Chapter 7
Iris!
Only then did Karin realize the source of her sense of déjà vu. The girl was the female protagonist of “I Want a Clumsy Young Lady to Fall in Love!”
A slightly airheaded character, just as the title suggested. That’s why the black hair and violet eyes felt so familiar—as if she had seen them just yesterday. Honestly, the novel should’ve described Iris’s appearance more than just a couple of times.
“What’s your name?”
In that case, it made sense that she would casually ask for someone’s name while speaking informally to a stranger. If it was Iris, she would absolutely do something like that.
Judging from her reaction, Iris seemed to be meeting Karin for the first time. Since there was no problem in revealing her name, Karin obediently answered.
“Karin.”
“Karin! So you’re Karin. Hmm.”
If it were anyone else, they would have been trembling or at least startled, but Iris remained unusually calm—whether she had heard of Karin’s reputation or simply didn’t know it was unclear.
“Oh right, weren’t you the one who confessed to Duke Lukas?”
As if recalling something after deep thought, Iris suddenly brought up an old rumor, clapping her hands as if pleased with herself for remembering.
That confession was already canceled ages ago.
‘Come to think of it, I never saw Iris at the ball.’
She likely hadn’t been invited and had no one to relay information to her, so her updates were slow.
Because of her oblivious personality, Iris didn’t have many people around her.
Too lazy to explain everything in detail, Karin was about to stay silent—then reconsidered.
“Don’t worry. One day, he’ll notice you.”
Before Iris could say anything even more ridiculous, Karin decided it was better to correct her.
“I don’t like Duke Lukas anymore.”
She spoke each word deliberately, clearly meaning every single one.
“Huh? But…”
Iris blinked her wide eyes in confusion.
“I heard you confessed.”
“Yeah, I did. I used to like him, but not anymore.”
“Why?”
Iris tilted her head, genuinely unable to understand.
“The Duke is amazing. Tall, handsome, and kind.”
Her dreamy tone made Karin want to scoff. Kind? That rude bastard?
Clearly she was blinded by a crush. Well, that made sense—she would end up with the Duke later anyway.
“Yes, you’re right.”
“So why did you change your mind?”
“He’s just not my type.”
Karin’s honest words made Iris visibly shocked.
Her widened pupils screamed How could you say that?
Right. In Iris’s eyes, Duke Lukas was like a prince from a fairy tale. Perfect, shining, and beyond criticism.
So hearing someone say he wasn’t their type was naturally shocking.
“Actually, I like someone else now.”
Karin quickly added that to avoid unnecessary trouble.
“Oh, I see.”
Iris nodded in understanding.
“Who is it?”
Like I’d tell a stranger that.
“It’s a secret.”
“Can’t you tell me?”
“Maybe later.”
Karin had no intention of giving a full lecture about her preferences to Iris.
Iris puffed her lips in mild disappointment.
“Hey, we just met.”
“That’s true.”
Karin kindly reminded her of the obvious fact.
Their conversation ended there. There was nothing more to say, but sitting there felt comfortable enough that Karin decided to enjoy the moment.
Then she heard rustling sounds nearby.
‘A squirrel?’
Looking down, she saw a cute squirrel stuffing acorns into its mouth, its cheeks puffed up like a balloon.
Shouldn’t squirrels run away from humans? Yet this one was casually eating right in front of two people.
“Oh right, I forgot. Say hi. This is my friend.”
Iris noticed her gaze and explained. The squirrel climbed onto Iris’s hand and perched on her shoulder.
Right. That was it.
Karin remembered now. “I Want a Clumsy Young Lady to Fall in Love!” had a fairy-tale atmosphere. And like typical fairy-tale heroines, Iris had the ability to befriend animals.
“Are you still hungry? Huh? Cold? Go inside here.”
She was casually talking to a silent squirrel.
Karin blinked in disbelief.
“I can talk to squirrels. Want to learn too?”
Talk to squirrels? Why would anyone need that? Karin shook her head.
In reality, the novel never actually showed Iris communicating with animals. It was likely just a narrative device to emphasize her innocence.
Iris looked a little disappointed but quickly returned to her bright smile.
Then she gazed into the forest and said,
“If I ever fall in love later, I want someone like Duke Lukas. Do you think that’ll happen?”
Karin shrugged.
Of course it would.
Just as Iris liked the Duke, the Duke would later fall deeply in love with her. They would get engaged and—
Wait.
Karin suddenly stood up.
Now that she thought about it, “I Want a Clumsy Young Lady to Fall in Love!” was a story that completely deceived its readers.
It had a cute, fairy-tale-like tone that became popular—but ended in tragedy.
How had she forgotten that?
In the final chapter, Iris dies. A brutal death.
What should she do?
Knowing the future meant Iris’s life was essentially in her hands.
‘Even if I ignore Arken, I have to interfere with the original story to save Iris.’
Honestly, before possessing this body, Karin hadn’t liked Iris much. She was too clumsy, too naive, and often annoying.
But meeting her in person, she didn’t seem annoying anymore—rather, pitiful.
And there was another reason.
“Are you okay, Karin?”
Iris looked at her with concern.
“Does it hurt that much?”
Even if she was clueless, she was kind.
“Should I rub your back? Or massage your head?”
“Why would you rub my back when my head hurts…”
But Iris didn’t stop. She gently pressed Karin’s head with her small fingers.
A strange warmth spread, and the pain disappeared like magic.
“How is it? Feeling better?”
Iris smiled brightly.
Karin stared at her blankly.
Then she made a decision.
She would try to change the original story and save Iris.
She didn’t care what happened to Duke Lukas.
But she couldn’t just stand by and watch this innocent girl die.
‘Great… I already have too many problems, and now I have to save another person.’
Later that day
After firmly refusing Iris’s offer to escort her home, Karin returned to her mansion and locked herself in her room.
At first, it felt overwhelming. Changing the story sounded like a massive task.
But after thinking carefully, it wasn’t actually that difficult.
To save Iris, she only needed to prevent the meeting between Iris and the sub-male lead—the villain, the crown prince of an enemy nation, Arken.
Having read the novel thoroughly, Karin already knew exactly when and how to interfere.
Another relief was timing. The prince would arrive in spring, while it was still winter now.
There were months left before that.
For now, she only needed to figure out how to meet Arken.
Just as she reached for the bell rope to call for tea, the door burst open.
“Lady! The master is calling you to the office!”
It was her maid, Marie.
The “master” meant her father, Duke Tricia.
‘What now…’
Though reluctant, she had no choice. Karin followed Marie.
Her father looked up from his papers and quickly hid something.
What was that?
“My precious daughter!”
He greeted her warmly, cheeks stretching like soft bread.
As usual, he looked more like a bakery owner than a noble duke.
“You’re getting prettier every day! What do you eat to grow up like this?”
Clearly, this wasn’t just a casual compliment.
“What did you call me for?”
“Hm, hm. Tell me… nothing unusual has happened lately, right?”
“…No.”
“Good, good. My daughter is so well-behaved.”
He seemed completely unaware that this wasn’t his original daughter.
Then he finally got to the point.
And what came out of his mouth was like a bolt from the blue.
