Summer Must Die (16 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 12
“Miss. Have a good trip.”
“…….”
Mary greeted Summer with a steady gaze. Summer, seated in the carriage, looked at Mary with conflicted eyes and silently averted her gaze.
Even though she already knew everything—if things unfolded exactly as Summer anticipated, “she” would never return to this mansion again.
The carriage, rolling smoothly along the road, came to a halt. Summer stepped out and gaped at the magnificent sight unfolding before her eyes.
The Imperial Palace was even grander and more majestic than the Grand Cathedral.
From fountain structures as large as buildings, to orchestras playing dazzling music, colorful ornate flowers, and exquisite landscaping—everything was more beautiful than anything Summer had ever seen in her life.
“Wow…”
An involuntary exclamation slipped out.
As if to display the height of extravagance, everyone wore clothes studded with jewels and laughed merrily, holding expensive crystal glasses.
Summer stood quietly to the side, unable to join in. Suddenly, she missed Julian.
“When is our protagonist going to arrive?”
Glancing at the arriving carriages, Summer couldn’t resist her hunger and moved toward the buffet area.
It was incredibly fortunate that she’d ended up inside a novel written by a Korean author.
Just as Koreans say, “You fight on a full stomach”—the food was absolutely delicious.
With her hunger sated, she began to feel more at ease.
Now Summer even had the leisure to sway gently to the music and look around curiously.
She ate, drank, listened to music, and waited for the protagonist—and for the “real” Summer as well.
“His Grace, Duke Lancaster, has arrived!”
‘What? I didn’t get any grand announcement like that.’
Apparently, being the protagonist meant different treatment. The entire hall stirred at the arrival of the male lead, Ian Lancaster.
Summer also stretched her neck to get a better look. Not long after, Ian Lancaster appeared before everyone.
“Goodness.”
The author had clearly poured their heart into this. Jet-black hair and gray eyes reminiscent of a wolf—
Ian Lancaster was the very definition of a cold, handsome nobleman—perfectly embodying winter itself.
“Duke Lancaster—truly magnificent, isn’t he? I wonder who will become his partner.”
“Indeed.”
Regardless of what the nobles chattered about, Summer observed Duke Lancaster as if watching a celebrity.
He was even more handsome than she’d imagined from reading the novel—so much so that it left her flustered.
“There’s Lady Dudley too!”
“Oh dear, how vulgar. It seems she left her manners at home.”
Julian Dudley—the bright and cheerful protagonist of this world, daughter of House Dudley. True to her role as the main character, she was both stunning and elegant.
Naturally, Ian Lancaster and Julian Dudley would fall in love without even the slightest margin for error.
In the original story, everything began on this banquet day—when Ian Lancaster took notice of Julian Dudley, who was being pointed at and criticized by everyone. Just like now.
“They really do look like a painting.”
Summer muttered, her mouth full of crepe.
Summer Lindsey watched and cheered them on as though watching a movie.
After all, in a romance novel, it was impossible for a side character to become the protagonist or for an extra to suddenly leap out and steal the lead role.
Their love was solid—and perfect.
And yet, something felt strange.
Normally, Julian Dudley would have immediately sought out Summer upon arrival, but right now she stood alone, sipping champagne as though she didn’t know a single person here.
“Julian!”
Just as Summer, sensing something odd, tried approaching her—
“…What?”
Her body froze instantly, as if struck by electricity.
Panicked, Summer gritted her teeth against the pain and stretched her hand out a little further—only to feel an invisible, transparent barrier at her fingertips.
She couldn’t reach Julian Dudley. Because she was an extra.
A wave of misery and inexplicable shame crashed over her at once. She’d been arrogant.
She’d never been the protagonist in her life—but being with Julian had somehow made her believe she’d become something more.
“Ha… hahaha…”
A bitter laugh escaped through her clenched teeth. They drew the line this harshly—she couldn’t even get close.
Now the event would begin—and Summer would be thoroughly excluded, exactly as in the original.
True to the story, a naive young noblewoman deliberately bumped into Julian. The delicate champagne glass fell to the floor and shattered loudly.
“Oh my, Lady Dudley! That was my mistake—forgive me, are you alright?”
“…….”
Julian, whose dress was now ruined, slowly closed her eyes, as if suppressing her anger. But Summer already knew the next line.
“Calling something deliberate a mistake isn’t right.”
“What you did wasn’t a mistake—it was wrong. So please apologize properly.”
Summer and Julian spoke the same words in unison.
Right after this scene, the male lead would take notice of Julian. Later that night, he’d coincidentally meet her resting on the terrace, and his interest would deepen even further.
Summer glanced around the banquet hall—and then locked eyes precisely with someone.
“……?”
Flustered, Summer hesitated. Due to the original story’s power, Julian didn’t recognize Summer at all—and Duke Ian Lancaster, of course, noticed her even less.
But then—why was that man heading straight toward her, staring directly into her eyes? It was Duke Russell Bertrand.
“Lindsey…”
Just as he opened his mouth to speak to Summer, a shrill voice pierced through the banquet hall.
“Wh-what are you saying! Are you implying I deliberately struck a noble lady? That’s outrageous!”
Julian’s mocking expression caused the other noblewoman’s face to flush red.
“What you did, my lady, wasn’t a mistake—it was wrong. So please apologize again properly.”
“Lady Dudley! How dare you speak to me like that!”
“Dare?”
Julian strode confidently toward the noblewoman—then without hesitation, picked up a slice of cake from the table and smeared it across the woman’s face.
“Aaah!”
“I may lack popularity, but I do hold power. I’ll remember well your ‘how dare you’ toward House Dudley, Lady Marquis Meolcheon.”
“You insufferable brat! You’re utterly devoid of refinement—worse than common street trash!”
“Oh dear. I’ll be sure to remember those words too—from the standpoint of House Dudley.”
Julian smiled faintly, easily dismissing the woman’s furious outburst, and walked away calmly. Only then did Summer, who had been watching with rapt attention, let out a breathy, amused sigh.
“Wow… the protagonist really is something. That was amazing….”
Even though she’d already known the scene, she’d held her breath watching it—hoping Julian wouldn’t get hurt. It was a needless worry, but still.
Following Julian’s departure, Summer murmured with a sense of emptiness.
“Not even a single glance exchanged. Fiction really is fiction.”
Summer Lindsey’s role ended here. She grabbed a glass of red wine, took a long gulp, and absentmindedly touched the rough necklace around her throat.
“Lady Fay.”
The original plot proceeded seamlessly.
Julian Dudley would likely return soon, having cut away the wine-stained part of her dress, wearing a daring new outfit.
Then she’d seamlessly acclimate herself back into the banquet before retiring to the terrace, exhausted.
That’s where Julian would meet Ian.
“Black hair.”
Summer’s reverie was interrupted by a teasing voice. Startled, she turned to see Fay, wearing a deep purple hood pulled low over her face.
“F-Fay…!”
“Shh. Act naturally. People can’t see me.”
“Yes.”
Summer nodded and lowered her voice immediately. Fay glanced around, then moved closer to stand right beside her.
“I’ve found Summer’s soul.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Just as you said—right after the banquet started, it appeared on your bed. For now, I’ve bound it so it can’t go anywhere else.”
“So it all depends on me now.”
Nervous, Summer fidgeted with her hands.
Just then, the cathedral clock chimed, signaling the arrival of night—and the grand finale of the lavish banquet began.
Orchestral music filled the air, beautiful men and women held hands and twirled gracefully in dance, and crystal chandeliers sparkled brightly.
Summer quietly took it all in with her eyes. Right on cue, Julian reentered confidently, now wearing a daring midi dress.
The original story remained flawless and unshakable.
“Fay… I’m counting on you.”
“…….”
Fay said nothing. Summer assumed she must be feeling sentimental too, and gave her a gentle hug with a smile.
“Thank you… for staying by my side.”
“That… black hair.”
“Yes?”
“Never mind. Go well.”
Having said goodbye to Fay, Summer rushed down the stairs just like Cinderella fleeing the ball at midnight—gathering her dress tightly in both hands as she ran.
But whereas Cinderella ran to escape her magic wearing off, Summer ran to undo her transformation.
The wind brushing against her cheeks felt refreshingly cool. The sensation of grass tickling her feet through her shoes and the music fading behind her brought a sense of liberation.
Summer headed straight for the spire—the place no one ever visited.
Why’s she in such a hurry? Fay gazed blankly at Summer’s retreating back—then turned her head upon sensing someone’s gaze.
A man with blue hair was staring at the spot where Summer had just exited.
“Summer Lindsey?”
Fay’s eyes widened at hearing the human call her name so precisely.
This was strange. There shouldn’t be anyone here capable of recognizing Summer.
Nobles quickly gathered around the man.
“Your Grace Bertrand, what brings you here?”
“Ah—was the young lady who just left truly Summer Lindsey, daughter of House Lindsey?”
So that human was Duke Bertrand. Fay narrowed her eyes slightly. Yet upon closer inspection, he seemed perfectly ordinary.
“Summer Lindsey? I’ve never heard that name before. Perhaps you mistook her for my daughter?”
One nobleman grinned slyly and promptly pushed his daughter forward.
“…Something’s off.”
Russell completely ignored him and looked again toward where Summer had disappeared.
“How strange.”
His quiet mutter was swallowed by the banquet’s dazzling noise.
[This is the timeline separator]“Found it—the spire.”
Summer arrived and looked up with a bright smile. It was so tall she couldn’t see the top no matter how far she tilted her head back.
She kicked off her shoes and climbed the stairs without hesitation. She even tossed away the dreadfully heavy hairpiece—her golden hair scattering through the air.
The higher she climbed, the clearer the air became.
Instead of suffocating perfumes, a refreshing breeze gently wrapped around her.
Halfway up, Summer sat down and struggled for a while with the laces before tearing off the heavy corset and dress.
Underneath, she wore only the light, comfortable dress she loved.
With her movements now unencumbered, Summer finally reached the top and gasped for breath.
“Took me long enough to get here.”
It really was hard getting back to her original world.
Summer flung open the window on the spire’s highest floor and looked down. It had still been afternoon when she’d stepped out of the carriage—but now, it was deep night.
Stars and moon blanketed the sky, glowing faintly through a soft haze.
There were so many stars it felt as if they might collapse under their own weight and pour down at any moment.
‘Well… you rarely see scenery like this in Korea.’
Everything below looked like mere dots—
as if she were viewing a masterpiece painting composed entirely of tiny points. The palace lights and lavish flowers were all just single specks in this grand composition.
“It really is beautiful.”
Her heart, already pounding from fear, now raced even faster.
With exhilaration in her chest, Summer climbed onto the windowsill—and stepped one foot out into empty air.
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.]
Hahaha what a stubborn male lead, leave her alone.
They’re always like this, thay think it is always about the male lead.