Inevitable Fate (EX)

The sharp clink of Elysia's teacup hitting the saucer rang out with unusual clarity. Her fingers, which had been idly tracing its rim, froze in place. The reception room fell into a chill silence.

Whoosh... A breeze from outside rustled the curtains ever so slightly.

"...What did you just say?"

Elysia stared straight into my eyes. Her voice remained soft, but she couldn't fully hide the emotions simmering beneath. Bewilderment. Irritation. And a hint of utter incomprehension.

Interesting. I leaned back in my chair without thinking, forgetting the tension for a moment. Crossing my legs leisurely, I met the princess's gaze.

"I said I won't provide patronage."

"...You're joking, right?"

"Do I look like I am?"

"Kairon."

She called my name for the first time. Not as the Grand Duke, keeping her distance, but like back in our brief childhood days together—intimate and familiar.

Thump! My heart skipped a loud beat in that instant.

Is this why people lose their minds over her?

The original Kairon would have crumbled right there. Because Elysia called his name. Because she needed him more than anyone. And above all, because she was looking at him with such a pitiful expression.

But.

"Your Highness."

I wasn't him.

"My desire to serve Your Highness runs as deep as the heavens. However, I have many people in the North to be responsible for."

"...!"

This time, Elysia's reaction was plain to see. For a fleeting moment, her purple eyes trembled violently. She couldn't accept this reality.

"K-Kairon... Did I do something wrong? Something that would make you hate me this much?"

Elysia forced a smile as she asked. It was a heartbreaking, pitiable smile that would shake anyone's resolve. Anyone else might have felt crushing guilt just from that tender expression, as if they'd committed some grave sin.

"If so, I apologize. I never meant to burden you so much. Of course, I know this winter in the North is especially harsh..."

Her tone grew even more intimate, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of absurdity.

Wow.

How do you even describe this feeling? Before me was the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid eyes on, desperately clinging to me. Yet instead of joy, it stirred an itchy sensation in my chest—a strong urge to help her.

But paradoxically, an even stronger impulse crashed against it: I absolutely won't help you.

"Elysia."

I suddenly called her name softly, trying to create some distance.

"Yes, Kairon..."

Her eyes grew even more pitiful, and I had to look away, dropping my gaze.

This is no joke.

I knew the truth of this moment and the future ahead. And yet, her affectionate gaze was shaking my heart.

"This isn't something an apology can fix. And you didn't do anything wrong to begin with."

Still, I said what needed saying. I wasn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠some pushover like that fool.

"...!"

Elysia's eyes trembled again. Then her gaze fell on the stack of documents on the table. Neatly stamped with the imperial seal, filled with dense, intricate clauses.

Patronage contracts.

In that instant, my wavering heart cooled to ice.

In the original story, Kairon signed those. He willingly bound himself to support the princess.

On paper, it was a friendly alliance between the North and the imperial family, with Kairon as one of her major backers. It seemed to bolster his position while giving her power.

But.

"...!"

I pressed my lips tight as I stared at the papers.

Reality was different.

This was the first proof of the Balder family being absorbed into her personal faction—the decisive moment that trapped them in an inescapable snare.

I slowly picked up the documents. The fine parchment bent softly under my gloved fingers.

"I've reread the patronage contract."

I spoke calmly, reestablishing distance. I hadn't really read it closely, but I knew the contents. Besides, they were all unfair deals anyway.

"Oh, that's just a formality."

"A formality?"

I deliberately scanned the pages slowly. A share of the northern mines' profits. Provision of trade routes. The word "formality" was almost laughable now. It was top-tier slavery disguised as a contract. And with the imperial seal, once signed, there was no turning back.

"Doesn't this essentially subordinate the entire Balder family to Your Highness?"

At my blunt words, Elysia flinched, her hands trembling.

"...No, how could I dare think such a thing? That's not what this contract means at all. There must be some huge misunderstanding."

Her violet eyes deepened as they met mine.

And that was the moment.

Swish...

The air shifted ever so subtly. From her intense gaze flowed something strange toward me. It felt like a warm, sweet fragrance—or perhaps her signature soft voice. I couldn't put it into words.

Swish.

I clenched my fist tightly without thinking.

Don't waver.

I repeated it fiercely in my mind. This princess was the villainess who would drive me to death in the end. She'd use my guts and gall if needed, then discard me without a second thought.

...!

Suddenly, the world stopped.

There was no time to be surprised.

What? In the frozen world, I couldn't move. But an inexplicable intuition hit me from the message.

This was one of those classic tropes. When entering a novel world, protagonists often got special perks or powers.

And this was my moment.

Another message followed, and suddenly an ornate golden die appeared before my eyes.

Roll!

It tumbled and came to a stop, revealing the number.

With that final message, the frozen world resumed.

"...Kairon. I need you—more than anything."

Elysia spoke in that soft, sweet voice. And in that moment, I understood.

The "charisma" from the novel that drew everyone to her so ridiculously. The reason others' hearts bent toward the princess.

No—she knows.

She knew exactly how her gaze, her tender voice, her deadly smile moved people's hearts.

"...!"

A chill ran down my spine.

The novel never mentioned it as a trait. Yet Elysia didn't seem unaware of her power. It wasn't accidental charm or innocent allure. Nor mere delusion from her beauty.

It was a demonic force unique to her.

The trait name was Inevitable Fate, right? EX rank—the highest I knew.

A tremendous power, as if the world itself revolved around her.

"I just want to be with you, Kairon. Not some other patron by my side—but you."

Her words were so bold they could pass for a lover's confession to any listener.

Thud.

"...You want me by your side?"

I slowly set the contract down. I saw her eyes follow my hand to the papers.

Not just a sucker, but unable to resist.

The thought struck me. I'd miraculously resisted her, and my shaken heart returned to normal. But now I finally understood why the novel's Kairon threw everything— even his life—at her feet so stupidly.

"Kairon, do you really want someone else to patron me? Someone other than you by my side?"

The princess suddenly shifted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her approach.

"...!"

My eyes narrowed for a split second. My mind had returned to reason.

Yet.

Tremble...!

My clenched fist shook violently, against my will. As if hearing words I'd desperately longed for.

She's got all kinds of tricks.

Maybe because I'd read so many novels, I could guess why my body reacted this way despite my calm mind.

This was the original Kairon's response. And since I inhabited his body, it profoundly affected me.

"Hoo."

I let out a short sigh and nodded.

What would happen if I wildly derailed the original worldline like this? Especially now that I knew she had an EX-rank trait like Inevitable Fate.

I resisted it by some miracle, but what about others?

I couldn't help but think ahead.

"...Could you give me some time to think?"

"You need time?"

Her eyes curved coldly. She smiled outwardly, but her gaze said she didn't like my answer.

"Yes. It's not a decision to make lightly, so I must be cautious."

I replied even more calmly.

I can't just recklessly twist the worldline.

It might backfire on me. I needed to stay at the outer castle a day or two longer, assess things coolly.

"Alright. Maybe I was being too hasty. It's a big ask for you too—I was only thinking of myself. Sorry, Kairon."

Swish.

Suddenly, Elysia reached out and took my hand. Her pale, slender fingers—more beautiful than any I'd seen—caressed mine with utmost care.

"...!"

I neither pulled away nor grasped back. I simply accepted it, recognizing the emotions surging deep within.

Damn it.

Kairon's body was purely, intensely joyful right now. The sensation was so vivid it left me flustered.

"Then rest for today. You must be tired from the long journey."

Elysia smiled beautifully, as if knowing my joy, and released my hand. Leaving the aftertaste for me to savor.

"Yes."

I clenched my fist lightly and stood.

But.

Though her hand was gone, a strange sensation lingered on the back of mine. As if invisible threads had seeped beneath the skin.

The moment the message appeared, my lips tightened.

Wait—I resisted, didn't I?

Yes, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I had. But apparently, I hadn't fully escaped it yet.