The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 59
After the doppelgänger egg incident, Lutan became even more cautious in looking after Roina. Perhaps realizing once again how inexperienced she was in magic, he meticulously explained each and every magical artifact and patiently taught her magic from the basics, step by step.
She, too, became certain after that day that Lutan harbored feelings of goodwill toward her. Such emotions, so unmistakably direct, were impossible not to notice. However, she chose to put off thinking about his affections for now.
It was because she had no room to accept someone else’s feelings when she barely had control over her own. She opted to turn away, and despite her decision, Lutan said nothing and merely returned to how things had been before. Of course, with a slightly wider distance between them.
Thus, some time passed.
Once Roina had recovered from her desolate state to some extent, she finally began to reflect on what had happened and consider the future. It was then that she recalled the original novel’s storyline. Many people had already clashed head-on with the Imperial Crown Prince for her sake. She needed to envision the course of future events in her mind.
“Come to think of it, it’s already that time.”
Though she had forgotten many details after spending years with no room for other thoughts since possessing this body, she at least remembered the point when the original novel’s heroine appeared. After all, that moment was the only window she had for escape.
Before her lay a letter sent by Maili. Enclosed with it were neatly compiled reports on recent affairs—no doubt prepared with great care for Roina, who had neither received proper education nor had access to news from the outside world. Among them, one sentence stood out in particular: “His Majesty the Emperor’s health has deteriorated, and the Imperial Crown Prince has been entrusted with full authority over the administration of state affairs.”
Maili had personally attempted to assassinate the Imperial Crown Prince, but it seemed he had yet to suspect that the assassin who appeared that day had been Maili, one of the imperial palace’s ladies-in-waiting. She wasn’t entirely sure, but she had heard that Lutan had provided some assistance at the time.
Ever since the moment she survived and became Roina, countless things had already deviated from the original story as she fled from the Imperial Crown Prince. Therefore, she couldn’t be certain of anything. However, this very point—when the Emperor’s health suddenly declined—was precisely when the original novel’s heroine was supposed to make her appearance.
‘What was her name again…?’
Lost in thought, she mumbled absentmindedly, Br… Be? It was something like that.
Perhaps the past two years had been harsher than she thought, for her mind felt hazy, as if shrouded in mist.
“She must be a Duke’s daughter… Hmm.”
Since noble lineage was something Maili was far more familiar with, Roina decided to ask her.
“A Duke’s daughter of marriageable age?”
The stunning beauty, Maili, who wore her luscious golden hair tied high in a ponytail, spoke. She had done little to adorn herself today, giving her a simple and carefree appearance, but that only made her look all the more pure and elegant. Maili was truly an extraordinary beauty. Speaking so casually with someone like her still felt a little awkward.
She took a small sip of tea before gracefully setting down her teacup.
“Hmm, there are a few Duke’s daughters, but if we’re talking about one of marriageable age, it could only be Veronica of Eckhardt.”
“Oh.”
Veronica. That was right.
Roina felt a sudden wave of confusion. She had never expected to have already met the original novel’s heroine. The story she had read was a transmigration romance fantasy. So then, was the Veronica she had met someone from before the transmigration?
“But why are you suddenly asking about this?”
“Well,”
Roina hesitated for a moment before recounting the time when unidentified men had appeared and among those mocking her had been Veronica, as well as the encounter she had with her in the Imperial Crown Prince’s palace.
Maili fell silent for a brief moment, recalling when she had seen Veronica near the Imperial Crown Prince’s palace.
Seeing her expression, Roina cautiously spoke.
“Is there… something that comes to mind?”
She had instinctively used formal speech but quickly corrected herself. Maili scoffed through her nose and shot her a look, as if to say, “I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t do it again!” It was somewhat endearing, and Roina almost let her lips curl into a smile but held herself back.
Maili hesitated, fiddling with her fingers as she searched for the right words, before finally speaking.
“The restraint, or curse, or whatever it was that the Imperial Crown Prince placed on you… I think that Veronica has it too.”
Roina’s eyes widened. Once she had started talking, Maili smoothly continued, describing what she had seen that day, adding that the House of Eckhart was the most likely noble family to forge ties with the Imperial Crown Prince.
‘Wait, the original novel’s heroine has a restraint placed on her?’
That wasn’t in the original story. Either it had never been described, or the future had changed.
So what happens now?
Just as Roina, her mouth slightly agape, was about to say something, a deep, captivating male voice interrupted.
“So, the Imperial Crown Prince is finally showing his true colors.”
