Chapter 7: A Story That Refuses to Stay the Same
Somewhere along the way—
I started to feel it.
That something… wasn't right.
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The story I knew—
Was still moving forward.
But not in the same way.
Not exactly the same.
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I stood in the palace corridor, watching the princes from a distance.
The same rivalry.
The same politics.
The same hidden hostility.
And yet…
"…It feels off."
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My eyes drifted toward him.
The original protagonist.
Still alone.
Still without support.
Still ignored by everyone.
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"…He should've started gathering allies by now."
In the novel, even without power—
People slowly began to notice him.
Follow him.
Trust him.
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But now?
Nothing.
No movement.
No change.
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"…Did I change something?"
The thought lingered longer than I liked.
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"Fourth Prince."
I turned.
She was there.
Like always.
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Her presence alone made the atmosphere shift.
Servants lowered their heads.
Nobles stepped aside.
Even guards avoided looking directly at her.
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General.
Monster.
War hero.
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To them—
She was something to fear.
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To me—
"…You came."
"…Of course."
She stepped closer.
Too close.
As always.
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Her eyes softened slightly.
"…You were not there earlier."
"…I had something to do."
"…More 'nothing important'?"
I smiled awkwardly.
"…Yeah."
---
She stared at me.
For a moment—
I thought she would press further.
But she didn't.
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"…Don't disappear."
"…I won't."
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A simple exchange.
But something about it felt heavier than before.
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"…Walk with me."
It wasn't a request.
---
We walked through the palace gardens.
Side by side.
Silent.
Comfortable.
---
"…What do you think about the throne?" she suddenly asked.
I blinked.
"…The throne?"
"…Yes."
---
I didn't hesitate.
"I don't want it."
---
Her steps stopped.
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"…Why?"
Her voice was calm.
But sharper than usual.
---
"It's troublesome," I said honestly. "Too many responsibilities. Too many enemies."
I shrugged lightly.
"I'd rather live peacefully somewhere far away."
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Silence.
---
I turned slightly.
She was looking at me.
Not surprised.
Not confused.
---
Thinking.
Deeply.
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"…I see."
She started walking again.
"…Then I'll handle it."
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"…Handle what?"
"…Everything."
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I laughed lightly.
"…You really like saying that."
She didn't laugh.
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"…Because it's true."
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For some reason—
A chill ran down my spine.
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I quickly changed the topic.
"…What about you? What do you want?"
---
She stopped again.
This time—
Longer.
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"…Me?"
"…Yeah."
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Her gaze shifted slightly.
Not at me.
Not at the garden.
But somewhere far away.
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"…I want a place."
"…A place?"
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"…Where no one can interfere."
Her voice was quiet.
But firm.
---
"…Where everything stays the same."
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I smiled.
"…That sounds peaceful."
---
She looked at me again.
---
"…Yes."
A small pause.
Then—
"…Very peaceful."
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I didn't understand.
---
Not then.
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Because in her mind—
That "place" already existed.
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And at its center—
Was me.
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Far away from the palace—
In a different part of the capital—
The other prince stood alone.
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"…So that's how it is."
His voice was calm.
But his eyes—
Were no longer the same.
---
Something had changed.
Slowly.
Quietly.
---
Opportunities that should have been his—
Were slipping away.
Paths that should have opened—
Stayed closed.
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"…Everything is… different."
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And for the first time—
A thought appeared.
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If the world doesn't give you a place—
Then take it.
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His fist tightened slightly.
---
"I'll create my own path."
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Not as a hero.
Not as a savior.
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But as something else.
Something the story never intended.
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Back in the palace—
I walked beside her, completely unaware.
Still thinking I was avoiding the story.
Still believing I was staying on the sidelines.
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But the truth was—
That was no longer possible.
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Because without realizing it—
The center of the story had shifted.
---
The "hero" was no longer walking the path of light.
The "villainess" was no longer the same.
And me—
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"…I just want a peaceful life."
I muttered quietly.
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But somewhere—
Deep down—
Even I knew.
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That kind of ending—
Was no longer possible.
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The story had changed.
And none of us realized just how far it would go.