As Ethan walked through the castle courtyard, The early morning sunlight, leaving behind long dark shadows on the cobbled path,his body spat out in pain from yesterday training. The old man's exercise regimen left him feeling fatigued and unable to perform any movements. But there was something almost satisfying about the pain it reminded him that he was changing, becoming something more than just an NPC doomed to obscurity.
As he passed the castle gardens, he slowed his pace. He had never actually paid much attention to this area before, either in the game or since arriving in this world. A maze of hedges, marble fountains, and carefully curated flower beds stretched before him, the air thick with the scent of blooming roses.
In the game, the royal gardens were only significant for one reason this was where the first meeting with Princess Alice took place.
Ethan's breath caught in his throat.
If the story was following its script, that meant...
A soft sharp voice, almost like the chime of silver bells, interrupted his thoughts.
"You there, are you a servant."
Ethan turned slowly towards her , while his heart pounding.
And there she was.
Princess Alice of Aurelis.
Even in the dim glow of the morning light, she was breathtaking. Long, silvery-white hair cascaded down her back, catching the sunlight like woven moonlight. Her violet eyes so striking they looked almost unreal studied him with a quiet curiosity. She was dressed in a flowing blue gown, the fabric embroidered with delicate silver patterns that shimmered with every movement.
She looked exactly as she had in the game. But here, standing before him in the flesh, she felt far more real.
Ethan swallowed.
This was dangerous.
Princess Alice was one of the most important heroines in the game. The player's first encounter with her determined whether she would become an ally, an enemy, or if one played their cards right something more.
But Ethan wasn't the protagonist. He wasn't some destined hero.
He was an NPC.
And NPCs weren't supposed to interact with main characters like this.
"You seem troubled," she observed, tilting her head slightly.
Ethan realised he had been staring and immediately bowed low. "Your Highness," he said, keeping his voice steady. "Forgive me, I was just passing through."
Alice's expression didn't change.
"You're hurt," she said instead. Her gaze flickered down to the faint bruises on his arms, remnants of last night's training. "What happened?"
Ethan hesitated.
Telling the truth was not an option. If word got out that a lowly servant was training in combat, it could be seen as rebellion. And yet, lying to a royal wasn't exactly a safe choice either.
Before he could decide what to say, Alice surprised him again.
She stepped closer.
Ethan stiffened as she reached out, her fingers grazing the edge of a bruise near his wrist. Her touch was cool and featherlight, yet he felt the warmth of her presence all the same.
"Servants shouldn't be treated like this," she murmured, her brows drawing together. "Has someone been mistreating you?"
Ethan's mind raced.
In the game's story, Alice was known for her kind heart and strong sense of justice. She despised cruelty, even amongst the nobility. If she thought he was being mistreated, she might involve herself.
That would be very bad.
He forced a smile, shaking his head. "It's nothing, Your Highness. Just an accident while working."
Alice didn't look convinced.
"You're lying," she said simply.
Ethan froze.
For a moment, the two of them simply stared at each other her piercing violet gaze locked onto his, unyielding.
Then, to his horror, she turned towards the palace. "I'll speak to Father about this," she said. "If the servants are being mistreated "
"No!" Ethan blurted out before he could stop himself.
Alice turned back to him, surprised by his sudden outburst.
Realising he had just shouted at the princess, Ethan immediately bowed again, sweat prickling at his neck. "Forgive me, Your Highness, I just " He took a breath. "It really isn't anything serious. If you get involved, it'll only cause trouble for me and the others."
Alice studied him carefully.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then, to his surprise, she sighed and shook her head.
"You're stubborn," she muttered. "Like a stray cat that refuses to admit it's starving."
Ethan blinked.
A… stray cat?
Was that how she saw him?
Alice turned away, but just as he thought the conversation was over, she reached into the folds of her gown and pulled out a small silk handkerchief.
"At least clean yourself up properly," she said, holding it out to him.
Ethan hesitated.
This was not how their first encounter went in the game. The hero had met Alice when she was being harassed by an arrogant noble, and by stepping in, he gained her favour. There was no mention of her ever giving him a handkerchief.
Something was already changing.
Slowly, carefully, Ethan reached out and took the handkerchief. The fabric was soft, the edges embroidered with the royal emblem. He wasn't sure whether he should even be touching it.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Alice nodded, then turned away without another word, disappearing into the gardens.
Ethan stood frozen for a moment, staring after her.
Then he looked down at the handkerchief in his hands.
This was not part of the game.
This was new.
And that scared him more than anything.
Upon reaching the servants' quarters, Ethan was swiftly taken by Anna and pulled him behind one of the stone columns.
She exclaimed: "You absolute idiot ", "Do you really know what you did?".
Ethan muttered, "What are you talking about?"
Anna gave him a shoulder smack. "You had argued with Princess Alice!".
"I didn't have any other choice you know," Ethan muttered.
"That doesn't matter!" Anna ran a hand through her short brown hair, looking worried. "Do you have any idea what people will say? A lowly servant having a private conversation with the princess? If the wrong noble hears about this "
Ethan let out a slow breath. "I know."
Anna stared at him. "Then why the hell do you look so calm?"
Because, Ethan realised, deep down, he wasn't calm at all.
Something had just changed in the game's story.
He wasn't following the original script anymore.
And that meant anything could happen.