Minseok's eyes fluttered open, the soft light filtering through the curtains signaling the beginning of a new day.
He groaned, his muscles stiff from the uncomfortable position he'd slept in.
It wasn't the first time he had spent the night working, but something about this particular night, staying up to take care of the king, had drained him more than usual.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he tried to shake off the remnants of sleep.
The bed beneath him was large and comfortable, far more inviting than the cold wooden chair he had collapsed into the night before.
He'd somehow ended up back in his own room, tucked beneath the blankets.
'Rhea must've moved me here after I passed out'
Before he could collect his thoughts, a soft knock echoed on the door.
"Your Highness?"
Rhea's voice called from the other side, always gentle, always caring.
Minseok blinked, still a little dazed.
"Come in"
The door creaked open, and Rhea entered with her usual warm smile.
"You're awake, good. I was beginning to wonder if you'd be sleeping the day away"
She stepped closer, her eyes briefly scanning Seraphina with a knowing look.
"I trust you're feeling better?"
Minseok nodded, running a hand through his messy hair.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired, I guess"
Rhea didn't miss a beat.
"Well, you should be. You barely slept. But you're needed now. The king has called for you"
At the mention of the king, Minseok's stomach did an involuntary flip.
'The king? After healing his ass?'
He couldn't imagine what he wanted now.
He'd done nothing more than what was expected, save his life and tend to his wounds.
"Has he?"
Minseok asked, though his tone was flat, betraying none of the uncertainty that simmered beneath the surface.
"What for?"
Rhea shrugged, her face soft with an understanding smile.
"I'm sure it's nothing bad. In fact, he's... rewarding you for your efforts"
Minseok raised an eyebrow, surprised.
'Rewarding me? For saving his life? I didn't expect that from him'
He wondered if this gesture came with strings attached.
'Or maybe he just feels obliged'
"Well, I suppose I'll go and see what he wants," Minseok said, pushing himself to his feet.
"But I won't make any promises about being gracious about it"
Rhea chuckled lightly, a knowing glint in her eyes.
"Of course. No one expects you to be gracious when it comes to your father"
An Hour Later
The royal chambers were quieter than usual when Minseok entered.
The king was seated at his desk, papers scattered before him, his posture still regal but not as cold as she remembered.
His gaze lifted to meet Minseok's as he entered, and for a brief moment, there was something almost... appreciative in his eyes.
"Ah, Seraphina"
"I wanted to speak with you. You've shown unexpected skill in healing, and I must say, I am impressed"
Minseok bowed his head slightly, though he kept his expression neutral.
"I was only doing what was necessary, Father"
The king motioned to an attendant, who brought forward a small, heavy pouch, placing it on the table before him.
It was the kind of bag she recognized instantly, one filled with gold.
"This is a reward for your efforts," the king said, his voice a little softer now.
"You saved my life, and for that, I am grateful. Consider this a token of my appreciation. Spend it as you wish"
Minseok stared at the pouch for a moment, a strange feeling bubbling up inside him.
It wasn't so much the money that surprised him, it was the fact that the king actually thanked him for healing him.
'In the original novel, this would've been a chance for him to manipulate Seraphina... but this feels different'
He looked up, meeting his gaze.
"Thank you, Father"
For the first time in a long while, there was a hint of something almost... human in the king's eyes.
Leaving a little bit of anger in Minseok's chest, why was this man being so kind to Seraphina now?
"F-father–"
"You've earned it. Just don't forget that the kingdom will need your talents in the future"
Minseok nodded, her expression guarded.
'There it is. The catch'
He didn't trust his words, not completely.
He might be thankful now, but that didn't mean he wouldn't use her for his own gain later.
But for now, it didn't matter.
Minseok had a day off, a rare gift in this hectic life.
He got up, giving a slight bow and left the royal chambers.
As he walked back to the hallway, the pouch of gold now securely in his hand, Minseok felt a strange sense of freedom.
It wasn't much, but the thought of taking a break, of doing something for himself, was a pleasant change.
Rhea and Reiner were waiting by the door.
Reiner gave her a questioning look when he saw the pouch.
"Did the king really give you gold?"
Reiner asked, a little incredulous.
"I thought he'd want something in return"
Minseok smirked.
"I think he's genuinely grateful... or at least, that's what he wants me to believe. I'm not sure which yet"
Rhea's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"What do you plan to do with it, your Highness?"
Minseok shrugged.
"I thought I'd take the day off. A little stroll through the city. I've earned it, don't you think?"
Reiner looked unimpressed.
"A day off? You? That's... new"
'This mother–take a break Seraphina! You need it! Can't this man make up his mind?'
"Well you know, I'm full of surprises today"
Rhea, ever the supportive presence, nodded.
"I think that sounds like a good idea. You deserve a break, it did almost break my heart to see you push yourself so hard yesterday"
"Thank you Rhea"
Minseok looked over at Reiner who seemed standoffish to the idea but eventually sighed, crossing his arms.
"Fine, but I'm coming along to make sure you don't get into any trouble"
Minseok rolled his eyes playfully.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides, it's just a walk. No need to be so dramatic"
30 Minutes Later
They strolled through the streets of the capital, Minseok couldn't help but feel a little lighter.
The bustling marketplace was full of life, the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, the scent of freshly baked bread, and the vibrant colors of fabrics on display.
"So, what's on the agenda?"
Reiner asked, glancing at Minseok.
"Are we buying clothes? Weapons? Or maybe... sweets?"
Minseok grinned mischievously.
"Sweets, of course. I've had my fill of medicine for now"
Rhea laughed, a bright sound in the midday sun.
"You do have quite the sweet tooth, don't you?"
"I do, don't I?"
Minseok said, picking up a pastry from a nearby stall.
"And today, I'm treating myself"
As they continued down the streets, Minseok allowed himself a moment of peace.
'This life... It's strange. Different from the novel. Better, I think. I don't know what the future holds, but for now, this is enough'
"...This is…dangerous…"
"Huh?"
Minseok glanced over at Reiner, who was keeping a close eye on their surroundings, his sharp gaze scanning every passerby as if he expected trouble to jump out from behind the baker's stall at any moment.
He raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Relax, Captain. I'm just buying sweets, not plotting a revolution"
Reiner didn't even flinch.
"You never know," he muttered under his breath, his voice full of dry sarcasm.
"Sweets are the perfect cover for a conspiracy"
Rhea, who had been happily strolling beside them, couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, if that's the case, I think we've just uncovered one of the kingdom's most dangerous secrets"
She dramatically adjusted her hat, pretending to look suspicious.
"Who knew pastries could be so treacherous?"
Minseok laughed along with Rhea, shaking his head.
"It's true. I've probably already set the stage for an insurrection with this chocolate éclair," he said, holding up a flaky pastry that was somehow both delicate and rebellious in its sweetness.
"Next thing you know, I'll be leading an army of dessert fanatics to overthrow the throne"
Reiner glanced at her, clearly trying not to smile.
"Don't tempt me"
As they continued their walk, Minseok was pleasantly surprised to see the familiar face of Lady Elira Lysandra approaching them from the opposite direction.
"Elira!" Minseok called, waving with genuine warmth.
"What brings you to the market?"
Lady Elira stopped in front of them, her lips curling into a half-smile as she took in the sight of the princess in more casual attire.
"I was hoping to find something to occupy my time outside the palace walls for a change"
She gave Reiner a teasing look.
"Of course, I wouldn't have expected you to take such a break without someone watching your every move"
Reiner shrugged but didn't comment.
Instead, he gave Lady Elira a respectful nod.
"Lady Elira. Always a pleasure to see you"
Elira's eyes twinkled as she turned back to Minseok.
"I see you've come out to enjoy yourself, Princess. It's not often I get to see you outside the palace walls. I suppose I should be worried"
Minseok raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? You think I'm causing trouble?"
"Knowing you?"
Elira smiled wryly.
"I wouldn't be surprised"
Minseok laughed, the sound light and carefree.
"I'm simply indulging in the simple joys of life, Lady Elira. Sweets, fresh air, and a day without the weight of royal duties. Just this once"
"I can't imagine how that feels," Elira teased, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.
"But I do envy you"
At that moment, a familiar voice interrupted their conversation, causing Minseok to turn.
"Well, well, if it isn't the princess herself, gracing us common folk with her presence"
There, standing in front of them with his signature carefree smile and unruly hair, was Kaelen Varian, who he hadn't seen since the last fight Minseok had with the king.
He had been somewhat of a mystery in the past, and despite the strange circumstances of their meeting, Kaelen had proved himself to be both an ally and a curious figure in his journey.
The way he always seemed to pop up just when he needed him was both unnerving and strangely comforting.
"Kaelen," Minseok greeted him with a playful smirk.
"I didn't know you were a fan of markets. I always imagined you'd prefer your oven to these noisy streets"
He chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter.
"You'd be surprised, Your Highness. The smells here are far better than anything I could ever bake"
He grinned and gestured to the stalls around them.
"Besides, I can't resist good sweets. Though, if I'm being honest, I'm more interested in who is buying them"
His eyes twinkled as he glanced at Minseok, as though waiting for him to react.
"Oh, don't worry, Kaelen," Minseok said, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation.
"I'm just out here living the dream. Buying pastries and pretending I'm not the kingdom's most priced princess"
He took a bite of the éclair he'd been holding, savoring the sweet, rich taste.
"Mmm, and I'd say I'm doing quite well at it, or does this make me a villaines for enjoying a single day?"
Kaelen laughed, but there was a touch of seriousness behind his smile.
"You know, most people would never think of you as a villainess if they saw you like this. You're just a woman out here enjoying a simple day, like everyone else"
Minseok gave him a long look, intrigued by the sincerity in his words.
"It's strange, isn't it? How easy it is to pretend, even for a little while, that the past never happened"
"..."
He paused, glancing over at Lady Elira, who was quietly listening.
"I think... I think that's the hardest part. The pretending"
Elira, who had been watching the exchange with quiet interest, finally spoke up.
"It's not always about pretending, Seraphina. It's about being better than your past actions and aiming to succeed in this harsh world"
There was a brief, thoughtful silence as the words settled in the air.
Then, Minseok smiled, his heart a little lighter.
"You're right, Lady Elira. Maybe it's not about the act of pretending. Maybe it's about finding the strength to move forward despite everything that's happened"
Reiner, who had been silently observing the interaction, stepped in with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you two done with the philosophy lesson, or can we get back to the pastries?"
Minseok laughed, grateful for the interruption.
"You're right. We're getting too serious. And Kaelen, if you're not buying any of these sweets, I'll be suspicious"
Kaelen's smile widened as he handed over a small pouch of coins.
"I wouldn't dare leave without a treat, Your Highness"
As the group continued their stroll, with Kaelen and Elira exchanging playful jabs while Minseok indulged in the simplest of joys.
The noise of the market felt less like a backdrop and more like a world in which he could truly exist.
A moment of peace, free from the expectations of royalty or the looming shadow of the past.
"Alright," he said, looking at his companions with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"You know what we need?"
Elira, who had been enjoying a pastry herself, raised an eyebrow.
"What, exactly?"
"A contest," Minseok said dramatically.
"A contest of the most ridiculous things we can do while still pretending to be somewhat dignified"
Reiner blinked at her, clearly skeptical.
"Dignified? You? Are you sure you want to take on that challenge?"
"Oh, come on," Minseok said, smiling in a way that made him look a little too innocent for his own good.
"You're always so serious. Let's break the mold a little"
Kaelen, who had been walking alongside them, leaned in with a grin.
"She's right. I'm in. After all, I'm a professional at making life a little less serious"
"Great," Minseok said, rubbing his hands together in mock villainous fashion.
"I propose our first challenge: a race to that ridiculous fountain in the square. But here's the catch, no walking. You have to hop the whole way there"
Rhea, who had been silently observing from the sidelines, sighed.
"You people are hopeless," But even she couldn't resist the sparkle in her eyes.
"Alright, but only because I've got a good feeling about this"
Without waiting for any further discussion, Minseok took off, his arms flailing wildly as he began hopping across the cobblestones like a deranged bunny.
"Oh, she's really doing it," Elira said, half-laughing, half-incredulous.
"Alright, I'm game"
And just like that, the race was on.
Reiner, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity as he hopped along, soon found himself laughing too.
His usual stern demeanor melted away as he tried to keep up with Seraphina, who was already ahead of the pack, clearly enjoying the absurdity of the situation.
"You're cheating, Princess!"
Reiner called, laughing despite himself.
"I'm not cheating," Minseok replied, his voice filled with mock indignation.
"I'm simply embracing the spirit of competition!"
The others were catching up, but Kaelen had a different approach.
He wasn't hopping, no.
Instead, he did something completely unexpected, he started skipping.
Not just in a childlike way, but with a flair that only he could manage.
"Kaelen!" Minseok shouted, laughing harder now.
"You're supposed to hop, not skip like a bard!"
Kaelen grinned over his shoulder.
"This is how we do things in the baking world, Your Highness. It's all about the rhythm"
By the time they reached the fountain, all five of them were doubled over with laughter, hands on their knees, gasping for breath.
Minseok could hardly contain himself, his face flushed from the physical exertion and the absurdity of it all.
"You," he gasped, pointing at Kaelen, "are a menace"
Reiner, still catching his breath, shot Seraphina a mock glare.
"You're the one who started it"
Elira grinned, clearly delighted by the chaos.
"That was ridiculous," she said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"But honestly, I haven't had this much fun in a while"
Minseok stretched, his body sore from hopping all over the place, but the feeling was worth it.
"See? I told you. No one said being ridiculous couldn't be rewarding"
As they caught their breath and shared a few more chuckles, Minseok felt a warm sense of satisfaction that had nothing to do with duty or titles.
It was the simple joy of being alive in the moment, surrounded by friends who didn't judge him for being foolish.
"Alright," he said, still grinning, "next challenge. Let's see who can buy the most absurd thing from the market. The only rule is it has to be something completely useless"
"Useless?"
Reiner raised an eyebrow.
"You sure that's a good idea, Princess? You're supposed to be the one with the kingdom's wealth at your disposal"
"Oh, I'm not talking about actual wealth," Minseok replied.
"I mean joy! And there's nothing more joyful than something completely ridiculous"
They all set off again, each of them entering various stalls, scrutinizing the absurd items on display.
Minseok quickly found a small, sparkly mirror that had no real purpose except to look excessively ornate.
She handed over a coin without hesitation.
Rhea, walking beside her, gave her a playful side-eye.
"Are you sure you'll ever use that?"
Minseok twirled the mirror in his hand.
"Of course not. It's ridiculous"
They turned the corner just in time to see Elira, who was holding up an oversized feathered hat that could only be described as something out of a comedic play.
"How does this look?"
Elira asked, placing the hat at a jaunty angle and batting her eyes dramatically.
Reiner, ever the stoic, was trying to suppress his laughter.
"It's… magnificent. Truly"
Kaelen, meanwhile, had found a ridiculous little trinket shaped like a frog with a crown on its head.
"I think I've won," he said, holding it out proudly.
"It's a frog. With a crown. Absolutely useless"
Minseok took in the frog with a raised eyebrow, then nodded with mock seriousness.
"Alright, I admit it. You've outdone me"
By the time they returned to their starting point, they were all holding their absurd purchases, each one grinning from ear to ear.
"That was probably the most stupidly fun thing I've ever done," Elira said, trying to adjust her feathered hat without it flying off.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this"
Minseok smiled as he held up his sparkly mirror.
"And you thought I couldn't be ridiculous"
"Alright," Reiner said with a mock sigh, clearly enjoying the moment despite himself, "I'll admit it"
"Today was… well, I think we can call it 'fun.' But next time, we stick to something a little less chaotic, alright?"
"I'll think about it," Minseok teased, "but no promises."
Kaelen clapped his hands together.
"Well, I say we take our ridiculous items and celebrate with something equally absurd"
"Like more pastries?" Minseok asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Precisely," Kaelen said with a grin.
"Let's go find the most ridiculous one"
4 Hours Later
The day had been full of chaos and laughter, and Minseok was grateful for the distraction.
The sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the emptying market, Minseok couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.
Something important.
The streets were quieter now, with only the occasional passerby.
Reiner, ever faithful, was walking alongside him.
Elira and Kaelen had already disappeared, no doubt returning to their respective duties, and Rhea had excused herself with a quick wave, heading back to the palace to manage the usual chores.
It was just Minseok and Reiner now, two of them walking side by side, the air between them thick with something unsaid.
Minseok glanced at Reiner.
His usual stoic demeanor was softened, and there was something in his eyes that Minseok couldn't quite place.
The man had been distant all day, quiet, as if lost in thought.
"So, what do you think of the day?"
Minseok asked, trying to break the silence.
"A little less dramatic than the usual royal business, huh?"
Reiner's lips quivered, the smallest hint of a smile forming.
"It was… different," he said, though there was no real warmth behind his words.
"But I suppose I enjoyed the sweets"
Minseok chuckled.
"I knew you couldn't resist. You'd eat an entire cart if given half the chance"
The brief exchange did little to ease the tension, though.
Reiner's gaze flickered away, his hands stiff at his sides, like he was carrying a burden he couldn't put down.
Minseok could feel the weight of his gaze even without looking directly at him.
It wasn't like Reiner to be so… withdrawn.
Something was on his mind, and Minseok needed to know what it was.
"Reiner," he began softly, turning to face him.
"You've been quiet all day. What's going on? You've been off, and I don't think it's just the sweets"
For a long moment, Reiner didn't respond, his eyes focused on the ground in front of them.
When he did speak, his voice was tight, controlled, but there was an unmistakable vulnerability to it.
"I've been thinking," Reiner said, almost hesitating, as if testing the weight of the words.
"About us. About... what this is. About what you mean to me"
Minseok's breath caught in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm, his face betraying none of the confusion swirling inside him.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice a little softer now.
Reiner stopped walking, turning fully to face him.
His gaze was intense, and Minseok could see the battle in his eyes, his longing, his uncertainty.
"I've spent so much time guarding you, protecting you, watching you. But it's more than that now, isn't it?"
Reiner took a step closer, his voice steady but filled with a raw honesty.
"It's not just because you're the princess. I've… fallen for you, Seraphina"
The world seemed to pause, the air between them thickening, heavy with unspoken truths.
Minseok's mind raced, but he fought to keep his expression neutral.
He hadn't expected this, not from Reiner, and certainly not now.
Reiner's face was open, almost pleading, and for the briefest of moments.
Minseok saw the man beneath the armor, vulnerable and exposed.
But he wasn't Seraphina.
Not truly.
He was Minseok Lee, reincarnated.
And the woman he had been, Seraphina Lumastra, was lost in the sea of memories.
This body, these feelings, the tangled emotions that came with being her, it wasn't the life he had chosen.
"I'm sorry," Minseok said, his voice firm yet soft.
"I can't return those feelings"
Reiner's face dropped, his eyes flickering with disbelief.
He took a step back, like the world had just shifted under his feet, his expression falling into a mask of resignation.
"You… don't feel the same?"
Reiner's voice was quiet, strained.
"I don't," Minseok said, trying to ignore the painful weight of his own words.
"I can't. I'm not the person you think I am"
The silence stretched between them, heavy and uncomfortable.
Reiner looked away, his jaw tight, the air between them now thick with unspoken emotions.
For a long moment, neither of them moved.
The distant sound of fireworks cracking in the air was a stark contrast to the stillness around them, the bright colors of the display illuminating the darkening sky above them.
Minseok turned away, unable to meet his eyes any longer.
"We should go back to the palace," he muttered, his voice far colder than he had intended.
"It's getting late"
Reiner didn't answer.
He only nodded, his steps slow as he walked ahead of Minseok, leaving a widening gap between them.
Minseok watched him go, his heart heavy with the knowledge that something important had just shifted, and not for the better.
As he walked behind Reiner, the weight of the evening pressed on his chest.
The conversation was over, but the feeling lingered.
'Did he forget for a moment?'
Minseok tried to focus, tried to shake off the lingering confusion, but the truth lingered like a sour taste in his mouth.
Reiner had seen something, had felt something, for someone he thought was Seraphina.
The person Reiner had fallen for wasn't the princess anymore.
She wasn't even Minseok.
She was something else entirely.
Something lost in the transition between two lives.
And yet, as Minseok walked back to the palace, he couldn't help but think—
'If the princess felt the same way for him?'
And if it had something to do with Reiner's original death in the novel.
But that was a question for another day.
For now, he would have to bury the feeling deep, to pretend he hadn't seen it all in Reiner's eyes.
Because the reality was, no matter how much Reiner had felt in that moment, Minseok would never be the person he wanted.
For he is Minseok Lee…
As they approached the gates of the palace, Minseok felt a cold resolve settle over him.
There is no place for fakes, he had to be Seraphina but not forget his identity, his true identity.
And with that thought, Minseok walked forward, ignoring the countless questions appearing in his head.