Shadows of Secrets and Midnight Reflections
It was already dusk, the sun long set, by the time I stepped out of Adrian's office.
"Haa..."
My footsteps felt like lead weights dragging through mud.
All the way back to the dorm, my mind was a tangled mess of yarn, knotted and impossible to unravel.
Every step brought back the shocking sensation at my fingertips. The soft curve I'd felt beneath the binding bandages.
Am I going crazy?
The empire's crown prince—a woman. This wasn't in any game setting guide I'd ever seen.
If word of this got out? Adrian would suspect me in a heartbeat. I might really end up tortured to death for life.
I trudged along until C Dorm loomed ahead, its weathered red brick walls glowing like fire in the sunset.
Click.
The door swung open to reveal a cozy room bathed in warm orange lamplight. A faint lavender scent hung in the air.
Aria, scribbling at her desk, jumped up to greet me.
"Oh? You're back, my lady?"
She scanned my face, then hurried over with a worried frown.
"My lady? What's wrong with your face? Did something happen?"
"Nah... nothing much."
Nothing much, my ass. I'd just stumbled into something that could upend the entire empire.
But I couldn't tell Aria. How do you even drop "the crown prince is actually a girl" on someone?
"Just a lot of work. I'm a bit tired."
I kicked off my shoes and plopped onto the bed, making excuses.
"Can I get some water?"
"Yes! Just a moment. Should I make you some warm herbal tea? It's great for fatigue recovery."
"Yeah, that'd be nice."
Aria bustled about. Water boiling in the pot, clinking teacups.
Those everyday sounds finally eased the tension from my body.
I ran my palm over the bed's rough sheets.
"Here you go. Careful, it's hot."
Aria handed me a steaming mug. Sweet aroma wafted up.
A light sip, and warmth spread through me.
"Haa... I might live."
"Are you really okay? You're not hurt anywhere, right?"
Aria knelt by the bed, peering up at me with huge, worried eyes.
Seeing that pure concern made me chuckle despite myself.
I reached out without thinking and stroked her hair.
"...!"
Her shoulders twitched, but she didn't pull away.
Soft strands slipped between my fingers.
"Aria."
"Y-yes?"
"I like how comfortable I feel around you."
"...Huh?"
Her eyes went wide as saucers. She gaped like I'd confessed some earth-shattering secret.
Why's she reacting like that? It wasn't a big deal.
After a day navigating thorns, her innocent response felt healing.
No schemes, no hidden motives—just transparent emotion.
That's why it was so relaxing.
"Thanks for the tea. I'm gonna crash now."
I pulled the blanket up casually and settled in.
Tension melted away, drowsiness hit hard.
The moment my head hit the pillow, consciousness faded.
"W-what did you just say...?"
Aria's trembling voice came from beyond the covers.
"Um, my lady? You said you like it? What do you mean... My lady?"
I sensed her flustering around, but I didn't have the energy to respond.
I'll explain later...
I plunged into deep sleep.
"Mm..."
I woke up feeling refreshed. Too refreshed, actually—that was the problem.
The room was pitch black, swallowed by darkness.
No clue what time it was.
I sat up and checked the pocket watch on the desk. The hour hand pointed at 2.
Not afternoon—definitely 2 a.m.
"Shit."
Crashing early had backfired. Out like a light at dusk meant waking in the dead of night.
Body rested, mind wide awake. No chance of sleeping again.
"Hoo..."
I rubbed my dry face and perched on the bed's edge.
The dorm room lay silent. Steady breathing filled the air.
Glancing over, Aria slept soundly on her bed, oblivious to the world. Blanket kicked off, belly exposed—like a total kid.
Sleep tight.
I slipped out of bed, crept to her side, and draped the fallen blanket over her.
Grabbed an outer coat from the desk and threw it on.
Time for some air.
Staring at the ceiling in this tiny room would just breed overthinking.
Click.
I tiptoed out so as not to wake her. The hallway was deathly quiet.
Down to the first floor and out the dorm entrance.
Night air nipped just right—cool from spring's mild warmth.
A gentle breeze seemed to sweep away the clutter in my head.
"Hoo..."
No white breath in this weather, but I sighed anyway for the vibe.
The east dorm area was deserted. Streetlamps sparse, everything dim.
Hands in pockets, I wandered aimlessly. No destination—just needed to soothe this stuffy chest.
Driving me insane, for real.
Each step dragged those memories back. The rough bandage texture on my fingertips. The unimaginable softness hidden beneath.
I raised my hand to my chest, mimicking the grab, and compared to empty air.
"Same as mine... no, bigger, maybe."
Ridiculous size. No wonder accidents happen when you bind something that wild.
"Hah... whatever. Best to play dumb."
I shook my head hard to banish the thoughts.
Thud, thud.
My footsteps echoed alone across the silent campus.
Glanced around—no one, not even an ant.
I flopped onto an old bench behind the dorm.
Tilted my head back to the starry sky. Stars packed like they might spill.
Reminded me of nights stargazing with Charlotte back at the ducal estate.
Hope she's doing okay.
Thoughts drifted to Charlotte, then Leoness up north.
Hadn't heard from her in ages. Time for a survival ping, seriously.
"Gotta keep pushing myself too."
My goals hadn't changed. Survive. See this world's ending.
Pulled my hand from my pocket, examined it in the moonlight.
Black stain on my index fingertip.
Too hectic lately—I hadn't checked my status properly.
Quick scan around, then muttered to the air.
"Status window."
"What a sight."
Skipping the title for now.
Lv.2, yet the debuffs were flashy as hell.
Erosion probably meant the black on my finger—3% at Lv.2? It'd only worsen as I leveled.
Would my whole body turn to charcoal eventually?
I tapped the [Scenario] tab beside it.
Main Scenario: Part 1 - Oath of the Black Flower
Progress:15%
Upcoming Event:Academy Invasion (D-??)
Academy Invasion.
If things followed the original plot, Black Moon cult remnants and demons would soon breach the academy's barriers in a massive event.
The hero party was supposed to handle it, but Lilliana would end up in danger.
Opponents weren't pushovers.
Couldn't let that happen.
Only one way: I'd stop it beforehand.
Let's keep rolling like this!
That thought popped up unbidden. Usually spelled trouble.
Should be fine, though.
But tomorrow meant more volunteer work. Time to head in.
I stretched big and turned back toward the dorm.