I had a premonition that if we stayed here now, the consequences for us could be too terrible.
No, why did the atmosphere suddenly become like this?
Watching the confrontation between these two, Jeremy and I felt bewildered. No, rather, we were stunned.
"Duchess, I suggest you think carefully about whose side you are on."
When I heard the sinister voice, which sounded like a warning, everything inside me turned over.
"Oh, don't tell me a fight is about to break out here?"
After this, the cold voice of the Northern Duchess sounded.
"Your Highness, as I have already said, the North's position on this matter is unwavering."
Kaena chuckled, not taking her eyes off her.
"After I ascend the throne of this country, every noble will have to kneel before me. Am I to interpret your refusal as an act of disobedience?"
"..."
Since neither of us expected such a turn of events, Jeremy and I were extremely tense. The situation was becoming more and more dangerous. On the other hand, it seemed that the saying that no wedding is complete without a fight was proving true. Although we really didn't want to witness this.
The Crown Princess stood up and noisily slammed her palms on the table. The Northern Duchess did the same. These two exchanged murderous glances. And then the villainess spoke with a sly smile:
"Well, if you are so unwavering in your decision, perhaps I should put in more effort to persuade you?"
"Try it, if you can, Your Highness," she replied.
At that moment, Jeremy looked at me desperately. He made a gesture with his eyes, and I understood my friend without words. We decided to act together to save ourselves.
"Oh, what's this, it seems like there's less sauce for the meat today than usual!" the guy exclaimed with feigned annoyance.
"Indeed," I supported him, "Something is clearly missing here. How can we enjoy the food without this ingredient?"
The servant standing nearby paled at this remark, because in his opinion, the food had been served as usual today. Could the chef have actually made a mistake? He was about to rush to the kitchen to bring an additional portion of sauce, but Jeremy stopped him with a gesture.
The newly-made Prince of the North smiled and said kindly:
"Well, since that's the case, nothing can be done. I'll have to go and get it myself."
The servant's mouth dropped open in surprise when his lord expressed such an incomprehensible intention.
"My lord, you shouldn't go for it yourself!" he exclaimed hastily, "Please, stay here, I'll bring everything myself."
But Jeremy resolutely shook his head.
"No, why all this unnecessary trouble? I'd rather go myself and get the sauce I need. You stay here and continue serving."
"..."
The servant couldn't find any sense in his lord's words. Going to the kitchen wasn't that burdensome for him; after all, it was his job. Especially since there were other servants remaining here.
But before he could come to his senses and object that it was no trouble for him at all, both the lord and the guest were moving closer and closer to the exit.
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"Carrying the sauce alone will be difficult. I'll help you, Prince."
"Ah, thank you, Lady de Walte. You are so kind!"
".... "
The servant stared after them in bewilderment.
As soon as Jeremy and I left the dining room and went out into the quiet, deserted corridor, we both breathed a sigh of relief. Well, that seemed to be it. At least, those two seemed too engrossed in their confrontation with each other to even notice our absence. This played into our hands.
After using such a meaningless pretext, we certainly weren't actually going to the kitchen for that sauce. Instead, we found a secluded spot on the landing where no one was. Finally, we had a chance to talk to each other.
"So, tell me," Jeremy addressed me seriously, "How did this happen?"
I took a deep breath before starting to recount the events of the last month of my life. As soon as I told Jeremy about what had happened at my home, he exhaled sharply, as if deeply shocked. Of course, you wouldn't know from looking at me that I had experienced something like that and still remained sane.
"Wait... You mean to say that woman is the main villainess of this novel?" he asked uncertainly.
"Exactly."
"And she took you hostage?"
I nodded with a gloomy expression.
Jeremy, still stunned by what he had heard, couldn't find the right words.
Unlike me, who knew the world of this novel inside and out, Jeremy couldn't boast such knowledge. All he knew was the title of the book and its description, which he had only glimpsed and barely remembered. Having a basic idea that this was the universe of a fantasy novel, he adapted to it on his own. And, of course, the memories of the previous owner of the body played an important role in this process.
As in any work, there were main characters and villains here, but until now, the guy hadn't really thought about it much. After all, he had plenty of his own problems. Especially since he was a background character, he didn't have to worry about it.
And, of course, he couldn't have expected that his friend, who was just as insignificant a character, could get entangled with someone like the main villainess. I was embarrassed to tell him about the circumstances of our acquaintance, because it would only further highlight my worthlessness. Instead, I simply said that for some reason this crazy woman had taken an interest in me.
After listening to me, Jeremy worriedly bit his lip.
If before he considered himself the most unfortunate person in this world, now things didn't seem so clear-cut.
"So this means you're in danger?" he seriously summarized.
Jeremy came to this conclusion when I vividly described the nature of the main villainess of this novel, who was an obsessed psychopath with maniacal tendencies.
"And how," I confirmed gloomily.
Until now, I thought I was only alive because the main villainess had made me her toy. However, I couldn't foresee the moment when she would get tired of playing with me and I would lose her favor. In that case, my fate would indeed be unenviable. Kaena de Ronan was not the type to simply let me go when I bored her.
It wasn't out of the question that I would then end up in a dungeon and be subjected to the worst imaginable trials...
While I vividly imagined this in my head and broke out in a cold sweat, Jeremy, noticing my pallor, readily responded:
"I won't let you die! Tell me what needs to be done, and I'll do everything possible to help you."
I looked at him tensely. I was touched by my friend's sincere intention to help me, but at the same time, I didn't want to risk other people's lives to save my own. Too many people had already died because of me.
"I'm afraid nothing can help me anymore."
"What?" his eyes widened.
"If I am to be saved, it will only be through my own efforts," I said, "You know that in this empire, it's unlikely anyone has enough influence to stop her."
Jeremy, who initially wanted to argue with me about this, faltered. He suddenly smiled bitterly. "Indeed... What was I thinking, offering my help?"
Although he was now the husband of the Northern Princess, essentially nothing had changed in his position. All power and control over the north still lay in Selina's hands. Therefore, even if the guy asked the Duchess to grant Camilla refuge in their lands, who could guarantee that she wouldn't refuse this offer, risking spoiling her relationship with a member of the imperial family?
Lamenting his own helplessness, Jeremy involuntarily let his arms fall.
"Don't worry," I tried to find encouraging words in this situation, "I'll try not to die anytime soon. At least... I'll do everything in my power."
Jeremy pursed his lips. At that moment, he suddenly looked at me strangely. "Listen..."
"Hmm?"
"What if the Crown Princess actually likes you?" he cautiously suggested, "What would you do then?"
As soon as I heard this terrible thought, goosebumps ran down my skin.
Me? Liked by the main villainess? As soon as I tried to imagine such a thing, I almost choked.
Trying with all my might to suppress my agitation, I still answered him:
"That's impossible... But even if such a thing could happen, it would be even worse."
If the Crown Princess actually likes me, it will be even harder for me to get out of this situation. After all, psychopaths take particular pleasure in killing and torturing people, having the most elaborate pretexts for it.
At this terrifying thought, I shuddered again. Her last words about our wedding involuntarily flashed through my mind. Although I wasn't sure if her intentions were really that serious, the very fact that she had voiced it out loud alarmed me.
No, seriously, why is all this happening to me?
When I calmed down a little and tried to pull myself together, I declared with all seriousness:
"No, this will never happen. I'd rather die than marry the main villainess."