Chapter 12: The Orchid Escapade

【Siegfried PoV】

I’m on a mission now.
I have the orchid perfume with me—the fancy, expensive one.
But don’t get me wrong: this isn’t just any perfume.
It’s Elizabeth’s absolute favorite.
And my plan is wicked: I want Eksu to use it to conquer her.
I lied when I told him that it would make her hate him—in truth, it’ll make her fall madly in love with him.
Then, she’ll be so obsessed that she’ll leave him alone for good.

I need to get to Eksu’s house without Elizabeth noticing.
Ever since I left the main plot behind, my plot armor is gone.
Now, if Elizabeth spots me, I might actually die.
And believe me, I don’t want that.

I tiptoe through the winding alleys of our medieval town.
Every shadow hides a threat, every distant sound feels like a potential ambush by that lunatic.
I keep glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting to hear her shrill laughter echoing around the stone walls.
“Stay hidden, stay hidden…” I mutter under my breath.

I clutch the perfume box tightly.
This box isn’t just a token—it’s the key to a new order.
I plan for Eksu to find it in his home as a signal.
Not a signal of hate, but one that will make Elizabeth fall head over heels for him.
Then, she’ll be so distracted by her infatuation that she’ll never bother him again.

I crawl behind a stack of wooden crates near a narrow alleyway.
It’s dark and smells of damp stone and old hay—perfect for sneaking.
I pause and listen.
Did I hear footsteps?
No—just the echo of my own nervous heartbeat.

Taking a deep breath, I move on, sticking to the shadows like a wraith.
I round a corner where torches flicker along the wall, casting erratic patterns that make me feel as if I’m being watched.
Every flicker feels like a spotlight on my sweaty, terrified face.
I can’t help but chuckle darkly—if only I were as stealthy as a seasoned thief instead of a clumsy shadow.

Finally, I see the outline of Eksu’s house.
It’s a modest dwelling, nothing fancy—just a place my overbearing mother calls “home.”
I edge closer, my mind swirling with thoughts of our previous encounters.
Eksu, with his stubborn 【Absolute Defense】 and that reluctant grin, never imagined I’d be sneaking around like this.

Now, I might finally set him free from Elizabeth’s relentless harassment.

I creep along the side of the house, eyes scanning for any sign of Elizabeth.
Her reputation precedes her: unpredictable, aggressive, and completely unhinged.
If she sees me, I’m done for—no plot armor to save me now.
I press my back against the cool stone wall and wait.

The small window on the ground floor is slightly ajar.
Perfect.
I approach cautiously, nearly tripping on a loose cobblestone.
I remind myself: stealth is key.
I’m like a clumsy ninja—a shadow terrified of his own clumsiness.

Gently, I push the window open.
It creaks loudly—of course it does, right when I need silence.
I freeze, holding my breath.
Did she hear that?
I peer into the dark street outside; nothing stirs.
I slip inside, careful not to disturb the heavy drapes.

Inside, the room is dim and quiet—a brief haven from her wrath.
I make my way to a small table near the window.
My hands tremble as I set the fancy perfume box down.
This is it—the gift, the signal for Eksu.
He’ll find it in the morning and understand what it means.

I pause and listen, savoring the stillness.
It’s almost peaceful.
Almost—until a faint creak behind me makes my heart leap.
Could that be Elizabeth?
No, it must be the old wooden floor settling under its own weight.
I exhale a quiet sigh, though every nerve is still on high alert.
I peer out the window again.
The street is dark, lit only by the occasional torch flicker.
I consider making a hasty retreat, but I must trust that this signal will reach Eksu.
Every movement now is a calculated risk—each step could be my last.

Just then, I catch a soft chuckle from outside.
I press my back harder against the wall.
A sliver of light crosses the cobblestones—could that be Elizabeth’s reflection?
I squint through the gloom, my heart pounding like a war drum.
Panic surges through me.
I dart behind a heavy curtain that drapes over the table.
I wait, frozen, every muscle tense as though ready to spring.
After what feels like an eternity, the sound fades away.
I dare to move again, creeping back to the window and slipping out, leaving the perfume safely behind.

I merge back into the alley shadows, every step light and silent.
I keep glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Elizabeth’s vengeful eyes tracking me.
I can almost hear her calling me “Unknown-san!”
That thought sends shivers down my spine.
I quicken my pace, desperate to put distance between myself and her.
I almost laugh at the absurdity—me, a clumsy would-be hero without plot armor, sneaking through ancient cobblestones like a desperate thief.
But there’s no time for laughter; every second is a gamble with my life.

At last, as the first hints of dawn break through the dark sky, I reach a safer part of town.
I pause to catch my breath, adrenaline slowly ebbing away.
I’ve done it.
I’ve delivered the orchid perfume—the secret message for Eksu—without being caught by Elizabeth.
Though I risked my life, a small sense of victory warms me.
This night has taught me a vital lesson: in a world without plot armor, every move is a battle, every secret mission a test of wit and luck.
And while I risk death at every corner, I know one thing for sure: as long as Eksu sees me as a friend, he’ll protect me.
In a past life, he might have ignored me.
But this time, I’m counting on him to step up.
I’m setting him up to be the new hero—the one who finally takes over as the protagonist—so that Elizabeth, hopelessly smitten, will leave him alone.

I take one last look at the empty street behind me.
Elizabeth is still out there, lurking like a vengeful shadow among the dark alleys.
But for now, I’m safe.
At least until the next moment of reckoning.
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