I Pretended To Be Dead And Ran Away (22 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 2
There are times when luck is unusually on your side. And on such days, it’s only human to let your guard down.
Someone once said that before.
That the moment a goose sold to the farm feels the happiest and most relaxed is precisely when it’s about to be slaughtered.
That the gravest danger always strikes at the very moment you believe it couldn’t possibly happen.
“Leniel.”
That was exactly my current situation.
According to the ducal household’s rules, no one was permitted to pass through the third floor at dawn. Thus, I intended to return to my on-duty chamber on the fifth floor before the restricted hour arrived again today.
Yet, for some reason, I ran straight into Felix along the way.
The scene before my eyes was dreadfully bleak. It was the darkest part of dawn, just before sunrise—so pitch-black that candlelight couldn’t illuminate anything ahead.
It was so dark that a single misstep could send me tumbling down the stairs.
It was so black and hazy that I couldn’t even sense moonlight through it.
Within that darkness, the predator’s blood-red eyes glinted, fixed directly on me.
“Master?”
Pretending not to notice the sword in his hand, I ran toward Felix.
In truth, I only did so because I feared he’d throw the blade and kill me outright if I tried to flee. At that, he slowly lowered his sword.
His jet-black hair, perfectly blending into the night, soon came into view.
Though the surroundings were too dark to distinguish colors, his eyes stood out with unnatural clarity—like those of a crouching tiger visible only in the shadows.
“What a pity, Leniel.”
The problem was that my master held something tightly in his grip.
Upon hearing a clinking sound, I peered closely at his hand and saw a thick iron chain, caked with sticky, dried blood.
“I really liked you, you know.”
Beneath my master, Duke Felix Le Pelique, crouched a blood-soaked man.
His other hand, the one not holding the chain, was already hidden behind his back—as if ready to draw a hidden blade the moment I drew closer.
A chill surged through my entire body; goosebumps prickled along my neck as if cold water had just dripped down my spine.
“Master! Are you injured?”
Since dying right here wasn’t an option, I feigned complete ignorance of the situation as I spoke.
“Is this villain the one who dared harm you…?”
Though my voice trembled, I forced a determined look and locked eyes with him directly. After all, averting your gaze before a beast usually meant having your throat torn out instantly.
“How dare this scum lay hands on our master.”
Felix’s expression shifted strangely at my words.
“Shall… shall I deal with him?”
I clenched every muscle in my body to keep from shaking, yet my voice still squeaked out like a goat’s. Amused, Felix gave a peculiar smile and replied,
“You? Handle this monster?”
“I may be weak, but for your sake, Master, I’d do anything!”
With that, I stepped closer.
As I walked, the candle in my hand flickered, scattering my shadow wildly across the walls—making Felix’s expression appear both amused and furious at once.
The candle’s trembling reminded me of my own frantic heartbeat.
When I finally stood before him, the orange glow illuminated Felix more clearly—and the bloodied man bound by chains in his grasp, head bowed low.
At that moment, the man lifted his face and glared at me with sharp eyes.
His golden irises, like those of a bird of prey, shone vividly even in the dim light. Coupled with his unnaturally pale silver hair that refused to blend into the darkness,
and the countless lacerations and bloodstains covering his body,
the thick stench of blood nearly made me gag.
“Well then, come here.”
As I neared, Felix handed me something.
“Oh…”
It was the long sword he’d been holding. It looked freshly used—dripping wet with something dark and sticky.
“Prove your loyalty.”
“H-how should I do that?”
“Just stab him.”
Trying my best not to show fear, I glanced quickly at Felix’s blood-red eyes.
They sparkled with childish delight—filled with amusement at the situation and eager anticipation for what I’d do.
“If you can’t do it, I’ll kill you, Leniel.”
Since he didn’t specify where to strike, I immediately raised the blade and lightly grazed the man’s shoulder.
But his body was so unnaturally tough that, despite the clear contact, it felt as if the blade had merely slid over wood—yielding no sensation at all.
“I was joking, but impressive. Still, you won’t kill him that way.”
Seemingly amused by my attempt, Felix laughed ecstatically and stretched out his hand.
My heart pounded violently in my chest. Maintaining a calm expression with effort, I handed the sword back. He sheathed the greatsword with a chuckle.
His laughter terrified me so deeply I nearly forgot how to breathe.
“Leniel, I had no idea your loyalty ran this deep.”
“You flatter me.”
“I thought it was just some stray dog that wandered in.”
Smiling as if moved by his words, I saw him flash another ecstatic grin before saying,
“Take him down to the basement.”
“Should I put him in the secret room at the far end?”
“Yes.”
He handed me the chain dismissively, as if bored.
“Oh, and just so you know—if he escapes, your head goes with it.”
He gave my shoulder a light pat, grinned brightly, and jerked his chin toward the stairs leading underground.
“Good luck.”
“Yes, Master!”
The moment he vanished completely from sight, my legs went limp.
“Hah…”
I felt dizzy—probably because every ounce of strength had drained from my body.
“No wonder… I thought my luck was suspiciously good lately.”
My heart still pounded as if I’d just stopped sprinting. Yet, simply knowing Felix was no longer in front of me brought some relief.
Clink.
But then the weight of the chain in my hand reminded me again exactly who I was now leashing.
The novel I’d transmigrated into was definitely “One Who Cannot Even Dream.” Therefore, Felix capturing Crown Prince Tanasis must align with what I remembered.
It was because the Empress—Tanasis’s mother—had murdered Felix’s mother, disguising it as an accident.
In short: revenge.
And the story held no dreams or hope—only the cruel twist where the avenger, upon capturing his target, would eventually develop feelings of love for him.
But right now, what terrified me most was—
“P-please cooperate…?”
Tanasis’s golden eyes, glaring at me as if ready to devour me whole.
His silver hair shone brilliantly, starkly out of place in this darkness. Combined with those raptor-like golden eyes, he resembled a divine statue.
Seeing the blood splattered all over his body and the severity of his wounds, I involuntarily inhaled sharply.
“Mmph…”
A muzzle covered his mouth.
A long strap sat between his lips, shaped just like the kind placed on dogs to prevent biting.
Worried he might resist, I tightened my grip and tugged him forward.
“Please cooperate!”
But perhaps because he sensed I was weaker, he refused to budge.
“Gah—mmph…!”
Since Tanasis wouldn’t move, I had no choice.
I yanked the chain around his neck with all my strength, and he resisted like a pet refusing to go for a walk. I had to pull even harder.
“Ugh…!”
As more blood flowed from his abdomen, his strength finally gave out.
“Good grief.”
Tanasis passed out right on the spot.
“…Good grief.”
Hesitating over what to do with an unconscious Tanasis, I eventually groaned and hoisted him onto my back.
Even though my outward appearance had changed to male, that didn’t magically grant me extra strength—I was still weak. So I had to summon every ounce of energy just to carry Tanasis down to the basement.
After a great deal of struggle, I finally deposited Tanasis in the underground chamber.
Then I headed straight for Felix’s bedroom.
****
“What is it?”
“You’re injured, Master. I’ve locked him in the secret room and secured all restraints.”
The reason I could dream of becoming the ducal household’s steward was that—even though I rarely saw Felix in person—I often witnessed scenes like this.
“You’re here to treat me, then?”
“Yes.”
“How audacious.”
Felix glanced back at me, his expression bored—as if daring me to try it.
Truth be told, I’d come to Felix to confirm things firsthand.
Running away now would surely end in capture. The House of Duke Le Pelique was the greatest shadow power within the Apentina Empire.
Like most dark lords, the Le Pelique household secretly ran casinos, controlled information, laundered money, and trained assassins.
I’d heard rumors of this before, but this was my first direct involvement.
Catching runaways was also one of the Le Pelique household’s specialties.
Therefore, my priority now was to gather as much information as possible directly from Felix’s mouth to understand the situation.
“Hah…”
I involuntarily gasped at the sight of Felix’s bare chest suddenly revealed.
He’d casually torn open his shirt buttons and tossed the garment onto the floor without a second thought.
“Well? Aren’t you going to treat me?”
Beneath the chandelier’s light, his body looked far more menacing than it had in the candlelight.
“Y-yes! Right away!”
Forcing a reply through my trembling voice, I immediately scanned the area for a bucket of water and towels.
Near the bed lay bloodied cloths—evidence he’d already begun tending to himself.
Just as I moved toward them, I caught sight of the mirror behind him.
He was concealing a dagger behind his back—ready to draw and stab me at any moment.
“Tell me, Leniel… wouldn’t killing you right here be the more reasonable way to ensure secrecy?”
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Chapter Comments (22)
Inline Comments (54)
‘The missing Princess of Nuremberg is a mana purifier—one born only once per cen
Could it be her? Is it possible that she’s living in a state of shock and no one knows her identity?
Reniel trailed off uncertainly, unsure whether this warranted gratitude.
Could it be her? Is it possible that she’s living in a state of shock and no one knows her identit
“Th-thank you…?”
Could it be her? Is it possible that she’s living in a state of shock and no one knows her identit
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Wait, what? For real? How come the Nuremberg Princess is hiding her gender and work at the mansion of the Duke who technically her archenemy? And Renal is Tanasis’ fiancee? Wow, never expected it to be revealed this early.
Very good story and i do prefer it if any person will give it a try worthy of your time
So apparently Renal is regarded as a threat for imperial family for her purifying ability and decided to make her Tanasias’ fiancee for close monitoring and helped him control his artificial ability. But Renal must’ve sensed or found out something that can put her life in danger. Thus she went into the hiding in the enemy’s nest and disguised as a man with the ring’s help. I wonder what kind of finding Reniel got to the point it threatened her life.