I Became the First Love of the Impenetrable Male Lead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
“I heard you saved my younger sister in the square the other day. Do you perhaps remember?”
“Yes, I do recall…”
“I came to personally express my gratitude for that incident.”
The words “Is it really necessary to make such a fuss over a simple thank-you?” kept circling in my mouth.
My face burned under the weight of so many staring eyes, yet the very person causing this commotion looked utterly composed.
“Um, could you please stand up first…? There are people watching.”
As if only just noticing my discomfort, Rinat quickly rose to his feet.
“I hadn’t considered that aspect. My younger sister wished to thank you herself, but as she isn’t feeling well, I came in her place.”
“Is she very unwell?”
Remembering Daisy’s persistent cough, my mouth went dry.
According to the original story, nothing serious should happen to Daisy right away—but since I’d already altered the plot, I couldn’t be certain about the future.
“No, not at all. Please don’t worry.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Ah, now I remembered.
I’d first met this man at a banquet hosted by the Riley Family—the Empress’s natal family and also Olivia’s, Rosebelia’s stepmother.
While I was speaking with Kaiden, Rinat had approached us, and all I recalled was a brief exchange of names.
“After hearing the full story from my sister, everyone in our household is grateful to Lady Winters. Our parents also wish to meet you personally to express their thanks. They plan to formally invite you soon…”
A formal invitation? From the Elijah family—to me?
“No, I merely did what any knight ought to do. Your coming here to thank me in person is already more than enough.”
“I see.”
Rinat offered only a faint smile, showing no intention of pressing further.
“What became of those who harmed Lady Elijah that day?”
“They will never set foot in this empire again.”
Rinat spoke in a chilling tone. Though his expression remained smiling, his eyes were sharp as blades.
Judging by his reaction, had events unfolded exactly as in the original?
In the original story, after Daisy recounted the incident in the square, Rinat had immediately transferred the offenders—who’d threatened Daisy—to the Holy Knights’ jurisdiction and personally oversaw their punishment.
“Then please also convey my regards to the young lady.”
“Understood. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
After dropping that cryptic remark, Rinat abruptly left the knights’ quarters.
I’d clearly declined the invitation—so what did “seeing each other again soon” even mean?
Was it just polite small talk? Like saying, “Let’s grab a meal sometime”?
“Isn’t that Rinat Elijah?”
Edwin approached me with a bewildered look on his face.
“Yes, it is.”
A soft sigh escaped through my parted lips. I couldn’t shake off the nagging, unpleasant feeling—as if trying to remove one thorn had only planted another.
In the original plot, Daisy secretly visiting the knights’ quarters to see Ian, who’d saved her, was a key early episode.
I’d anticipated Daisy might come herself, but never expected Rinat would step in her place.
“What on earth just happened? Why was he talking to you like that…? Don’t tell me he proposed!”
“That’s absurd.”
“But the atmosphere was practically…”
Instead of saying aloud, “They were trying to pair you with Daisy, and this is how it turned out,” I shot Edwin a sharp look and explained what had actually occurred.
“So something like that happened in the square that day?”
“Yes.”
“Those guys were real scumbags. If they’d run into me, they wouldn’t have a bone left to bury.”
If only Edwin had been the one to heroically defeat those villains and rescue Daisy—it would’ve been perfect…
I abruptly halted that train of thought. Dwelling on what was already past wouldn’t change a thing.
I forcefully suppressed the lingering embers of regret that kept seeking an opportunity to flare up and deliberately turned my mind elsewhere.
For instance, toward identifying the source of that savory aroma tickling my nose since earlier.
“Edwin.”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s go get something to eat.”
“Sure?”
As we neared the knights’ mess hall, the scent of corn soup hit my nose.
Following Edwin, who seemed entranced by the smell, I stepped inside—only to pause momentarily at the unusual atmosphere. The normally boisterous hall had fallen into an eerie, spine-chilling silence.
What’s with this mood? Were they all just talking about me?
Noticing the subtle glances directed my way, I calmly took a seat. The gazes held no malice—only curiosity.
This was nothing. In my previous life, I’d endured far worse stares.
“If you’re curious, just come ask me directly. Why are they all sneaking peeks like that?”
Gradually, the clustered stares dispersed under Edwin’s booming voice.
“Enough. Stop it.”
“Should I go tell them what really happened?”
I waved my hand at Edwin, who was practically bouncing in his seat, ready to leap up.
Just then, one of the mess hall attendants brought over smoked chicken accompanied by bread, soup, and salad.
“Forget it. Rumors like these always die down on their own.”
“True, and he probably won’t be coming back anyway…”
My hand, clutching the fluffy bread, trembled faintly for an instant. I deliberately acted as if nothing were wrong and dipped the bread into the steaming soup.
He won’t be coming back… right?
*
“Rose, you’re heading to the training grounds, aren’t you?”
“And you?”
“I was just… Commander, good day.”
Commander?
Where Edwin’s gaze had fixed stood none other than Deputy Commander Fabian.
“Good day, Deputy Commander.”
Even in Rosebelia’s memories, he’d seemed strict and fastidious.
Not a single wrinkle marred his uniform, and the white cloak draped over it was as pristine as freshly fallen snow.
“Rosebelia, come with me.”
“I’ll follow.”
Leaving Edwin behind with nothing but a silent wish for good fortune in my eyes, I trailed after Fabian.
Upon entering the main building’s deputy commander’s office, I sensed Fabian’s aide, Philip, glancing over while busily organizing documents.
What’s this unsettling feeling?
“I heard there was some commotion earlier.”
“Commotion?”
“Did I hear incorrectly?”
Seeing my puzzled expression, Fabian cleared his throat before continuing.
“I heard you’re getting married soon.”
The subjectless question momentarily stalled my thoughts.
“Who?”
He’d asked about a commotion, then suddenly jumped to someone getting married…
Wait—could he possibly be asking if *I* was getting married?
“You can’t possibly mean me?”
Fabian said nothing, merely stroking his beard. His silence spoke volumes—it was confirmation.
“No, who on earth started such a ridiculous rumor…”
I was too flabbergasted to finish my sentence. When I let out an incredulous laugh, Fabian’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized my expression.
“Ridiculous rumor, you say?”
“I went to the square yesterday and happened to assist Lady Elijah of the Elijah family. Today, the Deputy Commander of the Holy Knights came to express his gratitude for that.”
Fabian frowned, one eyebrow raised as he stared at me. His hand rubbing his temple betrayed clear bewilderment.
“Is that all?”
“Yes. That’s the whole story.”
Fabian cleared his throat, and I noticed his aide Philip burying his face deeper into a stack of papers.
Judging by the atmosphere, Philip must have heard the rumor somewhere and reported it to the Deputy Commander.
“You may go.”
Fabian flicked his fingers with a look of lingering disappointment.
He’d always disliked Rosebelia—apparently, he’d hoped to catch me in some fault but failed, hence his frustration.
“Transparent. So transparent.”
Muttering to myself as I headed toward the training grounds, Simon timidly approached me this time.
“Senior Rosebelia.”
“Yes, Simon. What is it?”
Simon hesitated, unable to answer right away. His expression clearly showed he had many questions for me.
He was probably going to ask something asinine like Fabian did—whether I was getting married soon.
“Is it true you’re leaving the knights’ order?”
“What? Who said that?”
“That you’re getting married and leaving the knights’ order soon…”
“The rumor has already spread that far?”
I pressed hard against my temples, which throbbed as if splitting open. This wasn’t something I could brush off as mere curiosity anymore.
If even Edwin had mistaken Rinat’s visit as a marriage proposal, surely other knights saw it the same way.
To those unaware of the truth, that scene must have seemed like juicy gossip.
“…It’s not true, is it?”
“No, it isn’t.”
I replied firmly. At that moment, life returned to Simon’s previously dejected face.
“I knew it! My goal is to go on a demon-beast subjugation mission with you, Senior. When I suddenly heard this absurd, ridiculous rumor that you were quitting the knights’ order, I was so shocked!”
His voice grew emotional, and his eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he looked at me.
Hey, Simon? If anyone should be crying, it’s me—not you.
“You must’ve been really startled. Please tell everyone there’s absolutely no chance of that happening.”
I gently patted Simon’s shoulder as he sniffled.
“Tell who?”
“There must be someone spreading that nonsense. Find out who it is.”
Simon nodded vigorously, clearly understanding my meaning.
“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave, Senior.”
This rumor definitely couldn’t be left alone…
*
My ragged breath reached my chin. After steadying myself, I looked down at the sweat-stained hilt of my wooden practice sword.
How long had I been at this?
Glancing out the window, I saw the sky stained crimson. Since the sun had been high overhead when I entered the training grounds, I must have trained for several hours—but my body still felt heavy.
Last time, after sparring with Ian, my body had felt light, and my mind refreshingly clear… but not today.
“Senior.”
Was I hearing things? Why did Ian’s voice sound so close?
Frowning in confusion, I walked toward the weapon rack with my wooden sword. That’s when I heard it again.
“Senior?”
Footsteps echoing through the training hall couldn’t possibly be part of a hallucination.
Turning toward the entrance, I finally saw Ian approaching with a leisurely stride.
“Rookie, it was you. Have you been at the knights’ quarters this whole time?”
“What about you, Senior?”
“I’ve just… been training hard for once…”
I trailed off, stealing a sideways glance at him. Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem to believe me entirely.
“Is it because of what happened earlier?”
“Not solely because of that.”
My mind was tangled in confusion—caught between the original plot I knew and the changes I’d already set in motion.
I should just quietly walk my own path, yet I couldn’t clearly define what that path even was, and that frightened me.
Perhaps, deep down, I’d been relying on the original story after all. At times, I even wondered if it would’ve been better never to have known it.
It was natural not to know what tomorrow held, that the future was uncertain—but sometimes, it felt as if I couldn’t breathe.
“You don’t need to worry.”
Startled, I looked up at Ian. The first thing filling my vision was blue—a deep, abyss-like hue swirling in his eyes.
“About what?”
Though I knew it was impossible, I felt as if he’d seen straight into my heart, and I involuntarily swallowed hard.
“Everyone now knows it’s a baseless rumor that you’re leaving the knights’ order due to marriage.”
Ah, so that’s what he meant.
“Good.”
It had been worth mobilizing Edwin and Lucas—both well-connected within the knights’ order—to spread the truth.
I’d even added instructions that anyone wanting more details about the incident should come to Training Ground No. 7 behind the mess hall, but sadly, no one had shown up.
“Senior.”
“Hmm?”
“Would you… like to spar?”
His cautious question drew a faint smile from me. At least he’d correctly sensed my foul mood.
“Alright.”
“How about using real swords?”
“You’ll regret it.”
“There’s no need to worry—I won’t.”
Without hesitation, Ian drew his sword. After a brief moment of deliberation, provoked by his challenge, I too drew my blade from its sheath.
He stepped closer as if he’d been waiting for this, pressing his blade against mine.
It was drastically different from sparring with wooden swords. Every clash of sharpened steel heightened my senses twofold.
Amid the heart-pounding tension, the original story’s ending suddenly flashed through my mind.
In the original, had Rosebelia and Ian also crossed swords like this?
The thought barely crossed my mind when I felt pressure on my blade.
In the blink of an eye, Ian’s sword flew out of his hand, clattering loudly against the training hall floor.
Blinking slowly as if trying to process what had happened, Ian raised a hand to his face.
Could he be injured?
Alarmed, I dropped my sword and rushed to him.
“Are you alright? Let me see.”
“I’m fine…”
I brushed his hand aside to examine his cheek. His flying sword must have grazed it slightly.
Though the cut was minuscule, the keen edge had drawn a faint trace of blood.
“Rookie, you’re bleeding.”
When I grabbed his face to get a closer look, Ian instantly jerked backward. Caught off guard by his sudden movement, I stumbled forward and bumped my forehead against his chest.
Rubbing my forehead as I looked up, I met Ian’s face—his eyebrow slightly twitching.
“Does it hurt?”
Just as I reached toward his cheek again, he swiftly caught my wrist.
“Do you usually act this familiar with just anyone?”
“Huh?”
“Or is it because I’m just a forgettable junior that you’re being so casual?”
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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