I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist - Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Minerva Rosenwald

“K–King?!” Reynold shouted, utterly dumbfounded as King leapt out of the carriage without a word of explanation.

The other three sat frozen in equal disbelief.

“Stop the carriage!” Reynold shouted, prompting the coachman to pull the reins.

“What’s going on? Is he tired already?” Lua asked, noticing that King was striding purposefully toward an inn.

“No… I don’t think that’s it,” Saya muttered, a grimace tightening her features as she observed where King was headed.

The sun was high in the afternoon sky, and the inn bustled with activity. The air was alive with the sound of clinking utensils and murmured conversations as patrons filled the restaurant. Most of the tables were occupied, save for a few scattered empty ones.

Among them, a lone young woman in her late teens stood out, her beauty so striking it attracted everyone’s attention. She sat at a corner table, seated elegantly. Heads turned in her direction—not just once, but again and again. Even men seated with their girlfriends found their gazes inexorably drawn to her, much to the dismay of their companions. Angered girlfriends slapped their partners or stormed off in frustration.

But it wasn’t entirely the men’s fault; the woman was that extraordinary.

Despite the attention, no one dared to approach her. Everyone in the inn seemed to understand who she was and the consequences of disturbing her. Instead, they contented themselves with discreet admiration from afar.

The young woman, however, appeared indifferent to the stares. Perhaps she had grown accustomed to them, or perhaps her mind was elsewhere. A soft smile graced her lips as her delicate hands cupped a drink, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

The unexpected voice pulled her from her reverie. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise as she looked up.

Standing before her was a man clad in modest black armor. His face was obscured by a silver mask, leaving only his eyes visible—eyes that captivated her instantly, the most breathtaking she had ever seen.

“Excuse me?” She replied, arching a brow in mild confusion.

“May I take a seat?” The man asked, his hand resting lightly on the chair opposite hers.

“I’m afraid I’m waiting—”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” King interrupted smoothly, pulling the chair out and seating himself without waiting for her to finish.

She blinked, momentarily taken aback, but her expression didn’t show any annoyance. If anything, a spark of curiosity flickered in her eyes.

“Your Highness?” She asked as she wondered why he was addressing her in such a way. Perhaps he had mistaken her for someone else.

“Aren’t you a princess, Milady?” King asked, tilting his head slightly feigning confusion.

“Not at all,” she replied with a gentle shake of her head.

“Oh, my sincerest apologies,” King sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest as if truly contrite. “Judging by your astounding beauty and grace, I could only imagine you as royalty.”

The woman blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his unabashed flattery, but a soft giggle escaped her lips. She lowered her gaze slightly, focusing on her cup, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

King’s eyes didn’t miss the hint of bashfulness in her demeanor. Despite likely having received countless compliments about her appearance, she still seemed a bit shy about them.

‘Adorable,’  he thought, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Her genuine reaction only served to deepen his interest.

“Are you from Aurion? Or are you here sightseeing, Milady? I would be inclined to think the latter, for surely someone as remarkable as you could never have escaped my notice until now,” King said, stroking his chin as if in contemplation.

The woman replied with a graceful smile and a shake of her head. “I am here on personal matters. I hail from Unadora.”

‘Unadora huh?’

King immediately recognized the name. It was a kingdom within the Holy Continent, located to the south of the Britannia Empire—a place he knew all too well.

His gaze lingered on her face, searching for any trace of deception, but her expression was calm, her answer sincere.

She took another sip from her cup, not bothered by his gaze.

“Unadora, fascinating,” King said with a subtle smirk. “Judging by your attire, your speech, and your refined demeanor, I’d wager you’re a highly ranked noble lady there.”

He watched her closely, hoping for a confirmation, but all she offered in return was a mysterious smile.

“King—”

Reynold’s voice cut through the moment as he approached hurriedly, but King raised a hand without even glancing back, silencing him instantly. His focus remained entirely on the woman before him.

She glanced briefly at the group of four standing a short distance away, then turned her attention back to King.

“Your friends seem to be waiting for you.”

“If it’s to learn more about you, I can make them wait indefinitely, Milady,” King said, a glint in his eyes.

Minerva shook her head lightly, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile.

“May I at least know your name, Milady?” King continued his investigation.

“Minerva,” she replied simply.

The name was a bit familiar but faint, as though he’d read it somewhere in the novel he now inhabited. Yet, try as he might, he couldn’t place it.

Still, it hardly mattered who she was in the story.

“Wouldn’t you be curious about my name, Miss Minerva?” King asked, feigning a touch of dejection.

The three women standing around Reynold immediately recognized the act for what it was—pure theatrics. Minerva, too, seemed aware of his deliberate flair, though she didn’t seem annoyed. King’s intention wasn’t merely to flirt; it was to leave a lasting impression, to etch himself into the depths of her memory.

“What might your name be, then?” Minerva asked, a bit amused as she decided to play along with his game.

“King Siver, at your service,” he replied with a gallant nod. “But you may call me King—that’s my true name for my closest ones.”

“King?” Minerva called, raising an eyebrow. “An unusual name.”

“Not as unusual as you, Miss Minerva,” King replied, flirtatiously.

Minerva set her cup down gently, her expression getting a bit serious. “Mr. King, I’m afraid that flirtatious remarks won’t achieve much. I am, after all, already promised to another man.”

“You must be joking…” King muttered, his voice colored with genuine disappointment.

“Unfortunately, I’m not,” Minerva replied.

“Do you love him?” King asked after a moment.

“That regards only me, Mr. King,” Minerva answered.

“So you don’t.” King exhaled, leaning back in his chair with visible relief. “What a relief.”

Minerva was taken aback at his answer.

Her honesty had been telling, at least from King’s perspective. The engagement was clearly a matter of politics or obligation, not love.

“Then I still have my chances,” King said, flashing her a confident smile.

Minerva’s lips parted slightly, as though to respond, but no words came. She was momentarily at a loss, caught off guard by his bold assurance.

“Sister?”

A voice suddenly rang out from their left, drawing everyone’s attention.

From the inn emerged another striking young woman, her presence captivating King at once. She appeared a year or two younger than Minerva, with pastel-green hair cascading down her back and vivid strawberry red-hued eyes that gleamed like precious stones. She was no less beautiful than Minerva, yet her expression carried a harder edge.

“Diana,” Minerva called softly.

“Wow…” King muttered under his breath, leaning back with an audible sigh of admiration. His gaze lingered unabashedly. “May the gods who created women be blessed for eternity.”

Diana’s expression tightened at his words much like Reynold’s girls. She seemed unimpressed, if not slightly wary.

And what was that mask for?

She shifted her attention toward Minerva. “Do you know him, Sister?”

“Not exactly,” Minerva replied, shaking her head gently. “I just made his acquaintance.”

“You. Stand up.”

The voice came from one of the four guards accompanying Diana. They were well-armed as they approached King.

King turned his gaze lazily toward them. He would have preferred to keep talking with Minerva—and perhaps even her enchanting younger sister—but now wasn’t the time to press his luck.

“My apologies,” King said, rising to his feet. But in the same breath, and to everyone’s astonishment, he reached for Minerva’s cup and took a casual sip.

Regret hit him immediately.

“Ugh!” He coughed violently, his body recoiling as if he had swallowed poison. His dulled taste buds, a lingering side effect of past traumas with Ivan and Adam, couldn’t fully discern the flavor, but the pungent smell hit him like a brick wall in his perfectly functioning nose. It reeked of bitterness, like some vile medicinal concoction. His eyes stung just from the fumes.

“What on earth is this?” He rasped, grimacing as he turned to Minerva. “Miss Minerva, are you trying to kill someone with this?!”

A moment of silence passed, and then—

“Pfff—ahaha!”

Minerva burst into laughter, a sound so genuine it seemed to take everyone by surprise. She covered her mouth in a vain attempt to stifle it, but her shoulders shook, and the laughter bubbled forth. Her radiant smile lit up her face, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause to admire her.

Even Diana, usually composed, looked at her sister in mild astonishment. “Sister…?”

After a few more seconds, Minerva, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, quickly cleared her throat. “Ah, forgive me,” she said, smoothing her expression, though traces of her amusement lingered in her grey eyes.

King, still grimacing from the aftertaste, set the cup down with exaggerated care. Despite his discomfort, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

“Then, farewell, Mr. King,” Minerva said, as she offered a polite smile. She turned gracefully on her heel, her skirt swishing softly as she walked away.

Diana lingered for a moment, shooting King a peculiar, scrutinizing look before following her sister. The guards moved in formation behind them.

King watched them go, his gaze lingering, a small smirk playing on his lips. Then, he strode past Reynold and the other men, who sat frozen, their expressions ranging from shock to admiration.

The tables had turned. Now, the women in the room found themselves captivated by King’s aura. Even Lua, Saya, and Mona, who had been skeptical before, couldn’t help but exchange begrudging glances, silently acknowledging that there was something undeniably compelling about him.

Thankfully they were already head over heels for Reynold and King didn’t consider them as interesting enough.