Everything around us changed. I was standing in the halls of Castle Albatross in Avernia.
Cassandra stood next to me. In front of us, was a slightly younger-looking Cassandra wearing one of her dresses.
I recognized the particular dress.
"Mizik, from now on you'll be able to hear my inner thoughts on the events that occurred. I'll tell you everything! Nothing held back!" The current Cassandra said.
"Uhh...okay then. Let's get going..." I said uncomfortably.
Our forms followed the former Cassandra as she walked through the castle.
While walking, she nearly passed Sir Gordon before stopping.
"Oh, greetings Grandmaster. What brings you to this part of the castle today?" Cassandra said.
"Hello, Princess Cassandra. I was just called to speak with your father about an important matter. I was training a young man in the yard..." He said.
"Hm. A young man? Is it one of the knights?"
"No. He's an adventurer. An Iratus as well. He's helping us with the investigation on the strange substance appearing everywhere and asked to train with me."
"Very well. See that this boy doesn't linger too long. The Iratus family is a pox on our world and those awful people shouldn't be allowed anywhere near here."
"Umm...yes, your Majesty... I'll make sure he doesn't stay too long. Good day to you, Princess Cassandra," Sir Gordon said.
After that, Cassandra smiled to herself.
"Perhaps I'll pay that Iratus boy a visit...?" The former Cassdandra thought.
Cassandra made her way quickly to the training yard where she saw a young man with black hair, iron armor and emerald green eyes swinging around a strange blue and black scimitar.
"What an odd-looking sword. It reminds me of the magic swords somewhat... Hah...look at this filthy Iratus! He's...oh my..."
Cassandra noticed him look at her.
His eyes went wide in surprise as he ran forward.
"Wow. He really is an Iratus. Such...pretty eyes... They're beautiful!"
"Rose! It's so good to see you!" The former me said.
"Huh...? Rose?"
Then the former Mizik hugged her tightly with a smile on his face.
"AH!? WH-WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!? I...ah... It's so...warm.... WAIT, NO!! GET AWAY!!!"
Cassandra's face twisted into confusion and then anger.
"KYAAA!! G-GET OFF OF ME!!!" She shouted angrily.
Mizik pulled away and then looked at her.
"Rose? Are you okay? Sorry if that was sudden... I was just excited to see you..." Mizik said.
Cassandra felt her face heat up as she held herself.
"What was that!? Did this...filthy Iratus boy just run over and hug me for no reason!? Have I been mistaken for that abominable sister again!? But...why did it feel so...nice!? WHAT AM I THINKING!?"
Cassandra glared at the young Mizik.
"I'm really sorry, Rose. Can you forgive me?" He said.
"Y-you...FILTHY COMMONER!!! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!" She yelled.
His eyes went wide in surprise and Cassandra narrowed hers.
"Ah? Now that I'm closer...not bad..."
"Hmm...? Oh. You're kind of cute, actually..."
"Ugh...damn! He probably thinks I'm a freak for saying that! I'll put him in his place quickly!"
"Rose...?"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!!! I am Second Princess Cassandra Victoria Albatross! And you have just assaulted me!" She said.
"Who is Rose!? The only person I look like is Isabella! ...I think...?"
Then, the younger me's face changed to one of fear.
"Since you have offended me so gravely...APOLOGIZE!" Cassandra said angrily.
"I'm...s-sorry, Cassandra-"
"You insect! Kneel as you apologize to me! And do not presume to use my name so casually! Refer to me as your Majesty Princess Cassandra! Idiotic filth..." She said.
"Forget about what I said before, boy! Kneel before your new goddess!"
He dropped to his knees and bowed his head. Then he opened his mouth to speak and Cassandra let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Hahaha! An Iratus is bending knee to me! But...does this boy seriously not have any noble etiquette? He's an Iratus, but he acts just like a commoner!"
"You have greatly offended me. I would prefer that you go lower," Cassandra said.
Mizik bowed his head all the way to the ground.
"How cute! You're like a dog!"
"I'm so sorry...your Majesty Princess Cassandra! Please forgive me! I've made a terrible mistake..." He said.
Then, Cassandra smiled as she placed her foot on his head.
I looked over and glared at the current Cassandra.
"You know I apologized, right?! You didn't have to do that to me! I would have been nice!"
"Ahhh...I know that now! I shouldn't have even asked for an apology! The proper response to receiving a warm and loving hug from Mizik is to take him back to my room and shower him with love and affection! And of course, give him every inch of my body!"
"That's a bit much..."
"But of course it isn't! My darling Mizik deserves to be loved and adored!"
"Why are you like this...?"
"Ehehe! My life has been nothing but pain and suffering, darling. You are the only true comfort I've ever had. The first person to ever value me for more than just my face and body. To me...you are everything! More important than life itself! I love you, Mizik!"
"That's just the proper way to treat a human being! It's common decency!"
"My darling Mizik was the first to show it though. Common decency isn't very common, it seems. Further proof that Mizik is the ideal man! Nothing in my life ever seems to go the way I want it to, so this is the first time I've ever been happy, darling!"
"Ugh...yeah... Story of my life..."
Ignoring her comments, I looked back to the scene unfolding before our eyes.
"Ehehehehe...yes. Just like that!" The former Cassandra laughed.
The younger Cassandra dug her heel into the younger me's head until he began bleeding.
Meanwhile the current Cassandra looked ready to strangle herself.
"I-I'm...really sorry... Please...that hurts..." The younger me said.
"Look at you! Complaining so much! It's adorable! I might keep you as a pet... I bet you're furious right now!" She said.
"Yes! A pet! I'll lock him away and make him beg for my love! I'll admire him in secret...and no one will judge me for it!"
The younger Cassandra allowed a sinister and sadistic smile to creep over her lips.
"Oh yes...I think I like that idea... You're so cute...like an obedient dog. You would make a wonderful pet!" She said.
Then I saw the door on the side of the training yard open. Isabella walked out followed by an invisible Walter with his hand already on Honor.
"CASSANDRA!!! GET OFF OF HIM IMMEDIATELY!!!" Isabella shouted.
"You cannot be serious! Why do you always have to ruin everything for me!? CAN I NOT JUST HAVE ONE THING, ISABELLA!?"
"Ugh...sister, I'll have you know that this boy has greatly offended me! He ran over and...he hugged me without permission! He called me Rose as well. How dare he! I am Princess Cassandra!"
"There's...a good reason for that. Please get off of him! Can't you see that he's bleeding!? You're hurting him!" Isabella said.
"Of course he's bleeding, Isabella. His blood will pay for his crimes. Isn't that how it works?" Cassandra said.
"That boy is a guest of the Grandmaster as well as a member of the Iratus family! It was a mistake! Please, just-"
"Obviously, but this boy acts just like a commoner! Who cares what color his eyes are!? A filthy Iratus shouldn't be in our castle to begin with!" Cassandra said.
"GET OFF OF HIM!!! I WON'T ASK AGAIN, CASSANDRA!!!" Isabella shouted.
"FINE THEN! HAVE IT YOUR WAY! Just like you always do..."
Cassandra lifted her foot off of Mizik's head and kicked him.
"UGH!!"
He rolled to his side clutching his head in pain.
"Sister! Why do you have to be so cruel!? Is it truly so terrible to receive a hug!?" Isabella said worriedly.
"Of course not! It was warm and comforting... I actually enjoyed it...but I can't admit that. Ever! Seriously...what is wrong with me...?"
"Tch...from filthy lowborn trash? I'm not you, Isabella. If you want to let this insect touch you, be my guest. But...I think it's time I taught you a lesson. What do you say?" Cassandra said as she stepped forward.
Isabella raised her hand and glared at Cassandra.
At the same time, Walter prepared for battle.
"If you want to do this, I won't hesitate to give the order. Please...just go away!" Isabella said.
Cassandra looked around cautiously and sighed.
"He's here. I know he is. Just like always. I can't take him and he knows that..."
"This isn't worth it. Fine. Have your petty victory. I'm leaving."
Just before Cassandra left the training yard, she looked at Mizik.
"You had better not offend me again, boy. I'll make you regret it!" She said.
Cassandra turned and left after that.
We followed her out of the training yard as Isabella approached the younger me.
I could see that she was truly upset about what happened... Although, more angry about Isabella always getting whatever she wanted.
Yet again, something had been taken from her.
Granted, it would have been a terrible fate to befall me, but still...
I felt nothing but pity for her as we watched the younger Cassandra lay down on her bed and sob into a pillow.
"What's wrong with me!? Why am I like this!? Why did I hurt that boy from just a hug...? I hate it!!! Why does Isabella always get what she wants!?"
Cassandra continued crying for quite some time.
"I'm...so alone... No one to talk to...no one to love me... How dare that commoner filth make me feel this way..."
Then I turned to the current Cassandra.
"Is this how it's always been?"
She nodded.
"All my life, I've suffered while living in Isabella's shadow. She had everything and I had nothing. I became bitter because of the loneliness, the expectations from my parents, the subtle insults from everyone in the castle and beyond, and so forth. I may have lived in luxury, but I had nothing..."
"I'm sorry. If you hadn't pushed me away-"
"Ah, I know, darling! If I had been kind to you, I would have been the luckiest girl in the world! But...my personality had already begun to rot... I hated everyone... I'm so sorry, my sweet Mizik..."
"Don't be..."
* * *
Things changed between several meetings.
Cassandra quickly began to develop a secret obsession with me. Even if she wasn't ready to admit her actual feelings, she had already fallen for me.
She only desired to be truly loved and cherished as a human being. Something she had been constantly denied.
The simple hug from a mistaken identity was enough to show her what she was missing in life.
However, due to her twisted and rotten personality, she couldn't see past her status.
She couldn't let go of her pride like Isabella had done. This meant that she couldn't bridge the gap.
Instead of seeking love, she wanted to chain me up and keep me as a pet. She wanted me to beg her for her love and give her as much as she desired.
In secret, of course. Away from the prying eyes of other members of nobility and commoners.
I even saw her side of the ballroom incident.
She wanted so badly to take my hand and dance with me. She wanted to forget about everything and just be happy.
But her pride forced her hand... Instead of breaking down and abandoning the things in high society that only did her harm, she snapped.
She decided on that day that she would make me suffer in the worst way imaginable.
The entire thing only made me pity her more.
And of course, I saw her next in her room...wearing a semi-revealing night gown.
I remembered that day very clearly. It was one of the worst days of my life...
Cassandra stood there and waited for Arvild to lure me to her room.
"Umm...M-mizik... Can we skip this part?" The current Cassandra asked me.
I didn't want to relive such an event, in all honesty, but I wanted to know what she was thinking. I wanted to understand why someone would be driven to treat another human being with such contempt.
I knew she was crazy, but if she secretly liked me, why would she torture me?
"No. I don't want to see these things again, but I'm curious..."
"Curious?"
"About how someone could treat another human being so horribly while secretly being in love with them."
"As...as you wish..."
The scene continued and the former Cassandra stood by the window.
She cast a small illusion spell and manipulated it to only affect her face.
She gave herself a mole.
Then...the door opened.
A naive young Mizik walked into the room and looked at Cassandra.
I closed my eyes as I began to feel sorry for my younger self...
"Isabella?" My younger self said.
At once, Cassndra perked up and turned to the younger me.
She had a kind and loving smile on her face.
"Mizik! It's so good to see you again!" She said.
The younger me blushed as soon as he saw her...but focused on her face instead.
"Am I enticing to you...? Are you going to try to push me down and ravage me...? Someone like you is too good for my sister. I'll make you suffer for causing me to stoop so low... I hate you! But...why do I want your love? Why do I want you to look at me more? Why am I like this all from a simple hug?" The former Cassandra thought.
"I heard you called me here for something important...?"
"Yes, I just wanted to share a romantic moment with you today, my darling," she said with a loving smile.
At that point, the younger me seemed to be slightly on guard against something. He was confused. Poor kid...
Then Cassandra motioned towards two glasses of wine on the dresser.
"Umm...is that wine? So early?"
"Yes. I can't just take you kicking and screaming, can I!?"
"Of course it is, dear. I merely wanted to share a drink with you before we start our day. Won't you join me?" Cassandra said as she gracefully stepped over to the dresser and picked up a glass.
She took a sip and smiled at Mizik.
"Isabella, I don't mind having a drink with you, but here in your room so early in the morning seems kind of..."
"It's fine, Mizik. It's only a drink. I don't plan on doing anything else, I promise! I must maintain my purity, after all. I'm sorry if my outfit is...enticing you... I'll be sure to get changed in a moment," she said.
Mizik seemed to relax upon hearing the words and walked over to the dresser. He picked up the glass, looked at it for a moment, and took a long sip.
I turned to the current Cassandra and she was cringing at the scene unfolding before our eyes.
"I'm so sorry... I'm a monster! What was I thinking!? I'm so despicable! I should have...I should have given you my love instead! I should have let you push me down and have your way with me! Why!?" She covered her eyes before the younger me spoke.
"What's with this wine? It's amazing!"
His cheerful expression went from a content smile to blood chilling terror as he realized who he had been speaking to.
"Wh-what? What's going on here? C-cassandra...? Why are you...?"
"Now...you're mine forever!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" The former Cassandra thought sinisterly.
Arvild locked the door at that point and Cassandra stepped forward.
"H-hey, C-cassandra? Can we talk about this please? We can be civil, right?" My younger self said fearfully.
She paused for a moment as her smile grew wider.
"He's so cute! He thinks I'll just stop when I've come so far? Hnnnng! I want to hurt him so badly!!!"
"Talk? How adorable. We're well past the point of talking, don't you agree?"
I shook my head.
"It doesn't have to be this way. We don't have to be enemies!" He said.
"Should I...? Would it be so bad to get along? No...mother would hate me. The other nobles would look down on me even more. I could never! I won't let them torment me more!"
"It's too late, Mizik. You're already mine."
The younger me reached for his sword but never touched it.
I didn't see what happened at the time, but Cassandra punched me in the chest faster than I could blink.
The wine spilled and she caught the glass.
"My my, this was far easier than I thought it would be. You're so naive for someone on their way to the throne, little Mizik... Although, your willpower against my body is something to be admired. Most men would have tried to have their way with me in this outfit..." She said as she stepped forward.
"Ugh...but why was he able to resist...? Am I not pretty? I've been told so many times in the past that I'm exceedingly beautiful... Why does this boy continue to frustrate me so!? He calls Isabella beautiful, but pretends as though I'm ugly! Damn her!"
The younger me tried to get up, but it was too late. The drug was settling in already.
Cassandra reached down and grabbed the younger Mizik by the neck. Then she stared deeply into his eyes.
"So...cute!!! He's adorable! He's so handsome! He has such beautiful eyes! Why...WHY MUST YOU BE A FILTHY COMMONER!?"
"That's the fear I wanted to see. You're so adorable like this!" Cassandra said.
"P....please...let me go...." Mizik whispered.
"Haah...you're such a cute and handsome boy... I really mean that. Doesn't it make you happy hearing that from a beautiful Princess?"
"I said it!!! I actually said it to him! He probably thinks I'm some kind of freak for finding a commoner like him so cute, but no one will ever know!"
Cassandra laughed and threw Mizik towards the door.
"If you want to leave, you're free to do so. If you can open the door, that is..."
"Ehehe~! Not likely! Go on...you know you want to be my pet... Stay with me! Don't open the door!"
The younger me looked desperately towards the door knob as he tried to get up, and failed miserably. At the same time, Isabella had approached while looking for me.
"Mizik? Where are you? I heard that you arrived but I can't find you! Mizik! You mustn't be alone in the castle!" The former Isabella called.
He could only manage a light tap on the door as he whispered for help. He had tears streaming down his face.
"Isa....bella....I'm....in danger.... Please...save me.....!"
"Ohhh! How adorable!" Cassandra said as she grabbed Mizik by the collar and yanked him away. She leaned close to him and whispered in his ear. "I warned you didn't I?"
Mizik began to pass out just before she unlocked her wardrobe with a key she grabbed from underneath it. She opened the false panel, then threw him down the stairs.
After that...everything faded and I saw myself chained to the wall in my underwear.
While I was still unconscious, Cassandra was examining my body.
All of it.
I looked over at her curiously and she covered her face.
She didn't say a word. She shook in rage as she lowered her hands and glared at her younger self.
Then...
"You despicable...evil monster! You disgust me! I hate you! I hate you so much! Why couldn't it have been someone else...? Or better...why couldn't I have just made Mizik love me...?" The current Cassandra said.
Then the younger Cassandra injected something into my younger self's neck with a syringe she had on her little trolley full of torture tools.
Moments later, Mizik woke up. He was dizzy and very much in pain.
And I began to feel a rising panic in my own chest. I was witnessing one of the severe traumas of my life firsthand again...
"Wh-what...what's going on? Where am I!?"
"Ah, you're finally awake. Welcome to my personal torture chamber, Mizik." Cassandra said.
At that point, the current Cassandra could no longer hold herself back.
She dropped to her knees and held her head in her hands.
"AHHHHHHH!!! NOOOOOO!!! DON'T HURT MY DARLING MIZIK!!!" Cassandra screamed.
As she screamed, the illusion froze in place. Then she began wailing in sorrow.
At that time...I began feeling really bad about all of this...
If she truly was obsessively in love with me, was I torturing her by making her watch?
It seemed likely.
Honestly, I didn't really want to watch this either. It made me both angry and nervous at the same time.
As Cassandra continued to cry, I...reluctantly placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Look...you don't have to...feel bad about it anymore. I'm alive and it happened a long time ago. We can skip ahead here..." I said.
She looked up at me with her face drenched in tears.
"R-really? You won't...make me watch...?"
"No. You caused me a lot of pain, Cassandra, but I think you've suffered enough. Besides...I don't really want to relive this. It would only make me angry."
Her eyes lit up with pure joy and the illusion dispersed.
Then she hugged me...again...
"You really don't have to touch me so much..."
"Mizik is so merciful and caring! I can't help myself!!! You're so warm and comforting!"
"Ugh...just stop drying your tears on my clothes..."
"Yes! Of course!"
* * *
Eventually, came the sequence in the throne room. That day, Cassandra was more focused on self preservation than anything else. She was scared for her life.
She tried to lie her way out of it, but her father had already seen everything. The proof and the testimonies.
She already had regrets for her actions. But when she saw what Vengeance was capable of and felt its curse, she began to truly feel terrible about the things she did to me.
Also, I hadn't seen it that day...but apparently, Vengeance manifested a spirit of rage to scare her.
It looked like a roaring crimson inferno in the shape of a demonic dragon.
Regardless, Cassandra was dragged off and thrown back in the cell where she waited until the day I arrived.
Cassandra also dealt with the sexual harassment and verbal abuse of the guards.
Her cell had its own private bathroom and she was brought clean clothes every other day, but they constantly called out to and teased her.
Despite this, she had plenty of time to think about the things she did.
Then I saw the meeting in the dungeon.
It seems I was wrong about her.
The marriage proposal was a genuine attempt to get close while still maintaining her royal pride and bearing. At the time, I assumed she wanted to just kill me in my sleep. But she hadn't planned to do anything like that at all.
Most likely, she would have actually been passive towards me. Perhaps even grown to cherish me as an equal.
Cassandra confirmed it all, herself.
Apparently, the words I spoke to her that day cut deeply. I hurt her feelings.
And here I thought she was an inhuman monster without the ability to feel at all.
After that, she had a very long time to think in her cell about everything.
She came to a decision that if she got the chance to, she wanted to talk things out with me.
When the Corruption attacked Albatross, Cassandra's story checked out. She was attacked by a guard, which she strangled to death, and learned of our whereabouts by listening to conversations while invisible.
Then she stole a horse and went to Kalsa. She used her illusions to quickly cross the border as well.
After that, she met Tyranus in secret and promised to spy on us for him.
She had actually begun to secretly like the Iratus family. Her mother hated us, however, and the oppressive behavior of the Queen caused Cassandra to rebel without realizing it.
Tyranus initially insulted and belittled her for her heritage, but she paid it no mind.
He promised to allow her to speak with me peacefully and work things out if she did as she was told.
He told her to watch us, and that if we were captured, I would be hers again.
Not to harm, but to protect instead.
Because of this...
She watched us in Tyranus' office while doing everything she could to approach me. It was interesting to see her stare longingly at me while I runmaged through my father's old desk.
At the time, she didn't know how I would have reacted to her showing up so suddenly, so she remained hidden.
She reluctantly told Tyranus everything and at that moment, he personally went to massacre Sir Gordon and the rest of our troops.
He told Cassandra that he still planned to keep his word regarding me and the very next day, he broke his promise.
Tyranus had no intention of keeping his word and instead, gave me to Alice for execution.
Cassandra was angry...and once the battle started, she tried to shoot Tyranus in the back during the fight after being denied again.
But due to the intensity of the situation, coupled with her own anger, she missed.
And hit Walter instead.
Just as she told me earlier...nothing ever seemed to go her way. It was almost agonizing for me to watch each and every one of her plans to get closer to me fail miserably.
Next, she reluctantly fought Isabella and was easily defeated. Shortly after that, so was Tyranus.
When he died, she began to truly view me as someone of great power. Someone worthy of respect.
However, she had trouble expressing her feelings and still thought to deny how she felt inside.
And when I spared her life despite her wrongdoing...
She became somewhat obsessed.
Cassandra desperately wanted to be loved. She didn't want to be alone anymore.
She was terrified that she would be abandoned to the Corruption forever.
Understandably, she was incredibly overjoyed when I allowed her to come along with us.
Unfortunately for her...this was where Cassandra's story took a turn for the worst...
During our interaction...Difar took his chance.
He grabbed Cassandra and her already-horrible life became a living hell.