“You’re late.”
“I never thought I would agree with the descendant of the warrior. What have you been doing to arrive only now?”
I swallowed dryly as I returned to find them greeting me coldly, having waited until this late hour.
“Haha, the Third Prince had quite an interesting story to share. I lost track of time.”
“Oh. To think you’d get along well with him. That one certainly has his quirks.”
Ignoring the immediately rude remark from Bathory, I stood in front of Luciana.
“I have something to report. It’s about the interesting information he provided.”
“Information?”
“Someone seems to have been playing tricks while we were away from the Academy.”
As I recounted the details of the malicious rumors, I added a mental filter…
‘It’s better to keep quiet about that deal.’ Luciana, loyal to her family, would never accept the method of a breakup that would harm the family.
“We’ll find the source of the rumors soon enough. With Riu on our side, tracking it shouldn’t be too difficult….”
“No need. It’s been a while since we left the Academy, and it would require digging far back. There’s no need to go to such trouble.”
In fact, Luciana, who would normally express anger, had a strangely indifferent look on her face.
[Luciana’s current thoughts]
[…It’s pointless. How could we stop the Crown Prince?]
‘…Ah, that’s right.’
Though she may not be skilled in politics, she is still the duchess’s daughter. She could surmise, with high probability, that the Crown Prince was behind the rumors.
However, more than her abandoning her anger, it was my emotions that cooled even more.
“Rumors will naturally die down if the parties involved don’t react to them. You must be tired from the journey, so rest well.”
“Yes, you too, Lady Luciana. Rest well.”
Soothing Luciana could wait for now. There was something more urgent.
As I left the room and walked down the corridor, I issued a dismissal order to the accompanying footsteps.
“Lady Bathory, please return. I’d like to rest alone.”
“What a cold thing to say. Since you’re resting, have some tea with me. Just earlier, I bought some fresh beans recently brought in from the south.”
She then subtly glanced at me.
“If you insist on privacy or whatever, I’ll leave, but…”
Her fidgeting fingers made it clear that she hoped I wouldn’t ask her to go.
‘Anyway, she’s well-trained.’
Normally, she would have stubbornly insisted and then left. But after spending a long time together, we both seemed to understand each other’s personalities.
“Coffee, please. I don’t think I’ll be sleeping tonight anyway.”
“…Ahem! Very well, I’ll prepare it right away, so don’t lock the door.”
As Bathory hurried off, I rested my chin on my hand.
‘The Saint as the Third Prince’s ally?’
The Third Prince was merely a mid-boss who would be eliminated halfway through. Why would she, who should be building relationships with the main male candidates, suddenly form a secret alliance with him? The deviation of the original protagonist’s route was incomprehensible.
“You seem to be deep in thought.”
With the fragrant smell of coffee, Bathory’s lush blonde hair flowed down. She placed the cup gently beside my propped-up arm.
“I’m not sure if it will taste good. I’ve often made tea, but this is my first time with coffee.”
“Hehe, no worries. I’m grateful that you prepared it at this late hour. I’ll enjoy it.”
As I was about to take a sip, something flashed through my mind.
‘Now that I think about it, Bathory was also a character who didn’t exist in the original story.’
In the original story, was she forever sealed in that cave, never regaining her power?
Maybe. Though she has her ditsy moments, she’s a high-ranking demon and a great sorceress. Even without my intervention, she would have eventually gathered enough blood to make a grand revival.
The reason she didn’t appear in the original story was simple: I didn’t exist in the original story.
Now everything became clear. Hidden jobs like Thief and Shadow. Unimplemented bosses like Yeti and Wendigo Iskadel. And…
“Um, is there something on my face? You’ve been staring… Your gaze is quite overwhelming.”
“Ah, my apologies. I was just captivated by how much your eyes resemble rubies.”
Vampire noble Bathory Erzsebet from the north, not from the Iverdon Empire.
As all the clues connected, one truth emerged. It wasn’t strange that elements I didn’t know appeared in the game ‘Under the Chandelier’ until the true ending.
‘Well, it wasn’t mainstream, but it was quite popular among a niche group.’
In other words, it wouldn’t be strange if there were an expansion pack.
If everything I dismissed as mere coincidence was actually DLC content, then all the mysteries naturally fall into place. New jobs, new bosses, and new targets for strategy.
“Thank you, Lady Bathory.”
“Such sudden gratitude makes me rather uneasy. What exactly are you thankful for?”
“Oh, just that the coffee tastes great.”
I took in Bathory’s puzzled expression for a moment before sipping the coffee again. The bitter taste of the beans and the smoothness of the cream were perfectly balanced. Despite her initial fuss about it being her first time making coffee, it was remarkably well-made.
“I’m not joking. Even at the academy shops, it would be hard to find coffee this good.”
“Is that so? Well, the other maids have praised it, but hearing it from you makes it feel real!”
‘Didn’t she say it was her first time making it?’ She couldn’t have secretly practiced just for me, so she must have been praised for her tea-making skills and now took pride in her coffee as well. I handed the empty cup to the now-proud vampire maid.
“It’s time for you to go. We both need to rest for tomorrow’s duties.”
“Uhm, it’s a bit disappointing, but I’ll leave it at that for today…”
After sending the obedient Bathory out of the room, I fell back into thought. Although I had suspected it since learning that Oparn was actually a demon, today confirmed it. The world I was now in was not the ‘Under the Chandelier’ I knew, but a story that takes place after the DLC was introduced.
‘In the end, the knowledge I originally had will only serve as a reference.’
Which is fine by me. Even the Third Prince, originally just a villain to be disposed of, is now a potential main character. I’ve also successfully tamed Bathory Erzsebet, a mid-boss who was never known to exist.
This means Luciana can also break free from her predetermined future.
Of course, nothing is certain right now. I’ve only seen the ending and have no idea what content the DLC holds, having never played it. But even so, what I need to do remains unchanged. I must create a new future for Luciana, different from the original.
With the coffee chasing away my sleepiness, I began to solidify my plans for the future.
* * *
“You told him about me?”
Saint René, reacting to the unexpected news, involuntarily slammed the desk and half-rose from her seat. However, the blue-haired man sitting across from her didn’t even blink.
“It was a necessary step. Wasn’t it you who advised that we must somehow align with the Speda Duchy?”
“That’s true, but…”
It was a disaster. She never imagined he would reveal her identity in the process.
“Phew. Your Highness knows perfectly well why he asked for information about your collaborator…”
“I know. He wanted to use it as a way to cut me off if things went south.”
That wasn’t the only reason. If necessary, he might even use the Saint herself as a hostage. It had already happened before. It was clear that this put them in a disadvantageous position in negotiations. René’s eyelashes trembled as she looked at the man. She felt a pang of disappointment at his casual response, considering all she had done for him.
“You wouldn’t betray me, would you?”
René’s sharp gaze softened. ‘This game’s visuals are truly top-notch.’ Even the Third Prince, who wasn’t among the main male candidates, and the loathsome Crown Prince, had impeccable appearances. Along with the swordsman, the golden duke, and the mercenary king, the game’s illustrations had attracted many female players. The characters were exceptionally well-designed. Even minor extras had stunning looks fitting their roles.
Even now, she could tell that the blue-haired prince, despite his cold voice, couldn’t hide a certain warmth.
At that moment,
“Moreover, if he tries to harm you… I will make him see the price of touching my right hand.”
At Leon’s piercing gaze, René instinctively turned her head away.
‘Right hand… does he even realize what he’s saying? This is practically criminal.’
She managed to maintain a neutral expression. Regaining her composure, René marveled again at the game’s intricacies. The profound gaze born of his serious nature, his steadfast passion driving him toward the goal of becoming Emperor—how noble it all was. Even buried in mud, his radiant brilliance shone through, naturally drawing the eye.
And that unique allure, as if he could draw people in.
The feelings she had occasionally sensed since deciding to cooperate were particularly strong today.
When she glanced back at him,
Leon was still looking at her. As he continued to gaze, his eyes softened and he gave a gentle smile.
“….”
“Don’t worry. If I take the Emperor’s throne, I’ll ensure you get a position worthy of you.”
Then, in his blue pupils, a reptilian-like slit briefly appeared and disappeared. He too carried the blood of the royal family, who were said to have inherited the blood of dragons. It was only a matter of time before his potential bloomed, just like that Crown Prince.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
However, this did not completely erase Renée’s anxiety. Unlike her naturally smiling face, her hand trembled beneath the table.
‘That time can’t come soon enough.’
Renée bit the soft flesh inside her mouth out of nervousness. It wasn’t for nothing that she had allied with him. She was the one who had rejected the dance proposal from the Crown Prince.
And the result was:
[The favorability of Crown Prince Garon Manhett has decreased.]
[The relationship between the player and Garon Manhett is now ‘Distrust’.]
The result was far worse than she had imagined. Thankfully, there was no cliché romantic development where he would say, “You’re the first to reject me,” and fall for her even more. However, the arrogant Crown Prince took her rejection as the worst outcome. She had effectively ruined her chances with a powerful royal ally and potential main character.
‘But I couldn’t just accept his hand!’
René cried out inwardly, unable to show her true feelings. This game had many challenges for beginners, but Luciana Speda was notoriously difficult for everyone, not just newcomers. She was a mid-boss so formidable that even famous gamers gave up on her. A mid-boss with notorious strength and newly acquired subordinates.
Fighting against such a woman, it was wise to preemptively sever ties with the Crown Prince. She couldn’t jump from the frying pan into the fire.
But the resulting twisted situation had turned into a massive obstacle. After rejecting the dance proposal, René agonized alone, trying to figure out what to do next. It was then that a bluish status window appeared before her.
[Searching for suitable choices for the player.]
[Avoid conflict with ‘The Jewel of the North,’ Luciana Speda.]
[Antagonize ‘Crown Prince’ Garon Manhett.]
[Results pending.]
‘Isn’t that a bit much?!’
Though the term ‘antagonize’ was rather drastic.
Kindly, the status window even provided choices for her:
> [Establish a new faction as the ‘Saint’]
> [Join another faction capable of checking the Crown Prince]
Indeed, the solution was clear. There was no reason to choose just one option. If both were valid methods, she would adopt both.
“René?”
“Oh, sorry. I lost focus for a moment.”
“No worries. If you have another brilliant plan to share, I’d welcome it anytime.”
Awakened from her recollection, René habitually tried to lift the corners of her mouth, but at the Third Prince’s words, she ended up giving a genuine smile.
What plan? She had merely cleared a few dungeons and donated a few relics based on her knowledge of the original story. It was entirely the Third Prince’s abilities that maximized their use.
She would never forget. The dungeon that had already been cleared out. When she, disheartened, handed over the remaining books to him:
“…This is! The writings of the great mage Deren from centuries ago…!”
“The disgrace of the royal court’s magic division is also recorded here. However… it might be best to keep it buried for everyone’s sake.”
“I am deeply impressed by your insight, Third Prince.”
“Words alone won’t suffice. When the time comes, we’ll need to consider who truly deserves the Emperor’s throne.”
After examining all those dusty books, he secretly approached the royal magic division, trying to expand his power.
“And take this as well.”
“What is this… could it be?”
“I am generous to ‘my people.’ Sometimes, various methods are needed for true exploration. If you dislike it, I’ll take it back.”
“No, not at all.”
‘Even I almost pledged my loyalty watching that.’
It was a remarkable achievement. To win over even a fraction of those arrogant mages was impressive. Announcing it would not only reverse his situation but also significantly aid in his claim to the throne.
“A beast does not move recklessly.”
But instead, he chose to wait, enduring the years with patience and preparation. René’s eyes burned with fierce determination.
‘I can do this. If Leon becomes Emperor, reaching the ending will be much easier!’
She was aware of her own small ambitions flourishing within her. Before she could continue her daydreaming, a loud knock resounded.
“Hmm? A visitor at this hour?”
A faint look of distress crossed René’s face. Her relationship with the Third Prince, a key figure in the church, was still undisclosed. Aware of this, she hurriedly stood up from the sofa.
“It’s fine, René. Stay seated.”
“But…”
“We already know each other, and it’s clear we’re allies, so there’s nothing to hide.”
By that, he meant…
René momentarily considered bolting from the room.
“Come in.”
However, before she could decide, the door opened.
“It’s an honor to see you again, Third Prince. And… Saint.”
As usual, overly formal gestures and greetings accompanied the black eyes that seemed to scrutinize her through squinting eyes.
“Shall we discuss the specifics of our plan?”
The moment their eyes met, René involuntarily swallowed dryly. A shiver ran down her spine at Hans Byron’s appearance.
‘…Should I leave now…?’
Despite the impressive visuals, René secretly shed a tear at the game’s hellish difficulty, feeling like she was navigating from one nightmare to another.
Cliche Novel 
what a stupid thot bruh
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