The Elusive and Mysterious Leading Man (04)

Though it was called a temple, the building before them resembled an ancient fortress far more than any holy place. The vast stone castle perched atop the mountain exuded a chilling aura of dread. Once inside, the sense of foreboding only deepened. The space was eerily quiet and empty, with only a few candles burning here and there, their dim light casting long, flickering shadows that made the place seem perfect for a haunted castle film.

A few maidservants came to see to their meal. Si Jiu sat alone at her table, feeling the curious, pitying, and—strangely enough—envious glances the maids kept sneaking at her. She couldn't fathom what there was to be jealous about.

[It’s probably because Charles carried you in. He’s the kingdom’s unattainable blossom, the dream of every maiden,] the system commented. It always tried to maintain an air of aloofness, but inevitably broke its own rules, popping up now and then to nag her.

Si Jiu propped her chin in her hand, her gaze lingering with interest on Charles, who was having his dinner at a table across the hall.

[Oh? That’s quite the challenge,] she mused.

[So, if you don’t want these women to make things difficult for you, you’d best restrain yourself. Your goal is the protagonist, remember—don’t complicate matters,] the system warned.

Si Jiu’s gaze wandered over Charles’ radiant blond hair, the elegant lines of his back, his firm waist, and then—lower—his sexy, ahem, and his long legs…

[Oh, my dear system, now that you mention it…]

[Understood? Good,] the system cut her off.

[You’ve only made me more excited,] she replied.

[…]

The system huffed in exasperation. Vile adult!

Her gaze was anything but subtle. With Charles’ keen senses, he was bound to notice. Sure enough, his posture grew just a touch tenser, his back ramrod straight. Si Jiu’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor, growing nearer. The quick, yet carefully muted steps betrayed both urgency and restrained excitement.

A figure in a silver cloak approached, heading straight for Charles. She stopped before him, pulled down her hood, and revealed a cascade of pale golden curls and a face of exquisite beauty. Joy and admiration sparkled in her emerald eyes as she offered Charles a graceful, slightly shy curtsy.

“Good evening, Sir Charles.”

Charles rose, placing a hand over his heart and bowing in return. “Good evening, Your Highness.”

“You must be tired from your journey,” she said.

“I was only doing my duty,” Charles replied, his voice even, his expression as calm as ever. With everyone, he was polite, always with a touch of distance.

Diana bit her lip. “Ah, I must have interrupted your meal.”

Yet she made no move to leave, so Charles remained standing.

“By the way, where is that… person?” Diana finally tore her gaze from Charles and spotted Si Jiu.

She froze.

“So it’s you? Come here.” She beckoned Si Jiu over with a lift of her chin, her expression haughty and scrutinizing, her tone edged with sharp arrogance.

Si Jiu noticed Charles’ faint frown.

Oh, so this gentleman prefers the meek and mild, does he?

The young girl blinked her large eyes, her expression anxious and innocent. “But… I haven’t finished eating yet.”

A derisive chuckle came from someone nearby.

Princess Diana stared at her in disbelief, unable to process what she’d heard. Had she really been refused?

The girl looked quite a bit like herself—only her eyes were rounder, and she had that detestable black hair and eyes—marks of ill omen in the kingdom, reminiscent of demons.

“I am your princess, and I command you to come here,” Diana said, now truly angry.

“Oh.” The girl’s lips pouted for a moment, then she hurriedly stuffed a huge piece of bread into her mouth, cheeks bulging as if she’d never had enough to eat in her life. Munching away, she shuffled reluctantly over.

She ended up sidling up next to Charles, swallowing her bread with difficulty. Only then did she glance at Charles first, and then turn timidly to Princess Diana, her voice soft and gentle. “What is it?”

Diana was speechless.

I told you to come to me! Why are you hiding by Charles’ side? Why look at him before speaking to me?

Though it was their first meeting, Diana found herself utterly, irrationally annoyed by this common girl.