episode_0002

Episode 2. It was an absolute shock to see her, who used to be called crazy, become my fiancée. I was truly dumbfounded.

“But that’s not the problem.”

The ending of this novel.

That was the issue.

The final episode of this novel, which I had anticipated with excitement, was enough to raise my blood pressure.

I thought Isaac and Giselle would have a happy ending, but suddenly, the story took a different turn at the end.

“The bishop, who was observing the ceremony, sensed something and shouted, ‘Everyone, get out! There’s going to be a divine power explosion! Quickly contact the royal family!’ The wedding venue turned into chaos.”

Divine power explosion.

It referred to an explosion caused by humans with divine blood, the blood of gods.

It was a kind of bomb-like weapon created by the gods.

And the human with divine blood was Isaac.

Still, as the newly crowned emperor and Rubyia’s older brother, Nellark had dragon blood, so I thought it would end as a minor incident.

According to the setting of this novel, the former emperor of this empire was a god of dragons.

And only those who possessed dragon blood, the descendants of the dragon deity, could stop the divine power explosion.

But this damn novel trampled over my expectations.

“‘Your Majesty, please save Isaac! I beg you! Only Your Majesty, who has dragon blood, can help!’ Nellark’s face turned pensive at Giselle’s plea.

“Oh, no… I…!”

At that moment, Isaac screamed, and light burst forth from his body.

“Kraaaaah!”

Then the world was filled with white light.

In the place where the light subsided, there was nothing, not a single living being left.

Doomed ending.

It was a doomed ending.

“I should find out who the real author is.”

He muttered to himself.

In this novel where everything ends in disaster, I was possessed by the character, Andrian Verdo.

He was Rubyia’s fiancé, a character who deeply loved her unrequitedly.

But because of his excessive love for her, he falsely confessed to her misdeeds and ended up being executed in her place, a tragic figure.

That was none other than Andrian Verdo.

It is fortunate that I was reincarnated as Andrian, who was engaged at the age of 13. “If things get tough, just run away.” Andrian bit his lip. “But something feels strange.” Why did the Emperor choose Andrian as the partner for the beloved princess? “Although it was written in a novel.” Princess Rubia was born from a maid whom the Emperor loved. Despite that, it was a well-known fact to both the readers and the nobles of this world that the Emperor, as well as the Empress, had a terrible love for the princess. So, in order to improve the princess’s lineage, the Emperor arranged a marriage between Andrian, the eldest son of the Verdo family, the oldest and most prestigious family in the empire. “Tsk. Looking at it this way, Rubia is pitiful too.” Andrian, the eldest son of Duke Verdo. On the surface, he seemed to hold a fairly popular position, but the reality was completely different. There were four dukes here: Duke Bas, known for his swordsmanship; Duke Pferio, a master of magic; Duke Shimon, an expert in arts and academia; and finally… “Duke Verdo, the Lord of Spirits.” It was the most ancient and prestigious family created alongside the founding emperor of the Perion Empire. And the heads of the Verdo family were born with strong affinity through generations. Starting from high-level spirits, they could summon intermediate spirits no matter how low their affinity was. However, during the spirit contract ceremony around the age of 10, Andrian couldn’t summon any spirits. He couldn’t even be chosen by a low-level spirit. The eldest son of the Verdo family, who was resented by the spirits. This fact caused a stir throughout the family. As a result, despite being the eldest son, Andrian was forced to give up his position as the heir and his younger brother, Lueni, became the next head of the family, summoning a mid-level wind spirit. “The shame of the Verdo family.” Or, “The half-failure who couldn’t receive the protection of spirits.” Those words followed Andrian for the rest of his life. As a result, the lively and cheerful Andrian gradually became gloomy and passive. If only Andrian had resorted to black magic to forcibly contract with a spirit. “Although I entered his body because of that.” After being reincarnated as Andrian, he immediately made up his mind.

At the end, let’s break off the engagement and run away to a distant place in a desperate moment.

“The villainess won’t be just a villainess for no reason.”

If she stayed here for no reason, the villainess could have pinned her own crimes on her.

“And if it’s on the opposite side of the continent, Isaac’s influence won’t reach there.”

However, there were many things to consider and think about in order to break off the engagement.

It was difficult to easily break it off because he was a noble favored by the emperor.

Well, if I really want to break it off…

“By the way, what do you think about directly asking His Majesty if you really want to break off the engagement?”

She could ask the emperor, who cherishes and dotes on her.

“Then both of us would be comfortable.”

But she tightly pressed her lips and said nothing.

As if her heart was deeply wounded…

It was a very old expression, filled with faded scars.

“What’s wrong?”

Wasn’t the emperor fond of Rubia?

The emperor, who claimed to cherish her, wouldn’t refuse.

He felt slightly puzzled but dismissed the thought.

In any case, what does it matter about the past or flaws of someone who will become a nobody in the future?

That was his thought.

At that moment, Rubia spoke up.

“Forget it.”

Rubia coldly spat out the words and narrowed her eyes.

Despite her young age, she was so dazzling and beautiful that one couldn’t take their eyes off her.

“Could it be that the reason you won’t break off the engagement is because you think you’re compatible with me?”

No. Absolutely not. That’s impossible.

“I also want to run away.”

When Andrian maintained silence, Rubia let out a small laugh.

“Fortunately, you know your place when it comes to the topic.”

She said, twisting one corner of her mouth.

“Yeah. If you’re going to raise a dog, it would be nice if it barks and doesn’t bite, and stays quiet enough that you don’t even know if it will drink water.”

In other words, it meant to maintain the engagement without attracting attention as much as possible.

Yeah, I know. I get it.

“Yeah. Just wait for me while I figure out how to break it off.”

Andrian thought to himself and replied with a faint smile.

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Whether she liked his answer or not, she stood up from her seat and smirked arrogantly.

“Remember my words well.”

With that, she left the room, accompanied by her maidservants.

* * *

Andrion, who was on the carriage heading home, got lost in thought.

“I have to somehow break off the engagement with the princess.”

There was no way he could escape from here.

“But the problem is how and when to break off the engagement.”

If he hastily broke it off, he could be punished for defying the emperor’s order.

“Moreover, the elders who already have a negative opinion of me could retaliate as soon as I bring disgrace to the family.”

Under the pretext that they could spread the family’s secrets.

Currently, among the four ducal families, the Verdo family had the weakest position.

Of course, Andrion’s parents, who loved their son, wouldn’t allow that, but given the elders’ influence, it could be possible now.

“Yes. Moreover, the current head of the Verdo family, Andrion’s father, was known as a good person.”

To put it nicely, the current head was kind and good, but in other words, it meant he had retreated.

He couldn’t properly refute the remarks of the influential elders and could only laugh it off, which meant everyone disregarded him.

“That’s why I have to protect myself.”

Andrion muttered quietly.

“Hmm. Is there really no way?”

Even if he left the family, he could easily find a place to hide.

But it had to be a place where he wouldn’t be found easily.

A reasonably comfortable place where no one could lay a hand on him.

“Is there such a place, Lana…”

It was at that moment he let out a sigh.

Clunk.

The carriage shook slightly.

And then Andrion’s gaze turned towards the window.

And what came into his sight made his eyes widen.

“Yes… It was here.”

Beyond the moving carriage window, a grand gate came into view.

And above the gate, there was a large inscription written in bold letters.

[Le Poreum Academy]

“This is it… The Academy!”

Andrion’s lips curled up into a smile.

* * *

In the Perion Empire, there was one rule.

Every noble’s child had to enter the Academy when they turned twenty.

As a place where so many nobles’ children gathered, it was not just an academy, but rather a stage that led the world.

It also chose the queen of society and allowed for making various connections.

The original text appears to be a passage from a novel. Here’s the translation:

“The original intention behind establishing the academy was to elevate the average knowledge, common sense, and dignity of the nobility and gather valuable talents. Among them, the ‘Ruben Academy’ mentioned in this novel had special rules. One of them was that external forces could not be brought into the academy. In other words, besides the students who brought their tutors, no one else could enter the academy. The reason was simple. During the early days of its establishment, the Ruben Academy, being the first of its kind, allowed parents of the students to freely interfere with the professors. As a result, most academies established a rule that prohibited external influences or outsiders from entering. Of course, it might be somewhat disappointing for students who wanted to continue experiencing the power of their families. ‘But it’s a good thing for me.’ Since the academy holds great power, no one can touch you while you’re here, not even an emperor. Anyway, all events start after the protagonist graduates from the academy, so they just need to break off the engagement before that. ‘Yeah… I can just break off the engagement right before attending the Ruben Academy.’ And Ruby didn’t plan on attending the academy in the first place. Being a noble, she wasn’t obligated to go, so no one questioned her about it. Moreover, if she goes to that academy, she can constantly monitor Isaac’s condition. If she notices any slight abnormalities, she can break off the engagement. ‘The plan is perfect.’ This was the best option. Determination showed in her eyes. Meanwhile, clank! The carriage came to a stop. ‘Have we arrived?’ They had returned. To the house of Andrian Verdo, to be precise. ‘Yes, now the real beginning starts.’ Andrian got off the carriage with enthusiasm. ‘I’ll definitely break off the engagement at twenty!’ Everything is for my peaceful and comfortable life! The corners of his mouth curled up with determination.”