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chapter 70
A shiver ran through her whole body, and goosebumps prickled her arms.
“Your original Rubiana, or the original owner of this body, has long since disappeared.”
“…….”
“You are the real Rubiana, and the owner of this body is you.”
“But surely…….”
She paused mid-sentence, about to say, But that didn’t happen in the original novel.
Would the spirit understand that this world is the one she read about in her past life? Would it believe her?
Karsea watched Rubiana hesitate, lips moving slightly.
It was a gaze that didn’t question or force anything.
A gaze that said it would wait until she was ready.
“So then, what about the original novel? What about everything I read in my past life?”
“The novel you read in your past life is merely a door connecting to this place. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Just… a door?”
“Yes.”
Rubiana couldn’t understand. It felt as though all the beliefs she had trusted so far were being denied.
Does that mean I am no longer the heroine from the original novel? That I am no longer someone who receives the love and attention of the male lead and others?
She was confused.
“Compared to the novel you read in your past life, isn’t there more that’s different than the same?”
“That’s….”
“Even my existence is an example, isn’t it?”
“…Yes, that’s true.”
In the original novel, Rubiana had contracted with the Phoenix Spirit and joined the Royal Knight Order.
But now, the spirit before her was an Orca Spirit.
“How about the people around you? Are they the same as in the original novel?”
“…No. Some are the same, but many are different.”
In the original novel, Elion was initially the commander of the Royal Knight Order and later an opponent she had to face.
The original Rubiana had never met Omar, Hailey, or the other household employees of the Grand Duke’s mansion.
Karsea’s expression remained calm as Rubiana slowly shook her head.
“The novel you read was just one possibility, not an absolute truth. It was the life story of someone other than you. But here, now, it is you. And your life story is being written.”
“….”
Rubiana’s mind was a chaotic mess. It felt as though the world she had believed in had been completely overturned.
I was happy to become the heroine… does that mean I am no longer the heroine? I thought I would find happiness in the love of the male lead and others… but that’s not the case?
So, in the end, I cannot be the main character? Was my possession incomplete from the start?
Is it because I don’t deserve it? Was my desire to ride along in the main character’s life nothing but greed?
Why… does nothing ever go right?
Her chest felt tight and suffocated.
“You seem very confused.”
“…I wanted to be the protagonist.”
Rubiana said in a low voice.
Though it was a murmur, Karsea understood.
“In my past life, I was always a background character. I envied the shining protagonist, my sister. Standing next to her, I always felt pathetic. The more I wanted to be like her, the more miserable I became.”
“…….”
“I thought in this life I could finally be the real protagonist. To shine brightly, to be loved and admired by everyone….”
A tear streamed down her cheek.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
The voice was devoid of emotion.
“Is there a life that is not the protagonist’s?”
“What do you mean?”
“The protagonist of the novel you speak of was Rubiana there. But in this story, the protagonist is you. Just as you were the protagonist in your past life.”
“I wasn’t the protagonist in my past life!”
“……That’s impossible.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
You wouldn’t understand because you never experienced it. That life was never the life of the protagonist.
If you asked 100 people, all would say the same: The protagonist was your sister. You were just a background character.
Even your name reflected it: “Extra Character.”
Karsea bid farewell as Rubiana, lips pressed tightly together, turned her head away.
“You seem to need time to think. Then I shall take my leave.”
“Ah….”
And with that, Karsea disappeared.
Rubiana let her hands fall and sighed.
“Another failure today.”
It had started well, but nothing had ultimately changed.
But it wasn’t today’s failure that muddled her mind.
Karsea’s words, that the original novel was merely a “door” connecting to this world, kept buzzing in her head.
“This can’t be…”
Rubiana couldn’t believe it.
Even though Karsea was a spirit with mysterious powers, this time, she seemed wrong.
“Yes. Karsea is wrong.”
The one who experienced the possession in the novel was not Karsea, but Rubiana herself.
It was Rubiana herself who carried the memories of her past life and lived her current life.
For all other abilities, Karsea may excel—but when it came to possession, Rubiana might know better, having experienced it firsthand.
Until now, the possession was incomplete. But now that it is perfect, I can enjoy the life of a protagonist. Just like in the original novel.
Rubiana convinced herself.
“Your body temperature and mana stability are all normal.”
After morning treatment, Hailey handed Elion a mana stabilizer pill and a glass of water.
“I hope your condition remains this stable.”
“Still, my body remains imperfect, doesn’t it?”
“…Yes, that’s true.”
Hailey had no words for Elion’s pointed remark and nodded silently.
“I want to visit Omar this week.”
“May I ask why, Your Highness?”
Elion hesitated briefly before slowly speaking.
“It’s because of Rubiana. The moment my body touches hers, I feel mana still leaking toward her.”
“Ah… I see. That’s strange. I wouldn’t have thought it possible.”
“That’s exactly what I said.”
“Then, I suppose we must visit with Miss Rubiana?”
“….”
Elion couldn’t answer immediately, seemingly unprepared for the suggestion.
Hailey asked again, waiting for his response.
“Shall I contact Miss Rubiana, Your Highness?”
“No. That’s unnecessary.”
“Pardon?”
“We likely won’t see her again. Whether mana flows to her or not no longer matters.”
“…Right. Understood.”
Just as Elion swallowed the pill and stood, Fred hurried in and handed him a letter.
Elion frowned as he received it. It was from Saint Florencia.
Scanning the letter quickly, he handed it back to Fred, saying wearily,
“Reply that I am too busy to meet.”
“Did you read it carefully, Your Highness? The Saint said she wants to meet without fail, regardless of midnight or dawn. She also said she would come to the Grand Duke’s mansion herself.”
Fred’s face was full of worry.
“And so?”
“I understand why you wish to avoid the Saint, and I agree it is necessary. But continuing like this could be problematic. Perhaps you should meet to draw a clear line?”
“Draw a line? What do you mean?”
Elion’s blue eyes flashed sharply.
“Ask her if it’s true she secretly gave me medicine?”
“No, that’s not—”
“Ask her what she gains by destabilizing my mana?”
“….”
“Ask her why she betrayed our friendship?”
“No, Your Highness. My apologies.”
Fred had no choice but to bow under Elion’s sharp reaction.
Elion’s expression was a mix of anger and hurt.
At that moment, a knock sounded again, and butler Scott entered.
“Your Highness, a letter from the palace has arrived.”
“Finally.”
Normally, Elion didn’t welcome letters from the palace.
But today, he accepted it with an unusually relieved expression, making Scott tilt his head slightly.
“This is a betrayal of my trust in you.”
Emperor Christopher’s voice blazed as he saw Elion enter the audience chamber.
Seeing the emperor’s flushed face, Elion bowed calmly.
“I greet Your Majesty. I deeply regret that matters have come to this, brother.”
“No need for apologies. Just proceed with the engagement ceremony.”
“I cannot. I am too lacking to earn Lady Payson’s heart completely. Please permit a breakup.”
Christopher clicked his tongue, watching Elion bow deeply once again.
“I cannot allow it! Absolutely not!”
“Brother……”
