Lathel froze, his expression stiff as stone.
Inwardly, he asked, "System, is today's script supposed to involve me and Arina?"
[Apparently not. This is an unscripted event.]
"Then…" Before he could finish, the System cut him off.
[However, you still need to follow the flow of the scenario—go with Arina. Her destination ties directly to today's plot event.]
Lathel: "…"
He sighed, glancing at Catrina, puzzled at how calm she seemed despite the… awkward incident that had just occurred between them.
'Maybe… it's because I'm not the one she actually likes, so she doesn't feel embarrassed?' he thought, finding that explanation oddly convincing.
It was like being naked in the forest—you wouldn't feel shy just because a few trees saw you, right?
Maybe that's how Catrina saw him. In her eyes, he was probably nothing more than a clueless boy, so there was no reason for her to be flustered.
Though the thought stung a little, Lathel also felt a strange relief—as if the weight on his chest had finally been lifted.
Right then, he clearly realized again that this world was nothing more than a novel.
Everyone here—every so-called "character"—was simply an NPC, moving toward their own purpose… the protagonist.
It was just that these "NPCs" were so real, so full of life, that Lathel's emotions often got dragged along by their stories.
He took a deep breath and asked, pretending to be confused, "Lady Catrina, why do I have to go out with her?"
Catrina smiled gently. "Didn't you say you wanted to take part in my business affairs? As it happens, Arina's going to inspect the market today. Wouldn't it be perfect for you two to go together?"
Lathel went silent, feeling as though a herd of horses was trampling through his heart. He sighed, wanting to argue—but in the end, he gave up.
After all, he still had a script event to complete today. Whether Arina came along or not wouldn't really change the outcome.
Suddenly, he noticed the handkerchief in Catrina's hand—it looked strangely familiar, though he couldn't recall why.
Catrina noticed his gaze and quickly hid it behind her back, smiling. "Arina's waiting outside. You should hurry."
Lathel sighed again. He figured Catrina was just trying to give him and Arina some "alone time." He wanted to tell her that he didn't like Arina anymore—but the words stuck in his throat and never came out.
All he could do was head for the carriage.
When he opened the door, Arina was already inside—her fiery red hair glowing beneath the sunlight, a neat golden dress hugging her figure.
But at the moment, she sat with her arms crossed, glaring off to the side, her expression radiating pure irritation and barely contained anger.
Lathel was about to step inside—but the moment he did, he could feel the killing intent pouring off her. The air temperature around him spiked alarmingly.
Cold sweat ran down his back. He was genuinely afraid that if he stepped inside, Arina would tear him to pieces on the spot.
He turned back toward Catrina for help—but she merely waved with a teasing smile, mouthing the words, "Have fun."
Lathel: "…"
Fun? How the hell am I supposed to have fun in this situation?!
Though he didn't want to, Lathel clenched his jaw and stepped into the carriage.
Catrina watched as the carriage rolled away, her eyes growing distant and unfocused.
Then suddenly—
"It's been a while. He's become quite a bit more handsome than before, hasn't he?"
A voice echoed beside her, making Catrina flinch.
She turned her head and saw a figure standing nearby, surrounded by a thin veil of mist that hid her features completely.
Yet the moment Catrina recognized that presence, her breath caught. Even without seeing her face, she instantly knew who it was.
Her expression turned solemn, and she immediately dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty, the Empress."
But before her knee could touch the ground, an invisible force held her in place.
"That's enough—stand up," the Empress said with a light laugh. "I only came to take a look."
Catrina hesitated, then nodded respectfully and rose to her feet. "Your Majesty… what brings you here?"
"Hahaha…" The Empress's laughter was soft yet commanding. "I wanted to see the man you and Valoria both seem to fancy. But honestly, he looks a little… foolish."
Realizing what the Empress meant, Catrina bit her lip. "Your Majesty, he's just an ordinary man. He won't interfere with our plan."
"I know that." The Empress smiled faintly and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't harm him. I'm merely… curious."
"Now then—how fares your family?"
Catrina lowered her gaze. "Your Majesty, my family has fallen badly. The Great Elder still holds power, unless… I can take full control of our business affairs."
The Empress nodded. "Good. Only when you hold the economic pulse of this kingdom can I proceed with my grand design. Take your time—there's no need to rush. We still have plenty of years ahead."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Catrina said earnestly, bowing her head.
"Also…" The Empress's tone softened, though her eyes gleamed with mystery. "If our plan succeeds, I'll grant you a reward."
"A reward?" Catrina tilted her head, puzzled. "Your Majesty, my only wish is to serve you—to bring peace to the Empire. I ask for nothing more."
"Hahaha… don't think I don't know what you truly desire." The Empress laughed heartily. "If my plan succeeds, I'll grant Lathel the Millennial White Lotus and the Fruit of Enlightenment."
Catrina froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Your Majesty, you mean…!"
"Don't thank me yet." The Empress raised a hand to stop her. "There's no alchemist of the seventh rank in the Empire right now. You'll have to find someone capable of refining that potion yourself. Even if he fails to Awaken, the medicine will extend his life for at least three hundred years."
"Furthermore," she continued with a knowing smile, "I'll issue a royal decree—an engagement between you and him. And even between Valoria and him, if need be. Would that ease your worries?"
Catrina understood immediately. With just one word from the Empress, even the forbidden bond between Valoria and Lathel would be untouchable—no one would dare insult or question it.
She took a deep breath, her voice firm as she bowed deeply. "I will complete my mission, Your Majesty. I won't disappoint you."
The Empress nodded once, her form slowly fading into mist.
When Catrina finally lifted her head, the Empress was gone.
But the determination burning in her eyes remained—bright, unshakable, and resolute.
She took a handkerchief embroidered with a distinctive pattern from her pocket, gazed at it with gentle eyes, then clenched it tightly in her hand.
…
Inside the carriage, the air between Lathel and Arina was so suffocating that he could barely breathe.
He sighed, turning his gaze toward the window, doing his best to ignore her.
"Huh!" Arina scoffed coldly. "What's wrong? You spent a million gold coins just to get close to me, and now you're silent?"
Lathel: "…"
His head throbbed. He wanted to explain—but also didn't.
Truth be told, lending Catrina a million gold coins had been nothing more than a moment of emotional impulse.
After all, Lady Catrina had always treated him with kindness and warmth—far more than his own mother ever did.
Even if he knew she was nothing more than an NPC in this world, Lathel was still human—he had feelings, empathy.
He couldn't just stand by and watch her suffer without doing something.
And besides, the System had literally given him that million gold as a reward. Lending it out wasn't exactly a big deal.
"I really do appreciate your help," Arina said, though her tone remained icy and superior—as if he were the one indebted to her.
"However, I want you to give up on pursuing me. I don't like you. I didn't before, I don't now, and I never will."
Lathel: "…"
He wanted to tell her that he didn't like her either—that all of this nonsense had been arranged by the System and the story itself.
But what was the point? She was an NPC. Even if he said it, she wouldn't understand.
"But," Arina continued haughtily, "I'll allow you to pursue me."
Her tone dripped with arrogance, as if she were bestowing mercy upon some pitiful mongrel. "Of course, there are conditions: You're not allowed to touch me, not allowed to get close to me, and not allowed to bother me."
"As for the rest, you can bring me gifts, assist my mother… Ah, and if you'd like, I could even—"
Lathel turned toward her—but her voice faded into meaningless noise.
His mind drifted to the memories left behind by the old Lathel.
Back then, that fool had chased her obsessively, degrading himself into nothing but a clown.
On the day before he transmigrated here, the "old Lathel" had stood in front of her mansion for an entire day, drenched in rain, waiting just to hand her a gift—to prove his sincerity.
But when Arina finally appeared, she didn't even glance at him.
Instead, Alex drove the carriage straight into him. The horse's hooves shattered his ribs.
He didn't die immediately. He was carried back to his estate by the servants and passed away later that night.
That was how the new Lathel inherited this body.
But he wasn't that Lathel—and he had no obligation to love Arina.
She was just an NPC. Why should he care what she thought?
He tuned her out completely, staring out the window, thinking instead about how to finish today's script event.
Arina eventually realized that Lathel wasn't paying her any attention. Her words faltered mid-sentence, irritation flaring in her chest.
'Hmph! Keep pretending, Lathel,' she thought bitterly. 'You think acting cold will make me notice you? Idiot. Your silence just means one less annoying fly buzzing around me—and that makes me even happier.'