"You've got to be kidding me," Gabriella mumbled while peeking at the man who was sitting at a round table with her brother. Gabriella was hiding behind the wall while staring at Evan, the Duke of Chavez. "No way, is he really the Duke?"

Gabriella mumbled while she covered her mouth in shock. Hair as white as snow and a face as cold as winter was the basic description of the Duke of Chavez.

If the author of the novel 'You Shall Pay' mentioned that mana can keep a person looking younger, she wouldn't be this surprised! Who would have thought that the big villain looked so young and handsome?

"So, he wasn't kidding when he said he's 44?" Gabriella mumbled while slapping her cheeks. "I'm so stupid, why I didn't know the basic principles of magic? Good thing that I didn't speak badly about him when I was talking with him that day."

Today, Gabriella realized that the person that she talked with in front of the gate of Ibanez Kingdom, was actually the Duke! Maria Eleonor's father! Because of this, Gabriella doesn't know if she could face Evan ever again.

I'm already an old woman but how could I be so stupid?

"Pardon my sister's behavior, she's not used to talking to people like you," Gabriel suddenly mumbled before glancing in Gabriella's direction. "She's usually not like this, she's just..."

"Stop talking will you?!" Gabriella shouted with a frown. "I'm just shocked, okay? Just shocked! I didn't know that the Duke would actually look younger, and recently----- Woah! Woah! Calm down, sir Knight!"

Gabriella shouted when a chocolate-haired knight suddenly stanced himself as if he was ready to pull out his sword. Fortunately, the Duke quickly motioned his hand to stop the knight.

"Allan, that's enough," The Duke warned him.

"That Woman is being disrespectful. Do not forget that His Grace is still the Great Duke of Chavez, you are not in the position to disrespect the Duke!"

BLAGG--

My eyes went to Gabriel who had an obvious frown on his forehead. He glared at the Chocolate-haired knight as he clenched his fist. "If this is how you are going to treat us, I better leave with my sister."

"Gabriel---"

"I apologize for my Knight's behavior," The Duke spoke. Contrary to his words, his expression didn't seem to be apologetic either, but it was enough to calm Gabriel. The Duke coldly glanced at his Knight. "Get out of here, Allan."

"But Your Grace--"

"Leave," The Duke told him.

Allan, who heard the order of his master chose to obey. He left the office with a dejected face.

Gabriella who saw the Knight's reaction shrugged her shoulders before glancing at her Brother. "You are truly troublesome," Gabriel mouthed at her.

Gabriella showed him a peace sign before sitting beside her brother.

To change the atmosphere of the room, Gabriel decided to start the discussion with the Duke. Gabriella listens carefully to the conversation between the Duke and his Brother.

As soon as they touched on the topic of rebellion, the atmosphere became heavier.

But for some reason, Gabriella couldn't focus, nor she could talk.

...

.....

Because the Duke was intently staring at her.

••••••••••

Gabriella took a deep sigh while reflecting on her uncanny behavior towards the Duke at the Gates of Ibanez Kingdom. She's shameless but she also knows how to be embarrassed.

Gabriella rested her chin on the veranda of her room. She and her brother were currently staying at the Duke's manor as his guest.

Her brows frowned when her thoughts went to the topic of rebellion. Months from now, the rebellion against Ayan will start, she knew that they would succeed in taking the crown from that man, but she couldn't help but to worry.

Ayan... The King who tried to covet and kill the Original Gabriella from 'You Shall Pay'.

The person who is meant to kill her brother...

The person who ruined her parents...

The person who caused much misery to her mother...

The hateful Ayan whom she wanted to kill so much.

Gabriella's eyes went to the Medallion on her hand. She gripped it tightly before returning her gaze to the clear sky.

"I have the advantage because I know the plot," Gabriella mumbled to herself. "I will make sure that Ayan will be dethroned... Just like in the novel."

Gabriela placed the Medallion in her pocket. She was about to go back to her room until she noticed the figure of a man below the veranda.

Her eyes went wide when the man raised his head to glance at her. She quickly recognized him as soon as she met his gaze.

The Final Villain of the story, Duke Evan Chavez.

The Duke stared at her for a while. Meanwhile, Gabriela couldn't take her gaze away out of surprise.

It was very awkward.

Damn, awkward...

Gabriela couldn't pull her eyes away out of awkwardness, but it wasn't the same thing for the Duke.

The way he looks at her is very different...

He looks curious and amused...

"Hahaha..." Gabriela laughed awkwardly before waving her hand at the Duke. "Hello, Your Grace."

Evan raised his brows, he slowly raised his hand, and awkwardly waved back to Gabriella.

"Hello," He mumbled.

Gabriella stared at him for a while.

He's copying her.

••••••••••••

After months of preparation, the rebellion was finally about to start.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to participate in the battle because I was not gifted in mana or physical strength. However, I was given an important task.

And that is to protect Cheska, the lover of Prince Ian and the Female Protagonist of this world.

I quietly stared at Princess Cheska who was staring blankly at the window. Her hand was placed on her stomach, quietly rubbing it.

The true Protagonist of this world.

She lost her baby.

I can't imagine the pain that she going through right now. The fact that her lover is also out there, trying to sacrifice his life in order to dethrone his tyrant father, is probably taking a toll on her emotional and psychological state.

Being the Female Protagonist is not all sunshine and rainbows...

"The baby's name is supposed to be Yohan..." The Female Protagonist suddenly mumbled before looking in my direction. "It was a good name, right? Although I didn't meet my baby, I know that he will be a boy."

I remained silent for a moment.

She was talking about her unborn baby...

The baby that Maria Eleonor accidentally killed.

"Yes, it was such a beautiful name," I mumbled with a reassuring smile. "Your Highness, I know that you are in pain right now, but let me assure you that everything will be alright."

Cheska glanced at me. A tear fell from her eye.

"Will that bring my baby back?"

The smile on my face disappeared when I remembered my guilt.

I could've done something to at least change the plot. But perhaps I was scared, or perhaps I was just too selfish to prioritize myself and my family over other people...

It's because unlike me and my brother...

These characters are meant to live, they are meant to have a happy ending...

It's because they are the protagonist.

But there is one thing that I overlooked...

"If this world is a book, I'd rather live like side character," Cheska mumbled with a sad smile on her face.

It was as if that she was aware.

"If that is the cost of saving my child... Then I'd rather let somebody to take my role."

•••••••••••

Hai hai, I'm back, I guess?

Ackk sorry for not updating for so long. Aish, I don't even know if this chapter is good ack--

I still have two drafts for my next chapters, and I will publish them if you know... I had the strength to be not lazy.