THJDM 16

chapter 16

Rubiana was distracted all day by the communication bracelet.

She glanced at it while eating, drinking tea, bathing, even while reading the newspaper.

But the bracelet showed no response.

“Surely… it’s not broken, right?”

She shook her wrist with the bracelet on and muttered to herself.

For a moment she considered making the first call, but quickly shook her head.

The capital must be busy dealing with the swarms of monsters appearing everywhere.

“Wait—come to think of it, what’s happening with those monster hordes…?”

They needed to be exterminated quickly if she wanted to stay safe.

Rubiana recalled the original story.

In densely populated areas, the imperial family and the Grand Temple had joined forces to erect barriers that perfectly blocked monster attacks.

Especially in a huge city like the capital, Batra, the barriers had been layered two, even three times over.

Since it was where royals and countless nobles lived, security was given utmost priority.

But recently, the barriers had weakened, and monsters began slipping through the cracks, appearing with alarming frequency.

Because of that, the Imperial Knights and the Capital Patrol had been working around the clock, twenty-four hours a day, on high alert.

But this… in truth, it was all orchestrated by the Empress and her faction. The Saintess of the Grand Temple had helped them too.

In the original story, the heroine, who had just become a Spirit Master, joined the Imperial Knights. Her very first mission was a subjugation campaign against monsters invading the capital.

Rubiana had read that episode while empathizing with the heroine’s struggles as a rookie Spirit Master.

No matter how hard the Imperial Knights and the Patrol fight, unless the root cause is solved, it’s like pouring water into a bottomless jar.

“Haa…” A heavy sigh escaped Rubiana as she pieced the story back together.

Repairing the damaged barrier should have been the priority, but in the original story, that process dragged on endlessly.

Because of the Empress and Duke Mirren’s scheming.

In the original, Rubiana found the crucial evidence during battle, and that became the key to solving the issue. But now… I am Rubiana, and yet I can’t even take part in the fight…

She clawed at her hair in frustration.

What kind of heroine was she, doing none of the heroine’s duties?

No… Even if it’s not me, won’t someone else eventually solve it? Maybe Chad, or Sister Stephanie, or… Elion?

Though the story had warped with the heroine missing, she clung to the faint hope that the major plotlines would still flow as they were meant to.

“Yes, that must be it. It’ll be fine. Even if it’s not me… someone will…”

Wait.

Muttering to herself, Rubiana suddenly slapped a hand over her mouth in shock.

It felt as if a hammer had struck the back of her head.

As though her heart had dropped all the way to the floor.

She strode over to the full-length mirror.

Glaring at her reflection, she spat out bitterly:

“You’ve already forgotten your past life. How could you? I’m disappointed.”

She had rejoiced at no longer being Oh Jo-yeon but Rubiana.

She had been moved to tears, thrilled that she was no longer an extra, but the main character.

And yet…

“All it takes is a single twist in the setting for you to cower? Instead of finding something you can do, you just lazily think, ‘Oh well, someone else will handle it’? Pathetic.”

Truly, you’re such a disappointment.

Her chest grew heavy, like a stone had lodged inside.

Steam hissed furiously from that stone, now burning hot.

Her crimson eyes glared back from the mirror, sharp as a freshly honed blade.

“You have to do it. It was always supposed to be you. Nothing has changed. One way or another, it’s your responsibility, Rubiana.”

But… how?

How could she get there without raising suspicion, and claim she had found the evidence naturally?

She bit her lips, chewing anxiously, when—

The bracelet lit up, flashing.

Finally!

Rubiana pressed the sparkling communication stone with a click.

— Lady Payson?

“Yes, Your Grace.”

— Good, you answer quickly. I’m heading to the Payson estate now. Will that be convenient?

“You’re coming here? Personally?”

— Yes.

That was impossible.

How could she explain his sudden visit to her family?

I can’t exactly say we’re exchanging magic power, can I?

She had no intention of telling her family about her condition.

That the rift between her body and soul was leaking mana, slowly killing her—she could never admit that.

— I’m about to leave now.

“No, I’ll come to the Grand Duke’s mansion instead. I think that’s better.”

— Fine. Let’s do that.

The connection cut immediately.

Rubiana pouted at the darkened stone.

“No manners at all, huh. Didn’t he learn proper etiquette during his court lessons?”

She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

When she arrived at Grand Duke Klitzmann’s residence, the red-haired head butler bowed politely.

“Welcome, Lady Payson. We’ve been expecting you.”

“Hello, Scott.”

Scott led her to a reception room on the second floor.

Apparently, they really had been waiting—behind them, a maid carried a tray with a teapot, cups, and desserts.

“His Grace is bathing. He returned covered in blood from a monster hunt. If you wait a moment, he’ll be out shortly.”

“Thank you.”

Left alone, Rubiana quietly sipped tea, trying to settle her nerves.

The whole ride over, she had been on edge, terrified a monster might suddenly leap out.

At least it’s safe here…

After all, a Swordmaster was right nearby.

She had nearly emptied her cup when a knock came at the door.

Elion entered.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Not at all. Thank you for making time for me.”

“It’s your precious time as well, Lady.”

He strode across the room and sat opposite her.

The fresh scent of soap tickled her nose.

Freshly bathed, his skin gleamed clear and flawless.

The stern aura of a knight had softened, and his striking beauty shone all the brighter.

Honestly, such looks are wasted on someone destined to be the final villain.

As she gazed at him, her mind went blank, as though she’d been rinsed clean.

“How was your condition today?”

She was so dazed looking at his face that she needed a moment to process the question.

“Ah… it was fine. No stomach pain, no fainting, no coughing blood.”

“Good.”

“And you, Your Grace?”

“Likewise. No fever, no headaches.”

“I’m relieved.”

Elion studied her gently curved eyes and, after hesitating, spoke.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, my health has improved greatly.”

“Ah…”

The sudden gratitude flustered Rubiana.

It felt as though all the humiliation of kneeling and clinging to his pants for sympathy had finally been rewarded.

“I’m very grateful as well. Let’s… keep working together.”

For a moment, Elion’s face hardened.

His jaw twitched, his thick brows furrowed—like a man suppressing anger.

Did I say something wrong?

Nervous, Rubiana stiffened.

This was the man holding her lifeline; she couldn’t help being sensitive to his every expression.

“…Very well.”

But then he gave a small nod, and Rubiana secretly sighed in relief.

Thank goodness it was nothing serious. But why did his expression change so suddenly…?

Before she could dwell on it, Elion spoke again.

“I think transferring mana through the lips is simpler than through holding hands. What do you think, Lady?”

“…”

His tone was cool and businesslike. She almost nodded on reflex.

Yes, kissing might be simpler… but the idea of pressing lips with this man every single day was unbearable.

He was her savior, and they had to maintain a symbiotic relationship for now.

But there had to be a boundary for physical contact when exchanging mana.

Kissing is dangerous. Very dangerous.

The first time, she’d been shocked—but then the surge of potent mana rushing into her body left her dizzy.

Worse, it had left her craving more, as though bewitched by the power.

When our lips parted, I even felt regret…

To think she had actually regretted ending a kiss with the villainous Grand Duke. Absolutely unacceptable.