They must’ve heard the words I exchanged with Ayana when I indirectly called her a snake. How embarrassing!

I looked at her, Ayana’s face was much redder than mine. “I’m afraid we have to go. Thank you for the invite, Lady Lilivienne. Please excuse us, Lord Alasdair, Your Highness, Prince Zathrian…” The lady packed her basket and left without waiting for her sister or looking back at anyone. The four ladies immediately trailed behind her like ants. Susanna followed after, but not before glancing at Zathrian, who only nodded at her politely. 

My suspicion would not subside. Her black magic aura was definitely the real deal. I looked at both men, there were no signs that they felt something when she passed them, even though both were swordsmen gifted with special abilities.  

I guess I’m the only one who can feel it. Or one of the rare ones who do. There must be a reason why this happens.

“So what was it that we heard, Lilivienne?” Alasdair crossed his arms. Was it an out-of-character attitude for someone as soft-spoken as Lilivienne? Am I raising suspicion? And since when did he become close with Zathrian? I remember Alasdair getting included in some of the splash art of Percival and Zathrian, but I never thought much of it.

“Both of you already heard about it, so why must my brother ask? I will not take back what I said though, because I mean it.”

“That you’ll pursue animal studies?”

“That I’ll avoid snakes like her from now on.”

Zathrian chuckled at the corner, covering his lips with the back of his hand. Even though I still despise him, my eyes softened at the gesture. This man will never know how thousands of people knew these simple movements of his, the way he talks, laughs and such.

He noticed I was watching him, so he flashed me a grin. “It was nice to meet you again, Lady Lilivienne.”

“‘Again?’” Alasdair looked at us, while Zathrian and I looked at each other. Confusion was plastered on Alasdair’s face.

I had to tell him how I ran up to Zathrian Lestrange—while, of course—removing the argument part. I bet he also didn’t want to mention it. Alasdair massaged his temple as he listened to my story. “Please don’t ever do that again, Lilivienne. Do you know how dangerous that alleyway is?”

Oh, I know. I wanted to tell him. I couldn’t count how many times I triggered quests on that street about fighting the bad guys!

“But nothing happened to me, see?” I crossed my arms. “So what made you pay a visit here, even tagging Prince Zathrian along? You just had to see this mess of a party.”

“I figured we should say ‘hi’ when I heard you’re having a tea party. It’s been a while since you did one, ever since…” 

“Ever since…?” I repeated.

“Nevermind. Father invited the marquess for a dinner meeting, the reason why he’s here.”

“Oh?” Did this happen in the story? “…For what purpose?”

“Is there supposed to be a purpose?” Alasdair firmly coughed. “It’s business matters related to the hotel. That being said, the duke wants the heiress to be present there as well.”

I turned to the sly fox—Zathrian. As far as I know, he’s a military man, not a businessman. What does he know?

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

How did I even forget this part of the storyline? Part of Zathrian’s diplomatic duty was to supervise the railway project between Evermore and Valencourt. This kind of meeting should be discussed in the duke’s office—not in a fancy dinner meeting—with me involved!

The railway project was planned for easier travel between the two kingdoms. Since both nations were parted by seas and mountains, the 3-week journey could be shortened to only several days. Not only this will help the travellers, but this could also make the trade routes safer and faster, considering that both nations have a long history of trading wool and cotton as they experience four seasons of climate. This was proposed by Queen Serenova, and it was planned to be expanded to the nearby territories as well. King Desroches of Evermore was the first to consider the project, and that is why Zathrian is here—well, aside from other duties.

Of course, the railway project was discontinued because of the war and was only resumed years later in an attempt to fix the ties of the two nations under the rule of the new king, Cellios Desroches—who at this time, was the Crown Prince. He was my ultimate favourite character when I played the game. He won my heart with his striking appearance—such as his icy blue eyes and silver wavy hair—and more than that, his powerful special ability that won me thousands of battles. If I saw him in person, I’d probably really die! I know I can meet him at social events given my status, but sadly, that isn’t my priority right now.

Zathrian and father mostly talked about the construction of the railway station specifically for the hotel. According to them, since Grand Hotel D’auvillere was the first attraction spot in the northern shores, the station should be extravagant as the first train stop to Evermore.

I would chime in a few times to act attentively as D’auvillere’s future president, but truthfully I ended up zoning out when I shouldn’t be. If only Alasdair didn’t have an evening patrol, maybe I could talk with him to pass the time. But in reality, I’m sure he’ll only tell me to listen to the discussion and leave the table immediately because he’s “busy.”

My dream is to be a businesswoman, this topic should excite me!

“Do you understand, Lilivienne?”

“Pardon?” I felt my cheeks flushed. What did my father say?

The duke wiped his lips with the tablecloth. “I said, I’m giving you the task of helping Prince Zathrian in the construction of the hotel’s railway station by overseeing its design and construction. Starting as soon as you turn eighteen.”

My eyes widened. Did… this all happen in the game?

“T-That early, Father?”

“It’s a good experience to practice your leadership skills, as the future president of D’auvillere.” My jaw remained hanging as I looked at both of them. I turned to Zathrian’s direction. The guy was smiling at his plate. Is he enjoying this? 

“F-Father, please think this through. I-I’m not yet prepared—“

“You are, my darling.”

“But I’m not confident that—“

“If you’re ever worried, my office is wide open. Besides, you will work closely with Prince Zathrian here. He will gladly help you.”

Zathrian raised his head, lips forming another smile as my eyes met with his. “I’m looking forward to working with you, my lady.”

What did this man tell my father? I can already imagine him using his charm and machiavellian schemes to convince the duke about this. But if this is his doing, what is the reason?

The last thing I want to do is to be close to him. I hate him. Once I save his fate from being Diabolos Apocalypsis, I will make sure not to cross paths with him again. To ensure the longevity of my life, I might even move to the countryside away from politics and the military.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

I’m already worried about a lot of things. About the upcoming debutante ball next week, about the Cataclysm, and now, about that railway station with Zathrian!

A knock on my window disturbed my thoughts. I almost got a heart attack when I saw a cloaked figure standing behind the stained glass window, but then I remembered who it was. Reed, member of WarCry. After my first encounter with Zathrian in that tavern, I ran into Reed standing in the corner outside of the tavern. Since his features were recognizable from his game counterpart, I approached him and proposed a side job. I made sure to include in our contract that our encounter is a secret from everyone—even to his boss, Percival—as he’d absolutely tell my scheme to my brother if he finds out what the dainty daughter of the Van der Horsts is doing behind everyone’s back. 

“I got what you asked me for.” He handed me a small piece of jewellery. I had to sacrifice my usual bedtime to wait for his return, constantly pacing in my room thinking the plan might have failed, but him—standing in front of me—had me sighing in relief.

“Thank you, I’ll call for you when I need you.” After handing him the rest of the payment, the tall man nodded and disappeared into the shadows just like that.

I sat on the bed and examined Susanna’s locket. In the garden, she stated this thing matters a lot to her. There must be something inside that could prove my suspicion regarding her identity.

As soon as the tea party was over and the men had to depart to discuss matters I was not involved with, I called for Reed who was hiding behind the bushes to announce my command.

“I want you to go to Aurelia and ask the jeweller for a sterling silver locket engraved with a rose design. Sneak inside Susanna Beckett’s bed chamber tonight, and use the locket to replace what she wears and hand it to me.” I passed him a pouch of gold worth a hundred thousand Evermorean tokens as my initial deposit. Reed placed his left hand on his chest as a sign of thankfulness and respect.

“I will not disappoint you, my lady.” 

Aurelia. The most popular jewellery shop in the capital of Evermore. It is the only jewellery shop in the kingdom that the players can have access to where they can purchase materials like jewellery and gemstones needed to upgrade a hero’s level.

I opened the locket with my trembling fingers. If this is nothing but an ordinary locket, the chance of my plan getting ruined is high, and it will surely be a big problem as my debutante ball is just around the corner. 

I was greeted by a portrait of a man—probably a lover—who I couldn’t recognize from the game. There was another portrait of an elderly couple—perhaps her parents or grandparents. When I realized that there was nothing special about it, my skin shivered and my chest hammered.

That’s it?

Was I wrong?

So the weird feeling I felt back in the garden was only in my mind? Was it even black magic at all?

Do I even know the real feeling of being on the radar of black magic?

Do I even know what I’m doing?

My hands trembled in fear that I dropped the locket. A loud clank could be heard on the tiled floor.

Huh?

I knelt and immediately searched for the broken locket. The man’s portrait slipped out of the frame and a few meters from it was a tiny shining object. 

I took the object and examined it with the light from the window. 

It was an insignia!

If I’m not mistaken, this is a forsaker’s insignia. A plate engraved with a veiled woman beneath a large figure that symbolizes Astaroth. Many heroes use the forsaker’s insignia as materials for levelling. I flipped the coin and found the carvings of Susanna’s initials—SDB—which stands for Susanna Diana Beckett, from her name on the list of guests.

I grasped the insignia firmly. I knew I wasn’t wrong! This evidence is what’s gonna save Zathrian’s fate! 

I heard footsteps from the outside, a maid probably heard the noises. I immediately crawled under the covers of my bed and pretended to be asleep.

But before I dozed off, I remembered. 

In the original story, the railway station was built in the building across, not by the hotel.