There was still a lot to unpack here.
The first step, being not a very bad person to Alexis, worked a bit well.
A bit too well.
The moment Luna thought to greet her brother on the knight's ground, she would find the dark-haired boy ready to be at her service, grabbing a chair for her and getting her fruits. Not to mention the endless apologies in letters and gratitude whenever they spoke.
The more she walked along, the more she realized how cheerful Alexis was. As if, she is taking care of a dog.
A bright puppy, if she was more apparent.
But wait... he was never like that in the book. Did she change his whole personality with a single move?
She decided to chill alongside the garden, sitting down in the big glass greenhouse in the middle of the enormous garden and having some tea with herself, in deep thoughts. The original novel was also equally lost in thoughts, as a few hums and shuffling were audible.
"Hm, by the way, do you think sending an invitation to Laverty's would just be suspicious again?"
"It would. But if not, how would Catherine come inside the palace and meet Alexis and get him to fall in love with him before your father announces the most surprising marriage of the generation?"
Catherine Laverty was a one-in-a-million beauty of the kingdom. Her perfect white hair was a result of genetics, and her appearance was so elegant that everyone adored her. Even the villains could not stay mad at her. Obviously, female lead had its perks.
Except for Luna Merino from the original novel.
As much as Min Hwan could remember, Luna had always been jealous of Catherine, because of how she made Luna the second most beautiful woman in the kingdom. But somehow Luna's biggest crime was just unlocking the huge demonic potential of Alexis, and the story never took the love-triangle route for Catherine and Luna.
Luna died way before that could be the case.
Oh, there was a love triangle though.
Luna jolted from her seat, standing up and walking around while biting her nails.
"Yo, how did I forget about the damn second lead?!"
"What about him?"
"We have to divert his attention to something else, anything but Catherine." She bit her thumb even harder, thinking about the barbaric end of the second male lead.
Myles Grimaldi, the future emperor of Luinad, the one who falls in love with Catherine and dies in a surprise attack by powerful Alexis in later life. Min Hwan remembered questioning the author of the end of the second male lead, a little too hard at that.
Now, another thing was, that Myles always hated Luna from the very start.
Myles knew Luna and Lucas since their childhood, to the point that the two going to the imperial palace of Luinad were not questioned by anyone. As much as Lucas was a reliable ally and friend to Myles, Luna was an eyesore to him. Perhaps the relationship was meant to be like this by the author only for the sole purpose to attract the readers towards the second male lead who did nothing wrong, and that was one of the sources of hatred towards our ever-evil villainess as well.
In one way or other everyone hated Luna anyways, there is not much to lose anyways.
"Perhaps if I befriended Myles, I can avert his death by keeping his attention on me. That way, he would not care about Catherine, and maybe it could keep the marriage out of the way if my father sees the imperial prince interested instead. Eh, we could see of developing feelings later." She nodded, totally sure that her idea would work. The novel shook in approval as well.
After all, who cares about feelings?
--
Maybe, they should have cared about the feelings.
Luna was sitting on the huge jaded couch in the middle of the big room, inside the magnificent imperial place. There was another girl beside her, clad in clothes more of a fit for a noble man, chestnut hair falling on her shoulders and the eyes absolutely in the desire to seduce Luna.
That was not the part of the novel? The author never mentioned Maria Grimaldi, the imperial princess of Luinad, Myles's twin.
The prince on the other hand was sitting on the couch in front of theirs, eyes glaring at the two girls. It could never be more evident that he was not happy with whatever endeavors Maria wished with Luna.
And Luna was absolutely sweating.
'Would this help in getting Myles closer? Why am I actually liking the attention she is giving me? Maybe it is the Min Hwan inside. Well, whoever is that need to CALM DOWN-'
"Ahahaha- you are rather funny, your highness. Perhaps if I and his highness the crown prince could have a moment-"
"No. Talk about what you want in front of me, sweetie. I do not trust this man in front of us." Maria replied, cutting Luna off and then staring at Myles.
Oh, now Luna knows. The siblings don't have nice energy with each other. Perhaps Maria being more closer to Luna made Myles hate her in the first place?
"Ah, that is your brother, your highness. I am sure it shall not be anything that you shall worry about-" One glare from both made Luna shut up instantly and look down. It was better to approach diplomatically.
"First thing, as the imperial ball is near, which shall mark the coming of age ceremony for both her highness and his highness the crown prince, I came forth with a request, if that is not too much for the both of you." Now this, was true? The plan was simple, being the official partner of Myles Grimaldi, which would ward off Alexis and let him focus on Catherine instead, and make Lord Merino feel like his daughter could achieve more, and his greedy ass would definitely shift focus on Myles.
"Daughter of Merinos came with the request on her own? I thought you had much higher maintenance than even Maria." Maria shot a glare at Myles's statement, who just snickered in return.
"Actually.." Now was the time, to use the Luna Merino beauty. Red hues looked up at Myles, a soft blush on her cheeks (she absolutely practiced that), doe eyes staring at him, like a bunny looking at a bigger wolf. The red eyes met the grey hues of Myles, as his brows visibly twitched, to softness.
"I was wondering if I could propose to be the official company for his highness the crown prince at the ball.. and my brother Lucas as the company for her highness."
"Talk for yourself. I am not going with that gremlin-"
"Sounds like a good idea." The assertion made both the ladies look at Myles, who was smirking, a hand placed under his chin.
"Going with Merinos might be better than thousands of female suitors running behind me. Also, I want to see Lucas and Maria dancing together without having a wish to bite each other's head off." Maria visibly hissed at him, who just laughed in the return. And honestly, Luna felt at ease seeing him laugh.
'Wow, I can see why most the readers fell for him. He has a great smile.'
"Consider this proposal done." He stood up, and the other two stood up as well. Luna was still skeptical of what switched this personality of his, but at least the plan was going great.
Right when she thought it was done, she saw the prince appearing in front of her, a smile on his face as he leaned down to her ear.
"Don't think you were successful in seducing me, I still despise you as ever. And dress well on the ball, I have a reputation to hold." Her eyes widened, as Myles just rolled his eyes and walked out of the room.
Was he always this arrogant or is this some enemies to lovers plot unlocked?