TVNFL 05

CHAPTER 05…………………………………………………………….

“That can’t be.”

“That’s how it’s been so far.”

I didn’t think otherwise. If they now claimed that none of it had happened—despite always prioritizing rules over their own sibling’s circumstances—how many people would honestly just accept that with a simple “Ah, I see, I must have been wrong”?

To me, it just sounded like the self-justifications of an abuser. So I answered immediately without hesitation.

“Brother Gawen. I told you this at the restaurant too, but… this feels strange. If I haven’t done anything wrong, why are you suddenly acting like this? I don’t think someone as strong as you would act like this just because you had a nightmare.”

Gawen shook his head at my words.

“No. I am not strong.”

I stared at him, wondering what kind of ridiculous nonsense that was now.

Not strong? The commander of the Imperial Guard Knights? Then were all the weak people supposed to just die off?

When I looked at him with a disbelieving expression, Gawen gave a bitter smile. Then he stood up and said,

“…I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable. I won’t trouble you any further. Get some rest.”

Leaving those words behind, Gawen walked out of the room almost like he was fleeing, without even waiting for my response.

I stared blankly at his disappearing back and muttered under my breath.

“What the hell was that?”

Was this some kind of live-action hidden camera prank? Right after possessing this body, things had turned into a complete disaster.

I didn’t know why those guys were suddenly spouting lines like regretful male leads, but at least they’d left the room, so I guess I should be grateful.

“Sigh. Let’s think this through first.”

Why were they suddenly going off the rails and acting out of character?

If I had done something after realizing I’d been reincarnated—using my knowledge of the original story to survive—I wouldn’t have been so annoyed.

But I’d literally just realized I’d possessed someone’s body, and immediately after that they all came running to me, spouting out-of-character lines and acting like this…

And all of this had happened in a single day—no, within a single morning. That alone was unbelievable.

The thought made me want to tear my hair out, but I barely held it back and forced my mind to work.

‘Either way, escaping the estate is probably the best option.’

Nothing seemed to have changed fundamentally. Honestly, the family was already a problem, but Erina’s eventual descent into darkness was triggered by one key event: the awakening ceremony.

“Her awakening ability was classified as the lowest tier… body modification.”

And as far as I remembered, awakening meant drawing out what was latent within a person.

Which meant—no matter what I did, there was no chance in hell I’d awaken something better than a mere appearance-altering ability.

So even if they were acting all regretful and kind now, it was obvious they’d go back to the way they were after the awakening. That wasn’t just my imagination.

‘People don’t change that easily.’

Not really. Sometimes they do, but only with serious effort behind it. And did those people look like they’d put in that effort?

‘Hope leads to betrayal.’

So it was better to fold up any expectations neatly. Trusting them was far riskier than finding my own way out.

I pulled out the crumpled paper where I had written down the setting details I had hidden in a drawer. The writing was messy because I had scribbled it in a hurry, and I had missed several details, so I carefully recopied everything onto a clean sheet, adding new information as I thought.

“What would be most helpful for escaping right now…”

It was two years before the original storyline even began, so I wasn’t sure how much useful information I even had left. Still, I had to try. Anything could save my life.

After straining my brain for a while, a memory suddenly flashed through my mind.

“Oh… maybe that?”

But… was it even possible for me to get it? If the church had already secured it, then my only hope would vanish.

A groan escaped my lips.

“Still… the only thing with even a chance is that.”

The bird that the Saintess used to carry around.

Of course, since it belonged to the heroine, it was no ordinary creature. It was a special bird that had awakened the power of a dragon.

Its feathers were soft, yet as strong and lustrous as dragon scales, and it could even breathe powerful blasts from its beak.

It was intelligent and perceptive, often appearing as a supporting figure that helped the heroine in situations where the male leads couldn’t intervene.

Most importantly, even a single feather from it was immensely valuable.

“In the original story, it was said that even an equivalent amount of platinum wouldn’t be enough…”

So many mages, overflowing with money, were described as drooling over it.

If I could obtain that bird, even just collecting and selling its naturally shed feathers would let me live worry-free for the rest of my life.

But after thinking that far, I sighed and shook my head.

“No. Even if it’s the most viable option, it’s still just a slim chance.”

In the original story, the heroine had found the injured bird, nursed it back to health, and formed a bond that led to her awakening. It was pure protagonist-level luck.

Expecting that to happen to me would be absurdly greedy.

“…I should just secretly steal some of the family’s assets and run away quietly.”

That seemed far more realistic. To do that, I’d have to deceive both the Duke and Gawen…

Could I really trick two incredibly capable men and siphon off the estate’s wealth?

At that thought, I felt the urge to swear.

“Shit… am I really inside a novel or what?”

Why were three characters already acting out of character right from the start? I was already overwhelmed just becoming Erina, and now the story itself was breaking apart!

Was this some twisted “you get isekai’d into your favorite romance fantasy novel, so I’ll also generously screw you over” kind of deal?!

My thoughts spiraled wildly—why I was Erina, what was happening to this world, how I was supposed to deal with any of it.

“Ugh, whatever! I’m sleeping!”

My head felt like it was going to explode from overthinking, so I just collapsed onto the bed.

Too many things had happened in a single day. Maybe I just couldn’t sort my thoughts properly.

So I’d sleep first! And think again after that!

Only after lying down did I realize my heart was pounding violently. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm it.

“Calm down. It already happened. I just have to get through it somehow.”

I closed my eyes while taking deep breaths. But despite everything that had happened, it was still only morning, and I couldn’t fall asleep because my thoughts kept spiraling, so I just rolled around on the bed.

“U-um… Young Lady. How would you like your lunch?”

“I’ll eat in my room.”

At my answer, the maid with neatly arranged brown hair nodded. I recognized her from memory.

‘Maid Marie, Erina’s personal attendant.’

She was someone who carried out all sorts of difficult tasks at Erina’s command… I needed to be careful. If she found out I wasn’t really Erina, things would become complicated.

As I nervously watched Marie, she politely bowed and spoke.

“Lady. There was something placed in front of your door.”

“In front of my door?”

I tilted my head at the strange statement, and Marie placed a box from the tray in front of me.

The box, decorated with elegant wrapping paper and ribbons, looked expensive—but at the same time, deeply suspicious.

“…Did you see who brought it?”

Marie nodded. Then she added something unexpected.

“Lord Russell was the one who left it there.”

“…Brother Russell?”

Was there a bomb inside or something? Even if people changed, wasn’t he the one who had the worst relationship with Erina in the original story?

I still remembered how he would snap and tell her to get lost every time their eyes met.

And that same Russell left a gift at her door?

As if noticing my reaction, Marie added an explanation.

“Lord Russell also left a message.”

“…Say it.”

“He said the gift inside was sent by the Duke, and if it felt burdensome, you could return it at any time. He also said you may dine alone whenever you wish.”

If you say “you can return it” while cornering someone like that, how are they supposed to just casually throw it back?

I stared at the gift box with a very uncomfortable feeling.

If it was from the Duke, then Russell must have helped choose it.

‘But saying I can eat alone… that at least feels like some consideration? Maybe it’s meant to be thoughtful.’

Unless I was mistaken. Or was this also some kind of trap?

After turning the thought over a few times, I shook my head. …Opening the box was inevitable.

‘At least I won’t get assassinated or anything, right?’

Erina was still seventeen—she wasn’t a villain yet. The villain couldn’t possibly be removed before the heroine even appeared… right? Probably.

Forcing myself to ignore the fact that three characters were already breaking out of their roles, I untied the wrapping and opened the box.

And the moment I saw what was inside, my eyes widened.

“This is…?”