ISTV 22

Lee Juhwan’s thoughts flowed endlessly, one after another.

‘There are often times when the developer’s will doesn’t align with the thoughts of the characters.’

Seila Dvernon was a prime example of that.

Seila Dvernon was a character who wanted to live more than anyone else.

‘She was like that from a young age. That’s why she tried so hard to be loved.’

Lee Juhwan was the only person who knew more about Seila Dvernon than Lee Sohyun.

‘Even while being constantly ignored, she smiled, and she started learning swordsmanship in the Dvernon family, which was famous for magic.’

She endured all the disdain and ridicule with a smiling face.

‘Even after her descent into darkness, Seila continued struggling to survive. That’s why, over time, she turned into an increasingly powerful hidden threat.’

But the developers kept trying to kill Seila.

The will of the gods demanded Seila’s death, but Seila rejected that divine will.

That violent conflict created a rift, which ultimately led to the unrealistic phenomenon of possession—that was the conclusion he had come to.

‘There’s no other explanation.’

Then what?

‘I need another rift. I have to get over there too.’

For a moment, another thought occurred to him.

Should he just stay here and help Seila as a developer and god?

‘No, that won’t work.’

This world was still nothing more than a setting.

‘Two years from now, once the story gets into full swing, interference will become increasingly difficult.’

The world of That Girl and That Guy officially begins when the three male leads and the female lead meet at Somarfi Academy.

Right now, it was basically just a setting book—an underdeveloped world with barely any narrative or coherence.

As time passes, it will solidify more and more.

If he tried to forcibly tamper with it, the world itself could collapse.

If an error becomes too serious, the AI resets the system.

A reset world might begin anew, but no one could guarantee that the reset Seila would still be Lee Sohyun.

‘Whose help can I use to get in there?’

Who else could create a clash with the will of the gods as intense as Seila did?

“Come visit the Secret Palace someday. That is, if I’m still alive by then.”

And then it hit him.

‘Lady Arsagil of the Secret Palace!’

A woman who had lost her will to live after the death of her husband.

She had always wanted to die, but the developers never allowed it.

Mystical sorcery would heal her wounds, and her body had been set to be nearly immortal.

Even if her heart stopped, she would come back to life.

‘A character who wanted to die more than anyone but was never allowed to.’

Then, a voice echoed.

“Life is burdensome. I want to disappear.”

It was the voice of Lady Arsagil.

“Can you help me?”

Garen opened his eyes wide after losing consciousness during a frantic battle with monsters.

Looking around, he saw that all the monsters were gone.

“You saw that, right?”

Seila was sitting beside him.

Garen, excited, boasted proudly.

“You saw it, right?”

“Saw what?”

“That I beat them all!”

Seila smiled gently.

“Yes, you were amazing.”

“Ahem.”

Garen rubbed his nose sheepishly.

He didn’t remember it clearly, but he believed he had defeated all the monsters himself.

In any case, seeing that Garen had come to, Seila stood up.

“Did you wait for me?”

“You collapsed trying to protect me.”

Well, in truth, it seemed like he’d gotten drunk on battle and recklessly poured out his magic until he overloaded and fainted, but—

Seila didn’t say that part out loud.

Instead, she got the words she wanted to hear.

“Hehe. I’ll protect you again next time.”

“Thank you.”

There was no reason to refuse when someone was willing to protect her voluntarily.

He may not think deeply, but in the future, Garen would become one of the top ten most powerful characters in the world.

Feeling great, Garen clenched his fists.

“I’ll train even harder!”

Meanwhile, Seila walked toward the lodge where Themanon was staying.

“Oh, Seila. What brings you here?”

“You gifted flowers to my maid, so I wanted to return the favor.”

Seila held out a flower.

“What kind of flower is this?”

“A bellflower. Its meaning is justice.”

Themanon carefully took the flower in his large hand.

“Well, well. Life is full of surprises. I never imagined the day would come when I’d receive a flower as a gift.”

“You’ve never received one before?”

“Not even once.”

“Then…?”

“Let’s see… What have my boys given me? Oh right, a fang from a white viper, an explosive mineral, and the first sword blade they ever broke.”

“……”

“Well, those were all precious gifts in their own way, but this one from you feels completely different.”

“I’m glad you liked it. Ah, and… I hope I haven’t been too presumptuous with my request.”

Themanon let out a hearty laugh.

“What kind of child thinks so deeply? Taking one more person along is neither a burden nor an inconvenience, so don’t worry.”

“Is there anything I should prepare?”

“Just bring a joyful heart.”

Seila couldn’t help but smile softly.

‘Of all people, he had to be modeled after my dad. No wonder he makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.’

Themanon expected nothing from Seila.

He simply cherished her existence and thought it only natural.

And that sincerity reached Seila clearly.

“Seila. You look happy.”

“Yes. Just as it’s your first time receiving flowers, I’m also receiving things for the first time.”

“Things? What things have I given you?”

“Unconditional affection… maybe?”

She knew how precious that was—because she had once received it, and then lost it.

But she didn’t say that aloud.

“Wahaha!”

Themanon laughed so heartily the entire lodge seemed to shake. Every one of Seila’s actions was so lovable to him.

Her tone might have been a little stiff, but even that he found adorable.

After a long laugh, he glanced toward Defelto’s office and grimaced slightly.

“So jealous I could die.”

He never imagined there would come a day when he’d be jealous of Defelto.

As he briefly stewed in that rare jealousy, a wonderful idea came to mind.

“Seila. May I ask one favor of you?”

“Of course.”

“I’d like you to meet my wife, just once.”

Seila responded without even a second’s hesitation.

“As a member of House Dvernon, it’s only proper that I greet the mistress of House Kwaybek upon visiting.”

That answer moved Themanon deeply once again.

If it had been his sons, they would’ve asked, “Is that lady strong?” first.

Seila really was different from them in many ways.

“Is there a special reason behind this?”

“Hm?”

“You asked me to do something that’s only natural. I wondered if you wanted me to show a certain side of myself.”

“Ugh…”

Themanon rubbed his temples and again grimaced toward Defelto’s office.

He wanted to hurl all sorts of profanities at him but barely managed to restrain himself.

He turned back to Seila, knelt on one knee, and said,

“Seila. There’s no need for you to show anything specific. Just be yourself. You don’t need any agenda or act a certain way.”

He raised his palm, large as a pot lid, and gently patted Seila’s head.

“You are precious and lovable just by existing.”

“…Me?”

It was the first time Seila had ever heard those words. Her heart fluttered.

It felt more like a sincere reaction from Seila’s own body than from Lee Sohyun’s emotions.

“Of course. You probably don’t even realize how adorable you are.”

“You think I’m adorable?”

“Of course!”

“This is the first time anyone’s said that to me.”

“The first time?”

“Most people say I’m scary. Or ominous.”

“They must be blind—or have something in their eyes.”

Themanon was sure.

If his wife were to meet Seila, she too would be overwhelmed with a desire to have a daughter.

“You may seem too mature and hardened for your age, but that’s part of your charm too.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“No need for thanks—wahaha!”

Seila curtsied, holding her dress politely, then returned to her room.

He opened a locket with a picture of his wife inside and muttered to himself.

“You won’t be able to resist her cuteness either. You’ll definitely want a daughter too.”

Looking at her picture made him miss her.

He suddenly wanted to return to his household as soon as possible.

There was no one to hear it, but he whispered to the photo,

“Darling, I love you.”

Some time passed, and Seila boarded a carriage with Themanon.

They were headed to the Kwaybek family—the cradle of swordsmanship.

A nervous tension crept up on her.

‘He’s there.’

The sweet yet insane male lead, Hamune.

She was about to meet him.

‘Let’s build a bond.’

She was lucky to have a chance to connect with him in childhood.

Hamune was generally a generous person, but even more so toward those he met in his younger years.

And a few days later—

‘Wow… What even is this?’

Inside the carriage bound for House Kwaybek, Seila experienced a whole new world.