Episode 9
“Am I that exception you mentioned?”
“Yes, you’re quite smart.”
When Licht began to show his real intentions, Ayla pressed her lips together.
She needed to be careful now — one wrong move, and she’d be swallowed whole.
Even in the tense air, Licht smiled beautifully — the kind of smile that could charm anyone.
“You’re an exception because you know my secret.”
“…A secret?”
“You know I’m under a curse.”
Ayla couldn’t hide her surprise and widened her eyes.
‘How did he find out that I know about the curse?!’
Suddenly, the memory of the night before flashed through her mind.
“But why are you hurting?”
“You’ll feel better now.”
She had basically said it herself — anyone as sharp as Licht would have noticed.
That’s when Ayla realized something: there was a reason behind his strange obsession with her.
‘I’ve been found out about something I should never have revealed!’
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
“…You’re cursed, Your Highness?”
“Don’t bother pretending not to know.”
Ayla sighed, knowing she couldn’t fool him any longer.
“As you said, I’m destined to be the empire’s sun.”
“Congratulations, Your Highness.”
“Spare me the empty words. Now tell me — do you really think it’s safe for someone who knows my secret to live outside the palace?”
“….”
“What if my weakness ends up in enemy hands?”
“I would never do something so cruel.”
“Everyone says that.”
He smirked — clearly mocking her.
It irritated her, but she couldn’t deny that from his point of view, it made sense.
If she were the crown prince, she’d be uneasy too if someone knew she was cursed to die at twenty-five.
‘In most fantasy novels, anyone who finds out the royal family’s secret gets killed… Am I going to die too?’
But no — she wasn’t scared.
She remembered: she had the upper hand.
She was the only one who could break his curse, and she knew he couldn’t kill her no matter what.
That gave her an idea.
‘Maybe I can take advantage of this… make the royal family invest in me?’
But she shook her head. That was too dangerous.
‘Even if his brothers hate him, they’d never let anyone blackmail a royal.’
Besides, she didn’t want to become a criminal.
Before she came to this world, her family had been ruined by a scam — she still remembered that pain vividly.
“…It’s disappointing that Your Highness doesn’t trust me.”
“I didn’t say I don’t trust you.”
Ayla gave a hollow laugh.
‘You just called me an exception and said no one is trustworthy — now you say you trust me? How convincing.’
She wanted to make a sarcastic remark but held back.
She’d already pushed him far enough. Any further and he might not be so forgiving.
So instead, she decided to play it smart — and make him sweat a little.
‘Let’s see how patient he really is.’
“I’ll give you time to think,” Licht finally said.
At least he backed off first — though his tone made it sound like he was being generous.
“Let’s say… one week. That’s more than enough to make a decision.”
He didn’t even ask her opinion before setting a deadline. Typical arrogant prince.
“You must enjoy wasting your precious royal time, huh?”
“Maybe I’ll start enjoying it — today.”
Ayla sighed, fed up with his shameless answers.
Licht only smiled and opened the carriage door for her — clearly meaning, you may leave now.
Ayla silently promised herself: Someday, I’ll definitely get back at this man.
“Let me say this again — no matter what, my answer won’t change.”
Before leaving the carriage, she made her final declaration — firm and unshakable.
Then she hurried away as fast as she could, like a prisoner escaping a cell.
Inside the carriage, Licht rested his chin on his hand, watching her figure fade into the distance through the window.
She reminded him of Cinderella walking away — leaving a glass slipper behind.
Her sharp tongue and cold attitude only made him want her more.
“…Freedom, huh.”
He still didn’t understand what she really meant by that word.
But for the first time in a long while, he’d met someone who challenged him — and it felt strangely exciting.
There was no way he’d let her slip away.
She might be the only person who could cure his curse.
No matter what it took, he decided — he’d bring Ayla to the palace.
“Cassius, let’s go.”
The prince’s carriage rolled away quietly.
***
“Ugh, that annoying jerk!”
Ayla gritted her teeth, muttering curses as she headed toward the temple — she had plans to meet Deinhart.
The Magic Tower where he worked was far to the west — a two-week journey from the capital on horseback.
To make travel easier, the royal family had built a teleportation portal between the tower and the temple.
To prevent abuse, the portal could only be used after identity checks.
“What brings you here, miss?”
“I’m here to use the portal to the Magic Tower.”
“May I have your name?”
“Ayla Cablet.”
The knight guarding the portal checked her name on the list and stepped aside.
Normally, people had to go through a long screening process and wait a week for approval,
but Deinhart had already registered her as an authorized visitor — so she could go right in.
When she passed through the portal, dry air hit her throat, and a huge dark tower came into view.
‘Wow… it’s even bigger and gloomier than I imagined.’
In fantasy novels, magic towers often appear, and she’d always pictured them vaguely —
but seeing one in person, it felt heavy and depressing.
However, that thought disappeared the moment she entered.
“Whoa…”
Inside, it was bright and clean —
and the first floor looked just like a modern office lobby from her original world.
‘What the heck? Did my presence somehow change this world’s setting?’
She couldn’t be sure — the original story never described the tower’s interior.
Still curious, she walked toward the elevator-like portal to go upstairs —
but a guard stopped her.
“To go up, you need a visitor pass.”
A visitor pass?
Even a guard and ID check? This world was starting to feel way too realistic.
“How do I get one?”
“It depends on who you’re here to meet. What’s their name?”
She hadn’t made an appointment, but she hoped Deinhart was flexible enough to understand.
“I’m here to see Deinhart Blackwood.”
“D-Deinhart?! Deinhart sir?!”
The previously calm guard suddenly shouted in shock.
Ayla blinked, confused but nodded.
“May I ask your full name, miss?”
…Full name?
Why was he using such a polite tone all of a sudden?
“Ayla Kabellet.”
As soon as she said her name, the guards all froze — their faces went pale.
Then they started running around nervously, whispering and checking things in a panic.
Ayla tilted her head, completely lost.
‘Is visiting the tower really this complicated?’
After a while, she got impatient and walked up to one of the trembling guards who was clutching a communication stone.
“Um… excuse me, can I go inside now?”
“P-Please j-just wait a little longer, ma’am!”
He was so nervous he even stuttered.
‘Well… at least he didn’t say no. Guess I’ll just wait.’
Ayla nodded and stood aside, watching the guards scramble — wondering what on earth was going on.
