Chapter 98: Twisted Manuscripts

‘Ah, damn it, I’m doomed! After feasting on garlic and steak today, my breath’s bound to reek.’

I had to get out before being ambushed by an unwanted kiss. While diligently scraping away meat clinging to my front teeth, I found myself at the study’s door in no time.

At the sound of the door opening, Elina II jerked her head up to look at him. Diches, holding the door open, motioned for her to come in.

“The deal you promised last time,”

No sooner had Elina II stepped into the study than Diches cleared his throat. After a brief pause, he continued.

“I’d like to understand exactly what you meant.”

Feeling Diches’ piercing, unabashed gaze, Elina II slightly lowered her head. Though still preoccupied with the leftover meat, she cautiously voiced her planned reply.

“…I know the Duke fancies Lady Elina I. He wants to keep her close. That’s why he’s been using me…”

“And so I did use you, but I’m at a loss on how to continue the story afterward.”

“What…?”

Elina II’s expression turned vacant, as if Kim Bing-ui’s very soul might slip away at any moment. To her, Diches retrieved a sheet of manuscript paper from atop the desk and extended it.

“Read it. As you suggested, I tried writing a regretful tale, but after the consoling part, I couldn’t figure out what our sub-female lead, Elina II, should do. I figured asking you directly was the fastest way.”

“But you did tell me to use you…”

“Also, note that I mentioned in the prologue that the actual place names and characters have nothing to do with the main content. I’m trying to avoid any readers confusing fiction with reality.”

‘As if I should do it in reality, you blockhead.’

Was there nothing in his head but obsession and possessiveness? Kim Bing-ui truly believed that. Staring blankly at the manuscript paper laid before him, she began reading from the first sentence.

[There was a time when I truly loved her. Intimate whispers, tender glances, sweet kisses, and warm embraces. I once believed that every part of her belonged solely to me. I naively trusted that our love would last forever. But that was nothing more than my delusion and hubris.

“Oh, Elina I, I have no one but you.”

“…Elina I, I can’t tear my eyes away from your beauty and profound intellect, my dear.”

“All the men in this world are floundering in the wake of your charm.”

I couldn’t help but watch. There she stood in the midst of a lavish rose garden, laughing even more brilliantly than the dazzling red roses that surrounded her, while countless men whispered promises of eternal love around her.

The woman who once looked only to me had transformed into a sensational femme fatale who bewitched every man around her!

“…But Elina I, you already have a lover. How heartbreakingly sad that is! Your rival is none other than the Duke himself, the Emperor’s right-hand man and head of the Knight Order! Men like us could never compete!”

“Heh, with Diches, it’s nothing serious.”

“Is that really so? Oh, our beautiful queen.”

“Yes, he was such a nuisance anyway. The rumor about an affair is simply false. I can’t be satisfied with just one man, can I?”

‘I love you, Diches,’

It didn’t quite sound like Lady Elina I’s voice. It wasn’t the woman I knew.

“I have no one but you, Elina I.”

“Oh, my beloved… may I press my lips against your fair hand?”

“How about a hot 13-page romp tonight? Elina I, I’m always ready for you…”

“Our queen, the femme fatale who will rule the world!”

I can’t recall what came next. After that, I have no idea how I ended up back at the Duke Liniat estate. I slept like a log for days and woke up only to find tears streaming down my face. I was utterly overwhelmed with sorrow. A week later, Lady Elina I came searching for me first, a bouquet of roses in hand as a get-well gift.

I tried to hide my feelings, but eventually, I broke down in front of her. The memory of the riot of blooming red roses that day returned, each petal a painful barb to my heart.

“You said you loved me, Elina I! Is one lover not enough for you?”

“…Diches.”

“Answer me. Why create such a harem… reverse harem, if you will…”

I stifled the uncontrollable sobs. Isn’t it the same to be with one when it’s ten times worse with thirteen? I could not forgive a 13-page spread.

Could it be that his recent forced engagement with the Emperor was the cause? That he wouldn’t boldly proclaim her as his lover before the Emperor? That he refrained from sabotaging the engagement? Was she so furious with me that she had changed this much?

But I had my reasons too. I had spent some time in the royal prison for certain matters. In that place, where both body and mind were shackled, I couldn’t do a thing!

Or perhaps, in utter despair, she was helping me push herself away in advance—her own way of sparing me from the guilt of being destined to be the Emperor’s fiancée.

I didn’t want to believe such possibilities. Lady Elina I, the stunning vision, might be one who refuses to face reality. And yet, reality was always cold.

“I think you’re mistaken. To me, the Duke is nothing more than a sperm bank—a simple repository, nothing more, nothing less.”

“…”

The face I saw on my first encounter with Lady Elina I was like a fusion of a flower and a serpent.

“Wow… I’ve seen the end of clinging passion. But the sperm bank bit has a strangely futuristic ring to it. This is fantasy, right?”

“Indeed.”

In response to Elina II’s blunt critique, Diches simply hummed and deftly crossed out the sperm bank phrase. He then had to come up with another fitting word. Watching him rest his chin and ponder seriously, Elina II muttered with an icy glance,

“…They say obsessive men get terrifying when dumped. Look at you, writing a lousy ex-girlfriend story—it’s hilariously pathetic…”

“A regretful tale traditionally features a protagonist whose lover is a total mess, making later regrets all the more entertaining.”

“If real Lady Elina I were to see this, she’d despise you rather than feel regret. Ready to sue? This isn’t a regret tale—it’s a courtroom drama! Big picture indeed.”

“I won’t tolerate any more harsh critique. I summoned you here for feedback, not to bear your scolding!”

Diches bared a fierce glare and growled like a wolf. In his presence, Elina II, who had become as timid as a little rabbit, widened her eyes.

“Ugh, character. Want a smack? Alright then. How about this for a replacement word instead of ‘sperm bank’? What about ‘bastard’?”

“That works. At least it stings a little.”

“Or perhaps ‘fucking insane’?”

“Aren’t you just itching to hurl insults at me?”

After countless revisions, the work titled ‘The Beautiful Duke’s Flower’ was published and went on to become the first romance fantasy to sell 2 million copies. That was, of course, down the line.

* * *

Karlahee awoke. Bright sunlight streamed in through the high window. Stretching, he headed to the bathroom. Though the images of musk deer and mountain goats playfully mocking him in his dream left a sour taste, his overall condition was in good shape—indeed, even great.

Wearing a checkered shirt, jeans, and round-framed glasses, he finished his look by spraying cologne on his wrists and rubbing it behind his ears. Fully prepped, he climbed into his carriage, and on the way, he stopped by a flower shop to pick up a basket full of fresh roses.

About 10 minutes later, he arrived at the Schmord Viscount estate. Composing himself, he knocked on the mansion door. Soon, a butler appeared to greet him.

“I’m a close acquaintance of Lara. Is she inside?”

“Miss Lara left two hours ago.”

Although Karlahee felt a pang of disappointment at her having another appointment, he accepted it. After all, arranging meetings through letters takes time; he had come in a rush. Sure, he secretly hoped to see her face, but he wouldn’t admit it.

Even though the Only One event ended in anticlimax, this month’s Buko was still on. It was an event held at the Budelli Domain during Comic World—simply known as Buko.

At least, the fake couldn’t show his true colors if he came to Buko. He didn’t seem like the kind to obsess over Lilica that much. Still, worried that even this might be snatched away from him, he dashed out for lunch.

“Nothing can be done—just deliver these flowers.”

“What’s the name of the recipient…”

“Call her Rahi. And by the way, do you know where Lara has gone?”

‘…Damn, this damn mouth, damn it.’

Was this what being an obsessive male lead amounted to? Though his worry about Lara possibly heading off with that fake to Buko was his only concern, Karlahee internally cringed at his own pitiful state. He only hoped Lara would never find out.

“I’m sorry. I’m not really sure of her destination…”

“Ah, never mind. Sorry for asking a needless question.”

“But if you were with her, you might remember. I recall her wearing a dark robe in a slightly sketchy getup…”

The butler couldn’t finish his sentence as the visitor had vanished in the blink of an eye.

Located about an hour’s carriage ride from the capital, the Budelli Domain was where Lara was now. Also present was Lord Robes. Just like during the last Only One event, his popularity remained undiminished this time too.