IBLC 08

Chapter 8 

The Soft Sensation
“That’s, um…”

My eyes darted around, scanning my own appearance in a panic. Over my uniform, I’d even layered the white cloak—the symbol of the White Knights.

I really should’ve dressed more casually.

Who would believe that someone dressed head-to-toe in a knight’s regalia, cloak and all, was just a passerby?

“Sir Knight?”

“Don’t worry about it. I just thought you needed help, so I—”

I stopped mid-sentence. Daisy’s pale face twitched faintly.
Reading the unease in her eyes, I gave a small look of reassurance and reached for the hilt of my sword.

The burly man on the ground had started crawling away when I planted a light foot on his chest and brought the scabbard to his chin.
The man squeezed his eyes shut.

“I’m not going to do anything to you.”

Just then, I spotted the city guards on patrol nearby and waved them over.

“What’s going on here?”

Daisy stiffened when the guards approached and instinctively gripped my cloak again. I subtly stepped in front of her, blocking their view.

“These three men were harassing a young woman in broad daylight.”

“Are you… a knight of the White Order?”

The admiration in their eyes was more uncomfortable than flattering. I coughed awkwardly and nodded.

Yeah. Wearing the full uniform and cloak really was overkill.

“They deserve strict punishment.”

“Could you tell us more about what happened?”

“They threatened to kidnap me,” Daisy said suddenly.

I turned to look at her. Her voice trembled, but there was determination behind it.

“Threatened you?”

“I heard it too,” I added smoothly. “Said something like, ‘We only live once,’ and threatened to take her away.”

And to think—they couldn’t even recognize a White Knight when I was standing right in front of them.
No one in the Ponnes Empire could not know the White Knights.

“Despicable men,” one of the guards muttered.

“Investigate their origins, just in case,” I instructed.

“Understood.”

As the guards dragged the men away, Daisy let out a shaky sigh of relief.

“It seems the situation’s under control, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Please, wait! I want to thank you. Could you tell me your name—”

“That won’t be necessary. I don’t seek repayment.”

“Still…”

She broke off with a fit of coughing—weak at first, but quickly growing harsh, her breath catching painfully.

I couldn’t just walk away.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m sorry… I just felt a chill.”

Her eyes shimmered with tears as she looked up at me. Her shoulders trembled faintly. Without a second thought, I slipped off my cloak and draped it over her.

“This is…”

Daisy blinked, staring between me and the cloak around her shoulders.

“It’ll help keep you warm. Where’s your maid or attendant?”

“Actually, I… slipped away on my own. I wanted some free time, so they’re probably looking for me right now.”

Right. That’s how it went in the original story.

The whole “looking for jewelry” thing had just been an excuse. Daisy had ditched her attendants to stroll the plaza alone—then bumped into Ian.

“Then I’ll escort you to the main street.”

“No, it’s fine. My maid will find me soon. I can’t trouble you any more than this…”

She tried to smile, but another cough racked her body.

In the original story, Daisy had been strong-willed, her illness never truly felt.
But seeing her pale face now made my chest tighten with pity.

If only I could change her fate, too.

That thought pulled me back to one of the novel’s most unforgettable scenes.

“I’m grateful to you.”

“My lady.”

“You helped me expecting nothing in return…”

“That’s not true. I only needed one thing in return.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your smile. That alone was enough.”

“Your smile…”

“You’re quick to notice, my lady.”

I had read that scene over and over, crying each time.

“Now I understand,” Daisy whispered then, “why your smile always made my heart ache…”

“If there’s another life… would you be my friend?”

“Anything you wish.”

Back then, I’d sobbed so hard my throat hurt.
But now, after meeting both Edwin and Daisy myself, the memory struck deeper—like an echo reverberating through my chest.

Please… let them both be happy this time.

“You should keep the cloak on until your maid comes. It’ll keep creeps away too.”

“…Thank you.”

It wasn’t the exact outcome I’d hoped for, but still—
Did this mean the original plot had truly changed?

If my choices could alter the story like this…

I swallowed hard. Hope flickered, but fear crept alongside it—the kind that comes from realizing the future now depended on me.

Where was Edwin, anyway?

He was supposed to meet Daisy today, their destined encounter.

If Daisy met Ian first, things could go wrong. I had to hurry.

“Don’t tell me he went to eat…”

I was about to head toward his favorite restaurant when—

“Rosebellia?”

A man’s voice stopped me cold.

A face unfamiliar to me—but unmistakable to her.
My father. Herman.

“Sister?”

“Big Sis!”

Behind him, kayden and Vivian climbed out of the carriage.
And then, last of all—

“Oh my, Rose?”

Olivia.

My stepmother.

A picture-perfect family—warm, harmonious, whole.
Except, instinctively, I knew: I didn’t belong in that picture.

“What are you doing in the plaza at this hour?” Hermann asked.

“I had business nearby.”

Olivia, dazzling in her ornate dress, approached with a gentle smile.

“We’re headed to a restaurant. Would you join us, Rose?”

“I can’t. I need to return to the Knights.”

“We haven’t had a proper meal together in ages, dear. Don’t be so distant—”

She looped her arm through mine, all warmth and elegance. But her touch sent a shiver down my spine.

“No, thank you.”

I slipped my arm free. Hermann’s tongue clicked in irritation.

Then—softly, faintly—I heard it.
A breath, a scoff.

Was that… Olivia?

“Let’s not make a scene,” Hermann said curtly.

“But—”

“If she doesn’t want to come, we won’t drag her.”

His tone was as cold as ever.
They hadn’t visited once while I was sick, hadn’t asked if I’d recovered.

All I saw in Hermann’s eyes was disapproval—never concern.

“Aren’t you coming, Sister?” Vivian tugged at my sleeve.

“I…”

“Come along, Vivian,” Olivia said sweetly. “Let’s not keep your father waiting.”

“Hermann.”

“We’re leaving.”

kayden hesitated briefly, then turned to me.

“Maybe next time, Sister.”

“Yes… next time.”

And just like that, my “family” disappeared into the restaurant across the street.

I stood there, blankly watching them go—then laughed softly to myself.

Somehow, even now, it still hurts.

It wasn’t like I’d ever truly felt part of that family.
But watching them walk away left an emptiness I couldn’t explain.

Even as Rosebellia, I was still terrible at handling this kind of pain.

If Edwin were here, he’d have said something comforting—something just insincere enough to make me smile.

I turned away at last, aimless and heavy-hearted—

And froze.

“Senior?”

Ian stood there.

Before I could even respond, I noticed a carriage speeding toward him from behind.
Without thinking, I grabbed his cloak and yanked him forward.

“Watch out—!”

His eyes widened in surprise as his balance faltered, his large frame collapsing against me.

His hands caught my shoulders lightly, steadying himself—

And then I realized something soft and warm had brushed my forehead.

A soft, tender sensation…

My eyes widened.

Wait—what… exactly just touched me?