"What did you say?"
"I think you heard me just fine, but I'll repeat it: Who are you?"
"Obviously, I'm Arthur. What are you talking about?"
She crosses her arms and looks at me with a smile. By now, she clearly knows I'm not the real Arthur. All I can do is sigh.
"How did you figure it out?"
"Easy. The real Arthur loved Elizabeth to the point of defying his own parents. You've strayed far from that personality, and claiming to love me was the final proof. Arthur was the one who schemed through all the problems I had with that woman."
Damn it. So she knew this person deeply—and this body was one of the main causes of her misfortunes.
"Now, tell me: Who are you, and what's your real purpose?"
I should be grateful the system doesn't stop me from revealing my true identity. But I don't know how much I can disclose about myself to someone from another world, so I'll tell a half-truth, leaving out details about my own world.
I give a slight bow.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Rossette. My real name is William, and my purpose isn't so different—I only want to help you. I'd appreciate it if you'd still call me Arthur while I'm in this body."
"So my real savior is William. Tell me, dear William, if you only want to help me and stopped me from making a mistake, you must know the future—or at least have some idea of it."
"That's right. I have some knowledge of the future."
I fall silent, and she keeps her gaze fixed on me.
"I'd prefer not to discuss this here. I'd appreciate your understanding so we can move somewhere more private."
As we approach a grand mansion, the carriage stops at the entrance. I stand and step out, offering Rossette my hand to help her down.
"For someone who doesn't belong in this body, you know a bit of noble etiquette."
Watching movies and reading novels helped a little. It's the bare minimum of common sense I should have in this era.
As we walk toward the mansion, I notice two people standing at the front door with their arms crossed, glaring in our direction. A red-haired woman looks furious, while the man beside her seems slightly less angry.
Obviously, they're this body's parents. The way they're staring means they must already know what happened at the party—where I fled with Rossette.
"Mother. Father."
"I want an explanation this instant for what you did at that party. If your answer satisfies me, I might spare you a beating."
I can't believe those words are coming from a woman who's barely 5'3" and not the 6'6" man beside her. It's clear who wears the pants in this relationship.
"If I had to give an answer, it's that I only wanted to help Rossette. I realized Elizabeth was a bad choice—obsessing over a woman who openly flirts with multiple men."
The moment I lift my gaze, the woman's hand strikes my face, leaving me stunned. I look back at her.
"That was for threatening us—even with your own life—over that woman."
Then she pulls me into a hug.
"And this is for finally coming to your senses. I'm glad you've finally walked away from her. We knew she'd bring you nothing but trouble."
My "mother's" hug smells of lavender and iron—a strange yet oddly comforting combination. How long has it been since I last received a motherly hug?
Even as I ask myself, I know the answer: Since Ernesto came into the house. The thought makes me a little sad.
"I'm also glad you've come to your senses, Arthur. But Leonor, I think our son should explain why he humiliated the crown prince at the party."
My mother releases me and stares sternly.
"You're right, David. Arthur, tell us: Why did you do that?"
At that moment, I glance at Rossette. I deeply regret what I'm about to say, but it's the easiest way out of this.
"Because I love her."
The silence that follows is so thick you could cut it with a sword. My "mother," Leonor, widens her eyes, while David, my "father," slowly strokes his chin, studying me with a gaze that seems to pierce through my soul.
Rossette, on the other hand, blushes at my declaration. I know I might be blunt, but sticking to my story is the best way forward—and since I need to help her, this will keep me by her side.
"WHAT?! You're telling me that after all this time chasing that woman, you're suddenly in love with Rossette?!"
My "parents" stare at me strangely.
"I know it might sound like a lie, but everything with Elizabeth might've been a whim that spiraled out of control. When I realized the prince would marry the woman I 'loved,' I came to my senses and understood I shouldn't cling to something beyond my reach."
Rossette then links her arm with mine and looks at my "parents."
"If you're worried this is another one of Arthur's whims, rest assured. I sensed the sincerity in his confession at the party. And to be honest, the prince was never the one I truly liked."
Do you have to dig your nails into my arm while saying all this? It hurts, but I keep smiling so they don't suspect anything.
"But—"
"If you're concerned about the king seeking revenge for 'stealing' his son's fiancée, the prince was the one who called off the engagement. He declared in front of many witnesses that he loved another woman, so he can't touch us."
"I have to admit, you're right about that."
Suddenly, my mother pulls us into a crushing hug.
"This must be fate! Finally, my son and my best friend's daughter are together. She never thought this would happen, but here we are. I need to rub this in her face while I still can!"
She runs off. Honestly, I'm curious how she'll send a message from here to Rossette's mother. How does mail even work in this world?
As Leonor dashes away, my father just sighs.
"You two, go do whatever you were planning. I'll go make sure your mother doesn't do anything crazy."
Once they're out of sight, Rossette releases my arm and steps in front of me.
"Now that we're alone enough—and since I'll also face problems when I get home—tell me: Why did you help me?"
"You might not believe it, but if I'd let you do what you planned, everything would've gone wrong for you. You'd end up exiled, struggling to survive, and eventually die in some far-off place."
Her eyes widen at my words. I don't even know if what I said is true, but in most stories like this, things end even worse—so I'm being optimistic.
"I can understand that to an extent. But tell me, why does a stranger in someone else's body care what happens to me?"
"Because, in a way, I understand your situation. Being blamed for things you didn't do, with no allies to speak for you, just because the accuser has more people on their side… I know the loneliness of that. I don't want it to happen to you."
I speak from the heart. Even if this is just a mission with a reward, I'd still help her—to give her a better life.
"I can see you're telling the truth. At this point, my parents will have received the annulment letter and heard about the party. The easiest solution is for us to get engaged."
"Alright. I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess."
"Don't worry. Today's been… emotionally overwhelming. But don't make a habit of lying like that."
Lying?
"Nothing I said was a lie. Aside from the romantic feelings, everything else is true. You have unmatched eyes, hair, and beauty. As an outsider, I don't understand how that prince chose someone as plain as Elizabeth over you."
She falls silent, then lifts her fan to cover her mouth.
"My, William, you're quite the flatterer. I'd love to see your real body someday—to witness the confidence behind those words."
Before I can insist on my sincerity, she snaps her fan shut.
"Well, 'Arthur,' I should head home. I have a lot to explain."
"Alright. I'll have the carriage take you straight there."
I signal to the coachman, who nods. Rossette steps into the carriage, now ready to depart.
"Be presentable tomorrow. My parents will likely visit to finalize the engagement details."
"You're that sure they'll accept me?"
"I'm not. You'll have to convince them—if you truly want to help me."
Without waiting for a reply, she shuts the carriage door, and it departs.
"I have to admit, she's interesting."
I turn toward the mansion, heading inside to find this body's room. Next time, I'll make sure the system at least gives me the host's memories.
---
∆∆∆
(Rossette's POV)
"What a strange day."
So many bizarre things happened. A person named William, in Arthur's body, claims he wants to save me from a bad ending.
(Miss Rossette, would you marry me?)
Remembering those words makes my face burn. How can someone say that to a lady like me so effortlessly, without a hint of nerves?
(Nothing I said was a lie.)
"Idiot."
That's the only word for him. A man who delivers such compliments with utter seriousness, whose sincere concern made my heart race.
"I can't wait to see what tricks you'll pull tomorrow."
For some reason, I'm already eager to see him again.