Lately, Aria's heart had been racing far too often. And she knew exactly why.
"Icarus…" she whispered under her breath, staring at her reflection.
Behind her, Annie, her loyal maid, was gently brushing through her hair but clearly fuming as her eyes caught the fading marks along Aria's shoulders and collarbone.
"I will brew stronger potions for these wretched creatures, my lady," Annie huffed. "Your skin's becoming a canvas of bruises."
Which creature? Aria thought.
After what happened with Abigel, he'd been keeping his distance—just enough not to smother her—but never too far. Yet Aria still noticed the flicker of his shadow in his eyes, the twitch in his fingers like he was holding something back.
That night, she dreamed.
She was ten again, playing under the summer sky with Icarus and Lilly. Laughter echoed through the duchy gardens, pure and warm.
Suddenly, a boy emerged from the hedges, dishevelled and dirt-streaked, clearly having climbed over the wall to get in.
"Lady Aria," he panted, trying to catch his breath. "Can… can I escort you to the next tea party?"
Icarus stepped between them instantly, arms folded. "She's coming with me."
"Why do you always get in the way?!" the boy snapped, glaring at him. "I'm talking to the lady, not you, stupid!"
Before Icarus could speak, Aria moved.
With a sharp glare and a clenched fist, she punched the boy in the face. "He's not stupid. And no, I'm not coming with you. Where are your manners?"
She turned to Icarus. "Let's go."
But as they walked away, the boy hurled something at her—a small stone, shimmering darkly with curse magic.
Icarus spun and caught it before it reached her. The moment he touched it, a burst of magic surged through him.
His hand trembled as he clutched his chest, pain etched across his face.
"Icarus?" Aria screamed, panicking. "Why—why would you do that?! Help! Someone, help!"
His eyes had softened as he collapsed, lips barely forming her name.
"...Aria."
She jolted awake.
Her skin was drenched in sweat. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She clutched her sheets like they were the only thing keeping her grounded.
A calm voice pulled her back.
"What happened?"
She looked toward the door. Abigel was standing there, eyes dark and steady.
"Just… a bad dream," she whispered.
He walked to her side and silently handed her a glass of water.
"Try to sleep," he said softly. "I'll stay until you do."
She lay back down, slowly reaching out to hold his hand, grounding herself again.
Abigel sat beside her in silence. After a pause, he asked, "What kind of dream was it?"
She didn't open her eyes. "A memory."
System realm
Faith slammed his fist into the wall, the marble cracking beneath his rage.
"Why is she remembering Aria's memories?!" he roared.
The young god, who had been quietly curled up in the corner, flinched. Faith looked terrifying—eyes wild, aura spiralling like a broken system.
"And why… why can't I erase them? Why can't I do anything?!" Faith muttered, his voice dropping into a dangerous, trembling whisper.
He typed frantically on the transparent console in front of him. Lines of red error messages blinked back.
{System Failure: Story Rewritten}
His fingers froze.
"What do you mean rewritten…?"
His voice cracked.
"No. No, no, no—Lilly was supposed to be the heroine! The entire arc was structured for her! I don't like this at all!" he snarled.
The young god, nervously fiddling with a glitching pixel in the air, whispered, "But… isn't it better this way? Aria can't return to the original world anymore. Maybe… maybe letting her live this life is kinder?"
Faith's head snapped toward him, eyes burning.
"No. I don't like anything I can't control." His voice was calm now—too calm. "That old man did something. I know it. He left a crack in the code."
"Soul Keeper," he growled. "Find him."
The Soul Keeper already watching them, arms folded, unimpressed.
"Why should I?" he said coolly.
Faith's expression twisted, fury and fear clashing in his eyes.
Because the game is no longer his.
Khalid had been quiet lately. He hadn't followed Aria in days—not physically. But his eyes never left her.
Across from him, Lioan poured himself a drink, watching his nephew carefully.
"So… you want to send an engagement proposal?" he asked.
"Yes," Khalid replied, sipping his wine slowly. "It's time I make her mine."
Lioan raised an eyebrow. "You know Selene won't approve. Not her. Not even the Duke."
"That's why I'll go to the King himself," Khalid said. "I already have written permission from my father. Once it becomes political, their hands will be tied."
Lioan leaned back in his chair, studying the young prince. "And you think this will work? Wouldn't it be better to just tell them the truth?"
Khalid's lips curved into a smile—one that didn't reach his eyes. "Where's the fun in that? I want to take her in front of all of them. Watch their hearts break."
His jaw clenched. The memory of Icarus stealing a kiss in the banquet garden flashed before him. The way Aria had glowed under the moonlight, untouched and perfect—and not his.
"I waited all night to dance with her," he muttered. "She was dazzling, like a fallen star… but she went to him. And Abigel, always lurking in her shadow…"
He closed his eyes, the glass trembling in his hand.
"She's mine."
Lioan exhaled, placing his cup down with a soft clink. "If your plan fails, you'll pay the price. We could still ask for help—do this the right way."
"But that won't make her mine," Khalid said through gritted teeth. "Not truly."
The letter travelled swiftly—and struck like thunder in three corners of the empire.
At the imperial palace, Emperor Caisson unfolded the parchment at the breakfast table. He read it once, then set it down beside his teacup.
"It's a marriage proposal," he said calmly.
"For whom, Your Majesty?" asked Crown Princess Sylphira, puzzled. "We don't have anyone of marriage age."
"For Aria," Caisson replied without lifting his gaze.
A sharp clatter echoed as Crown Prince Liam's fork slipped from his hand. Silence spread across the hall like a plague.
At the Southern Duchy, Selene read the letter without a flicker of emotion. Her eyes moved methodically over the words, while Kaelen—who'd merely glanced at the seal—reached for his sword in a rage.
"I'm going to kill that bastard."
"Not yet," Selene said coolly, folding the letter with care. "If we act now, it'll be seen as a political accident. And I prefer something more... permanent."
Kaelen muttered a curse but obeyed, sheathing his sword with a furious snap.
In the North, the letter arrived in Theodore's office. He didn't say a word—just tossed it into the flames. The paper curled and turned to ash in seconds.
Across the room, Abigel stood frozen. His face had lost all colour.
"Looks like someone's moving pieces behind the scenes," Theo said, his voice sharp. He turned toward Alwin. "Send Malric to Ashkalon. I want every movement, every whisper. Full reports."
Alwin gave a silent nod before disappearing down the corridor.
Each response was different—controlled fury, burning vengeance, quiet panic—but they all had one thing in common.
They would never let Khalid have Aria.