After an hour or so of drugged oblivion, Alex finally stirred awake, his eyelids heavy as lead fluttering open to the parlor’s dim amber glow from the dying wall sconce. The air hung thick with the musky scent of passion and jasmine perfu.
A blinding headache exploded in his skull like shattered mana crystals—he grabbed his head with both hands, fingers digging into silver hair, imnse pain lancing through every nerve. He groaned loudly, curling forward. "What the hell... ngh!"
Blinking through the haze, he looked around the opulent room—the heavy velvet curtains drawn tight against the night, four-poster bed a tangled wreck of silk sheets and pillows scattered like battlefield debris, crystal water jug tipped over on the marble sideboard, a faint iridescent sheen dried on its rim.
But Evelyn was gone—no golden hair lady beside him, no gown pooled on the floor.
Empty.
Alex facepald himself hard, palm slapping forehead with a smack. ’Not again... what the hell is up with her? Did she get screwed in the head or sothing? Girls and their crazy sches.’
The system chid directly in his mind, voice dripping with playful laughter, echoing like mischievous bells. [I’m pretty sure you are the one who got screwed, host—literally. Encore performance?]
Alex clutched his temples harder, gritting teeth. "Will you shut up? I’m having a full-blown crisis here! A girl I know and was planning to just stay casual friends with—pure, noble Evelyn—slipped an aphrodisiac in my drink and straight-up defiled . ! The guy who turns back ti!"
"How will I ever be able to face myself in the mirror without flashbacks?"
Suddenly the system spoke again, tone shifting to gleeful nace. [Forget that drama. What will happen if Alicia finds out? I’m pretty sure that firebrand will co running with her blade drawn, bury you six feet under right before you can sneak out the gates and leave —and then spit on your grave while cursing your na for eternity.]
A bone-deep chill ran down Alex’s spine like icy mana; his face beca slick with cold sweat, beads trickling down his temple as vivid images flashed—Alicia’s erald eyes blazing fury, sword whistling through air. He paled dramatically.
The system howled with laughter. [You should see your face right now—priceless! Hahaha... HaHaa! Ghost white and sweating like a rookie in a boss raid.]
Alex fell deathly silent, staring at the rumpled bed, murmuring under his breath so quietly it was almost prayer. "She will not tell Alicia, right? Yeah, I’m sure she won’t... she’s not that crazy. Noble honor and all."
Suddenly, the full mory crashed back—Evelyn’s nacing smile, the potion’s burn, her lace-clad body pinning him. He bolted upright like electrocuted. "Oh my God, she is that crazy!"
He scrambled off the bed in a frantic tangle of sheets, nearly tripping, and paused—fully dressed in his formal black tunic, pants buckled neatly, boots even polished. Not a wrinkle out of place.
Suddenly the system pinged slyly. [Looks like she was creepy enough to dress you herself while you snored, host. Tender or terrifying?]
Realization hit; Alex visibly shivered from head to toe, arms wrapping around himself as phantom fingers ghosted his skin.
He sprinted out of the room, yanking the door open and bursting into the echoing grand banquet hall—massive crystal chandeliers.
But he scanned frantically for that signature golden shimr—nowhere amid the sea of faces.
Suddenly Lucas, Ethan , and Alden ca running toward him from the throng, weaving past startled guests.
Ethan yelled triumphantly, pumping fist. "Found him! Finally!"
Alden huffed, adjusting robes. "Where the hell was this guy until now? We’ve looked all over the palace!"
Alex reversed course, coming running straight at Ethan and grabbing his armored shoulders, shaking him repeatedly like a malfunctioning vending machine. "Where the hell is that crazy sister of yours?! And you better not lie, or I’ll—"
Ethan went full defensive mode, shoving Alex back with surprising force, face reddening. "How dare you call her crazy, you bastard! Evelyn’s a saint!"
He puffed up indignantly, gesturing wildly. "My sister Evelyn is pure and sacred—a blooming lily in the royal gardens, untouched by vice, heart of gold, grace incarnate!"
Alex smirked inwardly, eyes twinkling wickedly. "Yeah... yeah, I just witnessed that purity up close a few monts ago. And I hate to say it, but it was beautiful. Absolutely srizing."
Ethan nodded vigorously, beaming with pride, completely missing the innuendo. "See? Exactly! She’s perfection!"
Alex leaned in slyly, voice low. "Beautiful... at moaning."
Ethan blinked, tilting head. "Did you say sothing rude just now?"
Alex waved it off smoothly. "No... forget about that. Tell straight—where is she now?"
Ethan sighed, rubbing neck. "She already left the banquet about twenty minutes ago—claid a sudden high fever. Clothes all disheveled like she’d run through a storm, face flushed scarlet. It was so bad she was struggling to stand up properly, swaying like a sapling in wind. The maids had to half-carry her to her car."
The system whispered teasingly in Alex’s mind. [You really did a number on her, didn’t you, host? Beast mode activated.]
Alex’s face flushed internally, heat rising. ’For god’s sake, help out here instead of testing every five seconds.’
The system shot back cheekily. [I already saved your sorry ass from becoming a teen father two tis already. What more do you want from , you playboy scumbag? ]
A prominent vein throbbed in Alex’s temple. ’This bastard sure is enjoying himself way too much today.’
Suddenly Ethan spoke up, narrowing his sharp eyes suspiciously, arms crossing. "But hey... are you looking for her specifically? Did sothing happen between you two? Spill."
Alex forced an innocent shrug, hands up. "Why would sothing happen between us? Nothing did. I was just worried about her health—noble concern."
Ethan jabbed a finger warningly. "Good. Keep it that way, or I’ll screw you over personally—sword through the gut."
Alex quipped dryly, "Who got screwed? Nobody got screwed... so shut up already."
The system snorted. [Just like you screwed his sister, host. Hahaha. Why didn’t you tell him the truth? His exploding reaction would’ve be pure gold.]
Reviews
All reviews (0)