Chapter 24

What is an idol possession story?

From time immemorial, idol fandom has been divided into two: either it’s ‘pseudo-romance’ or RPS (Real Person Slash).

Of course, putting aside such trivial emotions, there are also people who purely love the idol’s performances or songs and support them. There are also people who focus on pseudo-parenting rather than pairing themselves or other members, but let’s exclude those cases.

Ah, what are pseudo-romance and RPS, you ask? Simply put, pseudo-romance involves pairing yourself with a member, and RPS involves pairing members with each other.

In idol possession stories, it is assumed that the reader—or ‘me’—is the protagonist of the novel.

Of course, there are many fans who consider themselves separate from the ‘female lead’ in the novel. Anyway, idol possession stories are not literally about a real idol getting possessed or about me getting possessed; they are a type of fanfiction with the reader—’me’—as the protagonist.

Internet novels, love simulator stories, possession stories, and fanfictions have all penetrated my school days.

Although I’ve now settled on web novels, anyway, even without specifically liking any idol group, I enthusiastically read fanfictions and possession stories about popular boy groups with my friends.

The group members I had entrusted with my youth and passion one by one went off to the military or retirement, bringing an end to this vibrant hobby.

Anyway!

“I was really shocked! College Entrance Exam! So, I was on my way home after taking this important test in the world I used to live in—”

Despite experiencing something that most people would never go through in their lifetime, her voice was bright and even-tempered.

This level of composure is what makes someone the protagonist of a ‘possession’ story in that era.

The protagonist in ‘possession’ stories usually has no name or is simply called the ‘female lead’.

Unless they were set up as a family member of one of the members, their last name was often ‘Kim’.

This world’s Kim, who was hit by a truck on the day she finished her college entrance exam, was so cheerful it was hard to believe.

It was a respectable mental strength, quite different from me who had really ‘possessed’ and been listless for a season.

“Madam Adriana, no, I mean, Your Grand Duchess—”

“Just Adriana is fine. You can call me by my first name.”

“Still, that’s a bit… you’re older than me after all. Then I’ll just call you Madam Adriana!”

“Do as you’re comfortable.”

“Madam Adriana, what brings you here?”

“I was called into a meeting to decide on your whereabouts, by His Majesty the Emperor. Oh, Callian is my spouse.”

“Fe, female lead? Just call me the female lead! Drop the formalities too!”

“Then if it’s not uncomfortable for you,”

“No! I’m the one who’s uncomfortable! Let, let it go.”

“Alright. ……Once you’re comfortable, you can drop the formalities too.”

Even though I’m wearing Adriana’s skin, the real me isn’t much older than the female lead. Even if you add or subtract the time I’ve spent in this world, the age difference is only two or three years. I used to use honorifics when addressing someone a grade above me in school, but using them here feels awkward since it’s not school.

Of course, even if the titles were based on social standing rather than age, it would probably be similar.

“You said you appeared from that pond.”

“Ah, yes! I was so surprised! Suddenly, I thought I was going to die and ended up in this strange palace. And there were people who looked just like princes! Turns out, they were actual princes.”

The female lead, who was ignorant about the language of the upper class and the hierarchical society itself, didn’t find me intimidating. And that was good. In a world where it’s hard to find people who speak their mind without hesitation, it was refreshing.

The palace servants who were watching us from a distance seemed puzzled, unsure how to interrupt our casual and reckless conversation.

“Are you having any difficulties? Or, should I say, any issues?”

“Not really? Ah, some strangely dressed people did come swarming in, talking about ‘Saintess this’ and ‘Saintess that.’ I mean, what could go wrong with being a Saintess? What even is a Saintess?”

She’s likely correct about being a Saintess…

The easiest job for a student who has just finished their college entrance exams in a fantasy world is undoubtedly that of a saintess. The second option would be Crown Princess or Empress, and of course, you can apply for multiple positions. The third option? Maybe a playmate for the Crown Prince or a maid?

“Is it hard to be a saintess?”

“I haven’t tried it, so I’m not sure.”

The female lead blinked her eyes a few times at my nonchalant answer before bursting into a hearty laugh.

“……Did I say something that funny?”

“No, it’s just so refreshing. Normally when you ask people something like this, they’ll say, ‘It’s an honor and a blessing bestowed by God!’ or something like that!”

“So what does a saintess do?”

“So even you, Adriana, don’t know.”

“I’ve never bothered to find out.”

The ‘Saintess’ role varied in abilities depending on the novel’s setting, but generally, she was a healer. A healer who declared the words of the divine. With a touch, holy power would flow, healing wounds and curing diseases. She was indeed a sacred figure, but if she didn’t wield her power wisely, she was easily exploited by those higher up.

“Anyway, wouldn’t she be well-protected by the royal family?”

Not that a story about being possessed by an idol would delve deeply into the power struggles between the royal family, nobility, and temple… Surely not.

“That would be the case, wouldn’t it?”

Ah, surely not. It’s a genre where people want a heavy connection with idols, right? Perhaps a few handsome men appear, and the female lead goes through some phases before marrying the crown prince?

Please let it be that way… If war or rebellion happens, I will seriously cry. I cut a large slice of the strawberry cake, which has a flavor you can’t taste in Winter, and shoved it into my mouth. Hmm, the cream is better here, but the fruit seems better in Winter?

If what the world wants is an unwavering romance between the female lead and the crown prince, then I am willing to strive until the end. Honestly, there’s no option not to strive.

Minsu! Dinner is ready! Our ferocious cat that’s like a street mouse! Whenever I come home drunk, he disdainfully glares at me with cold eyes, but anyway, our cute and fierce Minsu!

“Ah, but are you okay, Adriana?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you cold?”

It was winter. The female lead buttoned up her cape, shivering.

“I’m not that cold. If you’re cold, you should go inside. I’ve arranged to go with Callian.”

This level of cold will only make me stronger.

“Well, still—”

“Adriana.”

“Oh, you came early?”

The meeting ended while the female lead was hesitating and fidgeting with her nails.

“Over here—”

“Ah, the female lead. Kim Female Lead. At the garden pond— etcetera, etcetera.”

Callian nodded briefly in greeting.

The female lead left, promising to meet again soon, and scurried away.

At first glance, one might be scared by his fierce appearance, but Callian is actually younger than the Crown Prince. The age difference between him and the female lead is even less than mine.

It would be nice if the two could at least get along well.

“How did the meeting go?”

“We’ve decided to put her name on the temple’s list, but she will be educated at the palace for the time being.”

“It’s been a while, Adriana.”

Dark mold kept flickering in my view. It seems like a thorough cleaning service is needed to maintain the dignity of the palace.

“It ended predictably. They sure make a fuss, calling people here and there for trivial things.”

“Because it was an exceptional matter.”

He sounded like he was bothered as well.

“Adriana?”

“You’ve worked hard. Let’s have some cake now and eat a big meal when we get back.”

When I casually cut some of the remaining cake and fed it to him, he ate it willingly. Whether it’s because a twenty-year-old’s soul resides in him – of course, considering the time spent here, he would be around my age – he couldn’t have looked so cute and touching while chewing the cake.

Ah, poor guy.

“…Adriana?”

“Oh, seriously. Did you trip on the way to the palace? It’s not even that far; you should have been careful.”

Normally, I would have kindly ignored him, but whether it’s his noble upbringing or whatever, he was annoyingly clingy.

“Elliot. I’m pretty sure I told you this a few months ago when I snuck some alcohol from your house? That you and I have no business unless the will changes? … Didn’t I say that? Didn’t I say never to contact me even if I die? Anyway, it was almost to that effect.”

“Adriana, please.”

“Please what? If you’ve got nothing to do, go play the trumpet or something at home. Why are you so clingy when I’m not even your ex? Are you the type who only realizes what he had after it’s gone? Look, I totally hate that kind of thing, okay? If the reformed route isn’t working, stop giving me those ‘pained, tragic eyes’ and leave.”

Even I thought it was pretty much a threat. But hey, what can you do? Really, whether he looks at me pitifully or not, what can you do?

The real Adriana de Winter had had enough, so she entrusted me with the operation of her body. Moreover, the relationship between Adriana and the Magnolia family, reminiscent of a movie I watched 5 years ago, had nothing good in it.

Callian, who didn’t know the situation, or the basic tropes of the romance genre—a female character who grew up with an early deceased mother, an indifferent father, and a cold brother—was blankly watching the situation unfold.

“Rha?”

“La-four letters, was it? Anyway, your name was too long, so I shortened it a lot. For intimacy! Look, even if I don’t like you, I courteously greet you first. How modest and graceful am I?”

I didn’t swear, after all.

Just for not seeing Adriana off when she went to the north after her wedding, Rha and Elliot were fully deserving of her contempt.

“Callian, was nothing decided in the meeting again?”

Even if it wasn’t something I experienced, I couldn’t stand seeing people who had absolutely no sense of shame. To inflict so many wounds on this delicate heart, shouldn’t they all bow their heads to the ground and give me an apologetic show of tears?

“……They said they will hold a congratulatory party soon.”

“A party is good. … Anyone want to see fire from alcohol here?”

Or maybe do some karaoke with liquor bottles. I’ll hit you on the head with a bottle whenever you talk nonsense.

Before I could even finish speaking, Callian pulled me away, saying we’ll see at the party. At first glance, it looked like a rough escort—if you could even call it that—and upon closer look,

“Do you really think I would pull out a liquor bottle from somewhere?”

“Wasn’t it?”

“I did bring alcohol, though.”

Hitting with this wouldn’t make much of an impact.

When I pulled out a small vodka bottle tucked inside my coat and winked, Callian’s lips twitched mischievously.

Drinking it down like a dog, it seemed like he really wanted to become one.

This bastard.