HOWSH~03

~Chapter 3~

Isid was the only friend I could truly confide in at the Velos Security Team—a place I had been assigned without any prior connection.

He was like a comrade, after all. Just like me, he would meet a tragic end the moment he got entangled with the heroine, Elchevita.

Over three years, the times we’d spoken under the guise of casual conversation had built up quietly, and before we even realized it, we had become close friends.

“I didn’t even hear you coming. When did you get here?”

“……”

“Isid?”

I lightly tapped his arm in greeting, but he barely reacted.

Huh? That wasn’t like him at all.

Despite my attempts to strike up a conversation, he remained silent throughout.

After several failed attempts, I followed his gaze to see what had caught his attention so persistently.

His eyes were fixed on the notice board I had been looking at just moments ago.

‘Ah… so that’s it.’

Once I understood the reason, a sigh escaped me.

Of course Isid would react this way.

After all, he was the kind of friend who wouldn’t want to see my rank downgraded—not if he could help it.

“Sorry. I couldn’t grant the wish you wanted.”

“……Rose.”

“Instead, I’ll visit sometimes, make sure you’re doing well outside. Is that okay?”

I tried patting his shoulder, offering words of comfort, but it was useless.

Isid, already bearing a wounded expression, looked down at me.

Instead of replying with words, he pulled me into a tight hug.

The soft press of his jacket enveloped my hair gently, like a shield.

“What visit…? There’s no way I can be okay with that.”

“Why, are you jealous that I get to leave?”

“Rose, you say some weird things sometimes.”

“Ha! Weird, is it?”

It made sense. A prestigious family member tasked with protecting the royal family, ranked B+ in offense, would hardly ever envy an ordinary person’s simple life.

Highly educated, talented, and with an even temperament—Isid had long been the ace of our team.

Given all this, it was only natural for him to find my words strange.

Still, as long as it made me happy, why should it matter?

After our brief embrace, I shrugged and spoke lightly.

“Anyway, I’m leaving. Starting tomorrow, actually.”

Upon hearing that, Isid pressed a hand to his forehead, looking like he’d just encountered a major headache.

“I figured your resignation would come quickly. The Royal Security Bureau is notorious for being cutthroat about these things. They’ve been waiting years for a chance to decide your fate, so I thought it could happen… but actually seeing it now feels… strange.”

“Same here. I’m so excited I feel like my heart might burst.”

My mood swayed oddly, and I realized I had slept through the night already—today felt surreal.

I scratched my cheek and flashed Isid a bright smile.

Seeing that, he went from pressing his forehead to shaking his head, tongue-clicking in his usual exasperation.

“Wow… Lutiense really does produce oddballs, huh?”

His expression revealed everything—those subtle, exasperated emotions only true friends could show.

Over three years, this had become his natural response.

The original Isid Fernando would have poured all his emotions into Elchevita, never making a proper friend, and suffered the isolation that came too late.

The sanctuary he found in ‘Elchevita,’ which seemed like a bamboo forest of relief, would have turned into a poison for him.

But now, he had a slightly different personality.

Thanks to that, he could open his heart to me.

At least now, there was no risk of Isid succumbing to the same unhappiness as in the original story.

Feeling proud, I gave him a thumbs-up.

“Thanks for putting up with a weirdo like me, Isid Fernando.”

“Don’t tease me, Rose.”

“Caught me.”

He pursed his lips, letting out a small, resigned laugh, shoulders trembling slightly.

The momentary seriousness melted away, replaced by his usual calm.

“So… you’ll attend His Majesty’s birthday banquet today, right?”

“Oh… that.”

I hadn’t planned to go, of course.

I stopped mid-sentence, and Isid’s eyes narrowed sharply.

Immediately, I knew. Somehow, even if my intentions were hidden, he’d sensed them.

“You’ll attend, Rose Lutiense.”

“I’m exhausted from the exams… can’t I skip it? Only two from the team have to go anyway. It’s not mandatory.”

“It’s a request.”

“……”

I should have seen it coming.

He was using that one card—the one I never expected—at exactly this moment.

I stared at him, incredulous, but he didn’t back down.

“Since you failed to avoid the disqualification, at least do this. Show your face to the team one last time. This is the farewell moment. If you skip it today, when will you face each of them individually? Everyone’s usually out on duty, so gathering them won’t be easy.”

I wanted to argue, but everything he said was true.

The endless incidents in the territory left us police officers no real rest, and even though I often had an easy life without using my skills, I couldn’t ignore my teammates who spent all day deploying their security and healing powers.

I realized I couldn’t avoid this.

I lowered my gaze and nodded.

“…I’ll go.”

“Good choice, Rose. The banquet begins at 6 p.m., about two hours from now. Your partner remains the same, so get ready and step outside when you’re prepared. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“See you on time, then.”

“Yeah…”

While Isid walked away with a bright smile, I, feeling more subdued, waved faintly toward his departing figure.

Two hours.

Time would be tight to prepare for the banquet.

Following Isid, I also made my way toward the dormitory.

At this point, I still didn’t know.

That day, I was someone who absolutely should not have been at the banquet.

“Why aren’t you coming out?”

I checked my dress hastily, strapped on some simple jewelry, and rushed out—only to find no one there.

A pang of emptiness struck me.

Was I supposed to pull some kind of surprise?

Where was Isid Fernando, who said to meet on time at the building?

For a brief moment, I considered entering alone, but I abandoned the idea.

Even though I’d always gotten F grades, a noblewoman attending a party without her partner would be lowering her own dignity.

I wanted to leave my last day on a high note, not being looked down upon.

“Phew… what’s he doing, leaving a friend waiting like this, Isid Fernando?”

After pacing in front of the building dozens of times, the clock inched past six.

I quietly tucked my pocket watch away, turning my back.

It wasn’t a great feeling, being stood up by someone I cared about, but for some reason, I worried.

Had something urgent come up?

I considered going back inside to find him, but before I could decide, someone suddenly grabbed my arm.

“Ah…!”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Pain shot through my arm.

What was this person doing?

I glared at the stranger who had grabbed me, but he didn’t let go.

“I need to ask you something, my lady. Do you have a moment?”

“……?”

I lowered my head, closing my eyes.

‘No… this is insane… it can’t be happening.’

I desperately wished someone would tell me I was imagining it.

On a day that should have been joyful, a terrible, unbelievable moment had arrived.

“My lady.”

“……”

“My lady? Can you hear me?”

‘Please… don’t speak to me…’

I ignored his questions, letting my hair obscure my face.

No matter what, I would not make eye contact or respond.

It was the safest strategy against someone with such a… frustrating personality.

The sudden, unannounced appearance of the male lead—Carlos—had blanked my mind entirely.

“……You dare ignore someone so blatantly. Which family’s daughter are you?”

Violet eyes, full of anger despite a calm expression.

Night-dark hair damp with a hint of moisture, tossed irritably.

Even the slightly pursed lips that twisted when displeased—the description in the book—matched perfectly with the glimpses I had caught of him.

It was perfect.

‘Damn it. It’s really Carlos.’

That man was, without a doubt, the male protagonist of this story.