Changing the story was one thing.
Surviving the consequences was another.
The second Adeline smiled at me, I realized something horrifying.
People were staring.
Not casually.
Not subtly.
Actually staring.
The noble ladies nearby looked scandalized, as if they had just witnessed a dragon politely paying taxes.
Even the older nobles whispered behind their fans.
"Lady Alexandra smiled at Baron Augustus' daughter…"
"Did House Raine change their political stance?"
"Perhaps the Duke supports the Augustus family now?"
HUH?!
How did basic human decency become political?!
Adeline seemed to notice the attention too because her expression became uneasy again.
Ah.
Right.
The female lead hated standing out.
Unfortunately for her, she was standing next to me—the empire's most infamous teenage disaster.
"I should return to my father," Adeline said softly.
Probably before the nobles started writing conspiracy theories.
"That's a good idea," I agreed immediately.
Then I paused.
Wait.
That sounded rude.
"I mean—not because I dislike speaking with you!"
Wonderful recovery, Ahn Sun.
Absolutely flawless.
Adeline blinked before laughing quietly.
A real laugh this time.
Not the nervous polite kind.
It was soft and pretty enough to make several nearby nobles stare harder.
Even I froze for a second.
This girl really was dangerous.
Not villain dangerous.
Main-character dangerous.
"Well then," Adeline said with a small smile, "I hope we speak again, Lady Alexandra."
And just like that—
the heroine walked away.
My brain short-circuited immediately afterward.
Hold on.
Did the female lead just say she wanted to see me again?
Was that good?
Bad?
Secret death flag?!
I had no idea anymore.
"Fascinating."
I turned toward the voice and nearly sighed out loud.
Leonhart Blake leaned lazily against a nearby pillar, watching me with obvious amusement.
How long had he been standing there?!
This man moved like a professional stalker.
"You enjoy appearing unexpectedly, don't you?" I muttered.
"Only around interesting people."
Dangerous statement.
Very dangerous statement.
I crossed my arms cautiously.
"And what exactly is interesting about me?"
Leonhart's eyes curved slightly.
"Everything tonight."
Nope.
Didn't like that answer.
Not one bit.
Before I could escape, he stepped closer.
Not enough to be improper.
Just enough to feel intimidating.
"You looked genuinely happy speaking with Lady Adeline."
"…Is that strange?"
"For you? Extremely."
Again with the reputation attacks.
I sighed internally.
Original Alexandra really ruined my social image beyond repair.
Leonhart studied me quietly.
Then suddenly—
"You're afraid."
I froze.
His voice remained calm, almost curious.
"Every time someone mentions the Crown Prince or Lady Adeline, your expression changes."
Crap.
This man was observant to a terrifying degree.
"No, I'm not," I denied immediately.
Leonhart hummed softly.
"You are."
"…And if I am?"
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Then I want to know why."
For one horrifying second, I wondered if he somehow knew.
About the novel.
About reincarnation.
About everything.
But that was impossible.
…Right?
Before the conversation could continue, another noble approached Leonhart for discussion.
Thank every god in existence.
I escaped immediately.
Again.
At this point, escaping conversations had become my special talent.
Unfortunately, my peaceful retreat lasted less than three minutes.
"Lady Alexandra."
I almost cried.
Could this banquet stop summoning people around me?!
This time it was Duke Raine.
His sharp eyes scanned me carefully as I approached.
"You've attracted attention tonight."
That sounded ominous.
"I apologize?"
The Duke glanced toward the ballroom where nobles still whispered occasionally.
"Rumors spread quickly."
Please don't tell me I accidentally started political drama.
Then unexpectedly—
"I heard you defended Baron Augustus' daughter."
Oh.
That.
I hesitated carefully.
"I simply believed the mockery was unnecessary."
The Duke stared at me for several moments.
His expression remained unreadable as always.
Then—
"Well done."
I nearly malfunctioned.
"…Excuse me?"
"House Raine does not gain dignity by attacking weaker nobles."
Wait.
WAIT.
The Duke approved?!
Why did the novel never mention this side of him?!
Suddenly, a terrifying realization hit me.
Maybe the original Alexandra misunderstood her father completely.
The Duke sighed quietly.
"You sought attention from the wrong people."
It took me a second to realize he meant Crown Prince Cedric.
"And because of that," he continued, "you surrounded yourself with foolish girls who encouraged your worst behavior."
Ouch.
Direct hit.
Somewhere nearby, Lilia probably sneezed violently.
The Duke looked down at me calmly.
"If tonight marks genuine maturity, then I will not interfere."
I stared at him speechlessly.
Because underneath the cold personality…
this man really did care about Alexandra.
He just sucked terribly at showing emotions.
Actually, father and daughter were kind of similar.
Both emotionally constipated.
"…Thank you, Father," I answered quietly.
The Duke nodded once before leaving again for political discussions.
And for some reason—
my chest felt strangely tight afterward.
Maybe because this was the first time someone acknowledged me positively in this world.
Not the original Alexandra.
Me.
Ahn Sun.
I looked down at my hands silently.
Then—
BOOM.
The ballroom doors suddenly slammed open.
Everyone jumped.
A knight rushed inside looking pale.
"Your Highness!"
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Crown Prince Cedric stepped forward sharply.
"What happened?"
The knight bowed quickly.
"There has been an incident outside the palace."
The nobles began whispering nervously.
Incident?
What incident?
Then the knight continued—
"A carriage horse lost control near the southern gate. Several people were injured."
The moment he finished speaking—
Adeline gasped softly.
"My father!"
Without hesitation, she ran toward the exit.
Cedric immediately followed.
And before my brain could function properly—
my body moved too.
"Lady Alexandra?" a maid called in shock.
But I was already running after them.
Because suddenly—
I remembered something terrifying.
In the original novel…
this accident was supposed to happen.
And tonight—
Adeline Augustus was supposed to get hurt.