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Chapter 11
“Misunderstanding and the Beginning of the Plan”
Karlier Esperos.
The man I remembered from the novel White Horse Zeroth was a short-lived villain who appeared briefly at the beginning.
In my previous life, I thought it was reckless when he risked not only his life but even his family’s name to kidnap Heidi—just like Delphian had crossed the border to save her.
I believed both men’s irrational actions were just ways for the author to show how deeply Delphian loved Heidi.
Still, despite being a one-time villain, Karlier left quite the impression, and some readers even speculated he might have a more important role.
Some niche fans hoped for an enemies-to-lovers plot between Heidi and Karlier and left comments wishing for that.
But the author crushed those hopes by writing Karlier out of the story completely not long after.
As I recalled all that, I cautiously glanced at Karlier walking beside me.
To be honest, now that I was seeing him in person, I understood why readers had been so drawn to him, despite his brief appearance.
Karlier had all the hallmarks of a male lead—black hair, red eyes. But unlike sweet Delphian, Karlier had a sharp and twisted nature.
Because of that, even if not as popular as Delphian, he still had a solid fan base.
“You should be careful.”
“…Ah, thank you.”
But unlike his cold image, in person, Karlier seemed quite polite.
He guided me away from drunkards staggering about and from dangerously speeding carriages.
Hmm…
I glanced at him, only to meet his gaze. I quickly turned away.
What am I thinking? Calling that manners?
Maybe it was because I had grown up neglected and borderline abused. My expectations from others were simply too low.
So even basic decency felt like a luxury to me.
“Miss Heidi, what do you like?”
“Pardon?”
“As I said, I’m quite interested in you.”
What did Heidi like?
His sudden question made me hesitate. The real answer was probably “Delphian Zeroth”… but I couldn’t say that.
What should I say?
“Was it a difficult question?”
“Ah, no. It’s just… I like a lot of things.”
I smiled as brightly as I could while dodging the question.
In truth, I had never received much love in either this life or the last.
Meanwhile, Heidi was the beloved sunshine heroine, loved by all.
Our environments were worlds apart—how could I possibly guess what someone like Heidi liked?
What would Heidi say she liked…?
“I… I like that the most.”
I spotted a familiar street stall behind him and pointed.
“Strawberry candy!”
It was the very same candy stand where I first met Lafer.
It was a childlike answer I forced out after much inner debate, trying to channel Heidi’s innocence.
Even if the real Heidi didn’t like strawberry candy, it was too late now.
Karlier let out a soft chuckle, his eyes following my pointing finger.
“That’s unexpected.”
“What is?”
“I thought your answer would be Delphian, the crown prince.”
I was momentarily speechless at his remark.
He leaned down toward me, the scent of him growing stronger with the shortened distance.
“But hearing something other than Delphian from your lips gave me hope.”
“That perhaps… I still have a chance.”
His red eyes gleamed with dangerous intent as he stared at me.
Even knowing his intentions weren’t pure, my heart beat wildly.
I felt paralyzed under his gaze.
I frowned, watching as he openly flirted with me.
Did Karlier like Heidi? Is that why he kidnapped her? Or is this something else?
His words shook the little I thought I knew about this story.
“Ah…”
As he lowered his gaze to my lips, I stepped back hastily.
Only then did I realize I’d been holding my breath.
Seeing my flustered face, Karlier smiled smugly.
I raised my hand to hide my flushed cheeks.
He just kept watching silently.
I bit my lip, clutching the whistle tightly in my hand.
His face twisted in annoyance at my reaction.
“Wait—”
“Please move! It’s the Count’s carriage! Make way!”
Just then, a carriage rolled between us at the perfect moment.
I squeezed my eyes shut and blew the whistle with all my strength.
“That was faster than I expected.”
“Lafer Wizard.”
“Welcome home.”
“…Levelia Piace.”
With a wave of relief washing over me, my legs gave out and I dropped to the ground.
“She vanished.”
“Your Highness!”
Leo, hiding in a shadowed alley, rushed toward Karlier.
Leo tried to recall the girl who had vanished so quickly and asked—
“I felt magical energy. Is she close to a wizard?”
“Seems so.”
Leo’s face hardened. If the other side was working closely with a wizard, this wasn’t just a simple kidnapping plan anymore.
“If you order it, I’ll eliminate him.”
Karlier smirked, knowing full well who that “wizard” was—unlike Leo.
“No. Leave him.”
“…What?”
Leo stared in disbelief. Ignoring such a threat?
Karlier murmured with a strange smile.
“He’s someone you can’t just eliminate anyway.”
Despite his smirk, his blood-red eyes were filled with killing intent.
Only two people in this world could provoke that kind of emotion in Karlier.
One was the root of all this—Delphian Zeroth.
The other…
As that grinning face flashed in his mind, Leo finally understood.
He hurried to follow Karlier.
Lafer Wizard.
If he was the one approaching Heidi Eliana, then compared to other mages… it might not be too bad?
Or was that just wishful thinking?
Leo shuddered as a strange sense of unease crept up his spine.
“Is it hot today? Your face is red.”
I swear, just one punch. Just one!
I clenched my fists, smiling forcefully.
Lafer laughed and reached out his hand.
When I looked at him questioningly, he nodded.
After hesitating, I slowly hid the whistle behind my back.
“What?”
“You want it back, don’t you?”
“You really have a problem with trust.”
Lafer sighed and pulled me up by the arm.
Still nervous, I held the whistle tightly in my fist, worried he’d try to snatch it again.
He gave me a tired look.
“I don’t need it. It’s yours.”
Only after that did I relax a little.
Lafer met my eyes and asked—
“So, you’re not going to tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“Was it hot outside? Or did Karlier make your heart race?”
“He’s got the face, if not the personality…”
“…Hearts are supposed to beat, though.”
I replied flatly. His face twisted in disbelief.
Just then—
“Miss? Lady Levelia?”
Knock knock. Beth’s voice came from beyond the door.
Startled, I looked to Lafer, who placed a finger to his lips.
“There’s something you need to deal with first. Let’s talk after that.”
The door handle rattled as someone on the other side tried to open it.
