Prologue
It was a night still heavy with the sweltering heat of midsummer.
On my way back from secretly sneaking out of the estate, I bumped shoulders with someone wearing a pitch-black hood—completely out of season.
Thud!
“Ugh, what the—do you wear those eyes just for decoration?”
At a glance, the person had a slim frame like a child, but my shoulder throbbed from the impact—surprisingly solid.
Just then, a hot breeze blew, fluttering the sleeve of the stranger. A pale, large hand covered in scars was revealed.
“I don’t have time for this. Move.”
Their voice, low as though fresh from puberty, was raspy and uneven—possibly sick?
Narrowing my eyes, I spread my arms wide, blocking their path. They bumped into me first, and now they’re just walking off without even a word of apology?
“Repeat after me. ‘Pardon me. Please forgive my rudeness.’”
“…What?”
“What do you mean, what? I’m pointing out your total lack of manners—”
“There! Grab him!”
A group of burly men suddenly charged in, shouting. I barely had time to finish my sentence. Tsk. I heard a sharp click of the tongue.
“I told you to move.”
A hand, unusually warm—almost alarmingly so—grabbed my arm and pulled me aside. The grip was rough, but that told me all I needed to know.
“You’re being chased?”
“Can’t you tell just by looking? Quit yapping and get lost.”
“And what about you? What’re you going to do?”
“None of your business.”
How was it none of my business when this was basically the front yard of my house?
Just as I shook my head in disbelief, the men reached us, blades gleaming in the moonlight.
“…A girl? And a pretty one at that.”
The one who seemed like the leader stepped forward, grabbing a fistful of my golden hair and eyeing me up like I was some kind of merchandise.
“Eliminate the target. Take the girl. She’s just my type.”
Ugh. His yellowed teeth made me nauseous. Maybe that’s why—before I even realized it—my fist flew out on its own.
Crack!
“Urgh!”
He clearly didn’t expect a girl my size to throw a punch. He staggered back, clutching his nose as blood poured from it. His face twisted in rage. Yikes.
“Y-You little…! Get her!”
“How dare you hit the boss!”
They surrounded me, yelling threats. I looked up at the sound of a sigh. A slender, white blade slid out from the folds of black fabric. I couldn’t see his face well under the deep hood, but I felt the resentment in the glare aimed at me.
“Run. It’d be even better if you got the guards.”
“And if I say no?”
“Do I look like I’m joking right now?”
He didn’t. But how did he expect me to run when we were surrounded?
Still, I figured—I could probably handle this on my own.
I wiped the blood off my knuckles and sprang forward.
“Aaack!”
Thud. One man flew backward as my kick landed square in his gut. Ooh. Not bad, honestly.
Drunken brawls in the middle of the night—what nonsense. But there was no time to dwell. The rest came charging.
Still, it didn’t take long to deal with them.
Brushing off my wrinkled skirt, I stood upright.
“…What are you?”
The stunned voice pierced my ears. All the men lay defeated.
I turned with a beaming smile. A gust of wind blew a few strands of black hair from under his hood.
“You don’t even know how to say thanks? I should’ve guessed from the way you didn’t apologize earlier.”
“…”
He didn’t answer. Which irritated me just enough that I caught him in a headlock.
“My shoulder’s probably dislocated, y’know. How do you plan to repay me for taking care of those guys, huh? What kind of kid wanders around alone at night like it’s no big—huh?”
“Your shoulder looks fine… Wait, what’s wrong?”
The hood slipped back. Purple eyes, like gems set in the night sky, locked with mine.
“….”
We both froze, as if by some unspoken agreement.
Beneath his long, narrow eyes sat a small tear-shaped beauty mark. His skin was almost translucent white, and his face was impossibly beautiful. Unreal.
My heart started pounding like mad. I couldn’t even breathe.
I just stared—like I was admiring a masterpiece in a museum.
“Let go.”
He sat up, swatting away my arm. His brows furrowed slightly.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where the Elifritz estate is… would you?”
“Th-That’s… my house.”
“…Why are you suddenly so polite?”
How could I not be? I already knew who he was.
My eyes kept drifting back to his face. The sharp bridge of his nose and defined jawline looked sculpted from marble.
“Stop staring. It’s creepy. You said it’s your house?”
“Y-Yeah.”
“Then lead the way. And thanks for earlier.”
His attitude was unbelievably rude—especially to someone he just met. But I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
Because this boy’s identity was…
“Y-You’re welcome.”
“…Okay, what’s with the sudden humility.”
With that commanding tone, I didn’t even dare ask why he still hadn’t apologized. I nodded awkwardly and walked ahead, him following at a slight distance.
Soon, we reached the estate gates. I nudged the sleepy gatekeeper. He jolted awake.
“Miss Ariel! Out again at this hour? What if the Count finds out—”
“Yeah, yeah. Just open the gate.”
“But, who’s the gentleman behind you…”
The gatekeeper paused mid-key turn, stunned. He must’ve seen the boy’s face. And really, who wouldn’t be struck dumb by that visual perfection?
I gave him a moment to recover—because I’m generous like that.
But the boy wasn’t as patient. He let out a loud sigh and rubbed his cheek harshly.
“S-Sorry, sir!”
The gatekeeper quickly stepped aside, and we crossed the large garden in front of the mansion.
Now that I looked closer, he really didn’t seem well. His pace lagged, and faint groans escaped him every now and then.
“…Ugh.”
“We’re almost there. Just a bit more.”
I turned to encourage him. He nodded weakly.
Right as we reached the front steps, the door flew open and my older brother—Count Abussion—rushed out. His eyes flared with anger.
“Ariel, out late agai—wait, Prince Siegfried?!”
Abussion’s peach-hued eyes widened. Like me, he instantly recognized the boy.
Of course we knew him.
Siegfried Rasien Jan Felicita—the Imperial Prince, known for his tragic childhood and breathtaking beauty.
And the male lead of the novel I’d been reincarnated into.
“Please come in. We were told you’d arrive by carriage…”
Abussion swung the door open, letting us inside. The bright light stung after walking in the dark for so long.
“We were ambushed. I’ll explain later—if that’s alright.”
Siegfried swept back his damp hair with long fingers, revealing a flawless forehead and elegant brows.
Wow. Seriously—what is that face? I could stare at it all day.
Then he met my gaze again. His pupils dilated, then narrowed as he scowled. Why the sudden glare? I quickly looked away.
“Count Elifritz. I’d like to rest now.”
His sharp stare felt like it slapped my cheek. He didn’t look at me again as he addressed my brother.
“Of course. I’ll show you to your room. Ariel, go on upstairs.”
With that, Siegfried brushed past me. I slumped to the floor, overwhelmed by the reality—
That I truly lived inside a novel.
And that I had just met the male lead.
Siegfried Rasien Whatever-his-long-name-is.
One day, he would kill the current crown prince and ascend to the imperial throne.
In my mind, I pictured him, all grown up, clad in a blood-stained uniform, lounging on the Emperor’s throne—dangerous, poised, and perfect.
“Miss, the floor’s cold.”
One of the maids offered me her hand.
Snapping out of it, I looked up the stairs Siegfried had climbed.
A massive wave of anxiety washed over me.
Because soon… I would be engaged to the crown prince—the very one Siegfried would one day kill.
