Recollections of my past life often lingered in the back of my mind, particularly the day I died. I was at a quiet bar, relishing my drink, when an ominous sensation permeated the atmosphere. I felt a gaze bore into me, and when I turned, there she was—Yukki, my relentless pursuer. With her gun trained on me, she declared, "Lily, after all this time, I finally caught you."
Unable to resist the opportunity, I replied, my voice saturated with amusement, "Caught? I don't remember ever running from you. Maybe you're just slow," I teased, flashing her a cunning smile. The tension between us thickened as she hesitated, her fingers twitching on the trigger. Then, Bang! The gunshot echoed, and once again, I found myself seated at the table with Horizon, an enigma who brought us all together.
That was the end of that tale, bringing us to the present. My name is Lily Violetsteel, a figure cloaked in darkness from my previous life. To many, I was a villain, a murderer, a master manipulator, but to me, those were just masks, disguises to shield my real identity. The Crossroads, a realm of redemption and perhaps an opportunity to rewrite my twisted fate, brought me here. A sense of satisfaction washed over me, knowing that woman who tirelessly pursued me in my previous life never uncovered my true identity.
However, that didn't mean my life was devoid of action. My extensive streak of serial killings led to my capture, but the delight of seeing her repeatedly fail to apprehend me brought a smirk to my lips.
As she finally mustered the courage to shoot me, the pain was so intense that I died instantly. And then, I found myself at the table with Horizon, an enigmatic figure whose presence was daunting and intentions unreadable. Her secrets were a well-guarded fortress, leaving me only to guess her motives.
"Welcome, Miss Lily, to the Crossroads."
What a weird place. I've already died, haven't I? And Crossroads? Too many questions; I decided to ignore them and took a seat together with others who were already there.
My gaze swept over the garden, noticing two women seated beside me, their attires a stark contrast—a simple yukata with red hair and a well-mannered, stoic demeanour, and a girl with blue hair and a stroke of white, elegantly dressed in a lavish gown paired with a coat. By the way, they concealed their power and were clearly skilled at maintaining their abilities to prevent them from overflowing.
Their intense standoff was intriguing, like two predators preparing for an attack. But I remained unfazed and simply enjoyed my tea. Thankfully, I had learned to appreciate such moments back in my world.
"Sheesh, I hope I wore something better than my pantsuit. It's so uncomfortable. How about that maid's dress? Could I steal it from her?" I mused to myself.
"You better not, Miss Lily."
Without uttering a word, Horizon already anticipated my action. It seemed like she could read others' thoughts.
"What are you saying? I just thought that your tea brew was very nice," I quickly covered up my intentions with a nonchalant remark. I couldn't let Horizon see through me so easily.
*Shing* Another light, similar to mine, appeared. Another person had arrived.
Among this mysterious assembly, a girl with brunette hair, untouched by the surrounding shadows, caught my attention. Her dress signified nobility, with gold accents symbolising a privileged life. She seemed to be a beacon of innocence in this twisted realm.
We were teleported to a quaint town, and I decided to part ways with the others to gather my thoughts. "Where do I start?" I mused, contemplating my next move in this unfamiliar world.
A series of outrageous ideas crossed my mind—stealing a country's secret to create chaos, assassinating a king to instigate a war, and even instigating full-blown gas warfare. The mention of lurking demons in this world didn't even faze me.
Despite all of us arriving in this world, we held no desire to work together. As a villainess, solitude suited me better. My mission was to create balance in this world. Politics and manipulation were my forte, but meddling in high society was uncharted territory for me. I needed information, and the best way to achieve that might be to disguise myself as a mistress or a maid to gain access to their secrets.
As I walked through the town, I couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. I turned around, only to find the brunette girl trailing me. Hadn't we agreed to walk our separate paths? While Horizon labelled us all as villains, I couldn't help but question if a seemingly innocent girl like her belonged in our malevolent company.
With an intent to test her endurance, I quickened my pace. Much to my amusement, she was soon out of breath. Noticing her struggle, I couldn't help but tease her. I stopped and faced her, "So, princess, what seems to be the matter?"
She looked startled, "Princess? Did you mean me?" I chuckled at her confusion, "Did you see another princess around here?"
She politely corrected me, "I'm not a princess; my family were aristocrats."
Intrigued by her claim, I replied, "In my world, a lady of your stature would be a princess. Shall I escort you then, milady?" The playfulness of my statement was evident in my mock bow. It was all part of my game, my charade.
She seemed to welcome my jest with a small smile, "Pleased to meet you, Lady Tatiana. You may call me Lily." I offered a pseudonym, careful not to reveal my real identity.
As we continued our stroll, Tatiana was evidently enthralled by the town's charm, "Isn't this place just enchanting, Lily?" Her excitement filled the air. I glanced at her, my enthusiasm nowhere near hers, "I suppose it's charming enough," I replied indifferently. To me, it was nothing more than an illusion, a facade in this magical, mysterious world.
As we strolled further, Tatiana pointed out various town features—the intricate architecture, bustling market stalls, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries. She was enamoured by every little detail, like a child in a candy store. I, on the other hand, remained stoic and observant. We were on a mission, and I couldn't afford to be captivated by such distractions.
Noticing my lack of enthusiasm, Tatiana's excitement dwindled, "You don't seem to be enjoying this as much, Lily." She sounded disappointed. I shrugged, "I'm just more focused on the mission, that's all." Tatiana seemed to understand my dedication to the mission.
Her words left a lasting impression on me. She spoke with such conviction as if she genuinely believed in our mission's importance. It made me ponder her motivation to undertake this role and embrace the title of "villainess."
As we advanced into the town, I observed the subtle changes in the atmosphere. The initially vibrant surroundings gave way to a sense of unease. The smiles on people's faces seemed forced, their eyes filled with sorrow. "This
The town might seem charming on the surface, but there's something off about it," I remarked.
Tatiana looked up at me, her expression a mix of confusion and amazement. "What do you mean, Lily?"
I hesitated for a moment before replying, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but something doesn't feel right. It's as if there's a shadow lurking beneath the surface."
Tatiana seemed intrigued by my observation, her eyes now scanning the town with a newfound curiosity. "You might be right, Lily. There's a certain sadness in the air."
Tatiana confessed her inability to navigate this world alone and proposed that we work together. Her lack of self-defence skills struck me as peculiar, especially for someone from a villainous world. "Why are you so eager to share your vulnerabilities with me, Lady Tatiana? Do you think I'm someone to be trusted so easily?" My teasing tone was replaced by suspicion.
Her innocence seemed genuine as she shook her head, "No, it's just that I lack the skills to survive on my own in this world. I thought we could help each other."
Help each other? Her naivety was baffling. Did she genuinely believe we could form an alliance in this deceitful world? "I'll consider it," I replied cryptically, not revealing my actual thoughts.
Tatiana shared the unfortunate story of her death—an embarrassing accident involving her friend Catherine and a dagger. Her story appeared genuine, but I couldn't help but suspect there was more to it. As she spoke of Catherine, I sensed a depth of emotion foreign to me. Emotions were merely tools to manipulate others in my previous life. Yet, Tatiana's display of genuine grief and guilt intrigued me.
"Remember, Lady Tatiana, we all have our secrets and burdens to bear," I said cryptically, hinting at my own hidden past.
We continued our walk, and when we reached the city fountain, we decided to take a rest from walking. Tatiana took a seat by the fountain, and I stood in front of her, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings.
I felt a strange impulse, a mix of caution and curiosity. Accidentally, I reached for Tatiana's hand in a reflex action, suspecting she might be concealing a weapon. However, upon realising my mistake, I quickly let go, fearing that my strength could harm her delicate hand. She merely smiled, massaging her hand gently. "Forgive me, Lady Tatiana," I muttered, a hint of embarrassment creeping into my tone.
Regaining my composure, I suggested, "For now, let's focus on more immediate matters. Like finding food to eat and a safe place to spend the night." My pragmatic approach was an attempt to steer away from any emotional connections or potential weaknesses.
Tatiana pressed her palms together, intrigued by my proposal. "You're right, Lily. Survival should be our priority."
I couldn't help but wonder how long our alliance would last in this unpredictable realm. But for now, it seemed that fate had bound us together, two contrasting souls in an unlikely alliance.
-Chapter 2 End-