Chapter 05
A clearing in the forest behind the annex.
It was where Sion secretly practiced his swordsmanship, avoiding others’ eyes.
Slice—
With a single swing, a thick log was cleanly cut in half like pudding.
Watching that, I clapped enthusiastically.
“Wow~ You’re amazing, Sion!”
Good job, good job, my baby!
“……”
Without a word, Sion set up another log.
Just yesterday, he had flinched at my overly passionate cheering, but now he seemed to have gotten used to my presence.
“Alright then, should I organize my plan too?”
I hopped down from the tree stump and landed on the snow.
Picking up a stick, I ran across the snowy ground, drawing a long line.
It was the timeline of the original story that I had carefully organized in my head last night.
“First, the current situation.”
I tapped the starting point of the timeline.
“Year 918 of the Continental Calendar. About one month before the main story begins. Sion is currently 18, about to have his coming-of-age ceremony next month. But he’s already nearly 180 cm tall, with broad shoulders, a sharp nose, and a defined jawline that’s practically perfect—…no, no, that’s not the point.”
I quickly snapped myself out of instinctively worshipping my favorite.
Then I summarized the key points again in the snow.
- Time: 1 month before the main story
- Sion’s situation: Isolated in the annex, suffering neglect and oppression for being an illegitimate son
“And…”
My eyes sparkled.
- Near-future event: Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony
“In one month, the ‘Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony,’ the starting point of the original story, will take place.”
A quick explanation.
The Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony was an ancient tradition and sacred annual ritual of the North.
Because of the harsh cold and threats of monsters, children were precious in the North. So every year, those who survived to the age of 19 were blessed through this ceremony.
Through it, all children—regardless of birth or status—were granted the rights and protection of the North.
“In other words, if Sion successfully participates this year, he’ll receive all the rights and protection due to a duke’s son!”
In the original story, Sion naturally failed to attend.
Because of the scheme of the Grand Duchess—the story’s official villain.
“Grand Duchess Priscilla.”
I drew a rough figure of a crazed woman with long hair in the snow.
A woman obsessed with power, who opposed her husband, the former Grand Duke, and tried to manipulate her own son—the main male lead—like a puppet.
She also constantly tormented and tried to kill both the heroine and Sion, the illegitimate son who stood in her way.
But if things changed—and Sion successfully attended the ceremony this time—he would be officially recognized and gain status within the ducal house.
That meant he could finally escape the blatant neglect and abuse he had endured for ten years.
“So, the first things I need to do are two.”
I glanced at Sion, who was still chopping firewood.
“First: make sure Sion safely participates in the Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony. That way, he can finally enjoy the rights and benefits he deserves.”
At the very least, his ridiculous living conditions and poor diet had to be fixed immediately.
After all, he needed to eat well and rest properly to grow even more handsome.
“Of course, he’s already the most handsome and perfect person in the world, but if he’s going to beat the main male lead and win the heroine’s heart, having more looks and money definitely won’t hurt.”
Nodding, I moved on.
“Second: twist the first meeting between Sion and the heroine!”
This was the most important part.
So important that the first goal was basically just preparation for it.
In the original story, their first meeting was far from romantic.
Because of the Grand Duchess’s scheme, Sion couldn’t attend the ceremony. Severely injured, he wandered the city and ran into the heroine by chance.
And what was the first thing he said again?
“Oh my goodness! Are you okay?! Your injuries…!”
“If you don’t want to die, get lost. You’re annoying.”
At the time, Sion was in a fragile and volatile state. He lashed out harshly at the heroine, who tried to help him, and pushed her away.
Later, after he gradually fell in love with her, he regretted that first meeting again and again.
Even until the moment of his death.
“…Did she leave safely?”
Lying in the snow, Sion murmured softly.
Snow settled on his bloodstained face, blooming red like icy flowers.
In the silent white world, Sion thought of someone.
The first person who had ever shown him warmth and love—someone so precious he didn’t regret trading his life for her.
His only regret… was never apologizing for pushing her away that night.
“……”
His lips moved slightly, his final breath carrying that lingering regret.
That was the end of Sion Luxia, the Shadow Knight of the North.
“…Ugh.”
Just remembering it made my chest ache, and I covered my mouth.
Then I steeled myself.
“No. As long as I’m here, that future will never happen.”
That’s right. From now on, things like being a second male lead, unrequited love, and sacrifice had nothing to do with Sion.
“Because I, Rin—the fangirl fairy armed with knowledge of the original story—am going to push Sion forward by any means necessary!”
“In other words: the ‘Escape the Second Male Lead Project’!”
Just as I grinned imagining his happy future—
Fweeeet~
A whistle sounded from the forest entrance.
It was Garen’s signal that someone was approaching.
I quickly flew to Sion.
“Sion, someone’s coming!”
I slipped into his collar.
Sion calmly sheathed his sword.
Soon, Assistant Luman appeared with a guard and a servant.
Looking around suspiciously, he spoke.
“Hoho, it’s quite cold—shouldn’t you be resting instead of coming all the way out here…?”
“I was chopping firewood. It’s too cold to sleep.”
Sion replied smoothly.
“Firewood? Ah… I see. It seems supplies haven’t been reaching the annex properly. I’ll make sure that’s addressed.”
Luman added awkwardly, as if making excuses.
From what I’d seen these past few days, most supplies—including firewood and food—had been deliberately withheld. Just another one of the Grand Duchess’s schemes.
“What brings you here, Assistant?”
“Well, about that…”
Luman pulled out a document stamped with the ducal seal.
Peeking through Sion’s collar, I read it too.
To the young master of the annex,
An important guest will be visiting the castle in a few days. You are to refrain from all external activities and focus on rest and recuperation.
—Grand Duchess
“……”
I frowned deeply.
In short, it meant: Since an important guest is coming, the embarrassing illegitimate son should stay hidden in his room.
“You’ve got some nerve…”
“I’ve read it. You may leave.”
At Sion’s cold dismissal, Luman bowed and hurried away.
As soon as they were gone, I popped out and tore the document to shreds.
“Rip! Who does that Grand Duchess think she is, ordering my Sion around? Ignore this, Sion. That woman is going to—”
I was just about to spoil the original story—
Ding!
Event Guide: Spoilers from the original story are strictly prohibited! Violations will result in severe penalties, so please be careful! Enjoy your fangirling! ^0^7
“……”
That wasn’t a friendly warning—it was terrifying.
I quickly changed my words.
“—going to suffer karma and go bald anyway!”
Silence.
After a moment, Garen asked sincerely,
“…Do women go bald too?”
Sion answered casually,
“Not that I’ve heard.”
I thumped my chest confidently.
“They do! And anyone who messes with Sion—I’ll make them all go bald!”
“……”
I meant it.
Anyone who touched my favorite was done for.
Sion watched me quietly, then picked up the firewood.
“Let’s head back.”
As he walked toward the annex, I followed, shouting—
“I’m coming too, Sion!”
