Back to My True Form -2-
Long ago, there was a girl who had a crush on a certain boy. He was like a prince from a fairy tale, the one who reached out to her after she was abandoned by her parents and left all alone.
Their first meeting couldn't exactly be called a good one. The underside of a bridge in the slums isn't exactly a romantic spot, after all. A beggar and an orphan meeting—despite having nothing remarkable to offer, the girl came to like the boy.
His devotion melted the heart of the little girl who had always dreamed of being a princess. But... the end of that unrequited love was a tragedy. Still, the girl loved the boy. Even now, as an adult, she couldn't forget him.
After enduring the sorrowful pain of parting and growing up, the girl met a man. A man with red hair, just like the boy's.
His nature was nothing like the fairy tale prince—gruff personality and all. He was the type who said violence was closer than the law. That's the man the grown girl met.
She hated the man. He dragged incidents everywhere he went, showed no mercy, and had not even a speck of justice. She hated him.
And yet, he shared many similarities with the boy.
Without ever having a single conversation. Without any sincere talk. Based only on fragmentary glimpses, the girl hated and despised him. Without knowing his heart.
Listen to the story of the man you hate (Ricardo).
1. Show Ricardo your true form. (0/1)
2. Go on a date with Ricardo. (0/1)
3. Hear Ricardo's true feelings. (0/1)
Mihail clenched his fist.
The blue window's benevolence in showing him the truth he had missed made him bite his lip and clench his fist harder.
He hated it. Facing Ricardo, talking to that man—it made his teeth chatter with revulsion.
But... Reward: Confirmation of Lee Min-hyuk's survival.
Before this sweetly tempting offer that made his teeth rot, Mihail was shaking violently.
Just once. If he closed his eyes and endured just once, it felt like he could get a reward for all his efforts so far.
Mihail clenched his fist and suppressed the rising anger. The very appearance of the blue window before him carried affirmation about that child's survival.
Gazing at the blue window that might deliver the miracle he desired most, Mihail squeezed his eyes shut.
"I... can't give up."
Suppressing his boiling rage, he gritted his teeth and nodded.
"I'll accept."
The blue window emitted a bright light, leaving faint text behind before vanishing.
The reflection of Mihail in the mirror began to change under the minor magic.
*
Another peaceful day on the capital's streets. I'd come to the capital after a long time to buy snacks for the fallen Young Lady, left her at Desmont Mansion, and was now sitting in a cafe.
"Have a safe trip."
"Yes."
"Bring chocolate on the way back."
"Yes."
"You should say goodbye to Daddy too."
"Have a safe trip."
"Hm..."
I could've bought chocolate in Hamel just fine, but with more money now, I'd come to the capital on a whim, indulging my nouveau riche urges.
Gazing out the window, I nodded.
"Lots of people."
As expected of the capital—crowded with people. Students in academy uniforms. Nobles in dresses. Couples arm-in-arm, showing off.
The bustling capital streets, filled with so many people, brought joy to this butler shirking his duties for the first time in a while.
'Sometimes it's nice to goof off alone like this. Ideally with the Young Lady, but that wouldn't be proper slacking.'
The favorability window acting up was a bit of a drag, though.
[Favorability window cannot be used.]
'On strike, huh.'
I shrugged lightly at the favorability window's strike—it had been pretty useful. Bringing the straw to my lips,
—Slurp.
The bitter taste of the beans filled my mouth, invigorating this weary butler's daily routine. I smiled faintly at the coffee.
"Bitter."
It was 12:50 p.m. now. Ten minutes until the chocolate shop that suited the Young Lady's picky tastes opened. And the line was long.
As expected of the popular spot that nailed her tastes—it only opened for three short hours, and people were lined up far ahead.
Seeing the long queue at the chocolate shop, I let out a small chuckle.
"Gonna get an earful from the Young Lady..."
I'd tried to act like a classy butler savoring a cup of coffee, but it looked like I wouldn't get any chocolate. Smiling faintly, I took another sip.
Since I'm getting scolded anyway, might as well slack off properly before heading back. I stretched.
'While I'm in the capital, swing by a tteokbokki place, and Malik's new candy shop—should be about right.'
Sipping my coffee, I enjoyed a bit of leisure.
And then.
"Uh...?"
"..."
"Who are you?"
My eyes met those of a woman pressing her face right up to the glass, staring at me. Silver long hair. White dress. A woman with large breasts kept looking at me.
",,,"
I shook my head, avoiding her gaze. She wasn't looking for me, probably.
First time meeting her. And she was too pretty. I wouldn't forget a beauty like that. So I shrugged and shifted to help her find her companion easily.
To the right.
—Stare.
To the left.
—Bang!
'What the.'
The woman's deep gray eyes followed me.
'Being too handsome a problem?' I thought, but her fierce expression said no.
Then what? A solid guess: one of the academy folks who held a grudge against me.
—Bang!
Didn't seem like good intentions, at any rate. Cautiously, I pointed a finger at my chest.
To confirm if I was really who she was looking for.
—Nod.Nod.
Seeing her nod, I smiled awkwardly and mouthed,
'Me?'
—Nod.
'Why?'
—...
No answer from the woman. After a staring contest, she spun around and entered the shop, sitting right in front of me.
"..."
"Um."
The woman stared at me silently. I said to her in a serious tone,
"Sorry, but this is a one-drink-per-person cafe."
"Oh..."
Flustered, she fumbled in her pockets. Despite her clumsy look, she had a conscience—not bad for something so trivial. Watching her flail around, I chuckled softly and gazed at her warmly, hiding my smile as she searched for her wallet.
'Dresses don't have pockets.'
She was pretty funny. Most women carried bags.
Lots of ditziness, I figured.
'No helping it...'
Pro sucker that I am, I slowly stood to open my wallet again today.
"Don't go!"
The silver-haired woman urgently stopped me as I rose, grabbing my sleeve with panicked eyes.
"Don..."
She bit her lip and said,
"Don't go..."
Trailing off sullenly and bowing her head. Seeing that, I burst into quiet laughter.
I wasn't heartless enough to just leave after she went to the trouble of finding me.
Gently removing her hand from my sleeve, I replied,
"I won't run away."
"...Then?"
"Didn't I say one drink per person? I just finished my coffee, so I was heading to buy another. I'll get you one while I'm at it."
"Oh... Thank you."
"No trouble at all. What would you like? Black tea? Coffee?"
She bowed her head and answered softly,
"Mandrake tea."
"Pardon...?"
"What?"
"Nothing. Just... unique taste."
I smiled faintly and left her. Then asked softly,
"What's your name?"
"Mi..."
Startled, she clamped her mouth shut, thought for a moment, then hesitantly opened it again. Very softly, timidly.
"It's a secret."
"Then mine's a secret too."
I smiled faintly and nodded. I had a pretty good idea who she was.
No clue why, though.
*
At that moment, Mihail, sitting in the cafe, clenched his fist watching Ricardo's back as he turned away.
'A lie...?'
Mihail could see it clearly in his eyes.
[Ricardo's favorability toward 'Mihail': 71 → 80]
Mihail sensed something was off. The higher-than-expected favorability. His kind tone. No hostility despite Mihail's past rudeness—Mihail was shocked.
Not a huge change, but it started turning the small gears in his heart.
Gazing at Ricardo returning with a tray of drinks, Mihail thought: Just achieve the goal and leave quick. No wasting time—get back and swing the sword.
"Here's your drink, Miss Secret."
"Ah... Thank you."
"And this is mine."
Mihail opened his mouth. He figured Ricardo's "true feelings" were hatred and curses toward him.
"Um, the part you hate..."
"Ah."
Ricardo cut him off.
"You're pretty."
"...Pardon?"
"Wanted to tell you since earlier."