SMD 27

 “Summer!”

*How pretty, how pretty.* Summer thought, watching Julian approach with a bright smile. After Fay left, Summer had done some thinking. Fay’s words had merit. *If you’re afraid and hesitant, take your time and think it over.* “Summer, I missed you! I was worried because you haven’t been to any parties lately.” “Well, honestly, I’m sick of parties now.” Summer whispered to Julian as if sharing a secret, then burst into playful laughter. “That’s cool. I hate these parties too, but I was forced to come.” “Especially today, we need to be careful.” “Today?” Julian looked at Summer with innocent, pretty eyes sparkling. Summer gazed affectionately at Julian, who looked like the female protagonist to anyone. “Don’t drink. Absolutely not.” “Summer likes alcohol. Did you decide to quit?” “It’s, uh, not good for your health. Anyway, you never know what kind of mischief the Legacy Lady is up to, so be careful.” “I will. You’re always like my mother when it comes to this.” Julian laughed heartily. Summer’s eyes clouded with a slight sense of disappointment. *She’s not taking it seriously.* Well, even if she were in Julian’s shoes, she would probably just agree, but not take it seriously. Julian probably doesn’t even know that Perotia is hostile towards her. Perotia was notoriously like that to all the ladies. That’s why Julian is so carefree. She doesn’t know that Perotia has feelings for Ian, that Ian is looking for Julian, and that Perotia knows this. “Julian, don’t get too attached to me.” “What? Summer, what do you mean?” “…It’s nothing.” Summer vaguely brushed it off and took Julian’s hand. The party hall was magnificent. Not just magnificent, but like they’d thrown in every jewel in the world. Even the walls and pillars were adorned with jewels and gold. Every corner glittered under the chandelier light. *I wonder if I can take a few back to South Korea when I go back. Can only the soul pass through this world?* Feeling relaxed for once, Summer chuckled at her silly thoughts. I can’t enjoy romance, but I can enjoy fantasy. Where else can you see such a magnificent mansion or castle, like a cultural heritage site from some country? “Julian. Suddenly, the world seems a little prettier.” “Me too, seeing Summer makes the party not seem so bad.” “…” Summer’s eyes widened. *Is that so?* Has meeting Julian calmed her down a bit? The protagonist is, after all, a kind of safety net. Of course, there are stories where the protagonist dies, but this original story was a tightly closed happy ending where the female protagonist inevitably achieves happiness in the end. That’s why Summer felt at ease when she saw Julian. “To everyone who came to celebrate my coming-of-age ceremony, I sincerely thank you.” Perotia, appearing from the second floor, began her greeting with a very graceful demeanor. Summer sneered at Perotia once and looked around. Since the female protagonist is here, the two men must be here too. The male protagonist usually follows the female protagonist. “As expected.” Russell and Ian, hidden in a secluded corner in the distance, came into view. They clearly looked like they were dragged to this party against their will and had absolutely no intention of cooperating. The more hostile they are to Perotia, the better. Ignoring Perotia’s long and boring greeting, Summer pushed through the crowd and approached the corner. “Russell!” “Summer, I was worried because I hadn’t seen you.” *Liar.* Summer lightly glanced at Russell, who spoke with a neat and handsome smile. He had politeness and consideration, but no emotion. If Russell weren’t her friend, he wouldn’t have cared if Summer died. Because that’s how the author set up Russell. “Oh, didn’t Duke Langcaster tell you? He visited a while ago.” “He did, Ian?” “Yeah. He was so cold, he wouldn’t even take my pleas.” Ian said with a wry smile. Russell looked back and forth between Ian and Summer, swirling the wine glass in his hand. “Summer. Have you visited the temple?” “Yes.” “Your thoughts. Have they changed at all?” “I’ll tell you later. More importantly, could you help me just once?” If it were just her and Russell, she would have confessed, but in front of Ian, she hesitated to say, “I want to go back.” “If it’s something I can help with.” “Julian, today…” Suddenly, something blocked Summer and Russell. “If Julian drinks the celebratory wine today, stop her!” It’s because Russell is relatively free to interfere in the original story that she asked for help. “Mr. Russell! Can you hear me?” Even if she shouted until her throat was raw, Russell couldn’t hear her. He just frowned slightly, as if his head ached, and touched his head. Nothing was going smoothly. And Summer was so used to such a life that she was sick of it. Without hesitation, Summer turned around before it was too late. As Summer moved away, she heard Ian and Russell talking about having headaches, as if they were tired. *They get headaches at a time like this.* Summer made a disgusted face and quickly approached Julian. “If those who have gathered here to celebrate me today would join me in a celebratory drink, it would be an honor beyond words.” Perotia raised her wine glass high. The blood-red wine swirled in the clear glass. “To the glory of the Empire.” *A company dinner? To hell with ‘to’.* It was now do-or-die. Before going back, I’m going to make a mess of things. The original author will figure out the cleanup. Summer didn’t care if she died here. She would return to her original body. She still had some time until her body and soul merged. In fact, the problem facing Summer was simple and straightforward. Except for the fear of death and the immense pain that would come before death. That was the only part Summer hesitated about. Summer was someone who had always struggled to survive. She didn’t have any great dreams or ideals; she just wanted to earn enough to live comfortably, to be moderately tired and moderately rested. *Ordinary.* That was the word Summer had been striving for. But from the moment she entered this world, she was far from ordinary. This world is anything but ordinary. Nevertheless, the fact that she had to stop breathing to survive was absurd to Summer, like hot iced Americano. But if Summer were to be killed while having a goal, the story would be a little different. “This is right.” Summer lunged at Julian. Anticipating that a transparent wall would block her, she threw a punch. The moment Julian put her lips to the glass, with a thud, the wall broke, and Summer’s fist landed squarely on the glass Julian was holding. “Aaack!” The party hall became a chaotic mess. Everyone looked at Summer as if she were the craziest person in the world. “Summer?” “No. Don’t drink it, Julian.” “I can’t drink it anyway. It’s broken.” Julian winked and moved Summer away from the broken glass. *Amazing.* The female protagonist didn’t scold her or show any surprise. Instead, she seemed worried that Summer would be treated strangely. Julian gently stroked Summer’s hand. Red wine and blood were dripping from Summer’s hand. “I’m sorry. I should have listened seriously.” “It’s not Julian’s fault.” As Julian’s touch reached her, the shards of glass fell off, and the wound that had opened healed. Summer stiffened, realizing the change in her body. Julian had just healed her injured hand in a party hall with so many people. She thought it was an ability she wanted to hide until the end for fear of being dragged to the temple. “Julian.” Summer was just about to call Julian when— “What in the world are you doing?!” Perotia, furious, ran down the stairs. “Legacy Lady. Have we exchanged greetings?” “What?” Perotia retorted fiercely, shaking the glass in her hand. She looked like she was about to hit Summer on the head with it. “I mean, we haven’t introduced ourselves and greeted each other.” Only then did Perotia realize that Summer was pointing out her lack of etiquette and burst into a dry laugh. “Ha! You’re quite something. To think you’d ruin my party and get away with it.” “I actually wished I wouldn’t get away with it, but that’s good.” “Lady Lindsey!” Was it because Perotia shouted too loudly? Summer felt a tingling sensation all over her body, like an electric shock. “Summer. Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” Julian quickly pulled Summer into her arms and whispered. Summer forced a bright smile to reassure Julian. “Lady Lindsey. What is the meaning of this? Breaking Lady Dudley’s wine glass with your fist at my party.” *I guess I did look like a crazy person.* Summer barely suppressed a smirk. She had intervened in the original story for the first time and saved Julian. It was Summer herself, who had been a reader. A kind of vicarious satisfaction flowed through her body. She was pleased that she had contributed to the happiness of the female protagonist, whom she had hoped would be happy. “Legacy Lady. I’m really curious. Do you want to make a big deal out of this?” “Wh-what?” Perotia was taken aback by Summer’s words, which seemed to suggest she knew something. *There’s no way this person is the final villain in the original story.* Summer’s eyes narrowed. “Legacy Lady. I’ve committed a grave sin, so shall we call an investigator and have a detailed discussion?” “St-stop. That’s enough. I’ll show special leniency.” Perotia gave a strained and wicked smile. But she couldn’t hide the trembling in her hand holding the wine. It was clumsy and chaotic. Even with Summer’s intervention, Perotia was only this much. “The party is over.” In an instant, all eyes were fixed on one spot. Like a turning point, a moment of turning point in the story.