No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t just stand by and watch Rochel and Noxia drift apart like this.
I gathered my wits and grabbed Noxia’s arm.
“Wait, hold on a second!”
Noxia turned around, her expression puzzled. The moment our eyes met, I involuntarily swallowed hard.
I had to handle this carefully. Right now, I was the only one who could possibly bridge the gap between Noxia and Rochel—the protagonists of .
“Noxia, I think you’ve misunderstood something.”
“Misunderstood? What misunderstanding?”
“His Royal Highness isn’t that kind of person.”
“You heard him yourself just now, didn’t you? He approached us without any real feelings. Weren’t you hurt too, and trying to escape that situation?”
I hadn’t realized my own cautious, tiptoeing movements would appear that way to Noxia.
‘Could it be… because of me, Noxia couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped forward?’
My head throbbed, but I forced myself to stay focused.
If I didn’t fix this now, I might lose the chance forever.
“I don’t know where you heard that, but His Royal Highness is thinking ahead. As you know, to become a great power, imperial authority must be strengthened.”
“Even so…”
“And didn’t you see His Highness’s face just now? I’ve heard the rumors—he’s incredibly handsome, isn’t he?”
Instantly, I felt both Noxia and Ascan staring at me with startled expressions.
Was praising Rochel’s looks too sudden?
But honestly, good looks never hurt anyone!
“What I mean is—you’re judging His Highness based only on a narrow, fragmented perspective!”
“M-me?”
“Yes, you. His Highness mastered swordsmanship since age five—a prodigy who’s never lost a mock battle, a brilliant strategist. And that’s not all! His sharp, intelligent gaze, his lips red as rose petals—countless noble ladies in the capital fall hopelessly in love just by meeting his eyes.”
“I’ve heard those rumors too, but…”
“Then you must know how highly regarded His Royal Highness is! Whether intellect or swordsmanship, he lacks nothing. He’s simply perfect—his ambitions are just a bit grand, that’s all.”
Noxia stared at me, bewildered, then suddenly seemed to realize something and gasped.
“Sister… don’t tell me you’re fond of His Royal Highness…?”
“No!”
I shouted without thinking. I absolutely didn’t want unnecessary misunderstandings.
I took a deep, calming breath and continued.
“It’s not like that at all—I just hate seeing you two misunderstand and avoid each other. Our family absolutely cannot drift apart from the imperial house.”
“I don’t intend to publicly distance myself from His Highness either. But after hearing that, how can I sincerely interact with him?”
“That’s exactly why it’s a misunderstanding! Don’t you trust me?”
When I emphasized “sister” and spoke gently, Noxia hesitated and fell silent.
In the original story, Noxia wanted to build a good relationship with Tanashia. Even beyond the novel’s plot, from our past interactions, I knew she genuinely wanted to get along with me.
I didn’t want to exploit that, but the more kindly I treated her, the more likely she was to listen.
“Let’s just talk to His Royal Highness one more time, okay?”
My own survival mattered, but I couldn’t just stand by and watch the two protagonists drift apart.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Noxia answered with a slightly softened expression.
“Alright. If you want it, I’ll speak with His Highness again.”
“Yes, good thinking! Let’s go back right now and—”
I was planning to return to the spot where I’d just parted with Rochel.
But then—
Click clack. Someone approached us quickly through the imperial garden, where we’d been quietly talking.
“Lady Brellof. There you are!”
The person who suddenly appeared was a noblewoman dressed extravagantly from head to toe.
‘Who is she?’
I couldn’t identify her just by her face. But Noxia recognized her immediately and greeted her warmly.
“Lady Theru? What brings you all the way here?”
“Already forgotten? You promised me you’d demonstrate your water-manipulating ability. So many people are waiting to see you, you know.”
“Oh!”
Noxia finally remembered the promise she’d made.
Hearing Lady Theru’s words, I immediately recalled what was supposed to happen next in the novel.
‘Oh no!’
According to the original plot, Rochel and Noxia first met at the ballroom. There was a specific reason they’d made such strong impressions on each other there.
The secondary villainess, who hated Noxia, planned to detonate an indoor firework precisely when Noxia demonstrated her water ability—to humiliate her publicly.
Startled by the loud explosion, Noxia would lose control and spray water everywhere—and Rochel would instinctively shield her from the drenching downpour.
Rochel, appearing like a prince on a white steed before the distressed Noxia.
I’d planned to watch that romantic scene from afar…
‘This is bad!’
If that event happened now, the plot might deviate from the original.
As I realized the situation, alarms blared in my head.
“Noxia!”
At my urgent call, Noxia—who’d been talking to Lady Theru—turned to look at me.
“Before returning to the ballroom, why not speak with His Highness first? I don’t think dragging this out will help anything.”
Lady Theru shot me a displeased glare. She clearly resented me for trying to delay Noxia’s return to the ballroom.
Just from her gaze, I could tell she treated Noxia and me very differently.
“Should I really? But people are waiting for me…”
Seeing Noxia hesitate, Lady Theru seized the moment, linking arms with her.
“You mean His Royal Highness, the guest of honor? He’ll surely come to the ballroom anyway—why not meet him there?”
She wasn’t wrong. Even if I went back to that spot now, I couldn’t be sure Rochel would still be there.
But if I let Noxia return to the ballroom now, today’s planned event might unfold differently.
As the only person who knew the original plot, I felt my insides burning with anxiety.
“Actually… Lady Theru is right. Sister, don’t worry—I’ll talk to His Highness again when I see him in the ballroom.”
“But still—!”
I wanted desperately to hold Noxia back, but no good excuse came to mind.
While I hesitated, Lady Theru led Noxia away toward the ballroom.
Watching Noxia, surrounded by countless nobles from afar, my heart churned with conflicted emotions.
‘What should I do?’
If Rochel didn’t appear as in the original, how would the story progress?
It felt like facing a reality I’d never imagined.
Would Noxia end up humiliated and gossiped about, exactly as the villainess desired?
The original Tanashia would have gloated happily—but not me.
I only wanted to live quietly in wealth and comfort. Not even a hair’s breadth of me wished for Noxia’s unhappiness.
‘This is maddening.’
My options were limited, but I couldn’t just stand idly by while the story veered off course.
“Ascan.”
At my call, Ascan, standing one step away, responded.
“Yes.”
“I need you to do me a favor.”
“A… favor?”
I sensed his surprise at the word “favor.”
Come to think of it, in a master-slave relationship, “command” might be more appropriate than “favor.” But I didn’t have time to nitpick.
“Right now, find Lady Crisha inside the ballroom and tell her I need to see her.”
“Understood.”
“Lady Crisha looks like—”
“I know her. She occasionally visits Brellof Manor.”
“Oh, right.”
Lady Reiana Crisha.
The secondary villainess of the original story, who hated Noxia—she and I were friends, united in our shared antagonism toward Noxia.
Anyway, Reiana was the mastermind behind today’s plot to humiliate Noxia at the imperial ball.
She’d be watching for the perfect moment to set off the indoor firework—so distracting her to buy time was my top priority.
“If possible, keep Lady Crisha occupied so she can’t leave.”
“I’ll try my best.”
As Ascan turned to leave with his usual stoic reply, I unconsciously grabbed his sleeve.
Surprised by my sudden action, he turned back with a questioning look. Given the urgency, I had no choice but to emphasize again.
“I’m really counting on you.”
For a moment, Ascan’s gaze grew strangely intense. After staring at me briefly, he replied in a low voice.
“Understood.”
Then Ascan too disappeared into the ballroom at a quick pace—to find Reiana as I’d asked.
Now, I had only one task left.
Find the male protagonist—Rochel.
Though we’d gotten off on the wrong foot, I still wanted to ensure Rochel and Noxia had the good meeting they were supposed to, just like in the original.
‘Where on earth is he?!’
I scanned the imperial garden and ballroom, but couldn’t find even a shadow of Rochel.
My anxiety burned hotter. Time was running out. Soon, Noxia would demonstrate her water-manipulating ability before the nobles.
Just as I hurried anxiously through the ballroom—
Finally, I spotted Rochel standing to one side, conversing with several nobles.
“Your Royal Highness!”
I called out loudly and hurried toward him.
Unlike in the original, Rochel wasn’t near Noxia. I didn’t know exactly what had changed, but if left as-is, the two would definitely miss each other.
Rochel noticed me too, apparently recalling our earlier encounter in the garden.
“Back in the garden…”
“Yes. I’m Tanashia Brellof, eldest daughter of House Brellof.”
“You seem urgent—what’s the matter?”
“Oh, no. I think there was some misunderstanding earlier, and I’d like to speak with Your Highness again.”
“I thought I’d lost the chance—glad to hear it.”
Rochel naturally bid farewell to the surrounding nobles and approached me.
I quickly gauged the direction where Noxia stood and began walking. Rochel had no choice but to follow.
“Where are we going?”
“My younger sister was with me earlier. Wouldn’t it be better to talk together, all three of us?”
“Ah, yes, that makes sense.”
Rochel nodded, apparently agreeing with my reasoning.
As we neared Noxia’s location, we saw water from multiple glass goblets rising into the air like an inverted waterfall.
Fortunately, Noxia was still in the midst of demonstrating her ability.
Rochel, seeing this spectacle for the first time, watched Noxia with clear fascination.
I’d arrived with him just in time. It seemed their original meeting wouldn’t be completely derailed.
‘Phew, thank goodness.’
I quietly exhaled in relief.
‘Looks like Ascan successfully detained Lady Crisha as I asked.’
I’d sent Ascan as insurance, in case I failed to bring Rochel over at the right moment.
Since no firework had exploded yet, Ascan must have fulfilled my request well.
‘In a moment, when the firework goes off, the romantic scene from the original should unfold.’
Even if, by some chance, the firework didn’t go off, it wouldn’t matter.
Noxia had avoided humiliation, and Rochel seemed slightly intrigued—so the earlier incident could be salvaged.
Either way, I had nothing to lose. I could now watch Noxia’s demonstration with a light heart.
Then—
I hadn’t noticed when he’d approached, but Rochel’s subordinate, Regard, spoke up.
“Your Highness.”
At that voice, Rochel—who’d been watching Noxia’s ability—turned his head.
Seeming to have something urgent to discuss, Regard stepped closer and whispered quietly. Rochel listened with a serious expression.
Pop! Whoosh!
Of all times, the firework exploded right then.
Beautiful as the indoor firework decorating the palace ceiling was, it was more than enough to break Noxia’s still-fragile concentration over water.
“Ah!”
I saw Noxia lose control, panic flashing across her face.
I quickly glanced between Noxia and Rochel. Due to the changed timing, it seemed Rochel wouldn’t be able to save her this time.
‘No, this can’t happen—everything will be wasted!’
Panicked, I stuck out my foot toward Rochel, standing beside me—anything to push him toward Noxia.
But the story took a completely unexpected turn.
Whoa. Rochel, losing his balance, took only a single step forward—while Noxia, belatedly regaining her senses, gathered the water about to spray everywhere into one spot.
Swoooosh!
The water that had been dancing midair poured straight down onto Rochel’s head.
As the evening’s honored guest, Rochel getting drenched instantly silenced the entire room.
And the most shocked person of all?
Me.
‘Oh…’
I knew instantly.
This was truly ruined.
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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