitating, I realized this was probably my death route in this episode.

Even if I tried to leave, I might not escape.

“…Huh.”

In an instant of hesitation, Iart’s peacefully closed eyes suddenly opened.