> System Alert: Heroine Route Integrity - 92% Unstable Variables Detected: Seraphine Noir Suggested Solution: Insert Conflict. Injecting Drama…
---
When Seraphine arrived at the council chamber the next morning, it felt like walking into a warzone where the bullets were made of manners and backhanded compliments. The Heroine's presence had rippled through the palace like perfume in a powder keg—sweet, dangerous, and everywhere.
"Lady Seraphine," Aria said, dipping into a graceful bow. "I'm honored to meet you properly."
Seraphine gave a tight smile. "I doubt that."
A beat of silence.
Aria blinked, then laughed nervously. "You're very funny, my lady."
"I'm many things," Seraphine replied, brushing past her. "Funny isn't one of them."
---
Chess Pieces Shift
Around the polished obsidian table, the royal advisors discussed trade, defense, and marriage alliances. Aria sat as an "observer," though her chair was oddly close to Caelan's. Too close.
Lysander, seated across from Seraphine, subtly nudged a tea tray toward her. Their eyes met. Silent communication.
She sipped. He smirked. Aria looked between them, puzzled.
Caelan, however, remained focused on the scroll before him—until the council elder suggested something outrageous.
"With Lady Seraphine's engagement to the Crown Prince still pending, perhaps it's time to finalize the date."
Everyone turned.
Caelan froze.
Seraphine inhaled slowly, then smiled. "Your Grace, if the prince still intends to go through with the engagement, I'd be... delighted."
She looked at Caelan. Dared him.
He looked at Aria. Then at Seraphine. Then away.
"We will need more time to consider," he said.
Boom.
> System Alert: Engagement Flag - Rejected. Affection Drop - Seraphine -10. New Affection Event Unlocked: "Rivalry Intensifies."
Seraphine placed her teacup down with perfect calm.
"Of course," she said. "Take all the time you need."
---
Burning the Script
She stormed into her room and immediately ripped off her gloves. The System pinged her repeatedly, offering side quests, romantic recovery routes, and bonus DLCs.
"I don't want a recovery route," she hissed. "I want to delete the damn prince."
> System Note: Deletion of Primary Love Interest not permitted. Consider: Side Quest with Duke?
"Consider shoving that idea up your interface."
Her door creaked open. Lysander stepped in, carrying a single white rose.
"Congratulations," he said dryly. "You survived."
She glared. "Barely."
He placed the rose in a vase beside her bed. "You realize he hesitated because of her."
"Of course. The moment he looked away was the moment I knew."
Lysander took her gloved hand. "So stop waiting for him to look back."
Her eyes met his. Something shifted.
> New Route Hint: Duke Lysander - Potential Primary Path
---
Meanwhile, with Aria
> Heroine Private Thoughts - Aria Lindell
I didn't mean to cause problems. I only wanted to learn. But Lady Seraphine looked like her heart cracked in half. Am I... am I ruining her story?
She sat in the garden, scribbling in her notebook. Caelan appeared beside her.
"You look troubled," he said.
"Am I the villain in her story?" Aria asked softly.
He hesitated.
"No," he replied. "You're the heroine."
But the way he said it made Aria shiver.
---
Evening Reflections
Seraphine stood alone in the palace balcony, watching the stars flicker like broken pixels. Behind her, the story was resetting. Characters aligning. Flags falling.
But she wasn't the same.
She wasn't afraid to burn it all now.
"Let the game play itself," she murmured.
She turned away.
And walked into the unknown.
---
END OF CHAPTER