Chapter 18

I sat in the palace library, a place that was always quiet and relaxing. Books were lined up neatly on tall wooden shelves, mostly about the history of the kingdom, the occult, and things that I found archaic. Even so, this place was the only space where I could escape from the ridiculous matchmaking frenzy that continued to haunt me every day.

“An arranged marriage? Really? As if I don’t have the right to choose,” I muttered softly, my hands lazily flipping through the pages of the book in front of me without actually reading the contents.

I kept thinking of how to get out of this situation. Every step I took never seemed to be enough to escape. In my heart, I knew that I couldn’t keep pretending to be Dean. But what could I do? If I reveal my true self, it might be even more chaotic.

Suddenly, the very familiar sound of steps approached. I turned around, and there, standing in the doorway, was Junigo. His face was handsome and sensual as always, a cocky half-smile etched on his lips. With his tall posture and alluring aura, he could make anyone’s heart flutter. But, this time, I wasn’t as tempted as before. I was used to his teasing, and this time I knew what he wanted.

“Dean,” Junigo greeted in a soft voice, stepping in gracefully.

I tried to stop myself from shuddering as he walked over. Yes, I already know what will happen. His subtle teasing will come again, then finally... yes, he'll definitely bring up the matchmaking topic again.

But even though I shudder in pain every time I meet him, the natural charm that this demon possesses is truly mesmerizing. I was so hot to see the palace maids who barely blinked when they saw Junigo around them and that meant that I wasn’t the only one who thought that this person really did have a very handsome and extraordinarily beautiful face.

The athletic body that is so sturdy that it seems to be able to protect from anything plus a face that is very firm, handsome and has its own charm. Although the Junigo I know in my world is exactly like this face, there are some different aspects between the two of them. The first one that I’m sure of is of course from their auras as two different beings. And the second is that upon further observation, it turns out that this Junigo has some physical features that are different from the Junigo of my home world. That’s why this Junigo is much more charming than the Junigo of my world.

But still, to me, the Junigo in my world is also very handsome. In fact, he also has a lot of fans, especially the boys and girls at my school.

“What are you doing here alone?” asked Junigo, his bass voice sounding very seductive.

I looked up, putting on what I thought was a polite smile. “Just reading, killing time.”

Junigo grinned, then sat down in the chair across from me uninvited. His gaze searched my face, making me feel slightly uncomfortable despite my best efforts to remain calm.

Inwardly, I thought to myself, ‘This guy won’t give up, for sure. When is he going to get tired of me? I mean, of Dean?’

Maybe that’s also how Junigo and Jade feel in my homeworld because I often observe them from afar although I’m not sure if they know that I’m doing that or not. But certainly if they found out they would be very uncomfortable, but Jade definitely knew about it, especially because of the case where the news spread that I masturbated in the school restroom, and you must still remember who the culprit was who spread the embarrassing news. Yeah I don’t want to mention it again.

Back to the present situation. Junigo started making small talk, saying a few sentences that I didn’t think were important. I just nodded without paying much attention to what he was saying, waiting for the moment that would surely come, the moment where he started bringing up the arranged marriage again. And sure enough, not long after, he finally brought it up.

“Dean,” he said softly, his voice low and seductive. “You must have a wish for something. Just tell me, and I’ll grant it for you. But you have to choose me over that annoying Jade.”

I just snorted at his words. ‘What a cliché,’ I thought. I already knew where this was going, and I didn’t want to get caught up in his sweet teasing again.

Mom’s common sense was still working very well after all, although I admit it was very difficult to escape his charm and sensuality, guys I was used to this so I just took it easy.

Casually, I sighed and said half-jokingly, half-seriously, “Then, return me to my world, the modern world in 2021. Because I need to complete my physical tasks.”

Junigo furrowed his brow, his handsome face turning confused. “Are you fantasizing? Are you dreaming? What world is that?”

The expression on his face really showed confusion and also seemed to indicate that he really didn’t recognize what I said. It makes sense because it could be a different universe either in the same timeline or not but in fact this and that are very different things.

Even I myself can’t explain what happened to me now even if someone believes my story someday.

His voice sounded serious, as if what I was saying was something completely foreign to him. He looked at me with a gaze that seemed to ask for further explanation, and I could only snort.

“If you want me to take you to the various islands in this world then I’ll grant it, but about that I don’t understand. Explain it to me,” he continued with confusion still lingering on his face.

I let out a long sigh, feeling a little sluggish. Clearly, Junigo didn’t understand what I meant. ‘How could he possibly understand? They don’t even know that the Dean they see every day isn’t actually Dean. They don’t know I’m Jou Porska, someone from a different world.’

My eyes darted elsewhere, avoiding Junigo’s gaze. It felt useless trying to explain to him about the world I came from, the modern world that was so different from life here. Even if I explained, it would only lead to more confusion, maybe even new problems.

I was silent for a while, letting Junigo continue to look at me with an expectant gaze, as if he thought I would soon give an answer that could clarify everything. However, in my heart, I knew that there was no point in trying to make him understand. I just needed to find a way to get out of this situation, from this palace, from this body, and from this whole matchmaking mess.

‘Even Junigo’s equivalent can’t do that,’ I mused as I gave him a quick glance. ‘It makes sense, because even from the beginning they didn’t realize that the Dean they faced every day wasn’t Dean but me, Jou Porska.’

We were silent for a while. Junigo seemed to be thinking about something, while I just wanted this conversation to end. But just as I expected, he forced his sensual smile back and tried to flirt again.

“I don’t know what world you’re talking about, Dean,” he said in a softer tone. “But I can give you anything you want in this world. You just have to ask.”

I looked at him flatly. “Like I said, I want to go back to my home world. That’s the only thing I want.”

Junigo looked a little disappointed, but he tried to hide it with a smile. “You’re too complicated,” he half-joked.

I just shrugged. “Maybe, but that’s what I want.”

With a resigned expression, Junigo stood up from his chair and walked towards the door. “Alright, I’ll give you some time to think,” he said. “But remember, Dean, I won’t give up so easily. You’re mine. If I have to wipe out everything here and everywhere then I’ll do it to fight for you. No one else can replace you in my heart so make that clear.”

He looked at me once more before exiting the library, leaving me alone with my own thoughts.

After the door closed, I let out a long breath and looked down, massaging my throbbing temples. The conversation just now only made me realize even more that I was in a really difficult situation. Junigo wouldn’t give up, and Jade was the same. They both wanted me, or rather, wanted Dean.

‘How can I get out of this?’ I muttered in frustration.

Every time I think I’ve managed to avoid a problem, there’s always something new that makes things more complicated.

I sighed again, looking down at the book I hadn’t read yet. In my heart, I wished that I could find answers on how to return to my world, how to stop this ridiculous arranged marriage, and how to escape from a situation that seemed to be getting out of hand. But for now, I could only hope that time would give me the right clues.