Chapter 22: Save the Saintess (2)

Although I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, an incredulous expression briefly flickered across the Duke’s face.

In the original story, Rosetta barely escaped being sold to slave traders. However, while wandering the streets of Pins, she encountered three beastmen. After a desperate chase, she arrived at the Pins Clock Tower.

‘In the original story, the Crown Prince arrived at the clock tower before the tenth bell rang, so Rosetta should appear even earlier. All we need to do is wait in ambush at the clock tower square.’

If Duke Xavier arrived at the clock tower before the Crown Prince and saved her, Rosetta would naturally fall for Xavier instead of the Crown Prince. And Xavier would fall for her as well.

And me?

‘If the two of them fall in love, that’s perfect for me. I’ll live happily ever after, spending my allowance and basking in my parents’ love!’

The thought of a rainbow-colored future drew closer, and my chest swelled with excitement.

At that moment, Rexton, who had been silent until now, suddenly began to criticize me.

“Your Grace, it’s highly suspicious that the lady knows of an oracle that only Your Grace, the priest, and I are aware of.”

Rexton’s brown eyes glared at me fiercely, as if he’d been betrayed by someone he trusted.

Tch, I thought we were getting along better.

“Rexton, show respect to the lady.”

“It could be a trap.”

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

“Your Grace!”

“Focus on keeping watch.”

With a dissatisfied expression, Rexton glanced at me once more before shifting his gaze out the window. It seemed he intended to follow the Duke’s orders and keep an eye on the surroundings.

‘Looks like he really dislikes me now.’

Well, I couldn’t blame him. From Rexton’s perspective, it must seem ridiculous and suspicious that I suddenly appeared and claimed to have received an oracle.

‘Just hold on a little longer.’

Before long, the carriage arrived at the clock tower.

The square, dimly lit by streetlights, had an eerie atmosphere. The black, disguised carriage blended into the darkness, its silhouette barely visible. Only the occasional sound of the horses’ hooves broke the silence.

“Rexton, park the carriage a bit farther from the clock tower.”

“Yes, Your Grace. But… time is of the essence.”

“I took the dose this morning, so there’s still time. The priest is still back at the residence.”

The dose? Of what?

Confused, I watched the Duke and Rexton’s profiles when the Duke suddenly asked.

“When will the Saintess appear?”

“Huh? Around nine o’clock.”

Once again, Rexton’s strange gaze lingered on me.

Please stop staring, Rexton. If only I had sunglasses. I didn’t know where to look.

“Rexton.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

At Xavier’s nod, Rexton quickly sprang into action. Despite his earlier complaints, his movements were swift and efficient. He drove the carriage into the shadows and disappeared.

The Duke and I decided to wait for the Saintess in an alley behind the clock tower.

“She’s late.”

“Yes, but she’ll appear behind that general store across the square.”

“You speak as if you’ve seen it yourself.”

Under the streetlights, the Duke looked down at me. His face, illuminated by the faint glow, appeared almost otherworldly.

Startled, I quickly lowered the hand I had confidently raised to point at the general store.

“Well, yes. As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t just hear about the oracle—I saw it. And to reach the clock tower, the only paths are through this alley or past that general store.”

“Hmm.”

The Duke rubbed his chin with his hand and looked at me suspiciously.

“I truly only know that the Saintess will appear at the clock tower.”

“Let’s say I believe you.”

‘Ugh, it’s hard being a trivial extra.’

The Duke shifted his gaze from me to the direction of the general store.

How much time passed? The sound of multiple footsteps began to echo through the square near the clock tower.

“Ahhh! Please save me!”

A scream rang out. A woman ran into the square.

Her long, flowing black hair reached her waist, and she was stunningly beautiful.

It was Rosetta.

Two beastmen with lizard-like tails were chasing her from behind.

“Hiss, hiss. Stop running!”

“Ehehehe.”

The flickering streetlights revealed the sight of Rosetta running for her life and the beastmen flicking their tongues as they pursued her.

The Duke, standing beside me, narrowed his eyes, which began to gleam dangerously. A dark aura started to seep from his body.

“There she is! That’s Saintess Rosetta!”

At my words, Xavier, who was about to dash out, hesitated.

“Wait, there’s no mark of the Saintess.”

The oracle mentioned a ‘star.’ That was the mark.

“It’s on her forehead. It’ll appear soon. Please save her quickly.”

The Duke gave me a questioning look for a moment but then turned and darted forward like an arrow.

It’s done! Now I can finally sleep peacefully!

Duke Xavier Auguste would fall for Rosetta, and she would fall for him, her savior. Now I can live happily ever after!

Overcome with joy, I felt my shoulders twitch, itching to break into a celebratory dance. I moved into the shadow of the clock tower and gleefully performed a little jig.

It was during this moment of blissful celebration that it happened.

“Ugh.”

A sharp pain suddenly shot through my back.

Unable to bear the excruciating pain, I curled up like a shrimp and collapsed on the spot. It felt as if my back was being torn apart, and tears welled up in my eyes.

“Hisss.”

“?”

“Oh ho, there’s another woman here.”

A chilling voice came from behind me.

Despite the searing pain, I felt goosebumps rise all over my body. In that instant, a memory flashed through my mind.

「Three beastmen relentlessly pursued the Saintess. Their eerie voices sent shivers down her spine.」

I remembered this passage from the novel.

‘This… this is….’

A cold, reptilian hand suddenly appeared beside me.

Emerging from the shadows, the scaly hand grabbed my shoulder. A wave of unbearable pain followed.

“Ughhh!”

The lizard beastman’s claws dug into the flesh of my shoulder.

I struggled desperately to escape his grip, but it was futile. The pain was so overwhelming that I couldn’t even scream.

‘It hurts so much. Someone, save me!’

One of the three beastmen chasing Rosetta had come for me. My attempt to alter the original story had backfired on me.

I just needed to hold on a little longer. Once Xavier and Rosetta were together, it would all be over.

From the far end of the square, I could faintly hear the sound of the Duke fighting the beastmen. He was busy rescuing Rosetta and wouldn’t come here.

‘I don’t want to die.’

As I trembled uncontrollably, on the verge of losing consciousness, the beastman’s claws withdrew from my shoulder.

“Ahhh!”

Blood gushed out. Meanwhile, my back felt like it was on fire. The pain was so intense that I couldn’t even think of running. I simply slid to the ground.

‘Is this punishment from the author for trying to destroy the original story?’

“Hehehe, you’re mine now.”

The beastman’s vertical, yellow eyes drew closer. His terrifying face loomed over me, and I shivered, dragging myself along the ground.

“Get lost.”

With a sickening sound, a mix of red and green blood splattered everywhere. The lizard beastman’s head rolled to the ground with a thud.

“Ahhh!”

I was so startled that it was a miracle I didn’t faint. Panting heavily, I tried to calm myself.

“Are you all right, my lady?”

A gentle voice spoke above me. But having just brushed against death, I couldn’t focus. Even breathing was difficult.

“Hah… hah…”

“Breathe. The beastman is dead.”

Was it the Duke? No, this voice was too kind to belong to him.

Struggling to catch my breath, I looked up.

Long silver hair swayed in the breeze, reaching the man’s waist. His golden eyes, beautiful yet cold, glimmered as he extended a hand toward me.

“Can you stand? Let me help you.”

“Ah…”

Arthur de Fabian, the Crown Prince.

The male lead of this novel.

It was obvious why the Crown Prince, who resided in the capital, appeared here in Pins. He was drawn by the event connecting him to the heroine.

But wasn’t it too early for the Crown Prince to show up? He shouldn’t be here yet.

I glanced at the clock tower. It was almost 9:30.

“Th-thank you, Your Highness.”

“You know who I am.”

Well, your face is plastered all over the novel’s cover alongside Rosetta’s.

But I didn’t bother to explain.

“You’ve lost a lot of blood. Let me take you to my quarters.”

“Ah, the blood.”

My upper body was soaked in blood from my shoulder wound.

I looked toward the direction Xavier had gone. Judging by the silence, it seemed he had finished his fight.

Good. Rosetta must have awakened her powers, and Xavier would surely take her back to his residence.

‘I’ve shaken off the villain! Finally!’

The joy bubbling up from deep within me nearly overshadowed the pain.

Even though I was drenched in blood and in unbearable pain, I couldn’t help but smile. Before the Crown Prince could notice, I composed myself and spoke calmly.

“No, please take me home.”

“But…”

“My house is just two blocks past the square.”

“Very well. I brought a priest with me, so you’ll receive treatment.”

The male lead, the Crown Prince, was neither overbearing nor unkind.

But I didn’t care about the male lead right now. My head was spinning, and I just wanted to go home. I had lost too much blood.

Soon, a golden carriage, unmistakably imperial, arrived.

The Crown Prince smiled warmly as he supported me by the waist and hand, escorting me into the carriage. Fighting to stay conscious, I climbed inside.

“Meow.”

A cat’s cry pierced my ears.

Startled, I looked around.

“Did you hear a cat just now, Your Highness?”

“A cat? I didn’t hear anything.”

The Crown Prince’s voice was slightly stiff.

I accepted his explanation. Maybe my dizziness was making me hear things.

“That’s strange. I’m sure I heard it…”

“Perhaps it’s a stray. I’ll have someone inform the guards to handle it.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“Don’t worry about it. Please, get inside.”

He gestured for me to enter first.

Only after the Crown Prince boarded did the carriage begin to move.