Exiled Prince: I'm the Unexpected Extra in the Novel

After leaving Fredrinn's room, I found a solitary bench in the city and lost myself in thought.

The consequences of the massacre I'd committed yesterday, the Imperial Family's unexpected move, and the mysterious purpose underlying it all...

Each thought was a new piece in the vast puzzle forming in my mind.

And the picture that emerged as they connected was one I did not like at all.

Destiny had been altered.

This was an undeniable truth.

In the original timeline, the Imperial Family had absolutely nothing to do with the Fairy Forests or the primordial fairies.

Their involvement was like a domino being pushed in the wrong direction, an act that could plunge the entire future into unpredictable chaos.

There could be only one explanation for this change.

Another reincarnator was involved.

I knew I wasn't the only one who knew the bitter truths of this world. But until now, my path had somehow always crossed with other reincarnators.

First, there was Dr. Aris with his depraved experiments that pushed the limits of humanity...

Then, that arrogant, silver-haired bastard from the Obsidian Dawn who fancied himself a god...

And now, this mysterious new player hiding in the shadows of the Imperial Family...

I had no idea how many others had been reborn into this world, into this tragic scenario.

But I was certain of one thing: if I didn't hurry, if I didn't bend fate to my own will, things could spiral in a completely different, far more dangerous direction for me.

Time was working against me. I had to accelerate my plans.

'Tomorrow,' I thought to myself, 'tomorrow I must speak with Fredrinn and begin preparations for the next ruin.'

As dusk settled over Veythral, I shook myself from my thoughts and returned to my room at the inn.

As I stepped through the door, I found the fairy girl sitting by the window, her small hand pressed against the cold glass as she watched the night outside.

When she noticed my entry, she flew up from her spot and, after a moment's hesitation, came and wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, just as she had the day before.

I didn't mind these unexpected embraces.

On the contrary, they seemed to awaken a long-dormant part deep within my soul.

But I still hadn't decided what to do with this girl. It wasn't good for her to become so attached to me, so quickly and so deeply.

My path was paved with blood and tears.

Dragging her along it would be like planting a flower in the heart of a storm.

I glanced around the gloomy room and spoke.

"You've been cooped up indoors long enough. How about a little walk outside? A little flight would do us both some good."

The moment the words left my lips, I changed my form.

In the blink of an eye, my body shrank, becoming nearly the size of the fairy girl.

A pair of fairy wings, similar to her delicate ones but shimmering as if made of pure light, emerged from my back.

With my snow-white hair and blood-red eyes, I now floated in the air before her.

I could feel Nivelle's astonished gaze upon me.

I smiled.

"Surprised by the change in my appearance, aren't you? This is a special ability of mine. I can take on any form I wish. Quite useful."

I drifted towards her.

"We've been in this room long enough. Come on, let's explore the city."

I took Nivelle's tiny hand in mine, and together we flew out the open window, into the night sky of Veythral.

The cool evening air was a pleasant touch against our tiny bodies. The full moon that had appeared in the sky illuminated the dark night with a silvery light, while the countless stars around us adorned the sky like a jewelry box.

For the first time since I'd found her, a truly peaceful expression appeared on Nivelle's face. A faint smile played on her lips.

She was beginning to remember what freedom felt like.

After soaring through the air for a while, we landed on the roof of one of the city's tallest buildings and sat down. Below, the city lights twinkled like fireflies.

I turned to the little girl, who was observing her surroundings with curious eyes.

"Do you have a name?"

The girl looked at me. She seemed more at ease by my side now.

"Nivelle," she said, her voice like a whisper. "My name is Nivelle."

"Nivelle... It's a beautiful name... though not quite as good as mine," I said, trying to cheer her up a bit. "By the way, my name is Cassian."

The fairy girl murmured, "Cassian..." as if trying to commit the word to memory.

After sitting in silence for a while, I spoke again.

"I'm not asking to pressure you or demand answers, but... can you tell me about yourself and your family? Why did the Elves abandon your race? What happened to your family? And... why do you call me 'brother'?"

With my questions, the momentary cloud of peace seemed to dissipate. The fairy girl bowed her head.

She wrapped her arms around her legs where she sat. Her small body seemed even smaller than before.

Understanding the situation, I let it go. I didn't press further.

When she was ready, she would tell me herself.

But after a few minutes of silence, Nivelle began to speak without lifting her head.

"Our family... it wasn't very large. In the forest where we lived, there were only about 200 fairies in total. Our mother had died decades before we were born..."

This statement struck me as odd at first. But then I remembered: fairies didn't reproduce through pregnancy like humans. They came into existence from a magical sphere formed from their mother's and father's mana, which grew for decades, sometimes even centuries.

"...our father was imprisoned by the High Elves shortly after I was born. I don't know what condition he's in even now. And you... brother... you suddenly disappeared one day. You left behind only a single message: 'I will get our father back and find a way to make our people happy, just as they were in the old ages.' But you... you never came back either."

With every word, Nivelle's eyes filled with more tears, her voice trembling more.

"And what was the High Elves' reason for doing this?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

"Yggdrasil... The sacred tree of the Elves. It was severely wounded by the first Demon Lord in the past. Even today, the tree is dying day by day, withering away. To stop this, the Elves decided to use us fairies. They dedicated our lives as sacrifices for the sacred tree. They believe our life energy delays the tree's demise."

"I see..." I whispered.

This was a detail different from the history I knew. Another altered piece of destiny...

I turned to Nivelle and asked the hardest question.

"You know... I'm not your real brother, don't you?"

The fairy girl stammered, pain lacing her voice.

"I know... You... you're not the same person. You carry my brother's mana, but at the same time, a much different, much darker mana radiates from you. At first, when I saw you in that cage, I really thought you were my brother. But then... when I saw the massacre you committed, I was so scared of you. But... you were kind to me. You're trying to protect me. I realized that. Just like... just like my brother."

Thoughts raced through my mind.

Initially, I had considered leaving Nivelle in a safe place, perhaps helping her return to her family.

But she no longer had anyone to call family. She didn't even have a place to return to.

The safest place for her, ironically, was by my side for now.

I placed my hand on Nivelle's vibrant green hair and stroked it gently. It was something Duchess Seraphina used to do to comfort me in my darkest moments. I don't know why, but I thought it might make her feel better.

Nivelle lifted her head and looked at me with wet eyes and a runny nose.

That innocent, pain-filled gaze made my heart ache.

"You... you won't leave me alone again, will you... brother?"

I didn't know what to say. I couldn't give her a clear answer.

No, I didn't want to leave her. I truly felt like she was my sister. I wanted her to stay with me, to be happy.

But I had so much I needed to do. And I didn't even know if I would manage to survive on this bloody path.

But in that moment, I set my logic aside.

I decided to tell Nivelle what she wanted to hear.

"I promise," I said, the determination in my voice surprising even myself. "Your brother will never leave you alone again."

I pressed her small, weeping head against my chest.

In that moment, on the rooftop, under the glittering stars, I had taken on a new responsibility, a new purpose.