CHAPTER 494: IF STORY - THE INITIAL DRAFT (2)

0% “...”

“...This is beyond absurd.”

I still can’t comprehend what’s happening.

“How on earth did a child end up in this state?”

It’s already been an hour since he started treating me.

- Shhh...

The deep wounds and scars on my body were vanishing without a trace of pain, which means the potion he was pouring on me must be of the highest quality.

That was something I could only earn after obeying orders without resistance for an entire month.

Yet this man was lavishly using such a precious thing on me without hesitation.

“...Ugh.”

And those occasional groans of discomfort—those bother me too.

So he’s not just applying potions?

Is he using healing magic as well?

I know that healing magic places a tremendous burden on the user.

One of the royal court magicians, who once healed me out of pity, told me that.

But as far as I knew, Frey wasn’t even adept in magic, he was just a weakling.

“...Haa.”

“...”

For some reason, I suddenly want to open my eyes and see this with my own two eyes.

Why?

Just moments ago, I didn’t want to react to anything.

I couldn’t even remember the last time I felt curious about something.

“That should do it.”

As I lie still, unsure of what to do, I hear his exhausted voice.

- Slide...

Right after, I feel a warm touch on my forehead.

It’s warm...

It’s the first time I’ve felt someone’s warmth.

No, maybe it’s just been a very long time.

Not since my mother died have I ever felt something like this.

- Shrkk...

“...?”

As I quietly accept his touch with my eyes closed, his hand suddenly slips away from my forehead.

“...Ah.”

Instinctively, I open my eyes—and there he is.

Frey, who had been gently stroking my head, had fallen asleep.

- Snore~

Are all scoundrels like this nowadays?

Gone was the arrogant, deceitful expression he usually wore, replaced by a face worn out by exhaustion.

“... It must be a dream.”

At this point, I’m not even surprised anymore.

This has to be a dream.

When I wake up, I’ll be back in my dark and dreary room.

- Slide...

I gently grasp the hand of the dozing Frey, his head bobbing slightly, and close my eyes again, whispering to myself.

If that’s the case, I’d rather this dream never end.

Being forcibly married to a scoundrel I barely know, being half-kidnapped and stripped naked—none of it was as bad as I thought.

After all, my life has always been worse than this.

It’s not as if things could ever get better.

“...Mmm...”

And for some reason, his hand feels so warm.

“...”

Even if this is just a fleeting dream for one night, it’s strangely comforting enough to lull me to sleep.

.

.

.

.

.

“Wake up.”

“...Ugh.”

At Frey’s cold voice echoing through the room, Clana, who had been sleeping under the covers, abruptly opened her eyes and sat up.

“... Huh?”

She stared blankly for a moment before finally speaking.

“It... wasn’t a dream?”

“What are you talking about?”

“N-No... I mean... last night...”

Clana hesitated, glancing at Frey as if trying to gauge his reaction.

But when she caught sight of his icy gaze, her voice trailed off.

“What about last night?”

“...Why are my clothes off?”

As Frey coldly pressed her for an answer, Clana averted her gaze and asked in a small voice.

“Isn’t it obvious? If a woman wakes up undressed in bed after passing out, what else could have happened?”

“...Ah.”

“You were pretty cute, you know.”

Frey leaned in slightly, his fingers gently brushing against her chin as he whispered in a low voice.

“...”

But Clana, as always, remained unresponsive, simply staring at Frey with an unreadable expression.

“...Tsk.”

Frey clicked his tongue, a slight scowl forming on his face.

“You don’t even get angry? Even after being treated like this?”

“...”

“Say something, at least.”

“...”

“Haaa...”

But when Clana still refused to speak, he let out an irritated sigh and took a step back.

“How annoying.”

“...What is?”

“Forget it. I’ve lost all interest.”

And with that, Frey calmly changed his clothes and made his way toward the door.

“From now on, my attendants will take care of you.”

“...”

“Your clothes are in the wardrobe. If you press the bell next to you, the attendants will come.”

Pulling his hat low over his face, he reached for the door but paused, glancing back at her one last time.

“...For now, at least eat something.”

With those parting words, the door shut firmly behind him.

“...”

Clana stared blankly at the closed door for a while before slowly shifting her gaze toward the call bell.

“...What is... this, really?”

Wearing a bewildered expression, she eventually pressed the bell.

.

.

.

.

.

“Would you like some more?”

“...Mhmmm.”

The food the attendant brought was so delicious it made my eyes widen.

“Wow, you look absolutely stunning.”

For someone who had been eating nothing but dry, stale bread, a juicy steak and rich, oily cheese were overwhelmingly stimulating and thrilling at the same time.

And that wasn’t all.

With no particular expectations, I opened the wardrobe—only to find it filled with clothes and jewelry of kinds I had never seen before in my life.

“To think such a gem was left to rot all this time! Everyone must have terrible taste.”

“...Ah.”

“How do you feel? Do you like your new look?”

It was the first time I had ever thought the reflection in the mirror looked beautiful.

“Th-Thank you...”

“Yes, of course! If you need anything, just let us know, okay?”

And the attendants that Frey had prepared were all incredibly kind to me.

No one looked at me with cold eyes.

No one laid a hand on me.

Not a single person even uttered a word of insult.

“...Excuse me, which household do you serve?”

“We serve the Starlight family.”

The moment I realized they belonged to the Starlight family, I did something I had almost never done in my life.

I asked a question.

“I have something I’m curious about...”

“Yes! What is it?”

“...Is Sir Frey really a scoundrel?”

And the moment I asked that question—

“Shh...!”

“Hnng.”

The maid, who had been smiling, hurriedly covered my mouth, her eyes widening like a startled rabbit.

“Never ask that question again.”

“...Why not?”

“Because if you do, Lord Frey will go chomp! and eat you up!”

She raised her hands and mimicked biting as if to scare me, and I simply stared at her blankly.

Feeling awkward, she scratched her head with a sheepish expression.

“Anyway, Lord Frey is a very, very bad person, okay?”

“...”

“So you must always be on high alert, got it?”

“...Is it really okay for a vassal to say such things about their master?”

Finding it odd that she was so openly belittling her lord, I pressed her further.

She simply grinned confidently and replied.

“It’s fine. Our master isn’t here right now anyway...”

“But, um... there’s someone watching us through the door right now...”

“...!”

At my words, the maid froze on the spot.

“...”

“Uh-oh... m-miss...”

A girl dressed in a black butler’s uniform stepped out from the doorway and silently glared at her.

“Follow me.”

“Eek... Uhh...”

With an expression on the verge of tears, the maid was dragged outside at the butler’s command.

“I did say that casual chatter was forbidden.”

“B-But... what she asked was really important... Ah, ow!”

“You should have called me first! If you make even the slightest slip of the tongue, it could tarnish the Young Master’s reputation—“

As they disappeared into the distance, I silently watched them go.

Then, without thinking, I slipped my hand under my clothes.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

Last night wasn’t just a dream.

The wounds on my body were truly gone.

And I... had really married him.

“...”

From now on, I will be living with him.

The Empire’s most notorious villain.

The monstrous duke who was said to kill a woman every night.

Frey Raon Starlight.

“...Huff.”

But... I didn’t mind.

- Munch, munch...

At the very least, the warmth of the steak the maid had brought me still lingered.

“So this is what meat tastes like.”

And maybe—just maybe—the warmth of the hand that stroked me last night still remained, too.

“...If I ask for another serving, will I get hit?”

.

.

.

.

.

A few minutes later.

“Young Master, what on earth is going on here?”

“...Ah, Kania.”

Frey, who had been quietly organizing documents at his desk, turned his gaze toward the suddenly opened door.

“Marriage? And you didn’t even say a word to me? This is so sudden—“

“Calm down for a moment.”

“How am I supposed to stay calm? You’ve done something outrageous again.”

Seeing Frey’s nonchalant expression only made Kania more exasperated.

“The entire empire is already abuzz with rumors. Some even claim that you spent the night with the princess—“

“Oh, that one? I started that rumor myself.”

“...Haa.”

Despite Kania’s frustrated sigh, Frey casually pulled a key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock of a drawer.

“Now, let’s see... Did it work?”

“...”

He pulled out an old, worn-out journal and began flipping through the pages.

“Oh-ho.”

Then, he broke into a wide grin.

“As expected, it worked, Kania.”

“...What do you mean?”

“I successfully prevented the princess’s rampage. That incident has completely disappeared from history.”

Watching Frey, Kania let out a deep sigh and shook her head.

“If that’s the case, then you can annul the marriage now–”

“No, this is just the beginning.”

Frey cut her off and stood up.

“I’m going to make that girl the Empress.”

“...”

“A great empress—one who can one day lead this empire on her own, even without me.”

“Why?”

“Hm?”

Kania’s abrupt question made Frey pause.

“Why are you so devoted to that insignificant princess?”

“...”

“Wouldn’t it be far more efficient to install another as a puppet instead?”

Frey simply stared at Kania’s composed expression before smiling faintly and asking her a question of his own.

“Then tell me, Kania—why are you so blindly loyal to me?”

“You saved me and my younger sister when we were dying on the streets and gave me the opportunity to become a butler.”

“That’s all?”

“Additionally, you are the only one who can save this world...”

“...And?”

“You saved my life.”

As she said that, Kania’s expression darkened.

“Until recently, I didn’t even realize it... But you’ve been using your lifespan to suppress my Dark Mana.”

“...”

“And despite that, you endured my insults for years.”

“Hmm.”

“That is why I now serve you with my life.”

After finishing her explanation, Kania narrowed her eyes and asked cautiously.

“But why are you asking me this all of a sudden—“

“I’m the same as you.”

“Pardon?”

Frey replied with a somewhat bitter smile.

“I owe her my life as well.”

“...”

“To be precise, she was the one who sent me back in time. I don’t need any other reason.”

Kania remained silent for a long while before finally speaking in a quiet voice.

“So, you swore to dedicate yourself to her?”

“Yeah, at least until I die.”

“Don’t say such ominous things.”

“Why? You already know I don’t have much time left.”

“...”

“Making that face won’t change anything. The side effects of regression mean I won’t live past twenty.”

Frey, noticing Kania’s now even gloomier expression, gently patted her shoulder.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Before I die, I’ll make sure to resolve your rampage too, so you don’t have to be so scared—“

“...Be quiet.”

“Pfft... So even the mighty Warlock is afraid of death?”

“Young Master.”

At Kania’s sharp glare, Frey quickly backed down.

“...I heard that Lady Serena has completely turned against us.”

“Hmm.”

“Was that part of your plan as well?”

Still glaring at him, Kania asked as she turned to leave.

“Of course.”

“Why? Losing her will be a huge blow to our side...”

“Because it’s a hundred times better than clinging to her after she’s already grown cold, only to regret it later.”

Frey’s voice trembled slightly as he answered.

“The future where she dies... hasn’t changed yet.”

His eyes wavered slightly as he stared down at the bloodstained journal.

“The future where the Empire collapses... hasn’t changed yet either.”

“...”

“That’s why I can’t stop.”

Frey kept staring at the journal for a long time before finally closing it and finishing his thought.

“Not until every future written in this diary has changed.”

“...I see.”

“Now, off you go, Kania. I have a lot of work to do tonight, so I’ll be staying up.”

He waved his hand, casually dismissing her.

“Oh, by the way, could you procure me an item that can conceal my identity? I’ll need to go undercover in the upcoming war—“

“Young Master.”

“Hm?”

As Frey spoke brightly, Kania, who was about to leave, suddenly gripped the doorknob and asked a question.

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“If the future of the world changes, will your future change as well?”

A brief silence followed.

“...Does it really matter?”

“...”

“A scumbag’s, a scoundrel’s future—does that even matter?”

Frey, looking a little pale, forced a smile as he spoke.

“Anyway, about that item, I asked for—make sure to—“

- Clack.

But before he could finish, Kania shut the door.

“...It matters.”

Leaning against the door, she slumped to the ground, lowering her head.

“To me... it matters a lot.“

As a single tear rolled down her jet-black eyes—

“Um...”

“...!”

A voice suddenly spoke from in front of her.

“Hahaha... C-Could I have... a-a-another serving... please...?”

“...”

“I, um... pressed the call bell... b-but no one came, so...”

Clutching an empty plate, steak sauce smeared around her lips, Clana’s timid voice echoed through the hallway.