As the carriage pulled to a stop, Rou stepped down onto the stone path, still unable to tear his eyes away from the grandeur of the Vandorea estate. Towering pillars framed the front entrance, and finely sculpted statues lined the pathway, each one depicting heroic knights and ancient battles—a testament to the family's illustrious history. The sheer scale and elegance of the place felt almost surreal.
Rou's thoughts drifted to the game and Elise's storyline. In the game, Elise Vandorea had been one of the most feared characters, a young noblewoman with the intelligence and ambition to match any seasoned ruler. Unlike the other protagonists, who were often idealistic to the point of naivety, Elise always took a practical approach. She wasn't cruel for the sake of it; instead, her motives were calculated, her methods effective. Rou recalled how he'd actually respected her character—one of the few he didn't find annoying.
Rou:
(Elise was ruthless, sure, but she had a sharp mind and knew how to get things done. In a world full of air-headed heroes, she was… real.)
He glanced at her now as she strode toward the mansion with a natural, commanding presence that reminded him of her in-game self. Despite her young age, she exuded an aura that made it clear she was someone others would eventually follow.
Elise paused near the entrance and turned to look at him, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips.
Elise:
[Impressed, are you?] she asked, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Elise:
[You look as if you've stepped into a dream.]
Rou quickly straightened, trying to hide his fascination.
Rou:
[I… guess it's just not every day you see a place like this.]
She chuckled lightly, clearly amused by his reaction, before gesturing for him to follow her inside. As they walked, Rou couldn't help but think about Elise's role in the game. In every storyline, she was always two steps ahead of everyone else, weaving her own path and rarely letting anyone sway her decisions.
---
As Rou trailed behind Elise, he recalled the darker parts of her story. Elise Vandorea wasn't just the feared noblewoman from the game—she was its main antagonist, the one who would eventually set events in motion to help create the second Demon King. But Rou knew there was more to her than that ruthless exterior. Elise had been neglected by her family, her talents overlooked simply because she couldn't wield magic like the others in the prestigious Vandorea bloodline.
Determined not to remain powerless, Elise had focused her efforts elsewhere, honing her intellect, her strategic thinking, and her connections to make herself an invaluable figure in noble society. Despite her efforts, her family's disregard had left her with a lingering bitterness that eventually led her down a darker path.
Rou's thoughts returned to the present, and he realized something chilling: this day, this exact event, was the starting point of her villain arc in the game. Today was the kingdom's knight-selection ceremony—a grand occasion for the Vandorea household since they are the ones upholding the event, where promising knights were handpicked to serve under each noble families' banner. Yet, Elise wouldn't be participating. She hadn't even been told about it. The family had intentionally left her out, a reminder of her perceived inferiority.
As they passed through the halls, Rou noticed Elise's confident expression didn't waver, but he could see the faintest flicker of tension in her eyes. She might have heard whispers of the ceremony, but it seemed she didn't yet realize it was happening today. Rou stayed silent, aware of what was to come but unsure if he should say anything. He knew how painful this day would be for her, and part of him felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.
---
As they made their way through the vast halls of the Vandorea estate, Elise turned to Rou, her expression as poised as ever but her gaze intense.
Elise:
[So, I wanted to bring up my offer once more—my invitation for you to become my knight.]
She watched him closely, her tone calm but with a trace of insistence.
Rou hesitated, glancing away as he tried to find the right words. He understood her situation and felt a twinge of sympathy, but he couldn't ignore his own instincts. He hadn't come here to relive the game's storyline—he wanted this second chance to be peaceful and far removed from the chaos he knew would come.
Rou:
[… I appreciate the offer. I really do... But…]
He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.
Rou:
[I'm not looking to be involved in anything big. I want to live a quiet, normal life... That's what I feel at least.]
Elise's expression faltered for a moment, clearly surprised by his response. He could see the flicker of disappointment in her eyes, but she quickly masked it, her usual composure returning.
Elise:
[A quiet life, huh?]
She repeated his words softly, her gaze distant for a moment.
Elise:
[Not everyone has that luxury, Rou. But I suppose I can understand wanting it.]
Rou nodded, relieved but feeling a twinge of guilt.