Impossible...
Did I just meet the king's illegitimate son, Nicholas?
In the novel, Keith and Nicholas never interact—not even once. They probably don't even know each other.
Is this because I messed up the plot? Nicholas was supposed to meet Leyla when she was heartbroken from the confrontation and threats from Cynthia.
But that didn't happen now. Instead, Leyla got angry and slapped me just now, and it seems that prevented them from meeting.
Nicholas Eldoria, a side character in 'The Way to Save Her', arguably serves as the true second lead. Xerta, feeling threatened by Nicholas's presence, demonstrates a stark contrast in how he perceived Nicholas compared to Keith.
In the novel, Keith loved Leyla subtly and protected her in silence. But Nicholas appeared during the tragedy in the middle of the novel—after Keith had died. That arc was when Leyla ran away from Xerta and lived for a while in a hut with Nicholas. Coincidentally, Nicholas was also on the run at the time, falsely accused of killing the king. When in fact, the true killer was Rodhius, the crown prince—his half-brother from a different mother.
Come to think of it, during that story arc, Xerta's longing for Leyla was palpable. Reading that part is when I truly felt their chemistry. This interaction could prove significant, and since Nicholas is one of the few characters to survive, I should cultivate a good relationship with him.
"I apologize for my rudeness," I said quickly. "I didn't know you were Lord Nicholas."
"Hahaha… no worries, relax. I'm not the crown prince or anything. Just take it easy, umm… Keith."
"Ah… alright…" He probably knew my name from the argument with Leyla earlier.
"Actually, how long have you been listening?" I started to feel embarrassed.
"Um… from the beginning. Sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just didn't expect that wasn't a lovers' quarrel."
He thought it was a lovers' quarrel? No way. I can't forget his true personality. He only pretends to be a foolish royal, but he's actually very smart. Maybe he already knew from the start it was just a knight and his lady arguing.
"You're not going inside?" I asked quietly.
"Too lazy. Besides, this is fine. At least I can see my brother's engagement party." The glittering chandeliers cast a warm glow, and I could hear the faint strains of music. He's probably observing which nobles might be useful to him.
Despite not wanting the crown, he becomes king in the end, though unwillingly. This is because Rodhius fell onto the wrong path. Even though Nicholas survives, his ending isn't happy. Just like mine...
"You're taking too long," Someone came from behind the curtains from the party hall—it was Epsilon."Leyla left a while ago, and you still haven't gone back inside. Lady Cynthia told me to check on you."
Epsilon noticed Nicholas and quickly bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness Nicholas."
"Ah… the Great Magician Epsilon Nevorum. So you know Keith, huh?" Epsilon glanced at me with a look that said: "How does the prince know your name?"
Honestly, today has been exhausting. So… Leyla has already left the party. Whatever it is, I'd better leave too. But I can't go back to Xerta's side.
F*ck, I don't even know anymore.
"Well then, I'll excuse myself now, Your Highness Nicholas."I bowed, then pulled Epsilon away with me. Nicholas waved as we left.
Once inside, I could see Cynthia had regained her confidence and was already talking with important people. No doubt her heart would be glad, seeing Leyla's tear-streaked face.
I'm an idiot… why did I let the villain feel like she won!
"Ahh… my knight Keith, you've returned," she even shouted it on purpose.
"I've returned, Lady Cynthia."
"Well then, I'll excuse myself," Cynthia said goodbye to the other nobles. I could feel their piercing gazes.
"Come again sometime…" Rodhius, who was possibly drunk, waved at me.
Sigh… even the crown prince is giving me attention now.
--
"What do you mean you won't come to my estate? Aren't you my knight now?" I could see Cynthia's angry face in front of her carriage. That's because I refused to get in and go with her.
"I need to get my things from Lord Helming's estate first."
"Just come with me I'll take you there. Besides, you've already been left behind!"
I wasn't really left behind. At the far end, I could see Solum, seemingly waiting for me. At the very least, I needed to leave with proper goodbyes. Otherwise, I'd officially look like the villain here.
"I can go alone, milady," I replied quickly.
"I don't understand you. What if you run away! And how will you even get to my estate? You can't use my family's crest since you don't have mana."
Damn, this woman already thinks she owns me.
"I'll figure out another way."
"No, you won't!" Cynthia turned to Epsilon. "Epsilon, watch him. Bring him to my estate. You understand this is an order, right?"
"But Lady Cynthia…" Epsilon tried to protest. But Cynthia had already boarded her carriage and left us behind. Epsilon looked annoyed at me.
"Just go if you want," I said.
"No. I've been given orders. I'll go with you," Epsilon replied.
This guy, Epsilon, is too easy to use. No matter what, he'll still kneel before that villain.
I walked toward Solum. He finally noticed my silhouette and stood more properly."I knew you'd come back," said Solum.He looked at me proudly, while Epsilon glared at him in disbelief, even stepping between us as if to block our reunion.
"Lord Xerta told me to bring you back. He said you owe him an explanation."
"You're right… but I'm only coming back to retrieve my things."Solum's face fell, like a dog whose ears drooped. I don't know what Xerta told Solum, but it seems he still trust me.
"How's Leyla?" I asked, lowering my head."Get in first," said Solum, motioning for me to board the carriage. I quickly did.
Right after, Epsilon jumped in, swatting Solum away and taking the seat next to me, crossing his legs with a pout. Solum finally sat across from me. The carriage began to move.
I sank into my thoughts as Solum explained that Leyla didn't look well—She cried quite hard, even after boarding her own carriage. Xerta, apparently, was with her.
Good… at least she's not alone. At least she has Xerta by her side.
--
The carriage door swung open with a groan, releasing me onto the cobblestone path before Xerta's temporary home. A wave of guilt washed over me, heavy as the humid air. Epsilon, sensing my mood, nudged my arm, the familiar pressure a comfort. "Go get your things. Don't take too long." I managed a weak smile.
"Of course." With Solum on my right and Epsilon on my left, the crunch of gravel underfoot echoed.
Solum broke the silence, "I would like you to go to Lord Xerta's room first, Keith."
My reply was a whisper, "Yeah, I was planning to go there…"
Epsilon's voice snapped, "Why do you have to go to his room first! You said you were just grabbing your stuff."
When we reached Xerta's room, Solum knocked. "Come in…" I could hear Xerta's voice.
I entered, but just as Epsilon was about to follow, Solum held him back."This is a private conversation between Lord Xerta and Keith."
"Huhh! Why should I care, I'm assigned to keep an eye on him!"
The door swung inward, revealing Xerta's shadowed form. Their eyes met in a fierce, electric glare. I tried to soothe Epsilon, whose shoulders I held, by saying, "Can I speak to Xerta alone? You don't have to watch me constantly." Epsilon's glare, accompanied by a chilling aura, remained fixed on Xerta.
"Didn't expect you to tag along, did I, Epsilon?" Xerta's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Items rattled on the table. A palpable pressure filled the air; Epsilon's rage radiated off him, a chilling wave. "You bastard!" His voice, a low growl, scraped against the silence. "I spared you, yet you dare… You know who I am. I could end you now."
"Ooh, I'm so scared. You really shouldn't be using that much mana. What if it goes out of control and you accidentally trigger a Mana Bash?"
Epsilon gritted his teeth. Even the door to Xerta's room trembled and slammed against the wall.
I didn't know—was Epsilon really unleashing that much mana right now? Honestly, since I have no mana, I couldn't feel it myself.
"C-calm down, Epsilon," I said to him. It would be bad if he triggered a Mana Bash.
Mana Bash is a mana surge that only high-level mages can produce. The surge causes nearby mana users to suffer side effects—nausea, unconsciousness, or even madness.
Well, maybe I'd be immune to it. In the novel *The Way to Save Her*, when Epsilon accidentally released a Mana Bash, all the surrounding guards collapsed foaming at the mouth, but Keith stood firm. I remember getting chills when I read that part, whispering to myself, 'How cool was that.'
"Then promise you won't take too long!" Epsilon demanded.I gave him a half-hearted smile and nodded. He stepped back, and Solum—his face already distorted from trying to withstand the mana—shut the door to Xerta's room.
Now it was just me and Xerta.
No words were exchanged until I broke the silence."What did you want to talk about?"
Without warning, Xerta lunged at me and punched me in the face, knocking me to the floor. I tasted iron in my mouth and spat out blood.
"At the very least, let me hit you once," Xerta said, glaring furiously at me.
Well, I was still thankful he hit a different spot from where Leyla had slapped me earlier.
"Go ahead. Hit me as much as you like," I said briefly.
The door slammed open. My eyes widened.
Epsilon entered, eyes glowing, his long lavender hair floating.'What the hell…?'
"I just heard a loud noise," he said. He scanned the scene with wide eyes."You hit him?" he asked, facing Xerta.
'Shit, what now!!'
"Yes. I had to hit him to feel better."A cold, terrifying statement came from Xerta's mouth, filled with confidence.
I struggled to my feet and quickly stepped between them, facing Epsilon. "Calm down… I haven't even started the conversation. And how did you even hear that? Were you eavesdropping??"
"Move, Keith."
'Look at this guy!'
I didn't want my death arc to approach any faster. I still had trauma from reading that part in the novel.
"He's right, Keith. Move aside. Let me punch that pretty face of his," Xerta added angrily.
What now?? Isn't it way too early for the male lead and the villain to clash?! And besides, Epsilon, why are you so angry—we're not even close.
"Calm down!" I smacked Epsilon's head. His expression changed and the blue glow in his eyes faded.
"Just go out and let me finish this conversation."
"But—"
"No buts! Get. Out!!"
After that, Epsilon exited the room. Solum, who looked like he had just thrown up, stared at me in disbelief, then closed the door again.
"Well then, let's continue our conversation," I said as I sat down on the sofa and crossed my legs.