The moment the door shut behind Clive and the guards carrying Rhenvar's limp body away, Veronica let out a long, shaky breath.
She didn't realize she'd been holding it in. Her mind felt numb.
Was that really Sir Var? That monster? Gods above…
The ballroom had gone quiet again, eerily so. Felicia stood beside her, visibly shaken. Willow remained seated, still cradling that crimson fairy like she was made of glass. And Sinephilim… well, Veronica didn't know what to make of her yet.
She didn't like being unsure. But one thing was certain; this really was a novel.
Veronica turned, heels clicking softly on the blood-streaked marble, and walked away from the group.
She needed air. She needed space. She needed-
"Are you alright?" Felicia's voice trailed after her.
Veronica stopped. She didn't turn around.
"What part of that scene would imply I'm alright?" She said.
Felicia didn't answer.
Veronica closed her eyes. Her hands trembled at her sides, so she curled them into fists. She hated this. The helplessness. The chaos. The fact that she hadn't known what was happening until it was already too late.
She was supposed to be in control.
This was her new debut season. Her stage. Her second chance. The ball was supposed to be where she cemented her new place, not… whatever that mess had been. Not blood and slaughter and a God-sent man massacring nobles like it was a sick and twisted play.
And yet, the image kept replaying in her mind.
Rhenvar, cloaked in blood, eyes like a beast, black flames that melt the soul.
She looked at the girl, Willow. She was burning with grief and guilt. And that Sinephilim, calming it all with nothing more than a touch.
They weren't normal. None of them were. I can go home, forget all of this. Leave these people bound to a divine mission. Gods above, prince Charles even has-
Veronica turned back to Felicia. "You knew, about Prince Charles. You should've said something about his blessing."
Felicia blinked. "…I-"
"You should've warned us at least. I was-" She stopped herself.
What? Afraid? Caught off guard? Rhenvar said he was supposed to protect me…
"Was what?" Felicia asked gently.
Veronica exhaled. "I was standing two feet from him when he snapped. And I didn't move. I didn't do anything. That… thing could've killed us all."
Felicia nodded slowly. "But he didn't. Because Willow stopped him. And you didn't run. You shielded me! You're a hero!"
Veronica hated how much comfort those words gave her. Especially from Felicia. The woman she killed in her last life.
"Charles is dangerous," she said instead. "The plan went ahead of what we remembered, if he orchestrated all of this… then he's far more dangerous than anyone realizes."
Felicia looked uneasy. "I know, his mind control powers are- "
Veronica was lost in thought.
I hate this, that would explain how he manipulated me in my last life… I'm convinced. We're in a novel.
Veronica stepped closer. "So, if you're not just a scatterbrained noble girl from another world, now's the time to prove it. What happens next in your precious book?"
Felicia hesitated, then answered: "The festival arc."
Veronica frowned. "Festival…"
Where the king dies and civil war breaks out.
"The New Year's celebration. In the capital. It's where alliances shift. It's where the prince announces his engagement to me, rebels kill uh the king and where you-" She stopped.
"You what?"
Felicia looked away. "Where Charles makes you his pawn, remember?
I was right… After the king's death I made my move. Charles played with me from the start. No, not this time. I won't allow my fate to be controlled by some stupid book.
Veronica's eyes narrowed. "Not if I beat him to it."
Felicia looked startled. "You want to use him?"
"I have an idea." Veronica said sharply. "If the prince truly has the blessing of the mind, then I have the perfect solution, I'll join him."
Just like last time. Except this time, I'll do it for someone else. Every bone in my body tells me you are a monster, Sir Var, but you saved my life this time. Time to pay my debt.
She turned on her heel, walking toward the exit.
"Veronica," Felicia called after her, "You just died, didn't you? You love Theo! Why would you do this?"
Veronica paused. Her voice was quiet, but firm.
Yes, I love Theo. But I hold myself higher than some prince. My fate belongs to me and only to me.
"Because someone here needs to play the villain, it so happens in your book, I'm the villainess am I not?"
And in my heart I'm no different than Sir Var. I too am a monster.
"Wow! So cool!" Felicia beamed.
Veronica sighed.
"I'll be charged with Rhenvar's crimes too. Theo- uh the crowned prince will make sure of it. It's best if I act in our interests as soon as possible. Before I'm thrown in a cell next to him.
Felicia froze. "What's your actual plan, how could you possibly go up against someone with mind control?"
"My powers are activated by using my blood, if I will it, I can simply drug myself. Fog my mind, get close to Charles and see what his true motive is."
"I thought you were immune to poison? Oh my! New lore!"
"I am. If I will it, did I never get drunk in the book?"
"Oh, I remember that chapter!" Felicia gasped. "It always seemed like a filler scene but it's lore!"
"So, I see I'm not surrounded by fools." Sinephilim walked up. "A solid strategy, girl."
Her again.
"Well, someone needs to do something, while I prey on the second prince, someone needs to find a way to release Rhenvar." Veronica said.
Even if he is a monster.
"My top priority is finding the Worldeater that's here, that's our mission."
"Seeing Charles the way he is, he is very different from what I remember." Veronica's thoughts went deep. "If Charles isn't the Worldeater you are searching for, then it's possible they are allied with them at the very least."
"A similar thought crossed my mind." Sinephilim agreed. "So, we're going to split up, Felicia you and Willow find a way to release Rhenvar. Use whatever methods you can as a princess from another kingdom. Veronica and I will make plans to manipulate Prince Charles."
"We can do it girl boss!" Felicia said happily.
She is definitely not the Felicia I remember. The old Felicia would have ran to the nearest guard. Still…
"If Prince Charles is brought to trial and is hiding a blessing, the King will have no choice but execute or exile him." Veronica said.
"If he really can control minds, then it's best to assume Prince Charles will find a way to avoid execution and flee." Sinephilim added.
She has a point, and that gives me a chance. I can help him escape. I'm starting to like this girl.
"Indeed, and that is when I'll intercept him and join him." She said.
"I have a bad feeling…" Sinephilim was deep in thought.
"Is there something I should know?" Veronica asked.
"Yes, actually I hope I'm wrong, but it is possible Aucteros survived from our previous world. It's a hunch but if it's true and you come across him, do not falter. Do what you need to do. He's dangerous."
There's fear in those words. I feel it.
"Understood."
Veronica turned and left before the guards came.
****
The prison.
Days after, Veronica snuck into the prison cells. To see Rhenvar.
Rhenvar didn't look like a monster. Not to her, not in this light.
He slept in the cell, slumped, motionless. No shadows danced; no blood spilled. Just a man in a torn bloody suit, breathing slowly.
The mage she poisoned was asleep. The effects would be over soon.
"Gods may have sent you but… you saved my life," she whispered to herself. "I'm going to help you with your mission, whatever it takes."
I owe you that at least.
But he's dangerous. She remembered the ballroom. The screaming. The laughing. The crimson in his eyes.
But she also remembered the look on his face before it all, like someone drowning quietly.
"I know that look," she murmured.
She'd worn it once. On the executioner's block, when Prince Charles' sword pierced her heart.
"You're not the only monster, so get it together, idiot." She turned and left.