Chapter 190

“Princess, are you still sleeping? That’s odd. I wonder why you’re sleeping in so late today, Princess?”

My eyes slowly fluttered open. My blurry vision gradually came into focus.

“Oh, you’re awake. Are you very tired? Would you like to sleep a little longer?”

“…Zenia?”

“Yes.”

“Are you really Zenia?”

“Goodness, Princess. Who else would I be but Zenia? Were you having a dream?”

But Zenia was dead. I was sure of it; Zenia’s name had appeared above the monster’s severed head.

“Huh?”

Come to think of it, there was nothing above Zenia’s head now. Her name and that impossibly long string of numbers were gone.

Not only that, but the things that should have been there, like the constellations’ chat window and my inventory, had vanished.

“What happened…”

“Princess? Are you feeling unwell?”

Zenia tilted her head and leaned in close. Concern filled her eyes as she carefully studied my face.

I stared blankly at her brown eyes and freckles before cautiously looking around.

This was the bedroom on the fourth floor of the main castle, the one Duke Ruthius had prepared for me.

‘Why am I here…?’

I had chosen death for myself and Dante. It was an option outside the Administrator’s scenario.

Considering I had braced myself for death, this situation wasn’t bad. But I was bewildered, unable to understand how any of this had happened.

‘Am I dead or alive?’

I looked down at my wrist. A faint blue vein was visible, and when I gently pressed on it, I could even feel a pulse.

How strange. It really feels like I’m alive.

Zenia neatly placed a pair of slippers at the foot of the bed.

“His Grace the Duke and the Young Duke have already arrived in the dining room. You should hurry and go eat as well, Princess.”

I paused while putting on my slippers and asked.

“…A meal?”

“Young Duke Alex graduated from the academy and returned home yesterday. So, you must eat together now. It’s been a while since the dining room has been so lively.”

“Alex graduated?”

“Of course. He graduated with excellent grades, you know.”

Alex graduated from the academy with excellent grades.

Is this a dream?

Don’t tell me I couldn’t even die properly. Did I fall into a comatose state and am now dreaming?

As if she understood my shocked expression, Zenia let out a small laugh.

“Are you worried that it will be awkward since it’s been a while since you’ve seen the Young Duke?”

“No… uh.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about a thing. The Young Duke absolutely adores you, Princess. Yesterday, I saw that an entire carriage was filled with your gifts. You probably won’t even have time to feel awkward while you’re unwrapping all of them.”

Alex and I are on that good of terms?

“Now, hurry along and get washed up.”

Zenia helped me to my feet. When I came out of the bathroom, the maids had several dresses prepared for me.

“Hmm, this dress is from the new summer collection at Louise Boutique. It’s lovely and bright. Let’s go with this dress, and simple accessories would be best. I’ll help you get ready.”

The dressing room, once filled with shabby, ill-fitting dresses, was now overflowing with all sorts of magnificent dresses and accessories.

I simply nodded my head like a fool.

“His Grace the Duke seems to be in a good mood. The whole family is gathered together. He may not show it much, but he’s such a family man, you can see it on his face.”

Duke Ruthius, a family man…

My suspicion was correct.

‘It’s a dream.’

It seems I was lucky enough to survive, but my injuries were so severe that I fell into a comatose state.

‘That’s strange. I felt the sword pierce my heart properly…’

If so, how long will this dream continue? Until I regain consciousness?

When I entered the dining room, Duke Ruthius and Alex were already seated.

“Astell!”

Alex shot up from his seat, swept me off my feet, and twirled me around.

“Hahaha! My beautiful little sister, have you been well?”

“Ah, Alex!”

In the midst of the dizzying spin, I saw Duke Ruthius watching us with a pleased expression. To me, that was more shocking than Alex’s transformation.

“Why are you calling me so formally all of a sudden? Are you mad at me?”

“…”

“Is it because I came back a few days later than expected? I’m sorry, my professors wouldn’t let me go. But your big brother brought back a mountain of gifts, so let’s make up, okay?”

Alex, despite his large frame, was trying to act cute. For a moment, goosebumps prickled my arms.

“That’s enough, Alex. My daughter must be hungry.”

My daughter? Who is your daughter? S-surely, it can’t be me?

Duke Ruthius gestured to me with his eyes. His face was flawless and handsome, without a single burn scar.

“Daughter, come and sit.”

So it was me.

What kind of strange dream is this?

A kind and caring Duke Ruthius and a doting brother Alex.

Shouldn’t a dream at least stay within the realm of imagination? This is so far-fetched I can’t even begin to guess what will happen next.

The meal was harmonious.

Alex spoke amusingly about his time at the academy, and Duke Ruthius chimed in at just the right moments, keeping the conversation flowing.

All the while, they both offered me food, even serving it onto my plate themselves. They were so attentive it’s a wonder I didn’t get indigestion.

Had this dining room ever been so warm?

My ears grew hot for no reason, and the bridge of my nose tingled. I had to lower my head several times during the meal to hide my expression.

Thanks to that, by the time we moved to the drawing room after finishing our meal, I was in a daze. I couldn’t even remember how I had finished eating.

I paused while drinking the black tea Duke Ruthius handed me.

The tea was brewed exactly to my liking. It seemed what Zenia said about me and the Duke always eating together was true.

Duke Ruthius asked Frank, the attending butler.

“Has the carriage arrived?”

“Yes, Your Grace. It is parked in front of the main castle.”

“Good.”

Duke Ruthius took a sip of his coffee and remarked casually.

“Astell, it’s your carriage.”

My mind was so numb that it took me a moment to understand. I slowly raised my head.

“…Pardon?”

“Your brother mentioned it. He said people would look down on a princess who travels without her own personal carriage. It slipped your father’s mind.”

“…”

“I was worried the order was placed too late, but thankfully, it seems to have been completed on time. You can take it today.”

Take it where?

No, what was more surprising was Duke Ruthius’s attitude.

The way he gave me something so naturally, without expecting anything in return… it was just like the most ideal parent I had ever dreamed of.

“Thank… you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s what a father should do, naturally.”

Duke Ruthius smiled warmly. His smile was so gentle that my eyes began to sting.

“Astell, I filled a carriage with presents. You’ll be happy with my gifts too, right?”

“Why did you buy so many gifts? It’s not even my birthday.”

“Because I wanted to. Isn’t that obvious?”

“…”

“Daughter, have some dessert as well.”

I let a smile take the place of my wavering heart.

***

Let’s summarize the information I’ve gathered so far.

I am Astell Ruthius, the youngest daughter of the Ruthius ducal family.

My father, Duke Ruthius, may have a somewhat stern expression, but his heart is kinder and more affectionate than anyone’s.

Alex Ruthius is a capable knight and a brother who melts into a puddle in front of his younger sister.

My mother, Duchess Marcella, passed away when I was ten.

Having grown up showered with love from my family, I was not mad, nor did I suffer from social anxiety or panic attacks.

And in this world, the apocalypse never came.

The emperor of the Taikan Empire is Silvane, and the crown prince is Dante. The youngest Sword Master in history, he was chosen as crown prince at the age of 15.

He is not a monster, nor was he ever abused by the emperor. Surprisingly, he is a beautiful prince who truly grew up loved by a just father and a gentle older brother.

Finally, Dante and I have never met.

…Such is the setting of this dream.

My longing for a family must have been hidden deep within my subconscious, a desire I wasn’t even aware of. That must be why I’m having a dream like this.

A dream where both Dante and I have normal families…

“How cruel. How am I supposed to live after I wake up from this?”

Zenia, who must have heard my mumbling, tilted her head.

“Princess, what did you say?”

“It’s nothing.”

I turned my gaze to the scenery slowly passing by outside the carriage window.

My mind was a mess.

I need to wake up from this dream before I grow too attached… though it seems I’m already too late.

“By the way, where are we going?”

“Today’s the release date for your favorite black tea chiffon cake, Princess. We’re heading to <Jean Blanc’s Royal Dessert Cafe>, of course. You’ve been talking about wanting to eat it for days…”

The moment I heard Jean’s name, my body tensed up.

Of course, Jean couldn’t possibly be the Administrator. The world hasn’t begun to end in this reality.

I slowly relaxed.

“Isn’t it too late? It’s almost lunchtime. They’re probably sold out.”

“I asked him to set aside a box for us in advance.”

“Who did you ask?”

“I asked Jean, of course.”

“And he agreed?”

“Well, would he refuse a request from his girlfriend?”

What! Zenia’s boyfriend is Jean? Isn’t there at least a ten-year age gap between them? I never would have imagined this.

‘What is this dream…? This is getting interesting.’

Fine, whatever happens, happens.

Everything is an illusion, and I feel alone even in this crowd of people, but what does it matter? The real me is probably a critically ill patient on the verge of death anyway.

I would rather stay in this dream where Dante exists than return to a reality without him.

Even if the Dante in this dream doesn’t know me at all. His presence alone is enough for me to willingly abandon reality.

‘Jean and Zenia as a couple. When else would I get to dream of something like this?’

The pure white carriage stopped in front of the dessert cafe.

The eyes of the people waiting in line were drawn to the large family crest emblazoned on the center of the carriage.

Their gazes were filled with pure curiosity and interest. It was the first time I had been looked at with such clean gazes, devoid of any hatred.

“Princess, would you like to stay in the carriage? I can go and get it for you.”

“It’s alright. The weather is nice, so I’ll just wait outside for a bit.”

As I stepped out of the carriage, the early summer sun shone down on the crown of my head.

I closed my eyes gently and tilted my head up slightly, basking in the sunlight.

The chirping of birds, the rustling of tree branches, the sound of people’s laughter, the sweet aroma of desserts…

Inevitably, Dante came to mind.

I had been deliberately trying to block him out, but I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“I miss you…”

What should I do? I miss you so much.

How much longer will I have to long for you before the pain dulls?

Just as I squeezed my stinging eyes shut to hold back tears, someone wrapped an arm around my waist and swiftly lifted me up.

“Hah!”

A tall man in a black robe. The hood he was wearing fell back from the sudden movement.

“Noona, what are you doing here? I went to the mansion to find you, but you weren’t there. I was so surprised.”

My eyes widened.

There’s no way Dante would remember me. In this dream, we’ve never met.

“Sh-Shinwoo…?”

“Yes, Noona.”

Why are you answering to the name Shinwoo? Why are you calling me Noona? Why did you come looking for me?

Out of my countless questions, I chose only one.

“…Do you remember me?”

“How could I ever forget you, Noona?”

“R-really? You remember everything?”

“You are Ryu Saan and Astell, and I am Ye Shinwoo and Dante. Should I say more?”

Could it be, could it be…

“What happens if I don’t choose?”

“The settings could be reversed or disappear entirely. An incomplete scenario is discarded. Hah, just thinking about it is horrifying.”

I didn’t choose according to the Administrator’s scenario. So, was the scenario discarded, causing all the settings to be reversed?

‘A new beginning…’

My lips trembled as I asked, a tear rolling down my cheek.

“This… this is real, right? It’s not a dream?”

“You thought it was a dream?”

“I thought so… but I hope it’s not. Please, tell me it’s not a dream.”

“That’s something I can do for you.”

“I want to grant any request you make… but what should I do? I can’t do that for you.”

“See for yourself. Whether this is a dream.”

Shinwoo, no, Dante, pulled my waist in forcefully and pressed his lips to mine.

A hot, soft tongue pushed past my lips.

All my senses became instantly heightened.

The touch of his hand cupping my cheek, the feel of his hard body against mine, his searing body heat, his sweet yet bittersweet scent. All of it swirled together, crashing over me.

“Ah…”

Only then did I realize.

This is reality. Even if it’s a delusion, I don’t care. As long as I’m with him.

I smiled and closed my eyes.

<<The End>>