Huh, Hillstain? How did that guy get here…?!
Ruben clearly said this place was known only to the three of us…
I met Hillstain’s gaze with trembling eyes, then checked the window and the clock in turn.
The sunset had just vanished, and the sky was now blending into deep blue night.
Since nights in the East began late, the time was still before 7 PM.
Click. The library door shut, and I instinctively stepped backward.
Thud thud. Hillstain, the intruder, approached me with a relaxed smile and crinkled eyes—as if he owned the place.
“Latieana Merigold?”
This time, I truly froze, eyes wide open.
How does he know me again? Who’s been promoting me around?
I know Hillstain, but he’s never seen me before—there’s no way he could know my name.
I shook my head.
“You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
Even if my identity got exposed later, I intended to keep denying it.
“No, it’s you.”
Damn. This is bad.
Hillstain fired back an answer without a shred of doubt.
“…”
I pressed my lips tightly together. When you’re at a disadvantage, silence is golden.
Meanwhile, Hillstain had already closed the distance and now stood right in front of me.
I’d thought he was tall even back in the North, but up close, he was even more imposing. His sharp features made him resemble not a cat, but a large fox—fierce, with piercing eyes.
At first glance, one might think he’s handsome, even charmingly attractive—but I knew this guy was a pervert, so his proximity sent chills down my spine.
“I was just hoping, but I didn’t actually expect it to be you.”
Hillstain chuckled to himself, looking down at me.
He smirked, scanning me up and down with those long, scrutinizing eyes—then narrowed them slightly.
“But.”
What’s he about to say? I swallowed hard.
“You’re prettier than I thought.”
What?
“I heard you weren’t particularly striking or eye-catching, but you’re actually quite pretty.”
How should I react? Is that a compliment or an insult?
Honestly, I don’t want to hear either from this guy.
“Excuse me, who exactly are you? And how did you get in here?”
“Well.”
…That doesn’t seem right. Didn’t the castle walls shake just moments ago?
Suspiciously wondering whether this bastard broke something to get in, I still tried not to provoke him.
Calmly, without forcing a smile.
“Whatever your reason, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. Please leave.”
To emphasize my firm resolve, I even stretched out my arm and pointed toward the door.
But Hillstain ignored me completely—he swiftly reached out and grabbed a fistful of my hair.
“No way. You know me.”
“I don’t.”
My hair was very long, and since he grabbed it loosely, it didn’t hurt—but it was unbearably unpleasant.
I shook my head.
“Are you pretending not to know me?”
“What on earth are you talking about? I really don’t know you.”
“We saw each other—in the North.”
“I don’t remember.”
I don’t know, I don’t remember!
Today’s an important day—there’s Ivy Violet’s celebratory ball. Why is this guy here?
Even Edan, who’s usually cooped up indoors, is attending that event. Is it really okay for a knight captain to leave his post? If I had two lives, I’d demand an answer right now—but I only have one. I must protect it carefully.
I kept repeating “I don’t know,” shooting him murderous glares with my eyes—and thankfully, Hillstain wasn’t as perceptive as Edan. He released my hair and stepped back slightly.
“Fine. That’s not the important part. What matters is that you’re Latieana Merigold.”
“…No! I’m Breakfast.”
At my impromptu lie, the sparkle in Hillstain’s eyes instantly turned icy.
“What?”
“I’m not Latieana Merigold. I’m just a maid working here—they call me Breakfast.”
Hillstain frowned as if he’d just heard utter nonsense.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes! I’m useless, nameless—just an ordinary maid. You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
Edan, I’ll just be Breakfast from now on. Please, please come back, I silently prayed.
But by now, Edan was probably enjoying a pleasant time with Ivy.
It wasn’t like I was going crazy… but in the original story, Edan did say Ivy was pretty.
He told me I was ugly, though.
While I briefly distracted myself trying to overcome my fear, Hillstain—who’d been staring at me incredulously—let out a small laugh.
“Interesting.”
He suddenly seized my wrist.
“Ugh…!”
He gripped it tightly, then loosened his hold slightly, leaning down to meet my eyes.
“So what use are you to Prince Edan? Is he just keeping you around because you’re funny?”
Probably not. Unless he’s teasing me.
But having seen Edan so often, Hillstain didn’t feel as intimidating up close as I’d expected.
Maybe I’d overreacted earlier. At first, he terrified me—but compared to Edan, he didn’t seem so scary after all.
“Let go.”
I stared him down boldly as I spoke. But Hillstain said something strange.
“Want me to help?”
“What?”
“If you’re not here because you want to be, just say so. I’ll help you.”
“…?”
…Why? Does he have some ulterior motive?
I momentarily felt tempted, but rationally speaking, Hillstain has no reason to help me.
Unless he plans to use me to hurt Edan’s feelings.
“Why should I listen to a stranger? I’m here by my own choice.”
“I see. Fair enough.”
“Then this hand—”
“Then I’ll just have to take you by force.”
Hillstain tightened his grip on my wrist again.
“Why are you doing this?! Let go! I told you—you’ve mistaken me for someone else…!”
“High Priestess Ivy Violet is looking for you.”
…What?
My breath caught.
Ivy is looking for me? Why?
Knowing the relationship between Ivy and the male leads, this was the most shocking thing I could hear.
If Hillstain came here at Ivy’s request… this man would do anything to drag me back.
Pale-faced, I asked:
“W-why is the High Priestess looking for me…?”
“Stop pretending you don’t know. You two are friends, aren’t you?”
“…Not anymore. How could I possibly be friends with the High Priestess? I’m already in another world—”
“That’s none of my business.”
“…”
Hillstain’s voice turned heavy.
As if all our previous conversation had been a joke, he now spoke with icy coldness.
“I know you were a Sacred Maiden candidate. I know you have barely any healing power. It’s time to return to the temple.”
I couldn’t breathe.
The thought of being dragged away made my captured hand tremble uncontrollably.
Seeing this, Hillstain intensified his threats.
“Why are you shaking? You’re just going back where you belong.”
“…I d-don’t want to go.”
It took every ounce of courage to force those words out.
But Hillstain tightened his grip and yanked me toward him.
“That’s your problem.”
His smile—softly curling his lips—felt like the most terrifying thing in the world.
Hillstain knew perfectly well that if I went to the temple, I’d die.
Because… this pervert was the man who turned the most Sacred Maiden candidates into mummies before Ivy ever appeared.
“A- I’ll tell Ivy myself! I don’t know why she’s looking for me, but—”
“Why?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it obvious why Lady Ivy is looking for you?”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying—”
“They said you fell from the carriage in an accident. Isn’t she looking for you because she’s worried?”
That can’t be. Ivy clearly saw me deliberately open the door and jump out.
I even waved goodbye, telling her I’d be fine.
I never imagined Ivy would look for me—because Latieana’s lingering memories of Ivy were distant and indifferent.
In the original story, aside from her full name, Latieana was barely mentioned—just a friend Ivy leaned on after entering the temple.
The key point is: after entering the temple. Though Ivy once envied Latieana’s cherry-blossom hair color, back in the rural orphanage, they weren’t close or affectionate toward each other.
Naturally, I never considered the possibility that Ivy would look for me.
It wasn’t part of any life plan I’d made.
Ivy was supposed to be living each day overflowing with the male leads’ love, standing center stage at the royal ball tonight—blessed above all others. If she wished, she could have any man she wanted now—not just the male leads—and claim both wealth and honor.
Just like in the original story, where she forgot me completely after one comforting word from the male leads upon hearing of my death—I assumed I’d already been erased from her memory.
So what… is this?
Because of Ivy, I’m being dragged to the temple? Where I’ll clearly die?
Did she know this would happen? Or is she completely unaware? What’s going on, Ivy?!
I was utterly confused.
“Enough pointless chatter.”
Hillstain’s grip on my wrist tightened again, snapping me back to reality.
“I’m taking you to the ballroom right now—to present you to Lady Ivy.”
Hillstain spoke without the slightest hesitation.
“…What do you gain by doing this?”
At my question, Hillstain licked his lips slowly, as if savoring a sweet fantasy.
“To possess Lady Ivy.”
“…”
“And as a bonus, I get to enjoy watching Edan—that pathetic bastard—lose his mind in frustration after losing you.”
Hillstain gripped my wrist even harder, as if ready to snap it at any moment.
Tears welled up in my eyes instinctively.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
