[System Alert: Romantic Path "The Crown's Protection" Active.]
Kaelion's behavior toward you will begin to shift based on emotional decisions, not logic.
Warning: This may lead to unexpected consequences.
The Next Day — Private Royal Study
Selene didn't knock.
She never needed permission anymore.
Kaelion looked up from his desk, golden eyes cold — but not unreadable.
"You could've been caught."
Selene strolled in, dropped the scroll on his desk. "But I wasn't."
He stared at the red seal. His brow furrowed.
"You stole this."
"I recovered it."
"You disobeyed every law of the court—"
She stepped forward. "And you hid mine."
He stopped.
For a long second, neither spoke.
Then, Kaelion slowly rose to his feet, towering over her. "Why are you doing this?"
Her voice was low, sharp. "Because no one else ever did."
[System Alert: Emotional Confrontation Triggered. Kaelion's Affection: +18 → +24.]
His expression cracked — just slightly.
"I told myself," he said, "that executing you would end the war."
"And now?" Selene whispered.
His jaw clenched. "Now I can't stop dreaming about what you said right before you died."
Silence.
Electric. Dangerous. Close.
[System Notification: Bond Path Strengthening. Decision Triggered: Kiss or Pull Away?]
Selene stepped back. "Not yet."
His eyes darkened.
Later That Night — Selene's Room
The system pinged.
[New Quest: Marienne has begun suspecting your movements.]
Objective: Create a diversion strong enough to destroy her public reputation for 48 hours.
Reward: Political Espionage Lv. 2, Bonus: "Royal Influence" System Branch Unlocked.
Selene's fingers hovered over the system screen.
Royal Influence.
That was supposed to be locked until she became queen…
[Warning: Someone has tampered with your timeline.]
Probability: 86%.
Suspected Interference Source: Unknown… or Lucien.
Her heart dropped.
[System Alert: Chapter 12 — "The Betrayal of a Shadow" begins next.]
Selene turned slowly to the window… and saw Lucien watching her from the rooftop across the courtyard.
Smiling.
Holding the matching red scroll.