I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

It was a few hours earlier.

[‘What do you think about giving gifts to someone you’re not in any particular relationship with? I accidentally accepted it, and now I feel burdened. Should I reciprocate to avoid any misunderstandings?’]

“…”

[Such stories exist too. ‘A senior I’ve only exchanged greetings with a few times offered to do my assignment for me. Is this a sign of interest? It’s a bit creepy… How can I reject this without offending them?’]

“

, stop it!”

Rakrensius’s irritation was followed by his friend’s giggling.

Rakrensius was deep in self-reflection, barricaded in his office. The man sprawled on the sofa, his body stretched out languidly. “…Was it too much of a burden after all?”

[You’ve been listening attentively.]

“…”

[Indeed, the truth lies in the literature, regardless of dimensions.]

His friend’s voice teased, causing Rakrensius’s brows to furrow deeply.

It had been over five days since the angel visited. She had mentioned she might not be able to visit due to preparations for the birthday banquet, but hadn’t she also said she would come to urge him?

Rakrensius had been mulling over this for several days. It wasn’t unusual for him to act irritably, as it wasn’t his first day doing so; hence, it was unlikely that his behavior was the reason for her absence this time. Thus, if there was one reason for her absence, it was only one thing.

He recalled the last day Selleana visited, how he hastily handed her scrolls upon learning she had run away.

“But why…?”

Her large eyes, wide and blinking as she held the scrolls… It was too late when Rakrensius realized those eyes bore inconvenience or disbelief.

It might have been around three days since he last saw Selleana. There had been a day she missed due to being busy, so missing two days seemed manageable.

It had been a decade for him pretending to be a foolish prince, isolating himself from people. The only ones he interacted with were the servants monitoring him under the guise of assistance in the west palace or the wizards he worked with after being assigned to the tower. Apart from his friend, he had no companions. Moreover, since his friend wasn’t human…

Has he ever shared his feelings with anyone other than his mother? Certainly, he must have crossed an unspoken line without realizing it.

He felt unbearably lonely. The absence of the angel, who had been a significant stimulant in his daily life, left a vast void. Rakrensius felt powerless against this emptiness. Perhaps this was the fate of a fortunate man who once harbored the most enchanting woman in his daily life.

Yes, it was merely a matter of enduring this emptiness. Eventually, it would numb. Thus, the angel should stop seeking her illusion of him. But if he were to wish to live independently from his half-brother. Both for his sake and his own petty revenge.

What remained was…

Rakrensius’s fingers gently brushed his lips.

Was it the alcohol, or was he enchanted by his own illusion? Memories of the angel who seduced him resurfaced. A night in the rooftop garden of the Arnem Hotel, enveloped in the lukewarm breeze of early summer. And without even realizing it, he had engraved her on his chest…

[‘Miss A is the most popular in social circles. Her engagement talks with B, the empire’s most eligible bachelor, fell through, plummeting her reputation to the ground.’]

As he drifted into distant thoughts, his friend began to ramble about a story written somewhere.

[‘Miss A, having clashed with her family, even resorted to the dramatic act of running away. The social circle’s reaction to Miss A’s behavior was icy cold, while the ladies eyeing B’s side relished in schadenfreude, anticipating Miss A’s disgrace at the imperial gathering. What embarrassment will A Miss face at this event?’…This article was published in a tabloid. In other words.]

“…”

The angel’s story had been twisted to satisfy the morbid curiosity of the gossipmongers. Rakrensius’s jaw clenched.

His friend knew all that was written. Whether it be the noble registry in the temple, the newspapers trampled by people in the imperial city streets, seditious books circulating without covers in other countries or even writings in unknown scripts.

His friend, teasing him about what could be presumed as the angel’s recent situation, brought this information.

He was briefly annoyed by this.

Because of him.

If only he hadn’t succumbed to her seduction that day.

Regret heavily coated his gesture as he brushed his hair from his face, revealing a sculpted visage that Selleana once admired.

His eyes softly roamed to rest on an invitation on the table. The invitation to an event Selleana would attend later.

[Why? Do you wish to become a hero for saving the princess? Worried that lady of Elard might face some disgrace?]

“…That’s not it.”

He remembered her presumptuous demeanor, always acting as if she was above everyone else. The idea of the angel facing humiliation was unimaginable. The press likely spread false rumors to arouse interest. However,

“I just want to check. To see if she’s really okay…”

It was a sort of responsibility, perhaps. A bitter taste lingered on Rakrensius’s lips as he smiled wryly.

[Really? You want to go to the emperor’s birthday banquet?]

“Why not?”

[I’ve been saying for the past three years, now that you have the status of the tower master, why not go? But you wouldn’t listen.]

“That’s because…”

Three years ago, Rakrensius renounced his claim to the throne and left the imperial palace as soon as he became an adult. Since then, he has received invitations to imperial events, which Rakrensius has consistently ignored. Being cautious not to give any wrong impression was necessary, given his situation.

His friend had advised that establishing his presence as the tower master in public would secure his safety, but Rakrensius had no interest. He preferred to distance himself further from the imperial family. Thus, he resolved never to set foot in the imperial palace again.

Every time he got involved with the angel, his firmly set rules of life seemed to crumble. That night was no exception.

His seductive words that night ultimately turned into a lie…

In any case, he had no choice. If, by any chance, Selleana faced trouble because of this incident, he might be able to help. He was genuinely prepared to take responsibility, even if she wouldn’t acknowledge it.

[…Considering it’s the emperor’s birthday banquet, don’t you have a gift prepared?]

“Well, maybe I’ll give a scroll or something.”

[Just one?]

[You even gave several to the lady of Elard without hesitation.]

The cheekless sword twitched its cheeks in embarrassment.

* * *

“Th-the Master of Tower is entering!”

The servant’s bewildered announcement drew everyone’s gaze to the entrance. Everyone who was dancing, chatting, and drinking paused their activities. Soon, the man who appeared at the door was…

Rakrensius was dressed exactly as Selleana knew him. The hood of his robe was pulled low, and the monocle beneath it reflected the light of the hall. The only difference was that the robe, resembling formal attire with its embroidery and stiffer material, appeared somewhat more ornate.

Cutting through the murmurs, Rakrensius strode across the hall. His long legs confidently stepped forward beneath the hem of his robe.

“Has the tower master changed? A few years ago, it was definitely an old man.”

“Now that I think about it, the tower master hasn’t attended a gathering in years. Had he retired?”

“He seems quite young.”

Amid the curious glances, the man finally stopped in front of the imperial family’s dais. Removing his hood, he revealed hair as if silver melted in moonlight, neatly parted after being usually tied carelessly. Silver hair was extremely rare in Nepelsian. The unfamiliar yet stunning appearance drew exclamations of admiration.

Bowing with his hand on his chest, he spoke. “I, the master of the tower, congratulate the emperor on his forty-fourth birthday.”

“…Thank you. It’s good to see you after such a long time.”

The emperor’s response made the attendees discreetly glance at each other.

The magic tower, located within Nepelsian territory, wasn’t an institution belonging to the imperial family; thus, the tower master was not a subject of the emperor. Yet, the emperor did not treat him formally.

Those aware of his identity were equally perplexed.

The fifth prince, who had never shown his face in public, now appeared at a royal event?

Had he grown comfortable after renouncing his claim to the throne?

Was he coming here purely as the tower master, or was there another motive?

Speculations flooded the room as various eyes fixated on Rakrensius.