What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 342

#342

Gilt Return, A Breath (4)

“Hah, hah······.”

I was on the verge of having a seizure.

Trapped in a scene from a horror movie, I couldn’t lift my head.

It was so terrifying and spine-chilling that I thought, ‘I should have come in with Sir Johann,’ dozens of times in a few seconds.

Right now, with a bit of exaggeration, I probably looked more like a corpse than the prince did.

Holding onto the bed frame, I took deep breaths for a while, and when I didn’t sense anyone, I cautiously moved my gaze.

In my mind, I desperately called out to the original author and prayed fervently.

Brigitte, please don’t change the genre. I don’t like zombie apocalypses.

I don’t like horror either. Please, please······.

“······.”

Apart from a single tear rolling down his cheek, the prince didn’t move.

He was just lying there, as exquisitely as a statue carved by God.

There was no dramatic development like his eyelids fluttering or his fingertips twitching.

I felt all the strength drain from my body and collapsed onto the floor. Oh my God, really!

“Hoo······.”

It was a sigh that felt like it was pouring out of my very core.

I’m not usually a sweaty person, but my forehead and palms became damp in an instant.

As my breathing deepened, the floral scent decorating the bed filled my lungs. Inhale, exhale······.

“He’s not awake yet. It’s not that scary of a situation. It’s not that kind of novel.”

I’m embarrassed to say I read it so roughly, but I’m a ‘reader’ now too.

After encouraging my frozen self, I gathered myself and got up.

Anyway, he was someone I had to meet once. I decided not to delay and to convey my honest feelings.

-Knock knock

“Ah!”

Thump! I was so startled that I sprawled on the bed. I’m really not a scared person!

“Who, who is it!”

A somewhat chilling voice was heard from outside the door.

It was as if the whole world except me had put on a layer of horror filter.

I thought everyone had gone to the tea room, but there was someone left!

“No, it’s okay, Sir Johann. I was just surprised. Nothing’s wrong!”

“······If you’re being threatened, send out two strands of twisted aether [magical energy].”

“It’s nothing like that. Haha.”

His uncharacteristic joke eased my tension.

There was no one else here, and even if Prince Yeser woke up, I knew he wasn’t the type to do anything.

After telling him several times that I was really okay and that nothing was wrong, I was finally able to send Sir Johann away.

He didn’t make a sound, but Head Butler Herritt moves like an elf anyway, so whatever.

“······Oh! Excuse me.”

I came to my senses when I saw the blond man lying right in front of me.

I hurriedly composed myself, and after wavering and sitting down and getting up from the edge of the bed three times, I finally came to an agreement with myself to kneel at his bedside on the floor.

Fortunately, my fear had lessened a lot while I was making a fuss. Whew.

“I don’t know why you were crying, but you don’t have to feel sorry for me.”

Whisper, whisper. I spoke as close to the prince’s ear as possible.

In fact, until I came in here, I didn’t think my words would reach him.

Because there’s no way that could be possible.

But when I saw a single teardrop, a hope like newborn down grew.

In the sandpaper-like roughness of fear, a feeling of ‘what if’ sprang up.

The pure white space I passed by on the day I returned here. If he was still in that place······.

「I owe you a great debt.」

If he was watching us from there, or if he could hear my words through this body.

Whatever it was, I wanted to tell him.

I didn’t want to miss this opportunity, as I didn’t know when I would get another chance.

“Rather, thank you. Thanks to you, I rode a horse that I had never even touched before.”

‘Come to think of it, I should go say hello to Areum too.’ The addition was very small.

Of course, he didn’t react. I rubbed my eyes, which were somehow getting hot.

“Dancing too······. I didn’t need to learn much. It seemed like you knew everything. I don’t think His Majesty the Emperor thinks so.”

Hahaha. A strange, involuntary laugh escaped.

“I also did a good job with the Shin-guk style greetings. I was lucky that my handwriting was plausible too······. I lived a normal life for 29 years, but I heard the word ‘Prince’ a lot, which I wasn’t destined to hear. Thank you for that too.”

I rummaged around and took out a handkerchief to wipe his cheek.

The place where the tear marks had dried was as clean as if it had never been wet.

The man once again became an unreal beauty, like a prince in a fairy tale.

I had many opportunities to look in the mirror with that body, but the atmosphere was very different from then.

Perhaps he would be even more different when he opened his eyes, spoke, and lived his life.

Because we are different people.

“I had an unforgettable experience. I made a lot of good friends, and I made a lot of special memories. It’s all thanks to you. Thank you for lending me your body.”

It was my first time seeing his profile, so it felt unfamiliar.

I smiled, fiddling with the baby’s breath for no reason. And what else was there?

I was sure I had a lot to say to the prince, but when I saw his peacefully sleeping face, I couldn’t remember things quickly.

So I decided to start with the most important greeting.

I would never forget this, so I could say it easily.

“My younger sister, Eunseo, is a huge fan of you. She had a hard time studying last year, but she received a lot of comfort from reading stories about you and your friends. Thank you so much. Of course, her favorite person is Christel, but I think you’re her next favorite?”

Whisper, whisper, the end of the sentence went up a little. I wasn’t 100% sure when I thought about it.

But if it was him, who I had heard, experienced, and read directly, he would enjoy these words, not dislike them.

I smiled awkwardly and concluded.

“······It was an unforgettable year for her. Thank you.”

Then my throat seemed to tighten. A moment of silence passed.

I cleared my throat and rummaged through my pockets.

The notebook, which was now as familiar as a part of my body, came out.

I felt like I was talking more and more because I thought there was someone listening.

“I kept taking notes here, oh. This was also a gift from your sister. I’m sorry for using it without permission. Anyway, while studying while writing things here and there······. I left my goal; at first, I wrote it like this. ‘Don’t get involved with the main characters, survive until the end of the war, and return home healthy.’”

It was amazing even when I read it again.

If he could hear my voice, the prince would be shaking his head right now.

While writing Yeser Fenetian’s name, how could a life not intertwined with Christel or the Crown Prince be possible?

I chuckled and turned the page.

“As time went by, the possibility of this becoming a reality decreased, so I set a new goal after a while. I’ll read it to you. ‘Try not to let my friends get hurt. Stay healthy so that the three siblings of Shin-guk can meet again. Get information from the main characters and go home.’ The first of these is currently in progress. That’s why I came back. The third one was solved in a different way, so I’ll erase it······. Don’t worry. I’ll definitely find a way to return home. I have a lot of information this time.”

I smiled at the prince.

He didn’t move at all, but like a thief with a guilty conscience, it felt like I could hear nagging from somewhere.

‘Yeser. You are sometimes too reckless.’

“Second, stay healthy so that the three people of Shin-guk can reunite. This has become a little more difficult now. Because you’re not here.”

I paused for a moment and stared at him quietly.

“······But I won’t give up.”

There was no answer. I didn’t care.

“You asked me to take care of your sister and brother. I wish you didn’t have to.”

Because this is a kind of promise.

“I’ll let you meet again. I’ll help you say what you want to say, and if you want to spend time together, I’ll help you do that. It’ll be difficult right now because of the war······. So you may have to wait a long time. I’ll do my best.”

‘I hope you don’t give up either.’ I chewed on each word.

And slowly, I reached out and wrapped his hand. My arm wasn’t shaking at all now.

He didn’t feel like a chilling corpse, so I wasn’t scared, and I didn’t feel nauseous.

The only things between us were beautiful flowers and a cozy blanket.

“I was thinking while reading Toegye Gong [a famous Korean Confucian scholar]. My sister is right. It’s too unfair for someone who deserves to be happy to die without knowing happiness. Even if I know in my head that it’s a necessary part of the plot······. I want to change it if I can. And Eunseo and I want you to be happy.”

I said that far and took a breath. I felt like I was talking a little faster because I was excited.

But I didn’t stop.

“If the first time I possessed you was to save you, maybe it’s possible to really save you. The fact that this body is intact means there’s hope. Because this is a different world line.”

I forced a smile and held his hand tightly and let it go.

“I’ll borrow your name until then. I’m sorry for not getting proper permission.”

His skin was warm. Like a beauty in the forest who fell into a long sleep under a curse.

“······See you again.”

I quickly got up.

The tulip leaves waved in the breeze caused by my clothes.

*

The next day.

“Christel has acquired a new divine artifact?”

Standing in the middle of Juliette’s magnificent reception room, I caught my teacher’s words despite being busy.

I couldn’t miss a story about Christel.

I hadn’t seen her face once since returning here, and since she was such an important figure in the navy, there was no reason to come up to the capital.

She may have heard my news, but that was it.

I heard that our protagonist is constantly traveling between the Empire’s North Sea, West Sea, and South Sea, and is active.

She has been praised for being a driving force with Admiral Emma Corleone for the past few months······.

“Yes, it’s written that way. She acquired the ‘Ice Silk Vault,’ which is known to be sunk in the deep sea of Shin-guk, and in the process, she freed a giant obsidian sea urchin. The divine artifact is water-attributed.”

His Highness Aureli held Emperor Frederick’s personal letter.

I was surprised and frowned slightly.

“Sea urchin?”

Not caught and sliced for sashimi [a Japanese delicacy]?

“It’s a type of monster. Can you release aether at a strength of 5 in that state?”

“Yes, yes.”

I immediately focused my mind and held the scepter.

The crescent moon hanging on the top of the staff sparkled white as if it were interesting.

Saaaa······! Golden aether like a fountain gushed out from all over the sanctuary that covered the entire floor.

Certainly, the strands of power were thicker than before, and the radiance was also intense.

‘Kyah!’ The excited troublemakers were spinning around Tete in the center of the circle.

‘Heung!’ ‘Beep beep beep!’ Herritt and Dduk-sim were busy playing tag, running through the reception room and hallway.

In addition to my teacher standing across from me, the head of the costume room and the head of the makeup room, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, were next to me.

The two were busy finding makeup, fabrics, perfumes, colors, and lighting that suited me.

Since the color of my skin, hair, and eyes are all different, I have to have all my clothes made new.

Normally, I would have scheduled it separately, but I was in a hurry because of the war.

I asked His Highness for permission and decided to proceed with the vessel inspection at the same time.

“Indeed······. You’ve become stronger, Yeser. Your divine power has increased rapidly in a short period of time. You haven’t become a cardinal, but you’re one of the most powerful archbishops.”

Awesome! I smiled broadly and looked towards the sofa.

Sir Johann, who was reading a book, immediately gave me a smiling look.

‘Wow!’ Ganael, who was embroidering, Joan, who was doodling, and Sant, who was reading a magazine, all clapped and cheered.

Eva still had a sulky face, but since we had breakfast together this morning, I might see her smiling face by evening.

“You have truly become the master of growth.”

‘So quickly.’ My teacher said kindly.

I felt good because he looked so proud.

“Your Highness, would you lift your chin for a moment?”

“Ah, yes.”

“I will try on different types of monster fur. Hold your arm for a moment, good. Please tell me if it tickles or feels bad.”

“Yes.”

As I diligently moved as instructed, I heard giggling from here and there.

My teacher paused and continued. A strict light entered his beige eyes for a moment.

“······It is clear that obtaining a divine artifact is a great celebration, and it is also a joy to the Lord that my disciple has overcome adversity and grown. But if it’s as written here that you said you would jump into the ‘public opinion war,’ how should I accept this?”

“Ah, that’s······.”

“Oh my God, we need to distribute number tickets!”

A loud noise came from the entrance supported by pillars.

My friends and I quickly turned our heads to assess the situation.

Benjamin, who had piled a mountain of mail on a silver tray, and Francois, who was taking off his white gloves and sweeping back his hair, were seen.

The speed at which they passed the court musicians was unusual. Anyone could see that they were in a hurry.

What’s wrong, both of you?

“Hello, Francois. Benjamin?”

“They are all invitations, Your Highness.”

The middle-aged man bowed gracefully and showed me the tray.

I froze for a moment and faced him. If it’s an invitation―

“The social world is reacting immediately. The return ceremony was very intense.”

Sir Johann pointed out gently. Benjamin nodded.

“That’s right. Most of them are fundraising events to raise military funds or help the families of soldiers. Hundreds of nobles want Your Highness to attend.”

“Hmm.”

I stood in an ambiguous pose like a holy staff model and swallowed hard.

I intended to create this effect and direct my return yesterday, but the reaction is intense from the first day.

“This side is at least cute. There are over fifty carriages waiting outside Romero for Your Highness to go out! They want an audience as soon as possible. Half of them seemed content to just watch from afar.”

‘I’m seeing the best jewel of this season.’ Francois aimed for my hand, so I naturally pulled my arm away today.

What season?

“······That’s all good. If it’s for the Empire, I’m willing to go anywhere. But before that, I told His Majesty that I would take charge of the propaganda.”

I answered that way and looked at my teacher.

I don’t think he likes it very much, but I still have to get permission.

“So I want to meet Sarah Bellial first. I also want to get help from the Pasion Palace small group ‘Courtly Romance.’”