“……Klein?”

So, if Klein’s name is there, that means Ian has been selected for the monster subjugation squad, right?

Is it even allowed for Ian, who is formally a crown prince, to go for monster subjugation?

Thinking about the original story, Ian does leave the White Knight Order soon…

Based on what Ian is doing now, it didn’t seem like he would casually leave this place as he had in the original story.

The variable was the identity of the curse manifesting in Ian. The timing of the curse’s manifestation was unclear, but it was definite that it occurred after he left the White Knight Order and before his crown prince inauguration ceremony.

“Klein was selected as expected.”

“Ed, did you anticipate this?”

Edwin opened his mouth with a smug expression.

“He defeated me in a duel. So, his skills have been proven, and it’s natural he got picked.”

It was a somewhat strange logic, but not incorrect. We don’t know how he would fare against monsters, but at least in terms of swordsmanship, Ian was definitely superior to Edwin.

“Anyway, you were the only new recruit selected for the subjugation squad so far. How do you feel about someone following so quickly?”

“I don’t think how I feel right now is what’s important.”

“Ah, come on…”

Edwin playfully tapped my shoulder. Judging by his cheerful smile, his ankle’s condition seemed to be the least of his concerns.

“What will you do?”

“About what?”

When I gestured towards his leg, Edwin flinched noticeably.

“Rose, can we talk about that later?”

“Putting it off won’t solve anything. Senior Vanessa will certainly notice your leg’s condition…”

I stopped speaking as I felt the crowd subtly focus on us.

I sent Edwin a look that said we should talk later and discreetly slipped away through the gaps in the group. Then I pretended to head towards the side building but actually moved towards the outer walls of the castle.

After a quick survey of the surroundings, I lightly jumped onto the wall.

A refreshing sea breeze enveloped me as if it had been waiting for my arrival. The blue sky, devoid of clouds over the wide sea, felt like a mural.

Coming here made all the tangled concerns in my mind seem trivial.

I closed my eyes slightly and regulated my breath. There was a time when the expectation of changing the original story excited me, but at some point, that change became unsettling.

Each divergence from the original story was both welcome and worrying.

Because these small changes could lead to an unknown ending. Sometimes the fear that the changes might result in a worse ending than the original would envelop me.

The original story was a sad ending anyway. What worse could happen other than dying sooner?

A wry smile escaped my lips as I lifted my gaze slowly. Looking at the still scene where only the ripples moved, my lips spoke almost on their own.

“It’s still the early stages of the original story. I have to believe that I can change it as I want…”

Wait, as I want?

What do I want?

Faces flashed through my mind at the sudden question.

Daisy, Edwin, Kaiden, Vivian.

And Ian.

Unlike when I first woke up in this body, I now wanted to find a way for everyone to be happy.

Of course, I wanted to be happy too.

“It would be great if I could know what exactly happened to Rosebelia in the original story.”

Many things had already changed compared to the original story. But to make everyone happy, I had to prevent Daisy’s death, the fall of the Winters family, and the duel between Ian and Rosebelia that happened on the battlefield.

“War…”

If I don’t seek asylum in the Kingdom of Lenore and somehow endure here, wouldn’t that mean I won’t have to meet Ian on the battlefield?

I couldn’t ignore the original story, but I also didn’t need to be fixated on it. There could still be unchanged parts, so I only had to reference them as needed.

‘Can you kill me?’

I couldn’t help but ponder on those haunting words.
I hoped the events I had seen in my dreams would never come to pass.

I lifted my head to take in the tranquil scenery once more.

If I solve everything one step at a time, it will work out somehow.

It was a rare moment of leisure, spending teatime in a garden bathed in gentle sunlight. Olivia, having set her fan aside, took a careful look around.

‘Where on earth did Margaret go?’

Her gaze stopped at the front of the main building. Spotting Margaret coming out of the main hall, Olivia lifted her teacup.

By the time she put her teacup back down, Margaret had come up beside her.

“Ma’am, a moment.”

With a warm smile on her lips, Olivia leaned in slightly as Margaret whispered something to her. Nodding lightly, Olivia cautiously asked the ladies around her.

“Do you mind if I excuse myself for a moment?”

“Of course.”

“Please feel free, Duchess.”

Leaving behind the laughter of the ladies, Olivia strolled through the garden with Margaret.

“Everything went as you expected, Ma’am.”

“Is that so? Should I call it foolish for being so consistent?”