Ariel kicked the ground with an expressionless face, hiding her emotions.

“It’s quite strange to see such an expression on that face.”

Such an expression with that face. Both Leopold and the man in front of her were saying things that Ariel couldn’t understand, and she found it not entirely pleasant.

As if showing her displeasure, Ariel dropped her gaze to the ground, and her eyes moved to the feet of the man stepping over the writhing thugs.

Ariel’s gaze moved from his feet and legs up to his face.

He was wearing a faint smile, as if he found her appearance interesting.

Up close, his face was that of a ruggedly handsome man with dark eyebrows and a tanned complexion.

His appearance exuded a different vibe from Leopold’s, who had deep-set eyes filled with coldness on a pale face.

Judging by his attire and the sword, he was undoubtedly someone of high status.

“I guess you were probably expecting me to look like I was going to cry at any moment, with my eyes full of fear.”

“You’ve changed.”

“I don’t know when you saw me as someone else or what you’re talking about.”

“Let’s leave that for later. For now, we should think about what to do. Can we just go back like this?”

Ariel had planned to approach Liese by portraying the image of a pure and brave noble lady to win her favor.

But no matter how brave, a noble lady who lived a life far removed from blood and battle would be shocked to see legs being cut and blood splattering right before her eyes…

It would have been natural for Ariel, had she been an ordinary noble lady, to be shocked.

Noah, observing Ariel’s contemplation, raised his eyebrows and chuckled lightly, as if he knew she couldn’t refuse his help.

‘Perhaps he’s saying this because he knows I can’t return to my former self.’

She questioned his confident attitude, yet found his behavior, acting as if he knew everything, quite irksome.

Ariel placed a hand on her forehead and exhaled deeply.

“I’m not foolish enough to accept help from someone whose identity I don’t know.”

Her words meant, 「Reveal your identity.」

He thinned his lips, correctly understanding the hidden meaning in the noble’s way of speaking.

“I am Duke Noah Diaz.”

Hearing his words, Ariel’s eyes widened in surprise.

Diaz was Leopold’s surname, meaning he was a member of the imperial family.

Had enough time passed since she entered the novel that the original content had become vague and confusing?

Or was it because she had altered the original story that characters who weren’t in the original were appearing?

Her mind became cluttered with thoughts.

When Ariel stared at his face without responding, Noah moved closer to her.

“Just do as I say.”

“What?”

Noah gave a wry smile and then lifted Ariel into his arms.

His strong arms wrapped around her waist and behind her knees.

Startled by his sudden action, Ariel let out a short cry, and he looked down at her face.

Noah’s lips curled up slightly, as if he found her reaction amusing.

Ariel felt her temper rising at Noah’s expression, but when their eyes met, it was as if time stopped for a moment, and the emotion vanished from her face.

His pupils were engraved with intricate patterns on his irises, shining brightly with a golden hue.

Despite knowing it was rude to stare so intently, Ariel couldn’t take her eyes off his.

Suddenly, Noah coughed and lifted his head.

The tips of his ears flushed, though neither he nor Ariel noticed.

“I’m not sure if you understood what I said.”

Noah said, looking towards where Liese was standing.

“I understood.”

Liese possessed an altruism incomprehensible to ordinary people, a willingness to lay down even her life for a cause.

But she always stayed one step back due to the barriers of status and the scrutiny of others.

To Liese, Ariel’s stance against the harsh reality would be closer to an idealistic fantasy.

To form a connection and elicit sympathy… she had to act the part of a noble lady who was disillusioned by the cruel reality, different from her ideals.

Ariel buried her face in his chest, covering her mouth with her delicate hands.

She began to cry suddenly and then lifted her clear face to meet Noah’s eyes.

“Like this, right?”

“You catch on quick.”

Tears welled up in Ariel’s large eyes, threatening to overflow.

She praised her own acting. Perhaps due to all the abilities she had received when she crossed into the world of the novel, she boasted about how well she could fake things.

“If you’re ready, let’s go.”

After finishing her words, Ariel buried her face again in Noah’s embrace and tightly closed her eyes.

She couldn’t see the expression he made at her actions, but Ariel was certain of one thing: his emotions were in turmoil—of that she was absolutely sure.

The sound of Noah’s heartbeat thudded against Ariel’s ear, which was positioned against his left chest.

It resounded in her ears like a large drum beating at a rapid pace.

‘Is he annoyed because some girl he barely knows is acting overly familiar?’

But upon further thought, he was the one who first spoke as if he knew her. He suggested acting in front of Liese as if he knew all about her situation.

Could it be that this man knows I’m from another world? That’s impossible. If he knew that he’s a character in a novel and I’m from outside that world… then his words would strangely make sense.

— It’s quite strange to see such an expression on that face.

— You’re a different person.

Unless he was a god within this universe… it’s impossible for a human to know I’m from another world. But he speaks and acts as if he knows everything about me.

Ariel’s mind grew more complicated.

She wanted to ask him right there and then. What is your identity? Why do you say these things to me?

Just then, the sound of someone running towards them could be heard.

Soon Noah’s steps came to a halt.

“Ah… you saved Lady Ariel. Is the lady alright?”

It was Liese.

Her face was swollen from crying so much as she ran towards them.

***

“Damn it…”

Leopold, sitting in the imperial conference room, let out a heavy sigh.

Days had passed, but the last image he saw of Ariel wouldn’t fade from his mind.

Sometimes she looked at him with challenging eyes during their conversation.

And sometimes her whole heart seemed to shake with sincerity, her excitement apparent in her eyes. Of course, that emotion vanished like a mirage on a midsummer’s day.

He had seen a faint possibility of winning her heart in yesterday’s conversation.

Her cheeks flushed red, her emerald eyes trembling, lingered before his eyes.

He felt an urge to rush over and fill his sight with her face once again, rising from within.

But in front of Leopold sat numerous ministers and bureaucrats.

The hunters of Kolnman had been capturing monsters with exceptional skill, but their sudden disappearance caused more demon beasts to appear on the Atlan border.

They were gathered to assess the damage and come up with countermeasures.

But Leopold’s mind was so filled with Ariel that the meeting drifted into inconclusive discussions.

“Let’s end here for today.”

Leopold rose, his uniform fluttering, and headed for his office.

Walter, Ariel’s second older brother, followed behind him with large strides.

“Your Majesty, you seem particularly distracted in today’s meeting. Is your health alright?”

“Did you hear?”

“Ah… Yes, I did.”

Walter replied hesitantly.

The Clark brothers had been busy with their own duties and arrived late to the ceremony.

Evan was scouting the palace for the security of the ceremony, Walter was preoccupied with an incident where the northern border suffered damage from monster attacks, and Rodney, the imperial apprentice physician on duty that day, had to return to his domain due to his father’s death notice, leaving him on duty until a junior physician could arrive at the palace.

When the trio, who were busier than the Emperor in his palace at Atlan, entered the banquet hall, Ariel was already gone, so they assumed she had returned home.

But that evening, Marquis Louis gathered the three in the dining room and relayed that His Imperial Majesty had personally proposed to Ariel.

The fact that His Majesty had visited their humble home was shocking enough, but when they heard of his proposal to Ariel, all three simultaneously sighed.

The reason was that they wanted their youngest sister’s husband to be someone who was born into a loving family and who grew up receiving plenty of love.

Until Emperor Leopold Diaz appeared at the Clark residence, Evan, Walter, and Rodney would often discuss potential suitors for Ariel.

Someone who received enough love from his family to share it with Ariel. A man of wealth who could willingly provide her with a peaceful life in a stable domain. A man of character who could understand the heart of their sister who desired a life of freedom.

And someone who was also physically fit and attractive. They had been looking for such a perfect person… but now the Emperor had chosen her to be the Empress.

They were worried in many ways.

When Ariel returned home after settling her life in Kolnman, she was almost in shambles.

Their beloved sister had no zest for life and simply let time pass, not allowing them even a moment to ask what was wrong.

They doubted whether His Majesty, who had a difficult childhood himself, could truly embrace Ariel with love.

And out of fear that she might endure harsh times in the palace, they felt an urge to stop the marriage if they could.

However, since Leopold had already made the decision, it was impossible for them to reverse it with their power.

Walter, who knew this all too well, had already given up and thus did not show any emotion on his face.

“It seems you’re not very curious.”

“It’s a decision made by His Majesty. I assumed there must be a good reason for it.”

Leopold did not respond to Walter’s words.