Despite all my complaints, I still shoved the paperwork aside, letting it pile up even higher, so I could go carry out the mission.
I didn't want to die here. I wanted to go back to my world. So I had to complete the task.
I headed straight to the greenhouse, not far from the administrative building, maybe another ten minutes on foot.
Forty minutes left.
"Stand guard outside. No one enters without my permission."
That was my order to Drake when we arrived at the greenhouse. He didn't reply, just stood there, dutiful and silent as always.
I wondered if he knew that his darling little lover was busy cuddling another man inside.
And if he did… what kind of face would he make?
Now that, I was dying to see.
The greenhouse was vast, a sea of green under filtered light. The sound of trickling water and chirping birds created the perfect romantic setting for an illicit rendezvous.
Didn't take long to spot them. Right in the center, by a large pond, Cassian was holding Aurora close and whispering sweet nothings in her ear.
Ugh, I hated to interrupt this picture-perfect scene, but the system didn't give me a choice.
I cleared my throat, preparing myself to play the villainess, and marched straight toward them.
Cassian's eyes darted up, sharp, alert, and hostile. He instantly tightened his hold on Aurora, shielding his precious little lover.
I couldn't help but let out a short, derisive laugh.
A crown prince reduced to the plaything of a future enemy, shielding some no-name maidservant?
From a player's perspective, it was tragically romantic.
But right now? It was just pathetic.
Let's get this over with.
"Well, aren't we having fun?" I said, stopping a short distance away with arms folded. "Mind if I join in?"
"Y-Your Highness!" Aurora gasped, startled, but curtsied perfectly, still managing to keep her manners. Smart girl.
"Davina." Cassian hissed my name through gritted teeth, pulling Aurora behind him to hide her from view.
"Oh? You look rather well, Aurora."
She did look pale and weary, understandable, after being locked up and starved for days thanks to Davina. Cassian must've been devastated.
Pink curls, flawless ivory skin, eyes that sparkled like enchanted amethysts.
Aurora Elizalde—the main heroine of this twisted game I now lived in. The very girl I used to play.
"Don't touch her." Cassian snarled, practically seething.
If looks could kill, I'd be a porcupine right now.
I shrugged, completely unfazed.
"And if I do?" I asked, with a smirk that taunted him.
He stayed silent. Because the truth was, he couldn't do a damn thing. Not right now, anyway.
"Please, don't punish Cassian, Your Highness." Aurora stepped out from behind him, her eyes shimmering with tears. "It's my fault. I was the one who asked him to come."
Not surprised. That was just how she was written, no helpless damsel, but cunning underneath the innocence.
Originally, Aurora had been Davina's personal maid. That's how she got close enough to seduce all the male leads.
Ah, right. That must've been why Davina kept no other women around. How did I forget such a key detail?
"No, Aurora." Cassian said, gently pulling her back. "You've done nothing wrong."
"Please, Cassian… don't anger the princess." Aurora clutched his hand, pleading.
Listen, I didn't come here to watch a soap opera. Let's cut the act.
I turned and sat down on the stone bench nearby, letting the system's countdown window tick away in the corner of my vision.
Now, how do I plant a seed of doubt strong enough to rot their bond from the inside?
Ah, got it.
I crossed my legs, rested my elbow on my knee, and propped my chin up on the back of my hand with a sly smile.
"Let me tell you a fun little story, Aurora."
Cassian's brows pinched together, sensing the danger in my voice.
Aurora turned to me, the faintest hairline crack of suspicion starting to form.
"That night you fainted over and over in the dungeon—"
"Davina!"
Cassian snapped, cutting me off.
Oh, he knew exactly what I was about to say.
That night, when he willingly slept with Davina to save Aurora's life. The night I got dragged into this world.
I was going to use that moment to drive a wedge between them. And maybe… as payback for how he manhandled me that night.
Sorry-not-sorry. I'm petty like that.
"What… what do you mean, Your Highness?" Aurora tried to break free from Cassian's grip, staring at me in confusion.
He abruptly covered her ears, refusing to let her hear another word.
"It's nothing, Aurora. Don't listen to her lies."
"If it's a lie, why are you so scared, Cassian?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
His jaw clenched so tight I could hear his teeth grinding.
Aurora watched us, clearly sensing there was something more.
"Cassian… what happened that night?" she asked, her voice trembling, doubt creeping in like a shadow.
"Nothing. Nothing happened. Don't believe a word she says." He whispered, cupping her cheek.
God, what a manipulative bastard.
There were no healthy relationships in this game, only toxicity dressed up as love.
Cassian kept soothing her, whispering sweet reassurances like charms meant to keep her docile.
"Don't worry, Aurora. I promised to protect you. I'll do anything to keep you safe."
Even sleep with the woman you despise?
I stifled a laugh, watching the show.
"You… you didn't betray me, did you?" Aurora asked, trembling with that soft fragility people instinctively wanted to protect.
Do you even get to ask that, Aurora? You've slept with every male lead in this game.
Cassian's fingers twitched, veins bulging as he swallowed back whatever turmoil brewed inside him.
"I swear, I'd never betray you."
Sure. You'd just murder me and then mold her into a replica of me. I mentally added a snide little voiceover to his line.
Hurry it up, would you? I've only got ten minutes left.
"She shouldn't be here. She'll snap again and hurt you."
Excuse me? I've done nothing yet. So rude.
Cassian pressed his forehead to hers, storm-grey eyes full of spellwork and manipulation.
Honestly, I was starting to feel bad for Aurora.
Every male lead was possessive and toxic in their own unique way. Their love? Just another form of psychological warfare.
"I'll stay and keep her here. You go."
He pushed Aurora toward the exit, urgently. Not to protect her from me… But from the truth I was about to spill.
I gave a thin smile as she bowed to me, then hesitated before walking away.
Now, it was just the two of us. No distractions. No escape.
I'd stopped them from bonding further.
Only one part of the mission remained.
Make him kiss me.
I looked up at Cassian. His storm-grey eyes locked onto mine, turbulent and raging.
The same eyes that had devoured me that fateful night.
This… wouldn't be easy.
"What do you want, Davina?" He said, walking toward me like a storm cloud with legs. "You promised to keep that a secret."
I leaned back against the bench, arms stretched, meeting the storm head-on.
"Did I?" I mused. "Must've slipped my mind."
Cassian planted both hands on the bench behind me, caging me in. His chest heaved, and his voice came out like a roar.
"Davina!"
I tilted my head up slightly, brushing my finger over his dry lips.
"If you kiss me now, maybe I'll remember something."
His hand suddenly gripped my throat, tight.
"Don't push me." His voice was a low snarl, veins bulging on his neck.
Oh, I hated this too, trust me.
But the system kept flashing: five minutes left. Just kiss me and let's get this over with.
"Is one little kiss really that much?" I rasped, arrogant even as his hand tightened.
"I never wanted to touch you."
Cassian growled, pressing his thumb into my throat until I choked out a cough.
And yet…
For just a second, something like satisfaction flickered in those stormy eyes. Gone as quickly as it came.
"But why…"
I barely got the words out before Cassian crashed his lips into mine, silencing me.
No hesitation. No kindness. Just raw force. He took my mouth like a man starved and furious.
The system window popped up:
[Congratulations. You have completed the mission.
Cassian's Affection +10%.
Reward received: Davina's Memory Chapter.]
I pressed a hand against his chest, trying to push him away.
The mission was done. I didn't need to be part of this mess anymore.
But Cassian seized my wrist, slamming it against the bench, and leaned in harder.
He poured the full force of that raging storm into the kiss—tongue, teeth, fury and all.
What the… hell was this?
***