Leyla Nerwine (1)

Today is the day I finally woke up after falling ill. Even though it's been hard to accept that I'm living inside a novel, I kept forcing myself to keep going—until I eventually collapsed.

"You're pushing yourself too hard."

Leyla sat beside the bed, watching me with a sad expression. Honestly, I could've told her I got sick because I found out we're living in a novel. But I was afraid she'd react like this:

"You're joking, right…"

Or,

"You're really out of it."

Or,

"Get some rest..." followed by a look that says you've gone insane.

So it's better not to say anything at all. I don't even know if I'm good at lying or not. I just replied softly, "Just a bit tired, the training was too much."

Fortunately, Leyla didn't press the matter and just looked relieved. In a situation like this, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

Her rosy lips, flushed cheeks, golden eyes, and magenta hair—honestly, her beauty is god-tier.

That's the novel's protagonist, alright.

"If you're feeling better—no, I hope you get better soon. You promised you'd go with me to Remy's birthday party."

Oh right. I almost forgot. An event that wasn't even in the novel.The novel "The Way to Save Her" starts from the main characters' first meeting. Two weeks after that, they're married.

I still don't understand why you'd marry someone you just met.

Remy, the daughter of Viscount Garling, is throwing a birthday party which also serves as her coming-of-age celebration. I remember she begged me to come with her.

Technically, I am her personal guard.

"Of course I'll go with you, Leyla."

Leyla smiled in relief. Of course, I knew the real reason she didn't like attending social gatherings. Her father, Count Nerwine, had many enemies, making it hard for Leyla to make friends among the nobility. On top of that, being born with a face like hers meant she started receiving marriage proposals at age ten.

Leyla doesn't like being the center of attention.

But the biggest reason is Duke Cynthia. That's right—the antagonist of "The Way to Save Her." Cynthia Von Hemser had to take over the dukedom at a young age after her parents died. That woman is basically a bully. She's always looking for ways to humiliate Leyla in front of others.

Honestly, I hate her.

And that's not just because I'm Keith now. Even when I read the novel, I couldn't stand her. She did all sorts of terrible things—especially manipulating the feelings of Epsilon, the great magician.

"Then get some rest, Keith." Leyla left me alone in the room after saying that.

Her scent still lingers here.I couldn't stop myself from smiling.