The grand hall of Britannia Palace was crowded with nobles, knights, and royals from every corner of the continent.
John quietly observed the gathering.
Many faces were familiar.
Some had become powerful rulers in the future.
Some had died young.
And some had become his friends.
A smile appeared on John’s face as he spotted several young princes he recognized.
Unlike many of the older nobles, these princes were still carefree and inexperienced.
John spent the next few hours greeting them one by one.
Laughter filled their conversations as they exchanged stories about their journeys.
Eventually, however, John noticed something interesting.
Almost every prince seemed unusually interested in one person.
Princess Elena.
After asking a few questions, he quickly figured out why.
Most of them hadn’t come here entirely by choice.
Their parents had sent them.
Some hoped to create political alliances.
Others hoped for marriage.
And some simply wanted Britannia’s support in the future.
In short—
They wanted to impress Princess Elena.
John nearly laughed.
The situation was so familiar.
In his previous life, many young nobles had tried exactly the same thing.
One prince sighed dramatically.
“I still don’t know how to get her attention.”
Another nodded.
“Neither do I.”
John suddenly spoke.
“I might be able to help.”
Several heads immediately turned toward him.
“You can?”
John nodded confidently.
After all—
Nobody here knew Princess Elena better than him.
At least, the future version of her.
One prince moved closer.
“Tell us.”
John leaned back in his chair.
“Princess Elena loves attention.”
The princes immediately listened carefully.
“Really?”
John nodded.
“Of course.”
Technically, he wasn’t even lying.
Elena enjoyed being admired.
John continued.
“If you want to impress her, spend time with her.”
The princes exchanged hopeful looks.
“Spend time?”
“Yes.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
John nodded seriously.
“Keep her company wherever she goes.”
“Talk to her.”
“Walk with her.”
“Stay near her.”
The princes looked increasingly excited.
“And she’ll be happy?”
John smiled.
“Very happy.”
A few princes immediately stood up.
One of them clenched his fist.
“I knew it!”
Another nodded.
“This changes everything.”
John watched them enthusiastically discuss their plans.
Meanwhile, inside his mind—
He almost felt sorry for Elena.
Almost.
Eventually, the gathering ended.
The princes dispersed throughout the palace.
Most likely searching for opportunities to follow Elena around.
John quietly returned to Sir Carol.
The older knight raised an eyebrow.
“What did you do?”
John smiled.
“Nothing.”
Sir Carol looked unconvinced.
But decided not to ask.
Together, they returned to their assigned rooms.
That evening, John stood beside the window of his room.
The capital lights illuminated the city below.
His expression gradually became serious.
Twenty-four hours.
That was all.
Only twenty-four hours remained before the incident.
The incident that would claim five lives.
The incident that had shaken Britannia.
The incident John intended to stop.
This time—
Nobody was going to die.
Then—
Knock.
Knock.
John turned toward the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
“Your Highness.”
John waited.
The servant continued.
“Princess Elena wishes to meet you.”
A faint smile appeared on John’s face.
“Of course she does.”
The servant looked confused.
John stood up.
“Tell her I’ll be there shortly.”
The servant bowed and left.
After the door closed, John let out a small sigh.
So it begins.
In his previous life, Elena had approached him shortly after he arrived as well.
And every time she wanted something—
She wore the same expression.
The same smile.
The same innocent act.
John straightened his coat.
Then left the room.
Several minutes later, he arrived outside Princess Elena’s chamber.
The servant waiting outside immediately bowed.
“Please enter, Your Highness.”
John nodded.
Then opened the door.
The room was elegant and surprisingly quiet.
A small fireplace burned softly near the wall.
Books filled several shelves.
And at the center of the room—
Princess Elena sat beside a table reading a book.
The moment John entered, she looked up.
Then smiled.
A cute, warm smile.
The exact smile that had once captured his heart.
The exact smile that had later destroyed it.
John’s expression remained calm.
Meanwhile, Elena closed her book and stood up.
“I’m glad you came.”
John politely bowed.
“You asked for me, Princess.”
Elena nodded.
Then gestured toward the empty chair across from her.
“Please sit.”
John obeyed.
As he sat down, he carefully observed her.
And immediately knew.
She wanted something.
The question was—
What?
To be continued…