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CHAPTER 04
“Haa—!”
I woke up gasping for breath. Cold sweat dotted my forehead.
Only when the chill air brushed my skin did I realize this was reality.
It was a dream. No… not quite.
It was that story’s ending. That horrible ending.
The male leads’ obsession, twisted love, and Lillian being torn apart within it.
The final scene—trapped in a sealed mansion, surrounded like chains that could never be broken, slowly collapsing into ruin—flashed vividly in my mind.
That could have been my future.
My heart trembled, but I closed my eyes and slowly inhaled.
I’ve already changed the course. It’ll be fine.
Then came a cautious knock.
Knock.
“Lady Lillian, it’s Bella. May I come in?”
It was the maid who guided me here last night.
As I looked toward the door, I realized something strange.
The way she called me “Lady” made my chest tickle slightly.
I had heard it every day back at my family estate, but it felt completely different now.
Right. I’m the North Duke’s fiancée now.
I pushed the blanket aside. My heart was still unsettled, but something inside me was becoming clearer.
“…Come in.”
Bella entered quickly, looking slightly worried.
“Did you have a nightmare…? You don’t look well.”
“…A little.”
I answered calmly. No need to explain. This world was still a novel—but I was no longer a puppet inside it.
“…Bella.”
I called her in a steady voice.
“Where is the Duke…?”
Bella lowered her head.
“He is in the study. I will guide you, Lady.”
I nodded and stood up. My fingertips were slightly trembling, but now was not the time to hesitate.
This was just a means to an end. Nothing more. No emotions allowed.
I wasn’t here to fall into this world—I was here to escape it.
The study was right next to my room, a private space prepared for the Duke.
I took a breath, knocked lightly, and entered.
Inside, he sat differently than last night.
His silver hair shimmered like the North’s cold wind under pale sunlight.
It made the name Iris feel even more radiant.
“You’ve come early in the morning. I’m honored. Please, sit—my fiancée.”
My heart jolted again.
“Did you sleep well?”
I asked politely.
Then his calm, low voice filled the room.
“I visited your room last night.”
My breath caught.
“You seemed to be having a nightmare, so I was concerned.”
His tone was gentle, but undeniably sincere.
…Did I really make that much noise? Was I that afraid of the story’s ending?
I steadied my breath.
“Thank you for your concern. It was just a passing nightmare.”
I lowered my gaze and continued.
“To be honest… I need to return to the South.”
The atmosphere instantly cooled.
The Duke’s gaze turned sharp—like ice forming in real time.
“Return to the South?”
His voice was low, heavy with pressure.
I could not hide my unease.
“Why such a sudden decision?”
I hesitated, then answered firmly.
“I am the final saint. I have duties I cannot delay.”
It was a lie.
On the surface, it was duty as a saint—but the real reason was simple.
The crown prince.
He would come here soon.
The North Duke’s territory could delay him, but not forever.
In the original story, Aydin would even use imperial authority if necessary.
So I had to move first.
Not fleeing—anticipating.
And there was another reason.
The title of final saint.
No one even fully understood what my power was, or why I was called “final.”
But just the name alone was enough to shake people.
I knew better than anyone how much obsession that title could provoke.
So I had to leave before the crown prince arrived.
Before this world’s story pulled me into ruin.
Finally, he nodded.
“I see. I hope your words are true.”
I blinked.
“What do you mean…?”
“I’ve heard the saint’s duties are not simple. They can be dangerous.”
His voice carried real concern—but not only that.
“However… I wonder if that is truly the only reason you are returning.”
His silver eyes studied me quietly.
Not suspicion exactly—more like verification.
“Another reason?”
“For example, someone you must meet in the South… or something you must accomplish there.”
My heart pounded.
That wasn’t entirely wrong.
There was something I needed in the South.
A way out of this ridiculous novel.
“…No such thing exists.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
But his gaze didn’t soften.
Then, calmly, he said—
“Then I will go with you.”
“…Pardon?”
My heart dropped.
“You mean… you intend to accompany me?”
“I also have business in the South.”
It sounded casual—but I knew it was a lie.
In the original story, Iris Hiver had no reason to go South.
“May I ask what business?”
“The imperial family requested an investigation into monster activity in the southern region. Convenient timing—since the saint is going there as well.”
He paused.
“And…”
His voice turned slightly softer, yet firm.
“My fiancée is traveling somewhere dangerous. Do you expect me to let you go alone?”
He tilted his head slightly, resting his chin on his hand.
“Iris Hiver.”
His tone was calm, but something heavy lay beneath it.
I understood immediately.
This man was serious.
He really intended to come.
And it wasn’t just duty.
Something inside me tightened.
He was far less controllable than I expected.
Back in my room, I exhaled.
“…Forget the Duke. Focus on the next event.”
But his voice kept echoing in my head.
“We will depart tomorrow morning.”
No hesitation. No doubt.
Then I remembered something else.
Another variable.
Leon Harven.
The imperial knight captain—and one of the original story’s obsessive sub-male leads.
Not gentle. Not romantic.
A man who loved someone with his entire existence—and when rejected, chose to end the world with her rather than let her go.
That cliff scene still haunted me.
Wind on the edge of the cliff. His burning gaze.
And his final words:
“I would rather abandon this world than lose you.”
He jumped with her in his arms.
That was how Lillian died in the original story.
But I am not her.
I know how that obsession ends.
And this time—I won’t be standing where she stood.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
“Lady, it’s Bella. Preparations are complete.”
I inhaled slowly.
So it’s time.
I stood abruptly, grabbing my cloak and small travel bag.
Cold air slipped through the window.
I looked into the mirror.
Lillian Floris stood there—calm, composed, almost unreal in the dawn light.
“…She really is beautiful.”
I muttered quietly.
Then I smiled faintly.
“Let’s go. To change fate.”
The dawn was silent.
The carriage was already waiting.
And so was he.
Iris stood in the dim light, silver hair glowing faintly.
“You’re early.”
“Today is not a day to be late.”
Steady voice. Unshaken resolve.
He had never once hesitated about this journey.
We boarded the carriage.
The door closed with a soft thud.
The wheels began to move.
When I opened my eyes again, the South’s walls were in view.
We had arrived.
“I will guide you from here.”
Iris stepped forward first, offering his hand.
As I took it, something tightened in my chest.
This was Floris territory.
The place I once lived in.
And now—where I would begin again.
Then—
A presence approached from ahead.
