The Dark Fantasy Hero Possessed into a Romance Novel (2)
Zeke stared blankly at the girl bowed low before him.
Her silver hair cascaded like waves down to her chest, adorned with violet periwinkle hairpins.
Clear sky-blue eyes, and a fresh beauty mark beside them.
Her ample bosom drew the eye.
She seemed a bit dim-witted, mumbling with her shoulders hunched tight,
but she was a beauty who could stop anyone in the street.
She reminded him of a frightened rabbit.
"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding…."
"You've said that already."
"…Still…!"
Beautiful girl or not, Zeke crossed his arms and lost interest in her.
Why the hell did I leave that comment!
It hadn't even been long since he'd possessed this body.
His mind was a mess.
The last thing he wanted was to fuss over some pretty stray he'd picked up by chance.
Just thinking about the grim future ahead overloaded his brain.
"Um, what about the others…?"
"Gone."
"What!?"
"Looks like they ditched and ran."
The girl covered her mouth in shock.
The luxurious carriage the coachman had checked was already wrecked.
Inside was empty, with signs nearby that horses had bolted.
Probably used her as bait the moment she passed out and split. Typical stray.
"N-No way."
"That's humans for you. Self-preservation first."
"Those people… Ciela… She wouldn't…."
Betrayal hit her hard; she clenched her small fists.
But she quickly prioritized, bowing her head again.
Didn't expect backbone from that puppy-dog look.
"Sorry for the late introduction. You've bestowed an immeasurable grace upon this unworthy one. If it's not too much trouble, might I know your name?"
"Kim… fuck. No, Zeke Clayman."
"Wh-Why the swearing…."
"Not at you. Don't mind it."
Damn it. Zeke bit his lip even saying his own name.
Zeke Clayman.
A name called countless times in the dark fantasy world where he'd been summoned before.
Usually by enemies he'd cut down, seething with hate as they died.
Yet somehow, in this unrelated romance fantasy world, his name was Zeke Clayman too.
He thought he'd buried it for good, but here it was, haunting him.
Did those demon bastards curse me? Or the angels, those pigeon shits? Reincarnate me and make me into fried chicken again?
As he ground his teeth recalling the past, the girl introduced herself.
"Zeke Clayman. I am the lady of House Yohayden, Serena Yohayden."
"Doesn't ring a bell."
"Huh?"
"No clue."
She looked shocked, but it was true.
How much could he know about the backdrop of some novel he'd skimmed?
Especially with seven romance fantasies running at once.
They all blurred together in his head.
"Th-Then… do you know where we're headed…?"
"Lamieli Academy."
"!"
"And you? What's your business there…?"
"…Swordsmanship instructor."
Serena's eyes widened like saucers.
Her lips twitched up just a bit.
"What a coincidence! I'm enrolling at Lamieli Academy too! In the knight division!"
"Is that so."
"Please take care of me."
This time, she placed one hand over her heart with perfect noble etiquette, her greeting laced with respect.
Whatever.
Serena thanked Zeke and checked herself over.
Her arms and shoulders were tightly wrapped in cloth. The firm pressure felt comfortable.
So meticulous… Huh? Wait, my sword! Where's my sword!?
She panicked realizing the sword she'd strapped firmly to her waist before leaving home was gone.
She asked Zeke right away.
"Um, do you know where my sword is…?"
"Coachman packed it in the luggage."
"Ah… Phew, thank you. It's pretty precious to me."
Serena sighed in relief.
"…."
"…."
The carriage filled with heavy silence again.
She'd never felt so small before.
Lady of House Yohayden.
Duke, right below the emperor.
True, there was a grand duke, but he shunned politics.
So everyone she'd met always fixated on her looks,
or her wealth and power.
No one's ever treated me this coldly.
Yet the man who'd introduced himself as a sword instructor sat with arms crossed, utterly indifferent despite saving her.
No expectations at all.
But… is this my type…?
Serena glanced at his face, then shook her head as her cheeks flushed.
Anyway, she was lady of House Yohayden, one of the empire's three great nobles.
Failing to repay a life debt would tarnish the family honor.
Best to ask first and repay properly.
Her heart shrank under his icy aura, but she mustered courage.
"Ahem… Zeke. Is there… nothing you want from me?"
"Nope."
Blunt refusal, matching his vibe.
Serena frowned.
"Why? I might be able to help."
"You? How?"
"You saved me."
Zeke snorted inwardly.
Funny girl.
Truth be told, her local knowledge could be useful right now.
But he was a former hero from a hopeless dark fantasy.
Hadn't there been plenty like her before?
Approaching with "repayments" after getting help.
Trust them easy, get backstabbed—over three digits worth.
Life in that hardcore world had burned out any faith in people.
Sure, hero creds made him save her, but he had no plans to stick around.
"I owe you, Instructor."
"Forget it. Better that way."
"No. I'm lady of House Yohayden. I can't just take without giving."
What a pain this stray. Just probing if there's anything to milk.
Zeke shook his head irritably.
Why's he rejecting me so hard?
Serena went from flustered to baffled.
Not begging blindly—she owed her life, plain and simple—yet he acted like she was a nuisance.
Now it sparked her pride. She bit her lip hard.
I'll repay this debt somehow!
Time passed, and night fell.
After a full day riding, the capital was still over a week away.
Zeke and Serena stopped by the road, lit a campfire, and had a simple meal.
Uses such tiny utensils. Is that a soldier thing?
Serena scanned for villages nearby.
Nothing but distant mountains and trees in the barren plain.
"Um, Zeke. Sleep…?"
"In the carriage."
"T-Together!?"
"Just sleep."
"…."
Doubt clouded Serena's eyes.
Zeke noticed but had no choice.
No money. No money.
Regretted impulsively tossing that ring in denial earlier.
Looked valuable!
Only 50 silver to his name now.
With her extra mouth, they'd barely scrape by buying cheap food and water in villages en route.
Damn that general who took my gold. Hope she's stuffed. Fucking hag.
Zeke recalled the cross-dressing general grinning wide at his possession.
Not his money technically, but
shouldn't a starter pack come with a sweet romance world?
Worldview was romance, but morals apocalypse-level.
Had it from the start, he'd have kept it. Losing it all ground his teeth.
Meal done, a yawn nearly escaped, but his rigid body wouldn't allow it.
Only after sunset did drowsiness creep in.
Mana's so thin here….
During the goblin fight, he'd burned mana like in the dark fantasy.
But this world's scarcity left him drained.
"Anyway, I'm sleeping. Do what you want."
With that, Zeke crammed into the cramped carriage.
The coachman was already off his seat, using horse tack as a pillow.
Left alone outside, Serena hugged her knees by the fire, sorting her tangled thoughts.
Sh-sharing a bed!? I'm a student! You're the teacher!
Personality issue? No, seemed just cold and aloof.
Ignored House Yohayden, one of the big three—common sense lacking.
Not like from another world. How could he not know?
Strike to the gut, but she shook her head.
But appointed instructor at Lamieli Academy means top-tier sword skills.
Lamieli gathered the empire's best.
Faculty weren't average.
They'd vetted a proven master.
Ah, maybe… the type obsessed with the sword?
That reframed his brute coldness as a hermit swordsman,
devoted so long to the blade he'd forgotten worldly ties.
"Looks… young too. My age almost…."
At first, his face screamed brutal rapist,
but objectively in the carriage,
raven hair and fierce eyes hit her tastes.
His rejection felt novel too.
"Black hair, black eyes…!!! Ah! Northern noble! How'd I miss it! Yeah! Makes sense up there. No interest in capital or nobles…."
She unpacked her northern fantasies.
The empire's swords, black-haired, black-eyed, holding back southern monsters.
Cold, uncompromising in swordplay.
First time seeing one, so missed it.
What a coincidence.
Or maybe not coincidence at all.
Serena had always admired northern tales, claiming the empire's sword.
But her doting father banned her from swords as the baby girl.
Forbidden fruit only tempts more.
Her spark for the blade, once flickering, roared under suppression.
Should be engagement season, prepping marriage.
She'd snuck from home.
Enrollment and lodging pre-handled; just show up.
Heading to the entrance ceremony, ambushed by roadside goblins.
And her savior? A northern noble sword instructor.
Puzzle pieces clicked in her head.
This was straight out of those dawn-read naughty novels' opening scene!
"N-No way…! Is he waiting inside for me to join…? No need for money, repay with my body…?"
Serena peeked at the carriage.
"Said just sleep… but men say that… If I go in… will I become an adult…? No! Snap out of it, Serena! I'm lady of House Yohayden!"
She shook her head wildly, feelings churning.
Her head filled with steamy plot twists, face beet-red all night,
till dawn broke far off.
Fire long dead.
"C-Cold."
Dawn breeze chilled her; she shivered.
Unable to bear it, Serena approached the carriage.
Ah, we're too early for that. Think slower… He's noble enough to respect refusal. Stay sharp! Reject properly!
Screeech—
With trembling hand, she opened the door.
Thump thump.