(Continuation…)
(Rosalind's[Viviana] POV)
"...
"Well, you said it yourself, Viviana.
"So, don't come blaming me later."(Rai)
Rai quipped, his voice carrying a resigned undertone after a moment of contemplative silence, his hands raised in mock surrender.
–screech
The atmosphere around him seemed to shift subtly as he pushed back his chair and rose to his feet.
Step by deliberate step, Rai started to approach me, the air growing tense with an indefinable energy.
Each step felt like a calculated beat in the unfolding drama.
The space between us was closed.
His gaze was focused and intense, and his expression was a mix of wit and seriousness.
My own heartbeat seemed to echo in rhythm with his steps, my pulse quickening involuntarily.
Almost before I realized it, he was mere inches away from me.
–tap
A step forward, and another.
–tap
His presence soon seemed to envelop me, making me step back involuntarily.
However, my retreat was halted as my back met the unyielding corner pillar of the bed, jarring me to a stop.
Before I could change my direction, Rai's face came just a few inches away from mine as he called my name, locking his gaze into me.
"Hey Viviana..."(Rai)
His voice, a mere whisper, danced on the precipice between us, his gaze locking onto mine.
The world seemed to blur around his face, my senses narrowing down to the intensity of his proximity.
"...um-huh."(Rosalind)
I managed, my voice barely above a murmur, my words caught in the sudden intensity of the moment.
"...What if?
-Rai's teasing tone hung in the air, the unfinished question loaded with implications.
"What if I want to be more than just friends?"(Rai)
Soon Rai questioned with a teasing tone.
....
That's it. My mind went numb as I couldn't process anything after that.
My face went totally red.
Did I hear properly?
Wasn't that way too fast?
I just proposed that we become friends.
....he suddenly wants us to be more than that.
Wait! What does that even mean?
More than...?
"How about we skip the 'Just Friends' phase and leap straight into 'Best Friends' territory?"(Rai)
Rai's suggestion had an air of playfulness, his expression dancing between contemplation and amusement.
Best Friends?
That's what you are talking about when you mean more than just friends.
I couldn't help but notice the hint of mischief glinting in his eyes.
...Was he deliberately turning the tables on me?
"So Viviana, what is you–
"...Hey, doesn't-Viviana-sound a tad formal for 'Best Friends'?
–Rai interjected, his voice carrying a mischievous undertone.
"What about 'Vivi'?
"Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it.
"-VIVI-"(Rai)
Rai muttered, making sure I heard the name.
"YOU…
"Who agreed to be your Best Friend?
"And don't even talk about giving ME a nickname..."(Rosalind)
Though it sounds good.
NO. What am I thinking about?
This is bad. I am really not thinking properly.
If I were here anymore, I might really…
–gulp
"This is it. I am done."(Rosalind)
I moved away from him with a quick step to my side.
"Rai, don't forget your promise."(Rosalind)
However, I didn't forget the reason I came before I stormed outside the room.
"Hey Viviana!
"Am I supposed to think I was ruthlessly rejected now?
"Don't keep me hanging."(Rai)
Rai's voice echoed, reaching outside his room.
What do you mean by 'Don't keep me hanging'?
…it sounds so different.
"...!?"(Rosalind)
"..."(Kavir)
"..."(Maya)
Outside the room stood Kavir and Maya with expressionless faces, creating an awkward atmosphere.
"Viviana! Can you hear me?
"Give ME a proper answer."(Rai)
Adding to it, Rai's final words echoed again.
This guy! He is doing it purposely.
"Maya, let's go, we are done here."(Rosalind)
"Yes, My Lady."(Maya)
I am really gonna try my best to forget what happened just now.
However, contrary to my thoughts, I remembered tension when his 'black eyes' looked into mine.
…it might really be difficult.
.
.
(Two Days Later…)
(Night Time)
(Rai's POV)
I walked down the corridor, my steps echoing softly against the stone walls.
By now, it had become my nightly routine to visit Elza before calling it a day, just as I am doing on this particular evening.
The moon's faint light trickled in through the narrow windows, casting a silvery glow.
As I continued to walk, I noticed a Knight patrolling in the opposite direction.
This was a common sight at this late hour.
I kept my steady pace, not giving much thought to the Knight's presence.
The Knight's presence barely registered in my consciousness.
—thud!
Until suddenly, the armored figure collapsed to the floor just a few feet away from me.
Reacting swiftly, I rushed over, my concern evident as I knelt beside the fallen Knight.
The Knight groaned in pain, clutching his stomach, his armor clinking as he struggled to sit up.
I crouched down, my intent to offer assistance evident in the way my hand reached out toward the Knight's shoulder.
But then, in a sudden blur of motion, the Knight's hand shot up with a dagger poised to strike.
!!...
An Assass–!??
The dagger slowly started slicing through the air where I stood without even allowing me to complete my thoughts.
The strike is fully intended to penetrate my heart.
My breath mingled with the cold air.
Time seemed to slow as the blade carved a lethal arc through the air, a chilling promise of death.
Observing the unfolding threat, I remained composed and focused.
Then my movements flowed seamlessly as I twisted my body, using the Assassin's own momentum against him.
The dagger's trajectory shifted, missing me by a whisper.
Not wasting an instant, I circled behind the Assassin, my senses honed to a razor's edge, and my hand shot out like a striking serpent.
My lean frame twisted away from the Assassin, my body a blur of motion.
In a heartbeat, my hand shot out, fingers closing around the Assassin's wrist with a grip as unyielding as iron.
And in a deft twist, grasping the assassin's wrist, I redirected the dagger's path, changing its trajectory.
The blade found its intended mark, piercing through the Assassin's neck in a swift and deadly move.
—pierce!
—Arrrrghhhh!!!
The Assassin's loud cry was a guttural rasp, a mixture of pain and shock.
I simply moved away from the Assassin, leaving the dagger in his neck.
—thud!
The Assassin's body sagged, armor clattering as it hit the ground, the echo of his fall fading into the darkness.
The act was executed with a lethal precision that belied the simplicity of its form, the crimson flow of blood contrasting starkly against the Knight's armor.
I stood, my gaze fixed upon the dead Assassin.
The corridor seemed to hold its breath, an electric charge in the air.
With a calm demeanor, I wiped the blood from my hand onto a scarf I pulled from my pocket.
"That was so obvious.
"Like hell, I would fall for something like that."(Rai)
My voice held a hint of annoyance as I muttered about the obviousness of the attempt on my life.
Despite the assassination attempt that had just been directed at me, I appeared unfazed at least outside.
Though this was the first time I had taken the life of a human, I wasn't too conflicted with that as it was either live or die.
There is definitely no way I am going to pity someone who just tried to kill me.
–tap!tap!tap!
My internal thoughts were short-lived as five more figures in the same Knight attire entered from the two ends of the corridor, hostility radiating from them.
Obviously, there are more Assassins.
"Damn, this might get troublesome to deal with..."(Rai)
I recognized the danger and muttered my awareness.
.
(To be continued…)
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Chapter words : 1302
Total words : 26.24K