| Episode 1
“I’m so sorry for showing up like this, my lady.”
The sight of the woman shivering, drenched from the rain, was pitiful.
‘Why on earth is she here?’
Rubbing my eyes and looking again, I was certain: the woman before me was Christine Alesta.
There was no way I could not know her. To be precise, it was impossible to not know her.
After all, she was the saint who appeared in the empire after hundreds of years. The very saint destined to save the world from the approaching monster invasion.
…Of course, the name Christine Alesta held an even greater personal significance to me than that.
“Here, use this to dry off a bit.”
Bell, my only staff member and a servant who had been with me since childhood, handed Christine a large towel.
Suddenly, I felt a poke in my side and snapped back to reality.
Yes, this was not the time to linger.
“Why are you here?”
“I heard that this place helps treat people with emotional troubles.”
‘Then why on earth would a novel’s female lead like you come here?!’
I nearly shouted out my frustration but managed to hold back. Christine should be busy strategizing with the male lead, Ian, on how to fight monsters, and on top of that, falling in love. There was no reason for her to come here.
‘Why?’
As the question resurfaced in my mind, Christine fiddled with her fingers before looking up.
“Could I… also receive treatment?”
“Pardon?”
Christine’s sudden words left my head spinning. You want it from me? But she… could it be that she’s unwell? I hadn’t heard anything about that. I couldn’t predict why she had come all this way.
“Saint.”
A deep, pleasant voice called out, and I realized something—our consultation had ended a long time ago, yet she hadn’t left. Turning stiffly, I saw Lucas standing there.
“A saint… what brings you here?”
“That’s what I want to ask. My lord, why are you here…?”
Thunk. A flyer on the desk fell to the floor, blown by the wind from the open window.
The flyer read “The Secret Garden.”
Seeing it, all the efforts I’d made to avoid entanglement with the main characters flashed through my mind. Without interference, they would deal with the monster invasion themselves and eventually get their happy ending.
‘What problem brought you here?’
Watching the female lead before me stirred my emotions again, and her gentle voice reached my ears.
“Please, my lady. Just listen to me. The… crown prince terrifies me!”
Tears shimmered in Christine’s blue eyes as she grabbed my hand. The male lead, the crown prince, frightens her? What could have happened?
Her gaze reminded me of that day several months ago.
She had been the vain daughter of Count Adrian, careless and spoiled. More precisely, it was when I confessed to the crown prince at a banquet and was rejected, only to realize I had ended up inside the novel.
Today. Finally, I would face the crown prince, Ian. A banquet held in honor of his birthday. I had waited for this day eagerly.
Fidgeting with the ribbon on the gift, I was brimming with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to meet him.
“Are you alright?”
I remembered the victory celebration years ago when he had caught me as I almost fell, his worried gaze filling me with warmth.
It was clear then—he had feelings for me too.
“Phew.”
Finally, it was time to present my gift. I took a deep breath and climbed the stairs slowly. There he sat—Ian, his black hair cascading smoothly down his back. Truly, he looked stunning, as always.
“Ah, the lady of House Adrian. Thank you for the gift.”
His eyes curved beautifully. Yes, he indeed liked me. I had no reason to hesitate now.
“I… I like you, Your Highness! I’ve admired you for a long time!”
All I needed to do was tell him that. My hands trembled as I extended the gift, eyes tightly shut. The room fell silent.
Then came his low, even voice:
“Have I met you before? I don’t recall.”
Everything shattered at once. Five years. Five long years of secretly loving the most dazzling prince of the empire.
I lifted my head to meet his gaze, and it was far from what I had expected.
“Lady?”
Perhaps it was due to the many eyes on us, making him uneasy. I decided to summon more courage.
“You helped me five years ago… and I’ve admired you ever since, Your Highness…”
The murmurs of the surrounding guests didn’t matter as I recalled his smile. Covering my reddening face with one hand, I awaited his reply.
“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”
His cold rejection hit me. There was no joy on his face, only icy detachment.
“I have no feelings for you. Sorry, Lady Iron.”
Not Adrian, Iron… Before I could correct him, he raised his hand.
The knights behind me gently pushed me down the stairs.
“Lady, please step down.”
Pulled almost forcibly by the guards, I felt the weight of the mocking gazes around me, their whispers stinging my pride.
“That lady just got publicly humiliated. Who is she?”
“Oh, the daughter of Count Adrian who has no idea of her place, pretending to be noble.”
Their scoffs only intensified my shame. Clenching my teeth, I fled to a deserted corner.
“How could this happen?!”
I grabbed a champagne bottle from a servant and downed it greedily. The alcohol wasn’t strong, but I had drunk several bottles, leaving my head spinning.
Tears streamed down my face as I realized going home in this state would draw too much attention. I couldn’t admit I’d been rejected.
The drizzle turned into a downpour, soaking me to the bone.
‘Ugh…’
The cold, combined with the alcohol and tears, drained all my energy. I rose slowly, deciding it was better to leave than suffer more humiliation.
Suddenly, the world tilted.
Thud.
I collapsed, unable to move any further.
“Ah.”
Bad luck clung to me. Nothing was going right today. As sleep tugged at my consciousness, someone appeared before me.
“Are you alright?”
Clutching my pounding head, I lifted my gaze.
“Your Highness…?”
Had he come to apologize? Or was he here for another reason? Hope surged within me as I staggered to my feet.
“Your Highness.”
He quickly approached, wrapping his strong arms around my waist. The soothing scent of him enveloped me, and tears came again.
I wiped them away, a bright smile forming on my face as I touched his cheek.
“You came to see me. I’m so glad, Your Highness.”
His hand twitched briefly—perhaps surprised by my words. Whatever the reason, our hearts had connected. That was enough. I closed my eyes slowly, feeling content.
Honestly it’s a shame.. I wanted to start reading this novel but the chapter 1 is locked…
please translator can you unlock it?
Thanks