I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 1

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 1

On the debutante day that all young ladies eagerly await, just as the banquet atmosphere was ripening with many nobles dancing and drinking champagne.

“I like you!”

There was a brave soul who confessed right after finishing her debutante.

“You are my perfect ideal type!”

That was me, Ponia Harbel.

Of course, I immediately hung my head low in embarrassment.

My long, flowing crimson hair barely covered my reddened cheeks.

“Do you know me?”

At the low but warm voice, Ponia raised her head. A man’s face came into view.

Of course I know you.

Always neatly groomed dark blue hair, bright sky-blue eyes that contrasted with his dark hair color, lips curved in a gentle smile, and impeccably neat attire without a single flaw.

It was indeed Sionel Devonham, whom she knew.

“You’re Lord Devonham.”

“I don’t know Yeong-ae.”

Only then did Ponia realize that she had blurted out a confession without even introducing herself first.

“Ponia! Ahem… I’m Ponia Harbel.”

But how could anyone not get excited? Having my ultimate favorite from the novel—my current crush—right in front of me!

At sixteen, in the winter, Ponia woke up from sleeping in late and realized the truth about the world.

That she had been reincarnated into the novel “I Want a Happy Ending.”

“I don’t understand. There’s no reason for Young-ae, whom I met for the first time today, to like me.”

No reason? What kind of nonsense is that!

The most gentle male lead in the universe, Sionel Debenham.

Humility that remains intact despite his high position, uprightness that knows no injustice, devotion focused solely on the female lead, consideration that never forces his feelings upon others, and so on.

Readers praised him as a rare example of a true male lead, noting how he differed from other male protagonists who showed ruined personalities except when it came to their women.

She was one of them too.

There are just so many reasons to love it, you know?

Of course, at first it was just pure fan devotion as a reader. The wonder of living in the same world as my favorite character was stronger.

But my bias, observed from afar, was more than I expected….

‘Even cooler! You’re the best!’

“Pardon?”

“Yes?”

“Please just stay like this….”

Sionel was puzzled by Ponia’s incomprehensible words but didn’t let it show.

“I’m 17.”

“I finished it today.”

Even Sionel, who had been maintaining his composure, couldn’t manage his expression this time.

Sionel, who had opened his mouth to say something, quickly closed it again.

It seemed like he was swallowing a sigh, but that must be my imagination, right?

“I cannot consider your confession, my lady.”

“You are still young. At 17, you’re around the same age as my younger sibling.”

“Just now.”

His firmly cutting voice was cold, but ironically, Ponia fell for him once again at that moment.

A man who cares about age in this era where people marry at 16 once they’ve had their debutante – how traditional!

What exactly are his flaws?

“Then how about a 17-year-old who’s like 24?”

Ponia took a bold step closer to him.

“…My lady?”

“Then how about a 17-year-old who seems like they’re 24?”

Ponia took a big step toward him.

“…Young-ae?”

“I was wondering if you like older women. I can play that role for you.”

‘If we’re talking about past lives, I’m actually the older one.’

Instead, Sionel hesitated and stepped back at the more aggressive momentum.

“I can really accommodate everything, you know?”

“….”

“I’m more mature than I look.”

“….”

“I think more deeply than other young ladies my age. Once, after talking with my grandmother, she even suspected I might be grandfather’s reincarnation.”

“….”

“To say a bit more, I just left because the young ladies I was with didn’t match my level….”

“Pfft!”

In the middle of her serious speech, laughter burst out.

Sionel belatedly covered his mouth.

“I apologize, my lady. Please don’t misunderstand. Your joke was amusing, so I couldn’t help but laugh for a moment.”

It wasn’t a joke but all true, but if the male lead says it’s a joke, then it must be a joke.

“You seem like a cheerful person, my lady.”

“So have you developed feelings for me?”

“No. Your confession still leaves no room for consideration.”

His rejection was sharp as a blade. She should have just watched his smiling face a bit longer.

“It’s not that I dislike you, my lady. Even I, seeing you for the first time, can tell that you’re attractive.”

“….”

“However, I still have many things to do, and I’m not ready to harbor other emotions. I would only hurt you, my lady.”

“….”

“Please understand.”

Could each word containing rejection really feel this sweet?

Honestly, to the point where other young ladies who would be rejected in the future would be jealous.

Ponia’s response to his words filled with kindness was already decided.

“Yes….”

“How good you are.”

A hand at least twice the size of Ponia’s approached. He carefully arranged her red hair that had been tousled by the wind.

Ponia’s cheeks flushed red.

“…Am I good?”

“Very good.”

It was clearly a tone treating her like a little sister, and she knew that fact too, but she couldn’t stop her mouth from moving on its own.

“Then when can I confess again for you to consider it?”

“….”

“Just consider it! How many years must pass for me to reach an age that’s not young, and for you to be ready to harbor emotions?”

No one would blame him for ignoring a young lady who was being clingy without knowing her place, but our male lead never overlooked Ponia, who was now becoming almost unreasonable.

“Three years… or so. I couldn’t keep seeing you as just a child forever. That’s my current age too…. By then, I would have inherited the title as well.”

“Title inheritance….”

The novel didn’t cover the male lead’s past well. It only showed very fragmentary flashbacks.

Three years. As far as she knew, around that time Sionel would….

“My lady?”

The worried expression was brief, and Ponia soon smiled brightly.

“Great! I’ll confess again in three years!”

At her spirited, resounding cry and determined face like a knight charging through battlefields, Sionel burst into laughter once more.

“I look forward to that time.”

Thus, Ponia’s confession came to an end with sweet memories.

Until then, Ponia would have had no idea what lay ahead for her.

.

.

.

“Aaah!”

It was the moment she entered the cabin. Her body was instantly dragged, and with tremendous force, Ponia was slammed to the floor.

“Ugh….”

Only groans of pain escaped through her teeth. But she wasn’t given time to catch her breath.

A large hand approached and mercilessly gripped her throat.

“Gah! Gugh….”

“Who are you.”

A cold voice rang in her ears.

“Who sent you.”

“Gugh….”

“Answer me.”

How could she answer when he was choking her!

Ponia clawed at the assailant’s hand and struggled to open her eyes, but the room was too dark to even see her opponent’s face.

Whoooosh.

It was then that a cool breeze stirred the curtains.

Moonlight streaming through the window illuminated both Ponia and the intruder.

“…!”

Ponia’s face turned pale with shock as she confirmed the identity of her opponent.

Beautiful dark blue hair that gleamed even in the pale moonlight, sky-blue eyes that once looked at her so transparently, gentle hands that used to tidy her disheveled hair, his upright demeanor.

A fragment of the past collided with the present.

“Si, Sio….”

Three years after confessing to Sionel. Ponia had reunited with her beloved ideal type whom she had adored so much. And in a completely unexpected way at that.

Yes, truly unexpected indeed.

Three years ago, the man who had become her beautiful first love, who would have thought.

“Do you want to die?”

That he would be completely corrupted and threatening to kill her.

What is this…. Give me back my gentle male lead!

* * *

So then, how did I end up in this insane situation where my first love is trying to kill me?

I just need to turn back time a little.

To when, you ask?

“We’re bankrupt.”

Yes, to this moment.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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