MTLNOVEL 42
I held back for just about a day. The next morning, I peeked my head out into the capital.
Of course, before using Reload, I didn’t forget to leave a replica hamster at home. I even asked the system to make it cry realistically, so it should be fine for a little while.
‘Still, I should hurry back…’
That damn Kyle is sharp. He might notice something’s off with our hamster and call a vet again. For the sake of that poor vet, who would probably be trembling before the Grand Duke, I had to take care of things as quickly as possible and return.
“Alright, then.”
After using Reload in a secluded thicket outside the Imperial Palace, the first thing I did was ask the system to locate the Castanets Merchant Guild. Fortunately, it wasn’t too far. If I left right away, I’d be there in less than ten minutes.
However, the real problem lay elsewhere.
“Seriously, what the fuck…”
I let out a faint smile, my eyes narrowing.
How could my life be such a goddamn sewer drain? Even if I had sold out my own country in my past life, it probably wouldn’t have been this miserable.
[⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄]
Ha…
I shut my eyes tightly and took several deep breaths before finally looking down at myself.
A sweater riddled with holes from being hand-knit, stitch by stitch. A giant strawberry embroidery so massive it could be seen from fifty meters away. And to top it all off, my bare thighs, fully exposed to the warm imperial breeze.
Perfect. Just fucking perfect.
I slumped to the ground, clutching my head. Then, silently, I groaned in agony.
At this point, staying a hamster seemed like the better option. At least that way, my dignity wouldn’t take a hit!
“…….”
Or… was staying a hamster even more undignified?
“……Ah, fuck it.”
I let out a deep sigh and pushed myself up.
Accepting the situation quickly was the only choice. I had several things to take care of—wasting time here wasn’t an option.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I glanced around. The first thing that caught my eye was a modest yet beautiful house with a rose garden, its fence reaching about waist-high.
“I’ve never broken the law in my life, but here I am…”
Muttering to myself, I pressed close to the fence. Then, rising on my tiptoes, I flailed my arms a few times before finally managing to grab a pair of shorts hanging on a clothesline.
Just borrowing them. Just the shorts. I’ll wash them and return them later.
I was tempted by the shirt hanging right next to them but forced myself to resist. Once I reached the merchant guild, I’d be able to find proper clothes. That meant I could finally say goodbye to this cursed strawberry-embroidered sweater.
Yeah. It’s a merchant guild. Even if there are people inside, how many could there be?
—
“…….”
This fucking Castanets Merchant Guild. I should’ve known the moment they mentioned having branches all over the place and handling transportation services.
[The Castanets Merchant Guild is the fourth-largest guild in the Meinhardt Empire and the largest in the transportation industry!]
I smacked my chest in frustration.
That was important information! You should’ve told me sooner! If I’d known, I would’ve stolen the damn shirt too!
I thought there’d be, at most, one or two receptionists inside!
“Hey, look over there…”
“That person’s wearing a strawberry-patterned sweater. And they’re barefoot.”
“…That’s really something else.”
It’s not me that’s weird…
Kyle Jane Meinhardt. You absolute bastard.
I desperately wanted to rip the strawberry embroidery to shreds, but if I did that, I’d be running around half-naked—a genuine pervert infamous across the capital.
Stay calm. Stay fucking calm.
“But… those bare legs… Are they… not wearing pants?”
My patience instantly snapped.
“I AM wearing pants!”
What the hell do you think I am?! What, is this some kind of spectacle for you?! Stop following me! Stop whispering! Just stop paying attention to me!
“…Haah.”
Getting mistaken for a pervert by random strangers wasn’t part of the plan, but at least I managed to retrieve my money and belongings.
After changing into proper clothes, I rushed back to the palace. That money wasn’t a small sum—losing it would’ve been a damn shame.
“Oh? Shu, you’re back already? His Highness said he’d take a little longer…”
As soon as I entered the palace grounds, I ran into Sen, who was strolling through the garden. It was good timing.
Smiling in relief, I approached her. I reached out for a light handshake, a casual greeting after a long time—
[Pending Miracle Points are now being settled all at once!]
[Character ‘Serena’ has been deleted.]
…What?
Serena… was deleted?
Then who is this person standing in front of me?
[A character not found in the original story, ‘Sen,’ has appeared.]
[Since you contributed to this character’s change, your Miracle Points have been adjusted accordingly.]
With my interference in this novel, her fate had indeed shifted over the course of the winter.
But what did it mean that Serena had been deleted?
Sen was supposed to be engaged to Prince Belial… Could this mean that, unlike in the original story, Belial wouldn’t become Emperor this time?
As confusion clouded my mind, the system windows began appearing mercilessly in front of me.
[Current Miracle Points: 31.0%]
[Current Miracle Points: 34.5%]
[Current Miracle Points: 37.0%]
[Current Miracle Points: 39.2%]
“…….”
The flashing blue light overwhelmed me, making me instinctively step back. The rapid surge of Miracle Points felt utterly unfamiliar.
Was this change in Sen’s fate a good thing for her?
This time, would she no longer kill Kyle and finally find happiness for herself?
Oblivious to my turmoil, the system windows continued to layer upon one another, radiating an almost threatening glow.
[This character does not exist in the records!]
[Unable to retrieve information about this character!]
What the hell?
This entire story—Winter’s Heart—had been reshaping itself based on my presence and actions. But if someone had changed so drastically that they were no longer even recognized… What did that mean?
“Serena” was a title reserved for the Empress.
And just now, the Serena of this story had disappeared.
Why?
The future isn’t set in stone. It can change.
The Meinhardt Empire has three princes—Lorenz, Belial, and Kyle.
Kyle might have no interest in the throne, but Belial certainly does. He isn’t dead, he hasn’t broken off his engagement… So why had fate erased Serena?
“Shu?”
Sen reached out for me.
Her worried expression made me bite my lip and take another step back.
I had no idea what to say.
What had happened in the palace while I was gone?
What would happen now to Sen, who was no longer a part of the original cast?
She stepped forward. I stepped back.
She took another step. I backed away again.
“…Wait, Sen. Sorry, I just—”
What expression should I be making right now?
How was I supposed to explain this?
Still hesitating, I suddenly bumped into something—solid and warm.
A shadow loomed over me.
I looked up.
Kyle was standing there, gazing down at me.
“Shu.”
My vision spun.
He had grasped my shoulders and turned me to face him.
Kyle tilted my chin up, silently studying my face. Then, without warning, he pulled me close, half-embracing me.
“Did you take a carriage back?”
“…No.”
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should make up something about riding a horse or a donkey.
But Kyle didn’t press the question. He didn’t seem particularly interested in the answer—just offering it as a convenient excuse.
“I see. You must be tired.”
“…Ah. Right, of course. We did split up midway, didn’t we?”
Sen gave an awkward smile, as if realizing something.
“I didn’t think of that. Sorry, Shu. Let’s talk later—get some rest first. Your room is…”
“I’ll take him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hm.”
I looked up at Kyle.
His face was calm, expressionless.
What was he thinking?
As always, he didn’t ask me anything. He simply observed my face for a moment, then gently guided me forward with his arm still wrapped around my shoulders.
“Your Highness.”
“…….”
“……Your Highness.”
“Just a bit longer.”
He matched my pace and murmured,
“It’s just down this way.”
There were too many suspicious things.
My strange behavior with Sen.
The fact that I arrived much earlier than expected despite not taking a carriage.
The fact that I looked completely unruffled.
But Kyle didn’t question me.
It was as if nothing mattered more to him than my current state.
And that realization left me momentarily stunned.
Click.
The door opened.
And we were gently swallowed by the darkness within.
The curtains were drawn, allowing only faint outlines of furniture to be seen.
“It’s just because you’re tired,” Kyle murmured.
Resting his chin atop my head, he pulled me into a firm embrace.
“You’ll feel better after some sleep. I’ll stay until you do.”
He wasn’t ignoring the suspicious details.
There were surely a lot of things he wanted to ask.
But he didn’t. Because he had decided—now wasn’t the time.
“I’m fi—”
Kyle cut me off with a low chuckle.
“You don’t look fine.”
“…….”
“You’re just tired, that’s all.”
That was the excuse he had chosen to believe. At least, for tonight.
“You’re right.”
In the end, I let out a small sigh and agreed.
“I’m just tired. I’ll feel better after some sleep.”
As I turned my head slightly, a system window floated into view.
The time left until Reload—not even ten minutes.
I slipped out of Kyle’s arms and obediently lay down on the bed. Then, looking up at him, I spoke.
“You don’t have to worry. You can go back now.”
“I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
“…….”
I quickly shut my eyes.
It was clear he meant it. At this rate, he really would wait until I was asleep, so pretending was my only option.
It felt awkward even to me—I wasn’t sure if he’d actually buy it.
I heard the sound of footsteps approaching the bedside.
Even with my eyes closed, I could sense him drawing closer.
Kyle came to a stop, and I felt his fingers gently brush over my forehead.
He lowered his head, close enough that his lips almost touched my skin.
But he didn’t kiss me.
Instead, his hand slowly pulled my blanket up a little higher, tucking me in.
Then, in a soft voice, he murmured,
“Sweet dreams.”
The door clicked shut. Silence filled the room.
I lifted my hand and lightly touched my forehead—where his fingers had been, where his breath had lingered.
“……It’s warm.”
Yes.
It was warm.
As if he had left some of his heat behind, just for me.