Let’s Be Happy Together
On the surface, my day seemed to flow according to schedule.
Today was the day to resume studies that had been paused due to my riding accident.
My tutor, Matella, was a woman in her mid-forties with a warm appearance.
Matella was enthusiastically explaining something, but my mind was filled with completely different thoughts.
‘What will happen if I exit the original story?’
If I escape to a place where no one knows me, perhaps my chances of survival would be higher…
I quickly shook my head. While it wasn’t a bad idea, the head of the Brelov family, Orland, would never sit idly by if his daughter disappeared.
He would probably search the entire continent to find me.
‘It wouldn’t be easy for a minor like me to wander around alone.’
I am currently 15 years old.
I would be too conspicuous, and worse, I might get all my money stolen by some thugs.
While I was seriously contemplating my survival, Matella, having noticed my lack of focus, spoke sternly.
“Lady Thanasia.”
“Yes?”
“Try solving the problem I’ve explained so far.”
“Ah….”
I glanced at the problem Matella had been passionately explaining.
It was a complex math formula at first glance. But despite appearances, my brain naturally began to solve the problem.
It was a problem I had never seen before, yet my mind worked like a calculator, finding the solution in an astonishingly quick manner.
‘What? This is easier than I thought?’
I solved Matella’s problem effortlessly, using a completely different method from what she had taught.
Matella, who had initially looked at me with an approving gaze, began to show signs of surprise.
Ignoring her reaction, I continued to write the formula on a new sheet of paper.
“It’s easier to solve it this way than the method you taught me. You might want to take note.”
“My, goodness.”
Matella covered her mouth with both hands, but her expression of awe was unmistakable.
“I knew Lady Thanasia was exceptional, but this is beyond my imagination. I’ve never seen such a method before.”
“R-Really?”
Was it really that impressive?
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my cheek, but Matella’s praise continued unabated.
“Until now, I refrained from intervening because of Lady Thanasia’s strong will, but you shouldn’t waste any more time on subjects like magic or spirit studies. You’re already a genius.”
A genius, me?
I knew Thanasia was passionate about magic and spirit studies to rival Noxia’s abilities in controlling water.
But magic and spirit control were fields one had to be born with.
No matter how much Thanasia tried, she could never catch up.
Every time she hit the wall of reality; Thanasia would grow more jealous of Noxia. I knew this better than anyone from reading the novel.
‘Was this mentioned in the novel…?’
Now that I thought about it, there was a brief mention of Thanasia being smart when she was young.
As I stared at the math formula I had just solved with a fresh sense of realization, Matella handed me an advanced textbook she hadn’t opened until now.
“I remember saying solving such problems wouldn’t be of any use. But take a look at this textbook. Is there any problem here that Lady Thanasia can’t solve?”
With a mix of skepticism and curiosity, I opened the textbook Matella handed me.
Flipping through it quickly from start to finish, I realized something shocking.
‘I can solve all these problems.’
A shiver ran through my body.
I remembered that in my dream, I could understand the ancient texts and magical formulas inscribed on Askan’s body at a glance.
It was so natural that I hadn’t questioned it.
But how could I know all this?
Turning my head unconsciously, I saw the room filled with books. Like someone possessed, I pulled books off the shelves and opened them.
Ancient texts.
Magical formulas.
I could understand and solve everything.
It was like being struck by lightning.
‘This must be why I was the only one who noticed the secret experiments on human weapons conducted by the Kalua Empire.’
Yes, I was a genius.
To think I would be the one to say studying was the easiest thing in the world.
As I stood there in stunned disbelief, Matella approached me with a bright smile and took my hands.
Our gazes met in the air, and Matella spoke in a kind voice as if to comfort me.
“I know Lady Thanasia has been hiding her genius on purpose. But showing this level of problem-solving must have a reason, right? If you’re worried alone, don’t hesitate anymore.”
“……”
“Summoning spirits or casting magic isn’t the only talent. At this rate, Lady Thanasia will become the greatest scholar in the Arwen Empire, no, on the entire continent. The head of the family will be overjoyed to learn this. Why not be honest with him now?”
For a brief moment, many thoughts crossed my mind.
Unlike Noxia, I had no supernatural abilities like controlling water. But I wasn’t envious or ashamed of that fact, unlike in the novel.
Original Thanasia had always measured herself against her sister Noxia, constantly jealous of her.
While the original might have been obsessed with magical talent, I was different.
I had no intention of hiding the truth and pursuing something that didn’t suit me.
“…Okay.”
When I nodded slightly, Matella smiled brightly.
Though everything had felt out of my control until now, at this moment, it felt like receiving an unexpected gift.
After Matella left, eager to report this joyous news to my father, Orland, I also gathered my thoughts and walked to my room.
Nothing had changed, but for some reason, I didn’t feel too bad.
Maybe I could use my genius to change the future.
That thought brought a slight sense of hope.
“Oh! Oh! Watch out!”
My thoughts were interrupted by someone’s urgent cry.
Splash—
A stream of water poured over my head.
Drenched, I stared in bewilderment at the direction from which the water had come.
“Oh, sister…?”
There stood a girl looking more flustered than I was.
With the same blue eyes and fair skin as mine, her long silver hair gleamed like it had captured the sunlight, giving her an almost noble aura.
A girl who looked similar to me but exuded a completely different atmosphere.
Even without anyone telling me, I knew instantly.
The girl standing before me was Noxia, the protagonist of the novel <The Beloved Saint> and my twin sister.
A moment of silence passed.
The maids standing beside Noxia looked as if they had seen a ghost, their faces pale.
They probably thought there would be trouble since I had gotten wet because of Noxia.
Based on my experience, Thanasia’s personality was far from timid; it was rather vicious. The maids of the Brelov family knew this well, so they were understandably nervous.
Calming myself, I looked around. There was nothing around that could have splashed water on me.
Judging by the situation, Noxia had been practicing her water-controlling ability. Knowing from the novel that her ability fascinated the maids, who often begged her to show it, made it easy to deduce.
Moreover, Noxia couldn’t fully control her ability at her current age.
Thus, the current situation was a complete accident, nothing more, nothing less.
Tap, tap—
As no one dared to speak first, I heard footsteps approaching me.
Turning my head, I saw Askan, who had come unnoticed, offering me a white towel.
“Here.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Regaining my senses, I took the towel from Askan and roughly dried my soaked hair.
Seeing this, Noxia, unsure of what to do, approached me.
“I’m sorry, sister. It might sound like an excuse, but it was an accident.”
Her downcast look was so cute, like a puppy with drooped ears.
We were twins, so did I look this cute to others?
That thought crossed my mind briefly, but I quickly shook my head.
Though we looked alike, the atmosphere between us was completely different.
I lacked Noxia’s endearing charm. In reality, I often heard people say I had a chic image, which seemed to be accurately reflected here.
Having roughly dried my hair, I responded nonchalantly.
“It’s okay.”
“What?”
Noxia looked at me with surprised eyes.
She probably didn’t expect me to accept her apology so readily.
In the novel <The Beloved Saint>, Thanasia would have seized this incident to tarnish Noxia’s image.
Thanasia’s goal was always to be more loved than Noxia, so she wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip by.
Normally, by tomorrow, rumors would have spread that Noxia had deliberately splashed water on Thanasia to bully her.
Unfortunately, no one in the Brelov mansion would believe that.
Handing the wet towel to Noxia, I spoke again.
“It’s fine. I know it was an accident, so don’t worry about it.”
“Uh-huh.”
With a bewildered look, Noxia accepted the wet towel and nodded.
“But practicing your ability here isn’t good. Someone else might pass by, and if it’s a guest visiting our family, it would be rude.”
“Oh, right. I didn’t think of that.”
Noxia admitted her mistake and seemed remorseful, but the maids watching couldn’t hold back and interjected.
“Miss Noxia isn’t to blame. We begged her to show us her ability.”
“That’s right. We pestered her, so she moved the water without preparation, and this happened.”
I glanced at the maids trying to defend Noxia.
Seeing my gaze, the maids seemed ready to face a severe scolding, their expressions resolute.
“So you know your mistake too?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t beg Noxia to show her ability anywhere from now on.”
“Pardon?”
The maids looked at me in surprise.
I was the one who was taken aback. Did they really think I would resort to physical punishment over this?
“Do I need to repeat myself?”
“No, we understand. We will keep Lady Thanasia’s words in mind.”
“Good.”
With that warning to the maids, I started walking again.
As I walked ahead, Askan naturally followed behind me.
Just as I was about to pass Noxia, who was standing dazed, she quickly regained her composure and called out to me.
“Th-Thank you, sister.”
Her gratitude was unexpected, so I asked with a puzzled expression.
“For what?”
“For accepting my apology…”
Unconsciously, I let out a small laugh.
Like the title <The Beloved Saint>, Noxia was loved by many and was indeed a lovable person.
Knowing her desire to maintain a good relationship with Thanasia despite her many misdeeds, I had no intention of being cold-hearted.
“You’re welcome.”
With a brief response, I continued walking.
Noxia’s eyes sparkled with an inexplicable brightness as she watched me, but I had no reason to linger, so I kept moving.
*** *** *** *** ***
Back in my room, I awkwardly looked at Askan.
He showed no change in expression from the first day until now, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking, but he continued to dutifully fulfill his role as an attendant.
Then, I noticed his wet shoulder.
It seemed that some of the water from my wet hair had splashed onto him.
While I couldn’t tell when his clothes were dry, the white shirt now clung to him, revealing red scars underneath.
‘Those are…’
Suddenly, I recalled the times I had whipped him, making me shiver.
Those were probably the scars from my abuse. No, I was sure of it.
Realizing this, I hastily searched the drawers in the room, looking for the first aid kit I had seen somewhere.
“Askan?”
“Yes.”
“Take off your shirt for a moment.”
Though Askan hesitated for a brief second, he soon started to remove his shirt without any further reaction.
Watching him unbutton his shirt one by one was oddly stimulating, given the situation.
Shaking my head, I dismissed any unnecessary thoughts.
This wasn’t the time for distractions. I urgently searched for the first aid kit when I heard an unexpected sound.
Turning my head, I saw Askan kneeling on the floor.
“What are you…!”
I was about to ask what he was doing when something crossed my mind.
In my dream, Askan had been kneeling while being whipped.
In the dream, he didn’t resist at all, enduring the pain in a kneeling position. His current stance overlapped with that image.
“Hey, you seem to misunderstand. I…”
My words trailed off.
Askan lowered himself further to the floor, assuming a posture that made it easy for me to strike him.
Even an idiot would understand what this situation meant.
In the dream, Askan’s upper body had been bare when I confirmed his body had turned to steel. I probably needed to see the change directly, hence the command to remove his shirt.
I never imagined that telling him to take off his shirt would signal something like this.
Lost for words, I stood there when Askan spoke in a monotone.
“Please begin.”
His voice was so devoid of emotion that it felt lifeless.
Remembering Askan’s tragic past from the novel made my heart ache.
Holding the first aid kit, I approached Askan and silently applied ointment to his wounds.
Feeling the cool ointment, Askan, who had been lowering his head, looked at me.
Finally understanding the situation, he seemed utterly confused.
“I’m sorry.”
Though Askan remained silent, his eyes revealed his surprise.
“I promise you; I won’t hit you again.”
“I’ve told you repeatedly, I don’t know anything…”
“I know. I won’t ask again.”
Hearing my response, Askan’s golden eyes filled with more confusion.
“Didn’t I say before? Let’s just have fun together. Let’s live like that.”
I wasn’t the one who tortured Askan. But in my dream, I had vividly felt the sensation of hitting him and had been pleased with his steel body.
While I hadn’t done it myself, I still felt responsible.
I wanted to avoid being involved in Askan’s path to darkness.
Even if I couldn’t change the past, I had no intention of repeating the same mistakes.
While I couldn’t be certain that treating Askan well would avoid the death route, I felt I should do my best to treat him kindly.
“I want you to be happy.”
“…I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
It was natural for Askan not to understand my sudden statement.
But it didn’t matter. I didn’t intend to make him understand my current feelings.
“I’m planning to live a happy and long life from now on. If you want, you can join me.”
Just as I would help any unfortunate stranger, I saw no reason to ignore Askan, whose story I knew well.
Truth be told, one reason I couldn’t put down the novel <The Beloved Saint> was because the final villain, Askan, was quite captivating.
“Though I can’t pinpoint it, you don’t seem like the lady I know.”
Askan’s sharp words stung, but he continued in a low voice, not expecting a response.
“What’s the catch?”
“Catch?”
“You said you wouldn’t hit me or ask anything again. I don’t know what you’re offering, but you should tell me the price.”
Having carefully applied the ointment to his wounds, I paused.
I considered being honest and asking him to save me in the future, but I shook my head.
“There is no catch.”
While I hoped Askan would show me kindness in the future, no one could truly know what was in someone’s heart.
Given the situation, I wouldn’t gamble my survival on such an uncertain possibility.
I planned to devise a more concrete and visible survival strategy.
“Nothing. There’s no catch?”
Askan’s golden eyes, as if crafted from moonlight, narrowed. It seemed he didn’t believe my words.
Smiling at Askan’s complicated expression, I spoke.
“There’s no need to overthink. Let’s just be happy together.”
Therefore, treating Askan kindly was purely my own whim.
Of course, if our relationship improved, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. Let’s consider it a small insurance for an uncertain future.
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