Chapter 1: Ike Access

Ike Axus, a character in She Heals the Wounded World.

To put it simply, he’s a minor character.

If my memory is correct, in a story spanning over 300 chapters, he appeared only about three times.

Each time was solely to highlight the character Reyna Roselia.

In the setting, he’s the second son of the Axus Duchy, a noble family in the Astrayia Empire, the story’s backdrop.

He’s been childhood friends with Reyna Roselia, the eldest daughter of the Roselia Duchy.

To be precise, both were used as political tools by their families, but their relationship wasn’t bad.

At least, not until Reyna got entangled with the heroine.

His first appearance was as an honest, knight-aspiring Ike who couldn’t tolerate injustice, stopping Reyna from bullying the heroine.

His second appearance was advising Reyna to let go of her pointless pride.

His third was walking away from an isolated Reyna after the heroine’s true identity was revealed.

His brief backstory was only mentioned in passing during a conversation between the heroine and the Crown Prince, with no further appearances.

In a way, it was the perfect role for a minor character.

Though, given his personality and role, he was surprisingly popular for a side character.

And that Ike Axus was now me.

“You’re really getting engaged to the Crown Prince?”

“Yes.”

Reyna was glaring at me with cold eyes, making me repeat myself several times.

Her demeanor was exactly as described in the novel.

Cold, dignified, and aloof.

I could understand why even her slightest criticism or rebuke felt like bullying to readers.

“The announcement will be at next month’s ball at the imperial palace. You’d have found out naturally if you attended, but since I’ve already mentioned it, I’m telling you in advance.”

“…Is that okay?”

The question slipped out naturally before I could stop it.

“What do you mean?”

Reyna tilted her head, as if wondering what kind of question that was.

“You don’t even know who he is or what he’s like. Are you okay with your future being decided like this?”

If Reyna’s engagement to the Crown Prince goes through, she’ll end up hurt, alone, in the future.

Knowing this, I asked with genuine concern.

Reyna frowned briefly before slowly responding.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Huh?”

“An arranged marriage is a duty for nobles. Of course, second sons or daughters have more leniency, but to maintain a family’s power, it’s natural to marry someone of status. Even my parents were joined through an arranged marriage. That’s just how nobility works.”

“So you’re saying you’re fine with it?”

I wanted to tell her everything.

That she’d end up abandoned, dying alone.

I wanted to make her, who knew nothing, face reality.

“I told you, didn’t I? An arranged marriage is a noble’s duty. Personal feelings don’t matter much.”

But I couldn’t say it.

“Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince is said to be one of the greatest geniuses in the empire’s history. Marrying someone like him is a happy opportunity. It’s what every noble family desires.”

Reyna, saying this, was.

“Well, I think I get what you’re trying to say. Your tone is odd, but you’re probably just worried about me, as always.”

She was smiling, just a little.

The Reyna Roselia I knew wasn’t a character who smiled.

Always cold, dignified, and aloof, like ice.

Even in her side story, she was never depicted smiling.

She wanted happiness more than anyone, but joy was an emotion she wasn’t allowed.

Deep down, she was just an ordinary girl.

Knowing this, her smile felt dazzlingly bright to me.

“Thank you.”

I knew she wasn’t smiling out of genuine happiness.

It was a smile to reassure me, who was worried.

So subtle, almost bitter, it was hard to tell if her lips had even curved.

Yet, it was so radiant and beautiful.

I couldn’t help but be captivated.

They say the one who falls first, who loves more, loses.

If so, I could never win against Reyna.

I’d already fallen for her long ago.

She was the first character I truly connected with while reading, the one who helped me endure my bedridden life.

Yes, she was my reason to keep going.

So now, it’s my turn to repay her.

I remembered how Reyna, as a character, also wished for a world where she could be happy.

If I’m here now, that wish can surely come true.

I’ll create a future where she can be happy.

That was the first goal I set in this world.

The first thing I did after setting my goal was to organize all my knowledge of this world.

It had been years since I read She Heals the Wounded World.

My memories were hazy, with gaps like holes, but that wasn’t a reason to stop.

“The Crown Prince and the heroine aren’t bad people.”

They’re the ones who make Reyna unhappy, but they become the heroes who save the world in the end.

In other words, they’re essential to the story.

Above all, the heroine was one of the few who tried to understand Reyna until the very end.

When everyone condemned and tormented Reyna, she didn’t join in.

There’s no need to oppose her.

“And Ike’s role is to highlight Reyna’s loneliness.”

But like hell I’ll follow that role.

What I want is a future where Reyna can be happy.

If that’s impossible, this world means nothing to me.

“With the knowledge I have, I can…”

As I thought of various approaches, a perfect answer suddenly struck me.

I recalled Reyna’s feelings from her side story.

What she truly wanted was to live happily with someone she loved.

The person she loved was the Crown Prince.

Though it was an arranged marriage, Reyna genuinely loved him.

Then, there’s a simple solution.

The relationship between the Crown Prince and the heroine is significant to the story, but it’s not directly tied to their roles as heroes.

In other words, I need to prevent the breakup of Reyna and the Crown Prince and ensure they stay together.

With my knowledge, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

I know why the Crown Prince falls for the heroine.

“His Highness is making his social debut at the ball next week, right?”

“Yes. Some say it’s too late, but most don’t mind much. There’s a valid reason for it.”

This was my third meeting with Reyna.

We meet every Monday at 8:30 AM.

We talk for about two hours and then part ways.

There’s no set topic; we just chat about anything.

“A valid reason?”

“His Highness has been suffering from mana fever for a long time.”

Come to think of it, there was that setting.

The Crown Prince, a genius among the empire’s best, had an overwhelming amount of innate mana.

His body struggled to adapt to it, leaving him bedridden with high fevers for years, unable to engage in any activities.

“So, an engagement announcement right at his social debut?”

“It’s probably to quell any distrust circulating about His Highness.”

Reyna said this while slowly sipping her tea.

Watching her, I quietly spoke.

“…Since you’re getting engaged, don’t you think you should change a bit?”

“Hm?”

My sudden comment made Reyna set down her teacup and glare at me.

“What do you mean by that?”

Her gaze, demanding an explanation, carried an unmistakable air of intimidation.

True to her title as the Ice Princess.

“That’s exactly what I mean. That.”

But I wasn’t fazed at all.

“You know how people call you, don’t you?”

“…The Ice Princess or something?”

“Yes. You know it’s not exactly a flattering nickname, right? If you’re to become the Crown Princess, wouldn’t it be better to shed that image?”

At my words, Reyna frowned briefly.

But even that couldn’t diminish her beauty.

If anything, it felt like a scene from a painting.

They say a beauty is beautiful no matter what, and it’s true.

“Hmm.”

The Ice Princess Reyna’s aura could feel chillingly cold if misunderstood.

But I could think such bold thoughts in front of her because I knew it wasn’t entirely genuine.

“If you’re to become the Crown Princess, a warmer image among the people would be better.”

“Honestly, I don’t think that’s necessary. The imperial family approached me knowing who I am. There’s no need for me to change.”

Having thought it through, Reyna stated her stance calmly.

“…But you must have a reason for saying that.”

Success.

Everything was going as expected.

It’s been three weeks since I arrived in the world of She Heals the Wounded World.

I spent that time researching for my plans.

And I learned something important.

Reyna is surprisingly soft toward Ike.

She listens more attentively to Ike, even on the same topics.

She prioritizes his suggestions over others.

Above all, Ike is the only one she speaks informally to, including family.

This means, with effort, I can guide Reyna toward the best future.

“Specifically, how should I change?”

“Maybe be a bit friendlier? Don’t always stay expressionless. Yeah, smiling sometimes wouldn’t hurt.”

“It’s my natural personality, but… I’ll try.”

Her innate personality and noble upbringing shaped Reyna into the Ice Princess.

And I believe most of her future loneliness stems from that personality.

If I can change that, even a little, we might avoid the worst outcome.

This conversation stemmed from that idea.

“Shall we call it a day?”

Glancing at the clock, it was already 11:00.

I felt reluctant, but I couldn’t keep Reyna longer.

Unlike me, a relatively free second son of a duchy, she had significant duties as the eldest daughter of a duchy.

“Let’s meet at the palace next week.”

“Alright.”

I began training in swordsmanship and magic, which had become familiar.

In my previous life, I had no connection to exercise, so I was worried, but this body was healthy enough to dispel those concerns effortlessly.

“Phew.”

After training, I immediately opened a book.

Even knowing the future, knowledge was essential.

I only knew the story, not the intricacies of this world.

From the empire’s founding to the current continental territories, the history of the Axus Duchy, and various systems.

I studied everything I thought necessary.

So I could help Reyna instantly if something happened.

That was always my mindset.

If my memory is correct, an incident occurs at the ball where the Crown Prince makes his debut, and that’s when Reyna falls in love.

It’s something that would resolve itself even if I did nothing, but I wanted to eliminate any potential threats completely.

I needed to become stronger and know more.

I couldn’t predict how my presence might change the future.

And time flew by, with the day of the ball fast approaching.