Emotional Conflict

A week was how long he spent working in the shop.

Selling medicine, and bandages, as well as checking on the sick.

Minseok did all of this while still hiding his feelings for Lady Argi Bonnie and avoiding Reiner.

On the 7th day, he collapsed on his bed as soon as he reached its footing, his mind in turmoil, dealing with the other nobles, the common folk, his father, and Argi.

His eyes finally closed as he let himself fall into the warm embrace of his blankets, his mind shutting down as if to stop all his thoughts.

The world around him was turning into a swirling blend of hazy colors, stretching in all directions like a dream half-remembered. 

And once again, he found himself standing before Seraphina. 

The fog cleared, and there she was, her hair flowing, grey eyes sharp but not as cold as usual. 

This time, there was something different about her, something knowing, as if she understood everything he was going through.

"Minseok," she said, her voice smooth but carrying an edge of something like understanding. 

"You finally came back. I knew you couldn't stay away forever"

Minseok felt the weight of her gaze on him, and it made him uneasy. 

He wasn't here to have another conversation about fate or destiny or the weight of being trapped in her body. 

But that's exactly what this was.

"Why are you still here?" 

Minseok asked, his voice laced with frustration. 

"Why am I still here? I didn't choose this life. I didn't choose to be stuck as you!"

Seraphina regarded him quietly for a moment before speaking, her voice soft but pointed. 

"I didn't choose this either. I didn't choose to be the villainess in a story where I was always meant to lose"

"But now it's your turn. You're the one wearing this body, living my life, and making decisions that could change everything"

Minseok ran a hand through his hair, the platinum strands feeling like they weighed more than they should. 

"I don't know how to deal with it. I feel everything, but I don't want to feel anything"

"Not for her"

"Not for Argi…"

Seraphina's eyes narrowed, a flicker of understanding crossing her features. 

"Ah, Lady Argi," she said, almost with a hint of something softer now. 

"You're in love with her, aren't you?"

Minseok's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately looked away. 

He wasn't sure if it was because he was embarrassed or because, deep down, he had been trying to avoid facing it. 

"I don't even know what to do with these feelings. How can I feel this way when I'm stuck in your body, living your life?"

Seraphina stepped closer, her expression unreadable but somehow still warm. 

"Denial isn't a healthy thing you know"

"But it's not like you can control what your heart wants"

"The problem is, Minseok, you can't let anyone know the truth about who you really are. Not ever!"

Minseok froze at her words. 

"What? Why?"

"Because if you reveal the truth, everything will fall apart," Seraphina said, her tone firm. 

"If anyone finds out you're not me, not really, it will unravel everything you've worked for"

"You'll lose your chance to change my fate, and I'll still die at the hands of the people I betrayed"

"Everything will fall apart!"

Minseok felt a sharp pang of frustration and helplessness. 

"But that's not fair! I can't just hide who I am forever. Especially from Argi"

"She deserves to know the truth!"

Seraphina's expression softened, but only slightly. 

"I know you want to be honest with her, and I know it's not easy"

"But you can't"

"If you do, you'll ruin everything. If you want to change this fate, if you want to have a future in this world, you have to keep the truth to yourself"

Minseok's breath caught in his chest. 

"So, what? I'm supposed to keep living as you, pretending to be someone I'm not, while everyone around me expects me to be perfect?"

"I'm not you"

"I can't pretend to be you forever"

Seraphina sighed deeply, her gaze serious. 

"I didn't choose this life, either. But I'm telling you if you succeed in changing my fate and prevent my downfall, you'll have the chance to return to your own body"

"You'll get a second chance at your life"

"But you have to earn it. I can't make it easier for you"

"You have to do it on your own. But you can't let anyone find out who you really are"

Minseok stood frozen for a moment, her words sinking into him like a weight that he couldn't escape. 

"Return to my own body...?" 

He repeated softly, trying to grasp the full extent of her promise. 

"You're saying if I can change things for you, I can go back to being myself?"

"Yes," Seraphina replied, her voice calm but resolute. 

"But only if you succeed. And if you fail, if anyone finds out about you, about who you really are… you will lose everything"

"This world, my life, it all falls apart"

Minseok's mind raced, his heart thundering in his chest. 

He had a chance. 

His motivation that he thought he had lost, returned like a fire in his chest. 

To return to his own body. 

But it came with a price, a price he didn't fully understand yet.

"And Argi?" 

Minseok asked, his voice small, filled with uncertainty. 

"What about her? How can I just keep pretending I don't care about her? These feelings aren't going away"

Seraphina's eyes softened, but there was still that sharp edge to her voice. 

"Argi is part of this world, but she's not part of your life"

"You can't let your feelings for her derail everything"

"I know it's hard, but you can't have both. You can't love her and live your own life in peace"

"Not if you want to change your fate"

Minseok's chest tightened, a wave of emotion crashing over him. 

Could he really do this? 

Could he live this lie, keep pretending to be Seraphina while trying to navigate his feelings for Argi? 

Sure, he's been doing this bit for months, but the novel took 10 years to finish, which was also the timeline of the novel.

10 years, he would be stuck in this world.

Ten years of having to refer to himself as Seraphina without forgetting who he really is.

The weight of the decision pressed down on him.

Seraphina's gaze softened as she took a step back. 

"If you want your original body back, you have to succeed"

"You have to change the fate that was meant for me, the one that led to my death"

"But you can't tell anyone the truth. You can't even tell Argi"

Minseok closed his eyes, trying to steady his breath. 

The road ahead was unclear, and the choices he had to make felt impossible. 

But he knew one thing for certain now.

He had a chance to rewrite his fate. 

The only question was whether he could live with the cost.

"I-I understand you, and I promise you this… I will change your fucked up ending, I will save the innocent with my medical techniques, and I will make sure to save this world from the calamity that made you the witch of chaos"

"... So you understand?"

"I do"

"And you won't reveal this to anyone?"

"I won't"

"Okay, and questions before you have to go back?"

"I do… just one"

Minseok stood up, matching Seraphina's grey eyes with his own. 

He puffed out his chest as if to seem intimidating, but it only served to make her chuckle.

"Why so serious?"

"I will ask two questions, is that okay?"

"Sure, that's fine, now then, what are your questions?"

Minseok took a deep breath before raising his head back up, "First, how do you feel about Reiner?"

"And second, do you wish your father dead for all the shit he's put you through?"

'I need answers, this is perhaps one of the rarest times that she will allow me to ask anything'

Seraphina's gaze softened for a moment before she answered Minseok's questions, her voice carrying the weight of years of unresolved feelings. 

"Reiner," she began, her tone distant but thoughtful. 

"Do I feel something for him? Yes, I do"

"There's a certain tenderness I've always felt toward him"

"He's loyal, too loyal, in fact, and I understand why he feels the way he does"

"He's always seen me as someone to protect, someone to care for. But, Minseok…" 

She paused, her grey eyes meeting his. 

"I also understand why you rejected him"

Minseok raised an eyebrow, caught slightly off guard by the clarity in her voice. 

"You do?"

She nodded. 

"You're in my body, living my life now, and you see things differently"

"Reiner, as much as I respect his loyalty, is not someone I could ever truly be with, not after everything"

"Not after the way he sees me" 

Her voice grew quieter. 

"He sees me as something to protect, but he doesn't see me as a person, someone with my own will"

"I can't be with someone who doesn't see me for who I am"

Minseok's chest tightened, his own feelings about Reiner mirrored in Seraphina's words. 

Reiner's devotion was undeniable, but it came with a price, one that made it impossible for Seraphina to see him in the same light.

"Then," Minseok asked, his voice soft, "how do you feel about him, really?"

"If you understand why I rejected him, then... where do you stand?"

Seraphina was quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting as if she were lost in thought. 

"I care about him," she finally said, her voice low and almost pained. 

"I care about him because he's been there for me when no one else was"

"He's never turned away. But love... Love is something I've never really had the luxury of experiencing, not with him, not with anyone"

"My father made sure of that" 

Minseok saw her eyes, almost like a ghost just going through the motions, he couldn't imagine what it was like to live under that kind of pressure, never being allowed to exist as anything other than a means to an end.

"And your father?" 

Minseok asked quietly. 

"Do you wish he was gone, for everything he's done?"

Seraphina's eyes flickered with a deep, painful sadness, but there was also something like resignation there. 

"My mother died giving birth to me," she began, her voice tight. 

"She was everything to him, and when she died... I was left behind."

"I was just a reminder of what he lost. I never stood a chance"

"To him, I wasn't a daughter to love, I was a tool, a pawn to use"

She swallowed hard, her eyes brimming with emotion. 

"Do I wish he were dead for all the suffering he put me through?"

"Part of me wants him to suffer the way he made me suffer. But the other part of me... still wants him to love me"

"I wish I could have been someone he could see as more than just a tool, but that's never going to happen"

Minseok's chest tightened as he absorbed her words. 

Her pain, her longing for something as simple as a father's love, struck him deeply. 

And yet, there was also a strength in her, an unwavering determination that seemed to carry her through even the darkest moments of her life.

"You've had to carry so much," Minseok said softly, his voice thick with empathy. 

"But I understand now. I understand why you never allowed yourself to love anyone, and why you couldn't be with Reiner"

Seraphina turned her gaze to him, her expression softening, though still carrying the weight of her experiences. 

"Exactly. That's why I never could be with him. I can't allow myself to be trapped by someone else's idea of who I should be"

"I need freedom, Minseok. More than anything, I need to make my own choices"

Minseok looked at her, his chest heavy with the promise he was about to make. 

"I will change your fate. I'll save you from everything that's happened to you. I'll use my knowledge, my skills... I'll make sure your life doesn't end the way it was meant to"

Seraphina's eyes softened, but there was a sharpness to her gaze that didn't go away. 

"You understand, don't you? The price of this"

"If you reveal the truth about who you really are, if anyone finds out, everything will fall apart"

"Not just for me, but for you as well"

Minseok nodded, his resolve hardening. 

"I'll keep our secret, Seraphina"

Seraphina smiled faintly, a flicker of relief passing through her eyes. 

"Good. I'm trusting you with everything, Minseok. Don't make me regret it"

Minseok stood taller, the weight of her words sinking in. 

"You make it sound like I'll fail or something"

"Will you?"

"Of course not, but do you mind me asking one last question?"

Seraphina looked down, her feet clicking against each other, her fingers fidgeting but she soon looked up to meet his gaze.

"I guess one more wouldn't hurt, what is it that you wish to ask?"

"..."

"Is your true wish, to be loved?"

"... Hah, it seems like I can't fool you, yes, of course wanting to take control of my fate, my will, is the main thing"

"At the end of it… I just want someone to really see me for me…"

Minseok chuckled as he walked closer, his platinum blonde hair turning black, his feminine voice turning back to the deep one he had.

His height also grew as his arms flexed the muscle he originally had.

"It's not much but," he pulled her into a hug, "You can see me as a friend who will listen when you need me to"

Seraphina could sense the sincerity in his actions, the tenderness in the way he pulled her into a hug.

"You don't have to carry it all alone," Minseok murmured, his voice steady, calm, and unburdened by the weight of the past. 

"You've got someone here who will listen, someone who won't judge you for wanting more than what you've been given"

"You don't need to go through this by yourself anymore"

Seraphina felt the weight of his words settles deep within her chest. 

For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to lean into the hug, her shoulders relaxing as the tension she hadn't even realized she was holding started to ease.

"I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that," she whispered, her voice softer now, the hardness of her usual demeanor slipping away. 

"I've spent so much time convincing myself I could do it alone… that I didn't need anyone"

Minseok gave a quiet laugh, holding her gently. 

"We all need someone, Seraphina. Even the strongest of us do"

For a long moment, the two stood there in the dream world, their surroundings blurring as time seemed to stretch. 

There were no grand proclamations, no promises beyond the one they had already made to each other.

Just two souls, caught in a world between worlds, sharing the comfort of a connection that neither of them had truly expected.

Finally, Minseok pulled back, his expression gentle but firm. 

"You've got me, Seraphina. And I'll fight for you, no matter what it takes"

Seraphina stared at him for a moment, her eyes filled with an emotion he couldn't quite place, before she nodded slowly. 

"Thank you, Minseok"

"Now," Minseok said, straightening up as he wiped a stray lock of platinum blonde hair from his face, "I'd better get going"

"There's a world to change and people to save. And us," he gave her a teasing grin, "we have a destiny to rewrite"

Seraphina's lips curled into a faint smile, the corners of her mouth lifting just enough to show that, for the first time in a long while, she felt a spark of hope. 

"Go on then, do your thing"

With a final glance at her, Minseok turned toward the growing light that signaled his return to the waking world. 

But just before he stepped away, he paused, looking over his shoulder.

"Remember," he added quietly, "you're not just a tool. You're a person, Seraphina"

"Never forget that"

And with that, the dream world began to dissolve, the mist swirling around him as he was pulled back into the realm of reality, leaving Seraphina standing there, a little less burdened than she had been before.

Minseok's eyes fluttered open, the dream world fading like mist beneath the rising sun. 

He blinked a few times, the morning light filtering through the curtains and casting soft shadows across the room. 

For a moment, he sat still, gathering his bearings, his mind still lingering in that strange, ethereal space between his old life and this one.

A soft knock on the door broke his reverie.

"Your Highness?" 

Came the familiar voice of Rhea, gentle but filled with the concern only a mother figure could convey. 

"Are you awake, dear?"

Minseok groaned softly, stretching out his arms and feeling the subtle aches that reminded him he was still very much in Seraphina Lumastra's body. 

He ran a hand through his platinum blonde hair, just a little longer than it had been when he was in his original body, before pushing himself out of bed.

"I'm awake," he called out, his voice still rough from sleep. 

He cleared his throat before continuing, "I'll be out in a moment"

The sound of soft footsteps retreated, and Minseok took a few seconds to compose himself, letting the remnants of his conversation with Seraphina echo in his mind. 

He'd promised her. 

He would change her fate. 

And now, it was time to put those promises into action.

After a few moments, Minseok finally got dressed, carefully choosing an outfit that felt comfortable enough for the workday ahead. 

Today was important. 

It was one of those days when he had to focus, set aside personal doubts, and dive into the responsibilities he had already begun to build here in this world.

He opened the door to find Rhea standing there, her warm smile a welcome sight. 

"Good morning, Your Highness," she greeted, her voice soft, with that familiar sense of maternal warmth. 

"Are you ready for today? Lady Elira should be arriving soon for your shift at the shop"

Minseok nodded, offering her a small smile in return. 

"Yes, I'm ready. I just need a little more time to get my head in the game, you know?"

Rhea studied him for a moment, her eyes sharp despite her age. 

"You're still carrying that burden, aren't you?"

Minseok blinked in surprise, though it wasn't entirely unexpected. 

Rhea had always been more perceptive than most. 

He simply nodded, not quite trusting his voice to say more. 

Rhea gave him a knowing look before offering, "You can always talk to me if you need to, Your Highness"

"I've seen much in my years. You don't have to bear it all alone"

He met her gaze, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and guilt in his chest. 

He knew she was right. 

But this... this was something he needed to do on his own, at least for now.

"I know," he replied, his voice quieter. 

"Thanks, Rhea. But I'll figure it out"

"Of course," she said, her smile softening before she added, "Now, you best get going. The shop awaits"

1 Hour Later

The small apothecary shop that he and Lady Elira Lysandra had opened had quickly become a beloved fixture in the city, offering affordable medicine, bandages, and even basic health check-ups to the common folk. 

It was a modest establishment, but it held great promise. 

Lady Elira's sharp mind for business, paired with Minseok's skills as a healer, had made the shop a success in just a few short weeks.

When Minseok entered the shop, the familiar smell of herbs and the sight of carefully organized shelves greeted him. 

He could hear the soft rustling of parchment as Elira prepared the morning orders, her fiery red hair tied back neatly as always.

"Good morning, Lady Elira," Minseok greeted, his voice brightening a bit at the sight of her.

Elira looked up from her work, offering him a warm smile. 

"Ah, good morning, Princess. I was just going over the inventory for today's deliveries"

"We've got quite a few orders lined up, especially after that accident by the river last night"

'What, incident? I was knocked the fuck out… but it seems like she has the situation under control, so it's best not to press'

Minseok nodded, his hands instinctively reaching for the small bottles of healing ointments and bandages arranged nearby. 

"I'll start preparing the supplies for the check-ups then"

"We can't afford to let anyone go without care, especially with so many people injured lately"

Elira stepped toward him, her violet eyes sharp as she observed his movements. 

"You've really taken to this role. I'm impressed"

"There's a certain calmness about you now like you've found something you're meant to do"

Minseok paused, looking at her as if seeing her for the first time in this light. 

Elira had always been pragmatic, quick-witted, and fiercely independent. 

It was easy to forget, sometimes, that she was the original heroine of the novel. 

In a way, she had become his closest ally in this new world. 

"I feel like I'm starting to," he said slowly, his fingers brushing over the small vials of medicine.

"But this is more than just a job, Elira. It's about changing things, changing everything. I can't just let fate run its course like before"

Elira tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. 

"You're starting to think like a true ruler, Your Highness"

"You care about the people, not just the profits," she smiled, though there was a flicker of something more in her eyes. 

"You've come a long way since we first met"

Minseok gave her a small smile in return, then moved to the back of the shop to gather the items needed for the day's work. 

"I suppose I have. But there's still a long way to go. I need to keep working, keep proving that I'm not the person I was before"

Elira followed him, her footsteps light and deliberate. 

"You're not. And that's why I'm here if you need me"

Minseok glanced at her over his shoulder, appreciating her offer, though a part of him knew he had to do this on his own. 

"I know," he said softly. 

"And I'm grateful"

"Oh!" Elira turned around quickly, "What's your plan for the New Year festival?"

"New Year festival?" 

Minseok blinked, caught off guard. 

The concept was still foreign to him, he hadn't thought about it.

"Yes, the biggest event of the year! The streets are filled with music, dancing, and a grand ball hosted by the nobility"

Minseok frowned slightly. 

"I'm not exactly one for crowds, especially not with everything going on"

Elira grinned. 

"I get that, but it's a good chance to show the nobles you're not just a cold princess"

He sighed, unsure. 

"I'll think about it"

Elira shrugged. 

"I'll help you look the part if you decide to go. You might surprise yourself"

The door creaked open as customers began to trickle in, and Minseok shifted his focus. 

"We've got work to do"

As he helped prepare the remedies and greeted the people, his earlier discomfort with the festival faded. 

It was just another hurdle, like everything else, and it wasn't as important as the work he had at hand.

With each person he helped, he felt one step closer to reshaping the future. 

The festival could wait. 

For now, he was focused on the task ahead, changing Seraphina's tragic fate, one life at a time.

As the day wound down, Minseok made a quiet promise to himself.

'I will save this world and Seraphina'

The rest would come when the time was right.