Chapter 25

The female lead, who suddenly appeared in the garden, was officially declared the Saintess of the Empire.

It was clear that her own opinion hadn’t been asked, and though the power struggle between the royal family and the temple was likely happening behind the scenes, the surface remained peaceful.

A feast to worship the Saintess, the first in several hundred years, was soon to be held, and the citizens of the Empire were buzzing with happiness, thinking that their country would be peaceful for generations to come because the Saintess was supporting us in the Empire.

And then,

I became the temporary guardian of the female lead.

……Huh?

“Then I’ll trust and leave it to you.”

“……Well, I don’t think you should trust me?”

Emperor Charlotte Lillian raised an eyebrow, expressing doubt.

As a foreigner who had come to this world, I didn’t care about the Grand Duke or the Duke, but the feeling of insignificance that came from being in the presence of the nation’s highest leader made me polite.

“I can’t instruct the female lead as a lady.”

That being said, it wasn’t as if my mouth had been sealed.

Perhaps I need to button my lips. In situations like this, it might be better to completely detach them.

“Why is that?”

“Um, Your Majesty, do you seriously think I can be an inspiration as a lady?”

“No, I don’t.”

As expected of the empire’s greatest dignity, the emperor’s insight is extraordinary. Even if I tried to be discreet in front of the emperor—by basically not opening my mouth at all—it would be impossible for him not to know about the firecracker incident at the Crown Prince’s birthday party, or the recent argument I had with Duke Raul in the garden.

If I was messing around in the Northern territory, it might go unnoticed if he wasn’t interested, but not this.

“So, if you want to package the female lead as an elegant lady, an innocent girl, or a noble saintess, then I’m not suitable for that role. I’m not that kind of person, and I can’t make someone else that way either.”

I don’t even want to sell myself like that.

“As for etiquette, history, or basic common sense, the best teachers are already instructing her. I know you’re different from other noble ladies. …So, if I were to place you beside her, what kind of person do you think she will become?”

…Is this a pressure interview? I remembered running around for interviews in my senior year of high school. I packaged and sold myself in every possible way to get a job before graduating.

But I never requested this interview? I don’t want to appear unpleasant, but I also don’t see a reason to try and appear in a favorable light.

“If you were to place me beside the female lead,”

What on earth am I supposed to do? Should I teach her how to brew makgeolli on the sly? Or how to make potato pancakes? Ah, I should make potato pancakes when I get back. Cooking Korean food in a fantasy world? ……That actually sounds kind of fun.

“She will just be the female lead, as she is now. Neither terribly bad nor incredibly competent. Just like she is now.”

With that answer, I became the ‘Emperor-approved’ guardian of the female lead during my time in the capital. Huh?

How can I be a guardian when I can’t even take care of myself? I need someone to take care of me too! No matter how intelligent or eloquent I might be, I’m still a kid. I say “baby noises!” too! It wasn’t that long ago that I got scolded by my sister for not being able to make a simple side dish of seasoned vegetables. ……Well, it’s not that recent anymore.

“How did this happen?”

“It’s thanks to His Majesty highly valuing your virtues.”

This is teasing. I subtly grabbed the cheek of Callian, who had raised it slightly. He bore it without screaming, which made teasing him less fun. Teasing like this should come with some resistance to make it worthwhile.

“My virtues? Knowing the perfect ratio of makgeolli to cider? Getting drunk and acting like a dog?”

“So you admit that you’re a dog.”

“Your tongue is getting looser? Is it a lie that you’re cursed?”

“No way.”

If he were sane, who would only say ‘-doing so’ and not even enter the kitchen or eat without the permission of their ‘beloved companion’? It’s a terrible curse.

“Ah, seriously, but I can’t just run away saying ‘I can’t do this anymore, I’m going to Winter.’ “

Being in the capital is the best way to see what trials and tribulations the female lead and Crown Prince will go through in their romance. If the conflict drags on, you can also roughly intervene.

“I really hate meddling in other people’s love lives…”

Sleeping? Sleep? Ah, so you are sleeping. I also detested receiving messy chats. Not that I have received any. Among friends, one or two would always respond to the mushy messages that came in the middle of the night. Even if you listen to them carefully, they’ll go back to the one who made them cry anyway.

“We have to do this since our return home is at stake. Have you ever supported someone else’s love life?”

“Never.”

“Ah, but usually in possession stories, there are side characters, right? Boys come swarming out, confessing their love, and then quickly exiting.”

“Is that so?”

“Didn’t you say you knew the original work? Here too, just by looking, it’s obvious the Crown Prince is the real male lead, right? His face says it all. A face that, despite its similarity, you’d terribly want to get involved with.”

“……What?”

“Originally, my child was always set as the highest authority. Isn’t the Crown Prince the main character? ……No? Could it, could it be you?”

The second in line to the throne is the Grand Duke! I absolutely have no interest though! But still, but still!

“You’re too old though……”

“Huh?”

“Did you also fall in love with the female lead at first sight while swaying in the giant waves of fate? Is this person that person? Suddenly your heart is racing and your head is dizzy?”

“Calm down a bit-“

“……No?”

“An unpleasant misunderstanding. My companion is only you.”

Roughly means he never gave her a second glance.

I barely felt relieved as I swept down my chest.

……Is there no problem according to the imperial law? Anyway,

“Love has an age, you said.”

It was a tone of exhaustion and boredom.

***

“This is my first time going outside the palace!”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes! I’m really excited! A dress, I really look like a princess, don’t I?”

“Oh, really?”

“What kind of dress would be good? They say they tailor everything here, right? What’s in fashion here? Looking at what Adriana is wearing, it seems to be both practical and elegant!”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes?”

“Huh?”

Oops. I was caught responding half-heartedly, like a male idol with a blank stare. I feel like something like this has happened before.

Normally, I’d like to match the female lead’s expectations, but the situation was far from ideal. Even the best royal carriage would jolt when riding on the road, and my stomach was a mess from mixing all sorts of alcohol last night.

Originally, like other royalty or nobles, a tailor was supposed to come to the palace to fit the female lead’s dress. If only she hadn’t suggested going outside, especially since she’s never left the palace since arriving in this world.

“You probably shouldn’t take my attire as a reference.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I just wear what I like, it doesn’t really match what’s fashionable. You should just ask for something that you want to wear. I don’t even know what’s in fashion these days.”

I totally get it. No matter how spacious and glamorous the palace is, wouldn’t you want to see how people live if you were dropped into another world?

I had no intention of blaming the female lead. It’s just that Adriana’s body, vulnerable to alcohol, was what I resented. Her feeble liver lacks enzymes for alcohol metabolism, after all.

“What about you, sir knight? Do you know what kind of dresses the women here wear?”

“I apologize. I’m not well-versed in that area.”

“Ah, well. It happens! It would be funny if you were an expert on that sort of thing!”

“Please call me Sir Bernhardt.”

“Ah, right! Yes, Sir Bernhardt.”

As the female lead immersed herself in the scenery outside the window, the inside of the carriage instantly quieted down. A saintess who needs to get a dress fitted for a banquet, her guardian, and the knight captain who will escort the two.

“How old are you, Sir Bernhardt?”

The female lead clung to my side but kept glancing at the knight captain, who looked at me with meaningful eyes. …The world’s most perfect triangle? Could this really be a love triangle?

“I’m twenty-four.”

However, if Adriana were included in the romance, then Callian would have to follow, and the genre would turn from a cute idol transmigration story into a messy affair drama.

“Wow! You’re younger than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”

I briefly shook off the coupling structure that had formed in my mind. Ah, I’ve been too engrossed in trashy novels lately. Knight captain. Heheh – Bernhardt. I momentarily forgot his name, but seeing his magnificent chest and stern eyes brings back memories of the past.

“But being a knight captain, you really are amazing!”

“That’s too kind of you.”

“What do you mean, too kind! Being too humble isn’t good! Have some confidence.”

The female lead lifted the corners of her mouth in a cheerful smile and clapped her hands. As the carriage shook, her curly hair bounced around.

“……Thank you.”

Could he really be falling in love just like this? The face of the knight commander, who was scratching his cheek, still had a youthful appearance. Even so, I didn’t find him particularly cute since he’s about my age.

***

The store was large and lavish, befitting a place that deals with the royal family. It was tastefully decorated, and antiques that weren’t just trendy were sprinkled throughout. That must mean it has a long history.

It was an era of custom-made clothing, and the female lead had to decide on not only the fabric but also the overall color scheme, accessories to use, and even the shape of the sleeves.

If it were me, I would’ve said, ‘Just do your best,’ a long time ago. But whether it’s because she’s just finished her college entrance exams, or because she’s the protagonist, or just her nature, the female lead energetically discussed with the head tailor without showing any signs of fatigue.

“……I’m drained.”

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, well. I think I’ve talked enough, I’m fine.”

When we first entered the store, she clung to my arm and looked around like a meerkat. Now, she’s far off, touching every fabric. Wow, the energy of a student who’s just finished their college entrance exams.

“Aren’t you tired, Sir Bernuhuhu?”

“I’m fine. ……It’s Bernhardt.”

Darn. I thought he’d let it slide if I just mumbled it.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“About what?”

“Her Highness Grand Duchess Adriana.”

“Yes, Sir Bernhorolo.”

“Clearly, that day at the square-“

“Ah, that? I didn’t respond because it was bothersome. What would change if I did? Identifying Sir Be-daralan’s identity was really just a coincidence. I haven’t investigated it specifically.”

For someone of high nobility, not knowing the face of a knight commander would be strange. Although I didn’t know!

The pride of the Empire! The youngest-ever knight commander seemed captivated by the heroine, who was wearing a dress hung for display, and didn’t say anything further.

“How is it?”

“It suits you well. Although you probably won’t be able to eat much in it.”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t it tight around the waist? Are you okay?”

“I think it’s okay?”

Truly fitting for the heroine of a possession novel. The blue dress, which was extremely cinched at the waist and then flared out at the bottom, suited her black hair perfectly. …Is she in a cool winter tone?

“Uh, can I try on a few more?”

“Try on as many as you want. We have plenty of time.”

“Yay! But are you okay, Lady Adriana? You look like a total zombie right now. Ah, if you’re wondering what a zombie is-“

Even if the heroine didn’t explain what a zombie was through her gestures, I already knew well enough.

Can you run? Zombie × Drunk me ×

Making strange noises? Zombie ? Drunk me ?

Infecting others? Zombie ? Drunk me ×

…Upon comparison, it seems that me when drunk isn’t much different from a zombie.

“It’s just a regular hangover, so it’s okay.”

Ah, I wish I could have had a steaming bowl of spicy soup to cure this. I had to rush out without even having soup because I woke up late.

I don’t care much about being a graceful Grand Duchess, but I cannot tolerate being late for an appointment.

“…Hangover? Oh, could this work too?”

“What is it?”

Instead of answering, the female lead tightly grabbed my hand and closed her eyes. Soon, a transparent and twinkling light spread out from the palm of her hand.

And then my stomach and intestines, which had been in agony day and night, found a light that I never thought would be possible. …Huh?

“What is this-”

“It’s divine energy! Do you feel a bit better?”

Using divine energy to cure a Grand Duchess’s hangover! I held the hand of the protagonist, who should rightfully be an inspiration to many and a human hangover remedy and whispered sincerely.

“…I’m happy that I can spend this banquet by your side, not just as someone who loves alcohol.”