A Horror Novel’s Supporting Character Wants to Live as a Human

  

It was another ordinary day for Dennis, a junior royal scribe. He had no ambitions for advancement and was content with his role. Dennis was more accustomed to recording minor events in the royal records, such as an increase in the number of horses in the royal stables or repairs to the northern castle walls.

 

Today seemed like another day to record such trivial and peaceful matters.

 

“I, Dennis Frenzelhart, am visiting today to record the title ceremony.”

 

“Today’s scribe. Come this way.”

 

What’s going on here?

 

Dennis looked around bewilderedly as he crossed the grand hall.

 

The surroundings flickered with fiery lights, and the floor was impeccably smooth, without a speck of dust. 

 

Elaborate tapestries adorned the walls, shimmering with jewels and gold dust as he passed by.

 

The gaze of every figure depicted in the paintings was directed toward one place.

 

At the end of that line of sight, there was a single chair.

 

At first glance, it appeared to be a slightly ornate, old chair commonly found in the market. 

 

However, wasn’t that the legendary throne said to have been dedicated by seven sages to commemorate the founding king’s triumph over a fearsome monster of his time?

 

The throne seat, engraved with the seven virtues that a ruler ought to possess, remained intact over time, never breaking or catching fire. It did not burn or waver.

 

Dennis drew a sign in his mind and headed to the guided place.

 

There was a small desk, a bundle of parchment, and a quill pen with ink.

 

The familiar writing instrument that Dennis always used felt somewhat old today.

 

“Wait here.”

 

“Alright. However… I heard there is a title-awarding ceremony today.”

 

“So?”

 

So what?

 

Dennis looked around.

 

The grand hall, usually bustling with activity only during banquets or receptions, was empty except for him.

 

In a typical award ceremony, there would be a carpet for the recipient to walk on or decorations from the recipient’s family.

 

But today, the hall was strangely empty.

 

As if sensing Dennis’s confusion, the elderly chamberlain nodded.

 

“Yes, it’s understandable. It will be different from any award ceremony you have attended so far.”

 

“What do you mean by different?”

 

“Stop! I called you because I was told you were the quietest of the scribes, but it seems you are the most talkative one, aren’t you?”

 

“No, that’s not… I apologize.”

 

Dennis dropped his head, his face turning red.

 

The chamberlain gently dismissed him with a soft tone.

 

“There won’t be much for you to do today. Simply record what you see during the banquet. Then go back and submit it to the archives. It’s not difficult, is it?”

 

“Yes, yes. That’s right. I understand.”

 

Dennis looked at the bundle of parchment in front of him.

 

Presumably, when the awarding ceremony was underway, a priest would come with a long congratulatory speech, give another blessing, recite the oath, and talk about what title he would be given after the oath.

 

Would one bundle of parchment be enough to write down everything? Some people say they could fill up ten pages just with the merits achieved by their family.

 

Oh, come to think of it.

 

“Excuse me, but…”

He raised his head, intending to ask about the family of the recipient of the award ceremony, but the chamberlain had already left the hall.

 

Calling out now wouldn’t make any difference; he probably wouldn’t hear.

 

Dennis just scratched his frustrated head.

 

Well, what can you do if you don’t know the person? Just focus on doing your job diligently.

 

He completed his preparations by untying his bundle of parchment and dipping his pen in ink.

 

As he prepared, the strange discomfort he felt at first seemed to fade a little.

 

Now all that needs to be done is for the hall door to open to announce the start of the ceremony.

 

Just let it be known…

 

That’s all you have to do.

 

The door showed no sign of opening.

 

It was a title award ceremony, and it was a quiet hall without a single ant.

 

Dennis was left alone in the empty hall for about an hour.

 

‘What the hell!’

 

Dennis, who waited for a long time, thought he had fallen into the trap of waiting under the pretext of the award ceremony.

 

It was when Dennis was writing a list of things in his head that could be done if he was fired from his job as the royal scribe.

 

Screech.

 

‘Finally!’

 

The heavy hall door opened, and three people came in.

 

Two people are following behind a young man who appears to have just had his coming-of-age ceremony.

 

One of them was a man with curly brown hair, a tall man with large, kind-looking green eyes.

 

The other was a man with long black hair that reached down to his waist.

 

He was a head taller than the brunette, and even though he was wearing a cape, his sturdy physique and broad shoulders looked quite menacing.

 

The black-haired man had a sword strapped to his waist, but he did not appear to be a very skilled swordsman.

 

Rather, what was amazing was the man’s face.

 

His features were sharp, with thick eyebrows. His skin was unblemished and showed no signs of even minor wounds or scars, despite being completely clean-shaven.

 

The intensity in his eyes, slightly lowered like a hawk’s, didn’t give off a particularly pleasant vibe.

 

However, with a face like that, he would undoubtedly have ladies trailing behind him as soon as he stepped into the square, and young nobles would persistently invite him for a drink.

 

‘He’s quite fearsome-looking.’

 

Dennis gave a one-line evaluation of the knight with black hair and then shifted his gaze to the person standing at the forefront.

 

He seemed to be the youngest among the group and held the highest position, or so it appeared.

 

‘Why does he look like that?’

 

The first thing that caught Dennis’ eyes was the heavy cloak.

 

A thick, heavy cloak, like something worn at a coronation ceremony, was dragging on the floor.

 

Although it was certainly a luxurious item, judging by the fur and decorations, the cloak did not match the person wearing it.

 

The young man had his red hair braided in a classic shape.

 

However, judging from the sweat running down his pale neck and the sound of his heavy breathing, his condition did not seem to be very good.

 

He finally made it to the bottom of the stairs, where the throne was, and struggled to his knees.

 

Dennis glanced sideways at the young man with red hair and smoothed his clothes.

 

Now that the recipients have arrived, it’s time for the king to make an appearance.

 

Dennis gathered his scattered focus and made an effort to adjust his posture, creating the most solemn atmosphere possible.

 

But no one came.

 

Not only was there no sign of the king, but there was also no indication of his arrival.

 

In the suffocating silence, the recipients of the awards remained on their knees before the empty throne.

 

Even Dennis, who was usually indifferent to such matters, felt unnerved by the lack of reception.

 

Just as he was contemplating whether the boy might lose consciousness and collapse due to the complete disappearance of color from his face, the doors to the hall finally opened again.

 

But what came through the door was not the person he was expecting.

 

The person who came in strides jumped up onto the stage without any formality or courtesy.

 

“Y, Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

 

“Just stay seated. I won’t be here for long either.”

 

Dennis’s mouth hung open.

 

Yurick den Menadia, the first in line to the throne, was famous not only for being the sole crown prince but also for being established as the heir after the current king adopted the son of the late king.

 

Why had he appeared here?

 

To attend the award ceremony? Or to convey some other announcement?

 

However, the crown prince’s attire was nothing more than what one would wear for a leisurely stroll, or perhaps even less formal.

 

Crown Prince Yurick casually smiled while covering himself with black silk gloves.

 

“The Sun of the Kingdom is quite busy, you see. So, I came here personally to oversee the award ceremony.”

 

“Your, Your Highness, are you personally overseeing it?”

 

“Please forgive me for not dressing appropriately. I hope you’ll positively accept it, Hartman.”

 

Crown Prince Yurick asked those prostrating below.

 

Dennis was dumbfounded to hear that it was Hartman.

 

‘Is it ‘that’ Hartman that I know?’

 

Hartman, the former Duke, was once a prestigious figure in the noble family of national merit, playing a significant role in the establishment of the Noble Council to restrain royal authority, effectively bending the will of the central aristocracy.

 

Truly a prestigious family among prestigious families, capable of toppling even birds flying in the sky.

 

The family produced outstanding talents in various fields, particularly excelling in theology.

 

However, Hartman’s downfall came just eight years ago.

 

Accused of conspiring with foreign countries to commit treason, Hartman suffered severe misfortune and was on the verge of extinction.

 

Rumors circulated that Hartman’s lineage barely survived, but now it seems to be true.

 

But how did he appear in the royal castle?

 

As Dennis was frozen in astonishment and curiosity, a thin voice emanated from the young man with red hair.

 

“Your Highness, please disregard my attire.”

 

“Yes, I always think highly of that attitude. Even old men who have lived through sixty years and experienced everything find it difficult to approach worldly matters with such indifference.”

 

The crown prince’s tone was cheerful.

 

“Of course, no old man could have endured the hardships that Hartman, only you, have faced.”

 

“I am…”

 

“It must have been truly difficult. Breaking through the encirclement and escaping, defeating a heap of palace soldiers along the way, and even ordering pursuit without hearing the news of the deaths of my seven personal guards. Truly, interesting things always happen when you’re involved.”

 

Dennis didn’t know whether to pick up the pen or not.

 

He should be recording what he heard and saw, but the atmosphere and the content made it impossible to do so.

 

The red-haired young man, called Hartman, bowed his head.

 

“I only ask Your Highness to kindly be lenient.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. Anyway, now that you have come to the capital on your own, isn’t it time to forget everything about the past and just think about the future? Not just for you and me, but for the safety of the country.”

 

“My will is the same as yours.”

 

“Is the same true for your excellent bodyguard and loyal servant?”

 

“There is no servant who does not follow his master.”

 

Crown Prince Yurick looked down at them with a sly smile on his face the whole time.

 

Dennis dared to guess, but it was clearly the black-haired knight who attacked the crown prince’s bodyguard.

 

The crown prince’s gaze towards the knights, besides Hartman, was filled with anticipation and eagerness.

 

“Well, you truly know how to satisfy me. If the pitiful former Duke and Duchess were only half as capable as you, there would have been no problems.”

 

The crown prince, who was constantly mocking Hartman with his smiling face, pulled out the sword from the scabbard on his waist.

 

“Since formalities mean nothing to you, I will proceed with a simple ceremony.”

 

It’s not a fake sword; it’s a real sword award ceremony.

 

Dennis’ hand, which had hastily picked up the pen, stopped.

 

Is it really okay to record such a messy award ceremony?

 

Whether Dennis broke out in a cold sweat or not, Prince Yurick descended the four steps and casually tapped the sword on Hartman’s shoulder with an insincere gesture.

 

“I, Yurick den Menadia, on behalf of Walter den Menadia, the Sun of the Kingdom, grant the title of Duke of Hartman to Arenheit Hartman personally. Oh, and the castle and territory of the former dukedom, as well as members Leandros and Arndt, are being transferred to the new duke, and this is officially announced to the entire kingdom. End.”

 

‘Oh my goodness.’

 

Dennis opened his eyes wide.

 

Not property or soldiers, but a castle that had been empty for only 8 years, and all the residents of the territory must have fled, and only two servants and a lord were sent down?

 

When the crown prince’s sword was sheathed again, Hartman raised his head.

 

“I express infinite gratitude to the Sun of the kingdom and his representative.”

 

“Well, well.”

 

The crown prince smiled as he supported his thick cloak and watched Hartman rise.

 

“You may have a lot of responsibilities, but I believe you will be able to handle them with the amount of work ahead of you. I have no doubt that you will lead faithful days.”

 

If it pleases Your Highness.”

 

“And the management of the territories as well. If there is anything you cannot handle as a newly appointed Duke, consult those around you. That’s the joy of building and developing a territory, isn’t it?”

 

“… I will do so, Crown Prince.”

 

“Try to do it with courage.”

 

Unbeknownst to himself, Dennis furrowed his brows while eavesdropping on the conversation.

 

Isn’t that something a person who killed all of his collateral relatives and in-laws’ cousins with his own hands would say?

 

There was a secret rumor going around that the former Duke of Hartman’s fate was largely due to Crown Prince Yurick’s influence.

 

Hartman, now the duke, answered in a harsh voice.

 

“I will try my best.”

 

“Yes. yes. I hope you will give me good news soon.”

 

Unlike the crown prince, who tapped his shoulder in a friendly way, Hartman’s face was changing by the minute.

 

The face, which seemed not to be in pain, became pale, then slightly yellow, then turned pale again… 

 

“And there is something I want to give you before you leave the capital, if you’re not too busy…”

 

Thud!

 

Hartman, who had been in poor condition since he first entered the hall, eventually broke down in front of the crown prince.

 

Those who were prostrating behind him hurriedly rushed over and looked at the fallen person’s complexion.

 

The sounds of calling him ‘young master’ and ‘Your Grace’ became chaotic.

 

Yurick, still wearing a smiling face, looked down at him and then turned his head towards Dennis.

 

“Scribe, once you have accurately recorded the fact that Duke Hartman has collapsed, then call the attendant and prepare the carriage. It looks like the new duke is quite nervous.”

 

Does he faint from nervousness?

 

It was clear to Dennis that the young duke had not collapsed due to tension.

 

But Dennis, the junior scribe, could only say one thing.

 

“Understood!”

 

* * *

 

He felt like his head was splitting apart.

 

Did I drink too much yesterday? This is why they say you should stop drinking as you get older.

 

Everything feels shaky, and he doesn’t feel well.

 

Moreover, today he didn’t hear the alarm bell that rings every morning.

 

He has to go to work. Go to work.

 

What time is it?

 

He forced his heavy eyelids open.

 

The bright morning sunlight comes in, and the refreshing sound of birds chirps… 

 

…Chirp?

 

His house is in a semi-basement in Seoul.

 

“Ah, you’ve finally woken up. How are you feeling, young master?”

 

What? Who is this?

 

Suddenly, an unfamiliar person appeared and smiled at him as if relieved.

 

Inside the cramped space, there were bench seats attached on both sides, and his body was constantly shaking.

 

A cool breeze was blowing in through the opening.

 

What is this?

 

Where am I…?