The cold stone corridors of the palace echoed with Li Na's footsteps as she made her way to the Duke's private chambers. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming night jasmines from the royal gardens.
Her mind raced. The System's warnings looped in her head: No romantic feelings. Gain the Duke's favor. Survive.
She was a villainess trapped in her own story—only now, survival meant mastering a delicate dance of politics, power, and peril.
---
Kaelrith's chambers were vast and sparse—dark wood paneling, a single flickering candle on the desk, and the ever-present shadow of the Duke himself.
He stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the moonlit sky.
"You came," he said without turning.
Li Na held her breath. "You summoned me."
He finally turned, eyes cool and unreadable. "There's unrest in the northern provinces. Rebels gather, threatening the Empire's fragile peace."
She nodded slowly. "Yes, I know. The rebellion is part of the game's original storyline. It ends with your forces crushing them."
Kaelrith's lips twitched. "You know the story well. Yet you ask to rewrite your fate. Why?"
Li Na met his gaze. "Because dying on the scaffold is not an option. I want a different ending. For both of us."
For a moment, the coldness in his eyes softened—just a fraction.
---
Suddenly, the door burst open. A young soldier stepped in, bowing swiftly.
"My Duke, the rebels have attacked a nearby village. Civilians are in danger."
Kaelrith's expression hardened. "Prepare the troops. We leave at dawn."
He turned back to Li Na. "You will come with us."
Her heart leapt. "I'm not a warrior."
"Then learn. If you want to survive, you must face the fire."
---
The next morning, the first light bathed the camp in muted gold. Soldiers trained with swords, arrows, and magic. Li Na watched, nervous but determined.
A grizzled captain approached. "Lady Seraphina, if you're to survive, you'll need to prove yourself."
He handed her a wooden practice sword. "First lesson: defense."
Hands trembling, she gripped the sword. The camp suddenly felt enormous and threatening.
Kaelrith watched silently from a distance, his presence both daunting and oddly reassuring.
---
As the day wore on, Li Na stumbled, fell, and rose again. The soldiers' jeers were sharp, but she refused to quit.
At sunset, Kaelrith approached. "Not bad for a noblewoman."
She looked up, sweat dripping down her brow. "I'm not here to impress you."
His eyes glinted. "Good. Impress me too much, and you risk losing yourself."
Li Na frowned. "What do you mean?"
Kaelrith's voice lowered. "In this game, power corrupts. Trust no one—not even yourself."
---
That night, Li Na lay awake, muscles aching, mind racing.
The System's voice echoed softly:
> Mission Update: Survived first trial. Favorability with Duke Kaelrith increased to 12.
Warning: Emotional attachment risk rising.
She bit her lip.
No romantic feelings, she reminded herself. But how do you keep your heart locked when every moment with him feels like the edge of a blade?
The next day would bring new challenges—and maybe new secrets.