“No way...”

Muen’s face suddenly went pale.

No time to think of anything else—he immediately pulled out the Black Book and combed through everything that had happened from yesterday to now in meticulous detail.

“Of course... the only possible variable that could’ve caused all this is that maid named Noelle!”

“In the original novel, there’s no way she would've been allowed to rest. The original Muen Campbell was never this kind or tolerant!” 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“For all I know, she only caused that disruption at the banquet because Muen Campbell reprimanded her so harshly that her illness got worse!”

“In other words... my goodwill messed with the plotline?”

Gripping the Black Book tightly in his hands, Muen collapsed onto the sofa with a defeated slump.

“Then what the hell was the point of everything I did?”

Celicia was still peacefully asleep, like a princess in a fairy tale awaiting a prince’s true love’s kiss.

But all Muen could feel while looking at her was bitter irony.

A princess who never meets her prince is just a sleeping beauty locked in a tower—and that story never gets a happy ending.

If he, Muen, couldn’t perfectly recreate his disgraceful downfall, then what awaited him might be a fate even worse than the canon ending.

Just like the Black Book’s prophetic dream.

The phrase “Don’t change” still echoed in his mind, quickly replaced by that terrifying vision—his body torn to shreds, death by a thousand cuts.

He truly hadn’t expected that his carefully laid plan would unravel from something as tiny as a single deviation.

She’s the main character for god’s sake—is her route really that fragile?

“No, no. It’s not over yet!”

“We’re talking about the protagonist here! The type who could randomly get lost and somehow stumble into the one correct room out of hundreds in a damn duke’s mansion!”

“She’s the literal child of destiny! Even if the worldline’s gone a bit off-track, her absurd luck should snap it right back into place!”

“It’s not time to give up yet!”

A sudden gleam burst in Muen’s eyes, and a blazing determination reignited in his chest.

Sure, everything looked grim—but it wasn’t hopeless. Not yet.

He just had to believe in the protagonist. Believe in her destiny.

Because in any decent Feng Ao Tian yuri story—unless the author was brain-dead—there was no way in hell the heroine would let herself get defiled by the yellow-haired villain. That kind of revolting development just didn’t happen!

The protagonist always arrived at the last possible second—just like in Whatever Breaks the Heavens or Some Sky-Crushing Something—timing their entrance down to the wire to give the audience that rush!

So until Celicia actually woke up, nothing was decided yet!

Yes. Before she wakes up!

“...Mmh.”

A soft noise suddenly rang out in the room.

“...”

No. No way.

Already?

Hallucination. That has to be a hallucination.

“So hot...”

“...” Not a hallucination.

He was screwed.

The light, gone.

The fire, out.

All Muen felt was cold, bitter cold sinking through his bones.

He slowly turned his head toward Celicia.

Sure enough, her delicate brows were knit tightly, her body shifting slightly on the bed.

She looked uncomfortable, maybe feverish. But no matter how you looked at it—she was about to wake up.

“This is really the end.”

“The first thing she’s gonna do when she wakes up is murder me.”

“No disgraceful downfall needed. I’m about to die ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) here and now.”

“Ughhh...”

Utterly hopeless, Muen turned to face the tightly shut door. Hot tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his cheeks like a prayer.

“Lady Ariel! Protagonist-sama! My holy savior!”

What the hell are you doing?! Hurry up and save me already!!

———

“Liya, that klutz! How could she be so careless and get cake on my dress?!”

Meanwhile, the one person Muen was praying to—our protagonist Ariel—was anxiously holding up the edge of her skirt, wandering the sprawling hallways of the ducal mansion like a headless chicken.

There was a clear smear of frosting on one corner of her dress, courtesy of the bumbling Liya’s earlier blunder.

Which was why Ariel was now frantically searching for a bathroom—but who would’ve guessed the Campbell estate would be this complicated?

Unfortunately, Ariel was also a world-class navigation disaster, completely oblivious to her own lack of direction.

Naturally, she got lost.

But whether it was some higher power guiding her steps or just the ridiculous plot armor of a main character, Ariel was now just one hallway turn away from Muen’s room.

One twist of fate more, and she’d be pushing open exactly the right door, in just minutes—maybe less.

But this time, fate... had a different plan.

“Who’s there?! Come out!”

Ariel snapped her head toward a shadowed corner, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

Step.

A crisp footfall echoed from the darkness.

A figure stepped out, black-and-white maid’s dress fluttering.

It was a maid.

“I’m terribly sorry, honored guest, but this area is off-limits,” the maid said politely, bowing with practiced elegance. “I must ask that you turn back.”

“Off-limits?”

Relieved but confused, Ariel furrowed her brows slightly.

“What kind of place is off-limits?”

“Ducal estate confidential. I’m afraid I cannot disclose more.”

“Cheh, stingy.”

Ariel clicked her tongue, feigning nonchalance—but her dark eyes darted suspiciously, clearly scheming something.

“Your skirt appears to be stained, Miss.”

Suddenly, the maid crouched before Ariel.

She gently lifted the hem of the skirt, a faint light blooming at her fingertips.

“Cleanse.”

A soft glow passed over the fabric—and the stain vanished completely.

“Whoa, awesome!”

Ariel blinked in amazement.

“Maidens of the ducal estate can use magic?”

“I dabble a little. Nothing worth mentioning.”

The maid stood, smiling pleasantly.

“In a few minutes, the banquet will begin serving limited-edition Patchichi cake. If you’re fond of it, be sure not to miss out.”

“Patchichi cake?!”

Ariel’s eyes lit up instantly.

Her absolute favorite!

Too expensive to eat often—and with only a handful of patissiers in all of Bellrand capable of making it—this was a rare treat.

“Thank you so much!”

Ariel gave the maid a full ninety-degree bow and immediately dashed off.

Even her formal evening gown couldn’t slow her down.

After all, even in a place like the ducal estate, Patchichi cake was only served in limited quantities—and if you were late, it was gone.

———

After running a while, Ariel suddenly started talking.

But there was no one around her.

It was more like... she was muttering to herself.

“I knew there was something shady about that maid.”

“‘Off-limits area in the ducal estate’ my ass. She’s totally lying.”

“There was a smell of blood on her. And whoever else is hiding nearby... suspicious.”

“But—none of that has anything to do with me!”

“Whatever she’s up to, it’s all happening inside the ducal estate. There’s no way it’ll affect me.”

“Looking for Princess Celicia? Come on, Her Highness is a grown-ass woman. It’s not like she’s gonna get lost.”

“There’s nothing—absolutely nothing—more important than my Patchichi cake!”

“My sweet, sweet Patchichi—here I come!”