Selena Yohaiden (1)
“Your Grace, you may stay here.”
“…….”
‘Is the Duke's family royalty or something?’
Zeke, led by the attendant to a large room, couldn't help but think that.
‘Damn, I don't know anything about this romance fantasy world…….’
The room Selena provided was more than enough to shock him, who had almost no memory of luxury.
‘In dark fantasy, sleeping rough is a daily routine, and on Earth, I never left my studio apartment.’
Zeke looked around the room.
A clean and luxurious room.
A faint scent of fabric lingered as if emphasizing its cleanliness,
Bed, table, sofa, painting, flowerpot……. Everywhere he looked, there was nothing that wasn't luxurious.
Compared to the studio apartment he lived in on Earth, it was at least ten times larger.
“Still……. No phone, no internet, and the food isn't that great……. And cigarettes too. Of course, it's heaven compared to the Dave Continent…….”
No matter how luxurious the room, the reality was that it was far behind Earth in terms of civilization level.
“And a swordsmanship instructor……. Isn't that a job that requires using a sword?”
A deep sigh escaped his mouth.
Zeke took off his shoes and lay down on the bed.
Fluffy.
His body sank into the soft blanket.
“How do I go back?”
He had no idea. The goal in the previous game possession was clear.
Capture the Demon King's Castle and kill the fake boss, the Demon King.
And after that, the real boss, that crazy bastard.
The conquest was completed, after taking down the 'Bard of Prehistory'.
Of course, the terribly difficult and endless obstacles he had to overcome with his bare body constantly frustrated him,
but at least it was clear what he had to do.
But in the world of romance fantasy?
“Do I have to make the female lead happy? Help her build a reverse harem, get rid of the villains who get in the way, and even make her queen?”
Zeke closed his eyes, his head pounding.
“But I don't even know the female lead's name or what she looks like.”
Honestly, he couldn't help but blame his stupid brain.
He was reading seven romance fantasy novels with similar stories at the same time.
Who was who, what the hierarchy system was, who the male lead was.
If he had been interested and read diligently, he might have known.
But Zeke only read romance fantasy to pass the time.
So even if he came across unfamiliar terms, he just skipped over them and was busy reading the lovey-dovey parts.
He was even possessed in the middle of following the story, and it's a novel that hasn't even finished yet.
‘The only thing I know is that it's the beginning. And the Second Prince…….’
Even if he tried to refer to the dark fantasy world he was previously summoned to,
the situation there was already messed up with the kingdom and everything else from the moment of possession.
"Yeah, the female lead was the girl that the clumsy swordsman, the Second Prince, liked."
After thinking for a long time, Zeke's eyes lit up.
He remembered why he was possessed.
“If I find out who the Second Prince is stalking, I'll naturally find out. First, I'll find her, and then I'll think about what to do.”
The Second Prince. That guy with the clumsy swordsmanship.
He had to find him first.
And in his few remaining fragments of memory, there was a scene of the male and female leads flirting with each other during class.
Then they must be in the same year.
“But how can I fix this way of speaking?”
It was then.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly hearing a knock, he jumped up and opened the door.
Zeke's eyes widened slightly as he checked the person at the door.
"I apologize for the late hour."
"Selena."
"Hehe. You're calling my name now."
She seemed to have just washed up, her silver hair was still damp, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
A faint scent of flowers wafted to his nose.
“Sir Zeke, are you comfortable with the room? I'm a little worried that the house isn't good enough and that I might be inconveniencing you.”
“Ah……. Um. No, not at all.”
“Would it be alright if we talked for a bit?”
Zeke nodded and moved his body slightly to allow Selena to enter.
Selena gracefully entered the room and sat on the chair in front of the table.
‘Is it okay to visit this late at night? What is it?’
Zeke was quite nervous.
Although he ate and even slept with her on the way here,
at that time, it was because of the situation, and he had no feelings or expectations for her.
Afterward, he did develop a favorable impression after the Eye of Judgment and her offer of lodging,
but the memory of his past self, who was quite pathetic, still lingered.
And now?
Zeke realized from the training ground incident and the mansion she provided
that she truly held a high position in this world.
‘All those people were bowing their heads to her.’
Look at her now.
Elegant and graceful gestures.
A calm tone of voice as if asserting her innate nobility.
The days when she was a weakling who was almost put in danger by a street mob were nowhere to be found.
‘I already confirmed her soul, but to think she even grieves for the woman who betrayed her, she must have a good heart.’
She might be a bit naive,
but a rich and naive person who treats me well is not naive but a kind older sister.
Now, only a refined young lady with elegance and grace sat here.
Her moist blue eyes seemed to be asking for something.
Zeke's gaze drifted towards her slightly revealed cleavage.
‘Uh……? But what is this situation?’
Selena's appearance could be seen as a seduction.
Cleanly washed, with a pleasant scent, and dressed in a thin slip that revealed her figure.
But visiting a man's bedroom in the middle of the night?
‘Whoa, whoa. This is Selena we're talking about……. Aren't we moving a bit too fast?’
Zeke tried to suppress the anticipation that was slowly rising within him and swallowed hard.
Did his performance at Siera's trial give her some kind of assurance?
This is……. Is this okay?
She's a woman of such high standing?
Zeke Clayman.
The hero of the 10-year-old dark fantasy world.
Experience talking to women? None except for the Saintess.
Thanks to his power, he had received quite a few temptations,
but each time, he was either hit in the back of the head
or the Saintess intervened at the crucial moment and foiled it.
Mister!
Ah, you're still a kid. Go away.
Anyway, a woman who was definitely a good person was sending him such a signal,
Zeke couldn't remain indifferent without any reaction.
‘Could this romance fantasy……. turn into a 19+ one?’
Zeke waited for Selena to open her mouth.
Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke.
“……Sir Zeke, when are you planning to go to the academy?”
However, her words were different from what he expected.
Zeke's mood plummeted in an instant.
‘……Ah, she came to kick me out. What, is she telling me to take the money and leave quickly? Someone suspicious like you can't come with us?’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘Ha, even if she has a good heart……. That means she's easily swayed by the words of those around her.’
Since Zeke had tried to open his heart to her, believing in her even a little,
this disappointment hit him even harder.
Of course, he didn't think that she, with such a pure soul, would have initiated this.
Perhaps others in the family had whispered to her.
And they probably sent her to his room to tell him directly.
Even now, she couldn't meet his eyes, as if she felt sorry.
Zeke once again recalled the deep resentment he felt towards humanity.
He was just making a fool of himself by getting his hopes up, even trying to cook stew after drinking a bowlful of wishful thinking,
but he couldn't help but feel betrayed.
Yes, he knew. People change their attitude faster than they use the bathroom.
‘I knew things wouldn't be this easy. Damn it. I should have listened when I refused…….’
If he hadn't accepted her offer in the first place, he wouldn't have felt betrayed.
Having experienced the dark fantasy world, Zeke couldn't help but think this way.
As he had just seen, she was indeed the daughter of a great family.
Perhaps she couldn't decide on major matters like bringing someone into the house and letting them stay on her own.
Others in the family must have thought it was dangerous to let someone like him, whose identity hadn't even been properly verified, into their house.
It was his fault for hastily agreeing to her confident tone.
With his foot firmly planted in his mouth after trusting the starter pack, Zeke said coldly.
“Right, I'll go as soon as possible.”
“I…. If you're in a hurry, it can't be helped…. But personally, I think it would be good if you could at least learn some common sense…. Ah, no, should I say common sense…. It would be good if you could learn some basic knowledge, no, information before you go….”
“?”
Princess Selena struggled to choose her words so as not to offend Zeke.
At first, Zeke couldn't understand what she meant.
“Well, Sir Zeke, do you know how many ducal families there are in the…. um…. the Empire?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Three. Yohaiden, Eustia, and the Ira family in the North. You know about the North, right?”
“…….”
“So……. It would be helpful for your future life at the academy if you acquire some knowledge here.”
After a moment of silence,
Zeke felt as if a halo was descending behind Selena.
What he lacked most right now was common sense and knowledge about this romance fantasy world.
He had been worried about that.
And Selena was offering to fill that gap!
'W-What misunderstanding have I…….'
Zeke stared at her with a blank face.
It was none other than himself who had doubted her.
The guilt of misunderstanding her and the gratitude for her kindness mixed together, and a feeling of appreciation for Selena slowly spread from his heart.
‘Is Selena an angel……? No, I can't compare her to those pigeon chicks. It's an insult to Selena.’
Contrary to his inner thoughts, his words were curt.
"Yes, please do."
“Okay, I'll arrange an education schedule starting tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Zeke suddenly walked over to the window and closed the window that had been opened for ventilation.
“Hehe. Don’t mention it. Excuse me for the late hour. Good night.”
Thinking that Zeke was getting ready for bed, Selena said goodbye.
“Well…. You may leave.”
"Yes. See you tomorrow."
With that, Selena left Zeke’s room.
“Hmm……. She’s gone. For real.”
That night.
After Selena left, Zeke looked out the window
and engraved a message in bold letters deep within his heart.
I hereby withdraw my support for Selena Yohaiden.
From this day forward, we are no longer in a relationship of support,
but one body and one soul.
An attack on Selena
will be considered an attack on me.
Even as he thought this, Zeke glanced at the door from time to time, wondering if Selena would come back.
“She didn’t come after all…….”
* * *
One hour ago.
After ordering the disposal of the traitors who had abandoned her to the goblins,
Selena was mentally and physically exhausted, as she had been carrying an uncharacteristic burden.
Moreover, she was undeniably exhausted from her journey.
‘To think Siera was really that kind of person…….’
Tears welled up in her eyes.
The long years they had spent together were not insignificant, and the betrayal stabbed at her heart mercilessly.
‘How could she do that? How could a human being…….’
“Here you go, Lady Selena.”
The maid standing behind her handed her a handkerchief.
Selena decided not to have a personal maid anymore.
Instead, she asked the butler for the most sincere maid who had not shown any flaws so far.
She thought that if their social status was so vastly different, it would be difficult for them to harbor any ill intentions.
“Ailey.”
“Yes.”
“I……. I wish you wouldn’t betray me.”
“Yes, I won’t.”
“So don’t try to probe me for anything.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Ailey was quick-witted and could guess how Selena was feeling.
‘She’s such a kind person…….’
Should she have reported Siera’s misdeeds beforehand?
No, even if she had told her, there was no doubt that Selena would have blindly believed Siera back then.
‘She’s too trusting of people.’
“Lady Selena, I think it would be best to wash up for now.”
“Yes, please help me.”
“Yes, I’ll have the doctor waiting for you when you’re finished.”
“Okay.”
As Ailey washed Selena, she tried to think of a way to cheer her up and recalled the stern-faced man she had seen earlier.
“By the way, that was really amazing.”
“Yes……?”
Selena, who was lying in the bathtub with her mind preoccupied with Siera,
lifted her head at Ailey’s words.
“Mr. Zeke Clayman, I mean. How could he expose her like that, as if he could see right through her heart? To be honest, if it weren't for him, I would have doubted Charles. Of course, I’m not saying Charles didn’t do anything wrong.”
Charles was the name of the bald man.
Selena nodded in agreement.
“Yes, what I mean is, his intuition was incredibly sharp.”
“Yes, I was truly surprised. It’s not often that everyone is convinced and nods their heads in agreement like that in a trial.”
“Hmm……. But he seems to be a little lacking in common sense……”
At that, Ailey made a strange expression.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, maybe because he’s a swordsman, he doesn’t seem to be interested in worldly matters.”
Selena suddenly felt worried.
As the academy bearing the name of the imperial capital, Ramielli Academy was the greatest academy in the Empire.
Countless nobles, royals, and children of the powerful gathered there.
What if Zeke Clayman entered as a swordsmanship instructor in his current state?
Of course, there was the excuse of him being a Northern noble, but the scorn and insults those people would throw at him were as clear as day.
‘Of course, judging by what happened today, I don’t think the instructor is the type to be swayed by the words of such foolish people, but…….’
Even so, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was wrong to repay him with money for saving her life.
On top of that, he had incurred another debt.
Selena was happy that there was something more she could do for him.
"I-It’s just! I’m just worried and want to help!"
"Pardon?"
"Ah, it’s nothing.“
After washing up, Selena was examined by the doctor.
The doctor, who was examining her wounds, said with a surprised look.
"Fortunately, it doesn’t look like it will scar. The person who treated your wounds seems to be very skilled."
Selena nodded at the doctor’s words.
She recalled the image of Zeke, who carefully tended to her injuries every morning, changing the bandages with fresh ones as if afraid to wake her.
He might have a stoic face, but he had delicate and gentle hands.
Selena felt a warm feeling spread through her heart.
To be honest, hadn't he stepped forward and set things straight even though it wasn't his business?
If it weren’t for him, she would have remained clueless, forgiving Siera and keeping her by her side as her personal maid.
Thinking about Siera again dampened her mood, but the thought of Zeke’s consideration lifted her spirits.
‘As expected, he may not show it, but he’s a warm-hearted person……. And he’s good at wound care, too.’
As Selena’s gratitude towards Zeke grew stronger,
she wanted to tell him what she had been planning to tell him tomorrow.
“Ailey.”
“Yes.”
“Are you good at makeup?”
“I’m a professional.”
Ailey nodded confidently.
“Well……. Is there a kind of makeup that doesn’t look too made-up but isn’t barefaced either?”
“You mean the ‘no makeup’ makeup look? I have up to pattern 4 ready. Pattern 5 is still under development.”
“And, some lavender perfume. Just a touch.”
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Pattern 4....
ReplyDeleteYoo.... This novel and translation is really good... quite liking it so far...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter
ReplyDeleteno makeup’ makeup look? I have up to pattern 4 ready. Pattern 5 is still under development.”
ReplyDelete