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Chapter 2 — The Man Who Was Supposed to Ignore Him

The palace was far more beautiful than Arin had imagined.

That was the first thing he thought when the carriage stopped in front of the enormous white gates.

The second thought was considerably less pleasant.

I want to go home.

He had spent the entire journey reminding himself of the most important rule.

Do not attract attention.

Do not interfere with the saintess.

Do not get involved with the four male leads.

And most importantly—

Do not get involved with Lucien.

The moment Arin stepped out of the carriage, however, he realized that avoiding attention would be difficult.

Leon Valemont was apparently much more famous than Arin had expected.

Several nobles immediately looked toward him.

Whispers followed him as he entered the palace.

“That's Lord Valemont.”

“The one who hates the saintess?”

“I heard he insulted her during the last ceremony.”

“He's arrogant.”

“His family has always been troublesome.”

Arin pretended not to hear them.

Wonderful.

He had inherited the body of a character everyone already disliked.

That would make survival much easier.

Inside the palace, the reception hall was filled with nobles.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

Musicians played near the balcony.

Servants moved between tables carrying wine and food.

Arin took a deep breath.

He needed to stay away from the center of the room.

The saintess would be there.

The four men would be there.

Therefore, the safest location was—

The corner.

Arin immediately headed toward it.

He had almost reached his destination when a voice stopped him.

“Lord Leon.”

Arin closed his eyes.

Of course.

He turned.

The speaker was Crown Prince Adrian.

The first male lead.

Tall, handsome, golden-haired, and dressed in white and gold.

According to the novel, Adrian was beloved by the people.

He was also deeply devoted to Elara.

Arin bowed.

“Your Highness.”

Adrian studied him.

“I heard you were reluctant to attend.”

“I was.”

The prince raised an eyebrow.

“You admit it?”

“Yes.”

Adrian seemed surprised.

Arin realized too late that the original Leon would have responded differently.

He quickly added:

“I simply prefer quiet gatherings.”

Adrian's expression softened slightly.

“Interesting.”

Before he could continue, another voice interrupted.

“Adrian.”

Arin looked over.

Duke Cassian had arrived.

The second male lead.

Unlike Adrian's bright appearance, Cassian was dark and intimidating.

Black hair.

Red-brown eyes.

A long black coat.

He looked like someone who could destroy a person socially without raising his voice.

Cassian glanced at Leon.

“Still causing trouble?”

Arin smiled politely.

“Not yet.”

Cassian actually laughed.

The sound surprised everyone nearby.

Arin blinked.

Did Leon ever make him laugh?

He couldn't remember.

Then the music stopped.

The room became quiet.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

The saintess had arrived.

Elara walked into the hall wearing a simple white gown.

There was no excessive jewelry.

No crown.

No extravagant decoration.

Yet every eye immediately turned toward her.

Arin understood why the four men had fallen for her in the original story.

She really was beautiful.

But something else bothered him.

The moment Elara entered—

Arin felt something strange.

A pressure.

Almost like the air had changed.

The nobles began smiling.

Adrian's expression softened.

Cassian's eyes warmed.

Rafael, who stood near the altar, immediately straightened.

And then Arin noticed the fourth man.

Lucien.

He stood alone near one of the pillars.

Silver hair.

Black robes.

Cold expression.

Exactly as Arin remembered.

Elara smiled at him.

“Lord Lucien.”

Lucien looked at her.

For a second, Arin expected the familiar scene.

Lucien would walk toward her.

He would speak softly.

The saintess would smile.

Their relationship would begin.

Instead—

Lucien's eyes moved past Elara.

They found Arin.

Arin froze.

Why is he looking at me?

Lucien didn't look away.

Arin shifted uncomfortably.

Then he deliberately turned his head.

He wasn't going to engage.

He walked toward the refreshment table.

He picked up a glass.

He took one sip.

Someone stood beside him.

“You're avoiding me.”

Arin nearly choked.

He turned.

Lucien.

“I'm not.”

“You are.”

“I just wanted a drink.”

“You've been watching me.”

Arin's eyes widened.

“I wasn't.”

Lucien leaned slightly closer.

“You were.”

Arin lowered his voice.

“Why are you talking to me?”

Lucien looked genuinely confused.

“Why shouldn't I?”

“Because…”

Arin stopped.

He couldn't exactly say:

Because you're supposed to fall in love with the saintess and eventually kill me.

Lucien waited.

Arin cleared his throat.

“Because you don't usually talk to people.”

“I don't.”

“Then why me?”

Lucien stared at him.

“I don't know.”

Arin frowned.

That answer again.

“You don't know?”

“No.”

Lucien's eyes remained fixed on him.

“When I saw you enter, I wanted to speak with you.”

Arin's heart skipped.

No.

He stepped backward.

“You should speak with the saintess.”

Lucien's expression changed.

“Why?”

“Because she's the reason we're here.”

Lucien glanced toward Elara.

She was surrounded by nobles.

He looked back at Arin.

“I don't want to.”

Arin stared.

“That makes no sense.”

Lucien smiled faintly.

“Perhaps.”

Before Arin could answer, Elara approached.

“Lord Lucien.”

Lucien turned.

“Yes?”

“Would you accompany me for a moment?”

Arin immediately stepped away.

Finally.

This was his chance.

He walked toward the balcony.

He could breathe again.

He had barely stepped outside when someone joined him.

He turned.

Lucien.

Again.

Arin stared at him.

“You refused her invitation.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Lucien leaned against the railing.

“I wanted to come here.”

“Why?”

Lucien looked at him.

“Because you were here.”

Arin's face became hot.

He turned away.

“This is ridiculous.”

“What is?”

“You.”

Lucien smiled.

“You said that yesterday too.”

Arin looked at him.

“Do you always remember everything I say?”

“When it concerns you.”

Arin didn't know what to say.

He looked over the balcony.

The capital glittered beneath them.

After several seconds, Lucien spoke.

“You've changed.”

Arin stiffened.

“How?”

“You used to look at me with hatred.”

Arin's heart stopped.

“You remember?”

“Yes.”

“Then…”

Arin hesitated.

“What do you think?”

Lucien looked thoughtful.

“I think you're less angry.”

“Maybe I'm tired.”

“Of what?”

“Everything.”

Lucien studied him.

Then he said something Arin hadn't expected.

“I prefer you this way.”

Arin looked at him.

“What?”

“You're quieter.”

“That doesn't explain anything.”

Lucien's expression softened.

“You don't look at me like you want me dead.”

Arin almost laughed.

Irony.

“You should be grateful.”

“I am.”

Silence followed.

Then the palace doors opened.

Elara stepped onto the balcony.

She looked at Lucien.

Then at Arin.

Something flashed across her face.

Fear.

Arin noticed.

Lucien noticed too.

“Elara?”

The saintess shook her head.

“Nothing.”

She looked at Arin.

“Lord Leon, may I speak with you?”

Arin immediately became cautious.

“About what?”

“Something important.”

Lucien stepped forward.

“I'll stay.”

Elara looked at him.

“No.”

Her voice was unusually firm.

Lucien frowned.

Arin noticed that Elara's hands were trembling.

She looked directly at him.

“You need to know something.”

“What?”

The saintess opened her mouth.

But before she could speak, her eyes suddenly glowed gold.

She grabbed the balcony railing.

Arin rushed forward.

“Saintess?”

Her breathing became uneven.

Then she whispered:

“Stay away from him.”

Arin froze.

“Who?”

Her golden eyes moved toward Lucien.

“Lucien.”

Lucien's expression darkened.

“What are you talking about?”

Elara looked terrified.

Then the golden light vanished.

She collapsed.

Lucien caught her before she hit the floor.

Arin stared.

Something was terribly wrong.

The saintess had just warned him to stay away from Lucien.

Yet Lucien was the one holding her.

And for the first time, Arin noticed something even stranger.

Lucien wasn't looking at Elara.

He was looking at him.

Even while holding the unconscious saintess in his arms, his eyes remained fixed on Leon.

Arin felt a chill.

The story wasn't merely changing.

Something was actively fighting against the original plot.

And Arin suddenly wondered whether Lucien's growing interest in him was really a coincidence.

Or whether—

for the first time—

the most difficult man in the story was beginning to choose someone other than the saintess.

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