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Ray sat still.
Dying because Lucian chose the female lead, that had always been part of the story. Cruel but predetermined.
But losing foresight, knowledge of what came next?
That wasn't a death written in the margins. It was walking blindfolded into her own execution. Ray's advantage was never love, it was knowing.
What came next, and how to use them to her advantage. And if the system stripped that from her, she wouldn't be the author anymore.
She would just be another character, waiting to fall.
Ray's mind spiralled into an endless stream of panic. Quickly she stood, as the room felt smaller than before.
Almost suffocating.
Her fingers pressed hard into her temples.
Panic wasn't going to solve anything, deep down she knew. But she couldn't stop.
She forced herself to inhale deeply, an attempt to calm herself down.
"Think" she muttered slowly, chest extending in and out.
This was not random. The system did not assign sub-missions without a reason. All this while, getting re-engaged to Lucian was a step closer to creating a worthy ending.
So what was this?
Her gaze suddenly shifted, a faint glint caught her eyes from the desk near the balcony.
Slowly, she moved toward it. A broken pendant laid where she had left it. An arch curved like a crescent moon, with a cross set within it.
She clenched her fist, with the pendant within. She had picked it up in the alley, at the scene of the disappearance.
In her original novel, commoners disappeared all the time.
A missing servant. A butcher's son who never returned home. A beggar vanished.
She had written it that way. Because in this world, such losses were beneath notice.
As long as no one of importance was affected.
A noble went missing. And the capital trembled, search parties were formed. Rumors spread like wildfire. The court whispered.
But commoners? They were only background noise. The system demanded she found the "true cause", then the disappearance was no longer a trivial side drama.
Which meant whatever she wrote wasn't true.
Or worse, some things had begun changing completely, within her story.
And if she failed to uncover it, the system would blind her.
"No," she whispered. She wasn't going to lose control. If the story was shifting, she was going to adapt even faster than it could.
Whatever it was, she would uncover it no matter what.
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The cold night air spilled through the half closed window, carrying the faint scent of rain.
Aleena sat before the mirror, her legs crossed over the other, drawing the brush through her golden hair. Her gaze remained on her reflection, and behind her, her maid humming softly.
"It was quite fortunate the Duke arrived when he did," the girl said lightly. Her finger pressing gently into Aleena's shoulders. "It could have been a disaster."
Aleena remained silent. The brush gently goes through each strand of hair.
The maid continued, "Thank goodness you thought to inform them, my lady."
Aleena brows lifted as her brushing slowed. "Fortunate?" She repeated calmly.
"Of course, my lady," she replied. Aleena resumed brushing "yes" she murmured. "It was quite fortunate indeed."
Aleena remained seated as her maid moved to kneel before her, turning the chair slightly to the side and beginning to massage her feet.
"My lady," the maid said brightly. "The Duke is quite handsome."
Aleena remained silent.
"And the lady he protected… She was extremely beautiful. They looked well suited together."
The room grew cold and quiet.
"He didn't seem like the cold-blooded general the rumors described," the maid continued innocently. "Th way he shielded her…. It was almost romantic. I wonder if they are lovers."
Then the brushing stopped.
Aleena's fingers rested lightly on the armrest. Her expression still, but her gaze changed.
The maid slowly lifted her head, their eyes met and the air grew thick.
"M…my lady?"
Aleena blinked once. Then she smiled. "I just remembered," she said gently. "I have run out of holy water."
The maid swallowed. "Oh.."
"Would you be kind enough to fetch me some?"
"But it's late.."the maid said carefully, a tremor faintly heard in her voice.
Aleena's smile widened. Bright and unreadable.
"I need it."
The maid lowered her head immediately and picked her feet. "Y..yes, my lady." As she walked out the door.
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Thunder split the sky, as rain battered the roof of the abandoned estate, drowning the city in noise.
But not loud enough to mask her sobs.
The viscountess niece strained against the ropes binding her wrist, her breath shaking.
Lighting flashed, illuminating the room just enough for her to see him.
A silhouette, and the blade.
The sound of metal scraped against metal echoed through the darkness.
"What… What do you want from me?"she cried, her voice trembling with every word. "I have done nothing!"
Slow footsteps approached and came to a halt before her.
"I am aware." The man replied calmly. He crouched before her, but still she was unable to see his face.
Covered completely from head to bottom in black. The tip of his blade traced lightly along her cheeks, cold against her trembling skin.
"Do not worry, my dear." His voice was low and unrecognizable. "In due time… you will understand."
Thunder roared again. This time, fear gripped her so tightly she couldn't scream.