Morning came far too quickly.
I awoke tangled in sheets, hair a mess, corset thrown across the chandelier, and face buried in a pillow I may or may not have screamed into last night.
Yesterday, I danced with the prince. Survived it. Flirted. Conquered. And then almost passed out from emotional exhaustion.
> [System Alert]
☀️ Good morning, Seraphine!
Objective: Prepare for surprise guest
🔔 Clue: He's rich, rude, and ridiculously hot.
"…Surprise guest?" I mumbled, eyes narrowing.
No. No, no, no—
Just then, a knock echoed from the front entrance of my manor.
---
"Lady Seraphine," my maid Lyria said, popping her head in, "You have a visitor. He says he's from the Grand Duchy of Thorne."
My blood ran cold.
No. It couldn't be—
But of course it was.
---
🌹 Grand Hall, Seraphine's Estate
Standing tall in a long black coat, leather gloves, and a smirk that could slice glass, was Duke Lysander Thorne—second male lead, political powerhouse, and certified walking red flag.
"You've redecorated," he said, glancing around. "Less taxidermy. More velvet."
"Didn't realize you were a connoisseur of curtains," I replied, sweeping down the stairs in full lady-mode, silken robe dragging behind me.
He bowed slightly. "I came to see if the rumors were true."
"What rumors?"
"That you slapped a princess, danced with a prince, and smiled while doing both."
> [System Alert]
🎯 New Target Identified: Duke Lysander Thorne
💘 Flirt Threshold: 10%
🧠 Suspect Level: 5%
🔥 Potential Romance Route: UNLOCKED
"Careful, Lysander," I said. "Flattery might make me think you care."
He stepped closer. "Care? Oh no. I'm intrigued. There's a difference."
---
We sat in the drawing room, and tea was served. I sipped slowly, watching him over the rim of the cup. He didn't come all this way just for gossip.
"You're investigating something," I said.
He smiled. "Am I that obvious?"
"You're a duke's son. You don't do casual visits."
He leaned forward, voice low. "Some say the empire's most hated villainess suddenly got… interesting. And unpredictable. I like interesting. Especially when it might affect the balance of power."
"I'm flattered."
"You should be. You're dangerous now."
> [System Tip]
🕵️ Strategic Banter Engaged
🎭 Keep him guessing to maintain control
---
The door opened again—and of course it was Aria.
She stopped in her tracks at the sight of Lysander and me seated together.
"…I came to check on you," she said carefully.
"How sweet," I said, standing to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. "Come in. We were just discussing my terrifying rise to relevance."
Lysander's eyes glittered. "You flatter yourself, Seraphine."
"I'm merely catching up to the plot I wrote," I muttered.
---
As Aria sat, her gaze darted between us. I could feel it—the suspicion.
She tilted her head, fingers laced in her lap. "You've changed."
"There it is," I smiled, "the line of the week."
"I mean it," she said. "You used to hate him."
"I still do," I replied. "But I hate being bored more."
> [System Alert]
🔍 Aria Suspicion: 10%
🧪 Trust Level Deteriorating Slowly
We chatted idly until Lysander finally stood.
"I'll be watching," he said. "You're up to something, Seraphine. And I intend to find out what."
"Try not to fall in love along the way," I said sweetly.
He chuckled darkly—and left.
---
🌘 Later That Evening
I sat at my desk, journal open, thoughts racing. Two male leads now had their eyes on me—and neither for the right reasons. Aria was catching on. And the system? Oh, it was having the time of its life.
> [System Alert]
🎉 New Side Quest: Seduce or Sabotage — The Duke's Route
Reward: Power Boost + Access to Secret Political Files
Risk: Jealous Prince, Best Friend Breakup
I sighed. "Why did I write you all like this?"
> Because you're dramatic.
"…Fair."
---
And yet…
Lysander's eyes had lingered. His words had been calculated.
Was it possible that, in this rewritten version, he might fall for this Seraphine?
Or worse—was I starting to like the attention?
I slammed the journal shut.
Nope. Not going there.
---
END OF CHAPTER