What am I doing?
This is the same guy who ratted me out to his father. What makes me think he wouldn't do it again?
Maybe this is because of the female lead. According to the novel, Claude doesn't realize he loves her until much later. Or maybe he never realizes it at all. Or maybe I should stop the encounter between him and Landon from ever happening.
"Don't go." I said firmly
He frowned, clearly unimpressed by my request.
"And why not?" he replied, still holding my hand. "What business could a commoner possibly have with me, a Crown Prince?"
He still couldn't see my face properly. Cloaked, hood pulled lowI looked like nothing more than a commoner to him.
"I can see how you die," I blurted out.
The words came out before I could stop them. I just wanted to escape the fate I had seen. I never wanted the kingdom to fall like thatI just didn't know how to prevent it
His frown slowly shifted into a smirk.
"You can… see how I die?" he repeated, voice thick with condescension. "And you want to prevent it?"
He was even more intrigued now, his frown turning into a bigger smirk.
"You can… see how I die? And you want to prevent it?" he repeated, his voice dripping with condescension. "And why should I believe you? You're just a commoner."
What am I doing? This is the same guy who betrayed me and told his father of my evil doings.. What makes me think that wouldn't happen again?
…
Maybe this is because of the female lead. According to the novel, Claude doesn't figure out that he loves her until later.But it's most likely her too bad I couldn't finish the novel. Or maybe I should stop the encounter between him and Landon from ever happening so they must never move.
What should I do? I don't know.
Claude raised an eyebrow, noticing my hesitation.
"Are you going to talk, or just stand there like a fool?" he said impatiently.
I tried my best not to roll my eyes but couldn't help the annoyance in my tone.
"You're really impatient, aren't you," I muttered.
"And rude," he added. "I haven't even caught your name."
"Call me whatever you want."
His lips curved upward. "Very well."
He paused. "Chaos. A fitting name, considering the chaos you've already caused in my head."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you always this charming?" I retorted dryly.
His gaze lingered. "And you, my chaotic friend, have definitely caught my attention."
"You're quite confident," he said coolly. "Talking to royalty like you're my equal."
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't realize royalty was so thin skinned."
His amber eyes narrowed. "And you're quite rude. Don't you know your place?"
"I can see how everything ends. For you. For everyone. And it's tragic" but I can't figure out how to stop it.
I sighed, pulling my cloak tighter. "You won't believe me anyway. Fine. Don't care. Don't change anything."
I turned to leave.
"But when the fire starts," I said, glancing back at him, my voice low, "and the sky turns red… don't say I didn't warn you."
I walked away fast before he could respond.
Behind me is silence.
Then footsteps. Not urgent. Not desperate.
Just… curious.
He was following because something in my voice, real fear, had scratched through that cold royal armor.
But I didn't look back.
Because if he was going to care… it couldn't be because I begged him to.
It had to be his choice.
And maybe, for once, that would change everything.
"When the sky burns," I said, not turning back, "don't come crying to me."
I stepped into the shadows between the trees.
But I could still feel his gaze sharp, unreadable.
And then softly, I heard it.
"…I don't cry."
I smiled faintly.
No. Not yet.
But you will.
"You speak like you've seen everything," he called after me, mocking his voice. "But you don't know me. You don't know what I want. Spare me your warnings, I don't care."
I stopped.
Slowly turned.
His silhouette stood tall beneath the moonlight, hands clasped behind his back like a prince surveying his land untouchable.
"Fine," I said. "Be stubborn. Deny everything."
I stepped closer.
"But when Eliana vanishes," I continued, "and you can't find her, and your world starts cracking from the inside?"
His eyes flickered.
Got him.
"You said I'd cry," he murmured. "Over what? Some girl who disappears?"
I froze.
Wait, he doesn't even know her name yet?
In the vision, the sword through his chest Landon had stepped forward right after Claude screamed for her. The one he loved… or would've loved…
Maybe fate is still shifting.
"I don't know her name," I admitted quietly. "Only that when she's gone… something in you breaks."
He scoffed but too fast. Too sharp.
"My future doesn't depend on anyone," he snapped. "And I won't fall apart over some nobody."
My lips twitched in amusement.
"That's what makes it worse," I whispered, stepping back into the shadows of the nemophila field. "You won't even see it coming."
Before he could reply.
I was gone.
Leaving only moonlight…
and one prince standing very still beneath a sky that he hadn't turned red.
Not yet.