TCML 24

Chapter : 24

This Time, I’ll Change the Male Lead

“I need to get healthy quickly so I can make things easier for you. In the meantime, I brought Raviel infused with healing power.”
“…….”
“Oh, Babyl’s here too, huh.”

Phoebe set down the box she had brought and smiled at Babyl.

“You’re dressed too lightly. If you let your guard down just because it’s summer, you’ll catch a cold like last year.”

Her voice, greeting each of them in turn, felt like a gentle spring breeze.

“Eil, I heard from Aiden that your health has improved a lot? There’s plenty of Raviel I made for Leon, so I’ll make sure to send some over for you too.”
“Ah…… yes, Saint. Thank you for always looking out for me.”
“It’s upsetting to hear you say that when we’ve spent so much time together.”

So, after greeting Hyperion and Babyl, now that she had greeted Eil, it should mean she could see me too.

I blinked, trying to make my presence known, but I was still treated like a completely invisible person.

“Leon, I heard the amount of medicine you take from the temple has been decreasing—is that true? I’ve been praying, so I haven’t been able to come by.”

In Leon’s office, in his conversations, in the way he treats people—her demeanor, as if all of it were completely natural, made me feel a pang of pity.

‘She’s trying so hard.’

From Jeong Suji’s eyes, trying so earnestly to fit in with everyone, it was unavoidable that I could see it.

All of it was a forcibly constructed pretense of being “natural.”

“You and Babyl always get seriously sick during the summer. I was worried and couldn’t just ignore it……”

She reached out toward Hyperion’s forehead but couldn’t touch it.

“I told you not to come in recklessly.”

Hyperion had coldly pushed her hand away.

“Ah……”

Phoebe’s lips moved slightly, her expression fragile yet pitiful.

“My lord, we just received word from the dispatched troops. One of the relics you were searching for……”

At that moment, a soldier rushed in, noticing the Saint, and stopped mid-sentence.

“Oh, the Saint is here too.”

Dressed in uniform, he seemed to be one of the knights.

“From where?”
“A signal came from Neibar Palace, so we should head there immediately.”

“……Hah.”

It seemed like the awaited news, and Hyperion’s steps quickened with a sense of urgency.

‘I think they said it was a relic.’

I repeated the last words of the soldier’s rushed explanation. Could it be that Hyperion is also looking for the three relics capable of releasing the Light of Ignis? One of them is in my diamond mine……

“Wait a moment.”

Leon suddenly turned his head, and our eyes met.

“If you’re not there when I return……”

It was clearly directed at me.

“I’d feel really awful.”

Those vivid red eyes were focused solely on me.

“Where would I go with this foot? Go handle the urgent matters first.”

“Hmm.”

Hyperion only smiled faintly after hearing my answer.

“It’s so hard to catch a glimpse of your face.”

Seeing the faint smile linger on his lips as he turned away, I felt a strange sensation.

Sometimes he felt unbearably cold, and other times unbelievably gentle……

“Leon……”
“……”

That indifferent gaze brushing past the Saint felt like a different person entirely.

I remembered how intensely he had disliked her in the original story—why did he hate her that much again?

“Don’t.”

For a moment, someone’s warm hand brushed my lips.

“……Huh?”

I must have bitten my lip unconsciously, because Babyl frowned as he looked at me.

Being close enough to face him directly, I realized once again how much Babyl resembled Hyperion.

“It’ll hurt if you do that.”

His every word resonated with Leon’s voice in my mind.

“Babyl, you’re even kind to the maids.”

‘Maids?’

Phoebe’s gentle voice from the side pricked my ears. Did she just call me a maid?

“Oh, Saint. I’m late in introducing you. This is Princess Kaela Veritas, who will soon become Crown Princess.”

Eil, who had stayed in the back the entire time, added firmly.

“Pardon? Oh, I’m sorry. You were dressed so plainly I didn’t realize at all.”

“……”

I looked down at my outfit.

Today, I had been out all day for lessons, so I had intentionally worn a simple dress.

I couldn’t tell if she was teasing or genuinely embarrassed.

“I haven’t been feeling well lately, so I’ve been in prayer and haven’t received any news. I’m sorry—”

“The lord doesn’t let outsiders into his office, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know.”

At the same time, a tall man stepped into the room, interrupting her apology.

Ah, his name was Aiden, right? Why was he receiving the apology I should have gotten?

“I’ve heard many good things about Princess Veritas. Aiden, you know that too, right?”

Phoebe greeted Aiden warmly.

“But I already knew about her reputation. How highly Marquess Carl Bate praised her—I wanted to meet her in person.”

“Ah…… yes.”

I forced a smile to hide my grim expression.

After all, Carl was my ex-boyfriend—and our ending had been unpleasant.

Hearing his name here was not exactly pleasant.

“But how did you get here…… Oh my. Looks like you hurt your foot.”

Phoebe approached with a worried expression and knelt before me.

“Oh dear, that’s a deep wound. It could worsen in this state.”

“No, it’s fine, Saint.”

“I’m glad I brought this just in case. This is an ointment infused with sacred energy from the temple.”

I stepped back in surprise, but it was useless.

“Ever since Leon was little, he often got injured during training. If I didn’t carry ointment to apply, he’d be left alone.”

The smile she gave me was overly pure.

“That’s why I’ve gotten used to carrying this ointment around.”

“……I’m fine, Saint.”

“Even if it stings, just bear with it a little.”

The moment Phoebe’s warm hand touched me—

“Kyaa!”
“Ah!”

Crackle—! Sharp sparks flew between Phoebe and me.

“Saint!”
“No, how…….”
“Madam!”

It was a stinging, unpleasant flash, like the clash of opposing forces. The burn-like pain made me stagger on the sofa.

“Phoebe! Are you okay?”
“Ah…….”

But the bigger problem was Phoebe collapsed on the floor. Aiden rushed over, agitated.

“What on earth happened! Why did you insist on treating her? Your body isn’t fully recovered yet!”

“Ah, it’s okay, Aiden.”

Before I could calm my startled heart, the situation started feeling strange for me. I was hurt too, but why did he look at me like that?

“Are you hurt? Does it hurt?”

I felt Aiden’s gaze piercing through me, but in front of me was Babyl’s jet-black hair.

“Who did this?”
“Babyl.”
“……Him?”

The red eyes looking at the Saint were so cold that I wondered if this really was Babyl.

“Babyl, the Saint has exhausted herself in prayer—”
“So what?”

“Babyl, don’t you see that I’m hurt?”

Phoebe’s fingertips trembled, unable to believe the situation.

“This never happened to me before.”
“You know I hate you.”
“……You!”

Her possessive gaze toward Babyl flickered.

“Babyl.”

I lightly held Babyl’s hand to soothe him. His hands were so delicate and gentle it was hard to believe he had spent his life wielding a sword.

“I’m okay.”

I wanted to avoid conflict with the Saint as much as possible. Unlike most of the Crown Prince’s palace, she was loved by everyone.

—The only one who suits being by the Crown Prince’s side is the Saint.
—No one can separate the two of you.

I recalled the whispers that had followed me.

Getting entangled with her now wouldn’t be to my advantage.

“You’re talking nonsense.”
“You shouldn’t say such bad things.”
“……Annoying.”
“That’s not okay either.”
“It’s irritating, annoying, gives me a headache.”

Babyl rolled his eyes and spewed out countless bad words.

“……”

Phoebe’s leaf-green eyes, observing us, turned icy cold.

“Babyl, please behave properly.”

Aiden, supporting the Saint, said this while glaring at me.

“What do you mean by your tone toward the Saint?”

“My tone?”

But this time, I answered for Babyl. Why did he keep butting in?

“People might think you’re teaching a subordinate.”

I smiled brightly, implying he should back off.

“As far as I know, no one here is below Sir Aiden.”