Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Possessed in a Romance Fantasy Novel. (2)
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Elena Frozenheart. The protagonist of this world, and the woman I would soon serve.
The first time I laid eyes on her, I instantly understood why the men in the novel fell for her at first sight.
Her snow-white hair that evoked the image of the northern blizzards, her deep blue eyes like a lake transposed into her gaze, and her delicately sculpted features.
Even among the crowd, her presence was utterly unparalleled. It was believable enough that she, not I, was the one from another world.
They say a promising child is different from the start. The girl who had captivated me in the illustrations possessed extraordinary beauty even in her childhood.
"Deren Nineheart pays his respects to Your Grace, the Frozenheart Duke."
"Luke Nineheart pays his respects to Your Grace, the Frozenheart Duke."
Distracted by Elena's appearance, I snapped to attention at my father's greeting and hurriedly followed suit. It was a do-or-die moment where I nearly branded myself as rude from the very first encounter.
"It's been a while, Deren. I'd love to meet more often, but those barbarians keep causing trouble, leaving me little free time. I hope you weren't too upset."
"How could I harbor any resentment when I know Your Grace labors tirelessly for the empire's peace?"
"Haha, you've gotten quite the silver tongue since we last met. With words like yours, you could melt all the snow in the north."
His words sounded like teasing, but at least with the duke, they weren't. Unlike most nobles, he was refreshingly straightforward, his thoughts matching his speech.
Combined with his hearty and jovial personality, he was quite popular as a character, if not always as Elena's father.
That was when it happened. The duke's gaze shifted from my father to me.
"Luke, it's been a long time. You were barely toddling when we last met, so I doubt you remember."
"Regrettably, I don't recall, but Father has often spoken of how fondly you regarded me, and for that, I am grateful."
"Seeing you've grown up so well makes me happy too."
His character shone even in that brief exchange. He was surely an upright and honorable man.
That must be why Father served him with such sincerity.
'Next up is Elena, then...'
I turned my gaze to today's true star, Elena. Standing beside the duke, she stared blankly into space, showing no particular interest.
My father, looking at her in turn, gave a light bow.
"My lady, I sincerely congratulate you on your ninth birthday."
"...Thank you."
Elena's tone reeked of not wanting to talk. Her expression remained impassive, and though our eyes met, it was only for a fleeting moment.
Her gaze then shifted to me, as if urging me to say whatever I had quickly.
'Her personality doesn't change no matter where she goes.'
With a mental sigh at the thought of serving someone like her, I bowed my head.
"My lady, I sincerely congratulate you on your ninth birthday."
"Thank you."
Once again, that was the end of it—a curt reply.
I hadn't expected a full conversation, but her purely perfunctory attitude didn't sit well.
There were basic courtesies one should observe with each other, especially when the other person had come to celebrate your birthday.
Of course, I couldn't voice such thoughts. She was from a ducal house, and I from a barony. In this world where rank was everything, we were worlds apart.
'The military... better than the military...'
Long live Lady Elena, long live, long long live.
As I silently chanted that magic spell, Elena gave a slight nod and suddenly departed toward somewhere.
The duke watched her retreating figure with a bittersweet smile.
"Forgive her behavior, both of you. Ever since Helen passed away two years ago, she's been like this. I even took a new wife hoping it might help, but she hasn't opened her heart."
Helen was Elena's birth mother. In other words, she had closed off her heart in grief over losing her mother.
The duke's new marriage had likely backfired too. She hadn't even fully grieved her mother yet, and suddenly a stranger appeared claiming to be her new mom.
I couldn't fully understand Elena's feelings, but I could tell she had been suffering greatly—and still was.
"Would it be alright if I went after her?"
"Yes, please do."
The duke gave his permission.
I immediately set off after Elena.
I didn't harbor any particular fondness for her, but I couldn't just leave her be.
Right now, while she was still young, it seemed possible to correct the personality that would turn vicious in the future.
And above all, I couldn't stand by and watch a nine-year-old child in pain—especially someone I would one day serve.
I was heading toward the balcony when it hit me.
'Why are those guys here...'
The future Magic Tower Lord, the youngest imperial prince, the future Sword Saint.
They looked familiar upon closer inspection—Elena's husband candidates, sure enough.
Of course, that storyline wouldn't begin until Elena was older...
Even so, was it right for all three to be so fixated on food?
The girl you all trailed after obsessively is drowning in sorrow right now, you idiots.
I wanted to kick their asses, but I couldn't commit such an outrage. Compared to them, I was from an utterly lowly barony.
What could I do? I simply lowered my eyes and hurried toward the balcony.
Upon arriving, I spotted Elena. She was gazing at the sun disappearing beyond the snow-covered mountains.
Did she sense my presence? She suddenly turned, and our eyes met.
"...Do you have something to say?"
"I followed because you looked unwell."
"I'm fine."
"Are you really fine?"
"Yes, really fine."
She couldn't be. Her cold, sunken expression on her birthday proved it.
I gave up pressing and stood beside her. Looking where she had been staring, the sunset sun was burning its final flames.
For a quiet moment unfit for a banquet, her soft voice came.
"Luke Nineheart..."
"Yes, my lady."
I'd thought she wasn't paying attention and wouldn't know my name, but she remembered it...!
Was this something to be happy about...?
"Are you the one who's going to be my exclusive attendant?"
"Yes, starting next year."
I was a bit surprised she already knew, but there was no reason to hide it. She'd find out soon enough anyway.
"If you have any worries, feel free to tell me. I'm already your lady's man, after all."
"Don't people consult worries with friends...?"
"Then... couldn't we be friends?"
It was consideration to make her comfortable talking, and also a form of insurance. Even Elena wouldn't be rude to a friend.
But my grand plan crumbled before it even began.
"You can't be friends with a servant. Father would scold me for sure."
Her words, stated so matter-of-factly by a nine-year-old, stabbed my heart like a dagger.
Of course, she was right...! Spot on, not a syllable off...!
But I couldn't give up. This moment when she'd shown interest was my golden opportunity.
"Then how about secret, secret friends?"
"Secret friends...?"
"Yes, just you and me being friends, with no one knowing."
"Not even Father...?"
"Yes, exactly. No matter what, we don't tell anyone."
Elena's eyes sparkled. She seemed intrigued by the idea of secret friends.
Yes, that's how nine-year-olds should be. Kids love doing things on the sly.
My childhood secret of drawing a map on the blanket with fire play is safe.
"What's the difference between secret friends and regular friends...?"
"They're even closer friends. No secrets between us at all."
"No secrets..."
Elena's gaze turned to the darkening sky.
One more step forward—if she confided her worries, the secret friend contract would be sealed.
I waited tensely for her words.
"I... I miss my mother. My stepmother scolds me a lot and never praises me..."
Elena slowly poured out the words she'd kept bottled up.
Tears soon welled in her eyes, streaming down her flushed cheeks.
Her sobbing figure was just like any other nine-year-old.
As the emotions subsided, Elena sniffled and extended her pinky.
"Don't tell anyone...! Promise...!"
"I promise."
I hooked my pinky with hers and kindly pressed our thumbs together for the seal.
Utterly unaware of the ripples this seal would cause.
"My lady, you've got a runny nose."
"Y-You could keep that a secret...!"
Did she have a talent for martial arts or something?
Elena's kick to my side packed quite a punch.