Leona's heart bucked against her chest, the sharp gaze of Duke Magnus burning into hers like the hot air off a raging fire, ready to devour all that was in its wake. It was Cedric who, unbowing and standing tall next to her, came between her and the furor of the Duke.
"I'll ask you once more, Cedric," Magnus growled, low and dangerous. "Move. That girl is a threat, and I will not tolerate her presence in this house."
Cedric didn't flinch, his expression serene, but his tautened muscles betrayed that at any moment he would pounce. "You've lost your sense of judgment, Magnus. This is paranoia talking, not reason."
Leona stood paralyzed, caught in a storm of gratitude and terror. Cedric had gone head-to-head against one of the most influential men in the kingdom because of her. But what was the price?
Her robotic voice came in louder than usual inside her head, its tone truer to a monotone:
"Antagonist alignment critical. Current trajectory: Total collapse of narrative. Time running out."
Leona swallowed hard, the weight of the warning sinking in. If Magnus wasn't fixed soon, everything-including her existence-would unravel.
But how was she supposed to fix him when he was dead set on her destruction?
Magnus took another step forward, his boots ominously echoing in the grand hall. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and for the first time, Leona saw just how unhinged he'd become.
"I've given you enough leeway, Cedric," Magnus spat. "Move aside, or I'll consider you complicit in her schemes."
Cedric's jaw tightened. "If you raise your weapon, Magnus, you'll regret it."
The Duke's laughter was cold and devoid of all humor. "Is that a challenge?"
Leona's breath caught as Magnus drew his blade. It shone like new beneath the dim light of early evening. Cedric stood rigid beside her, his casual weight resting on one hip.
"Stop!" she blurted, stepping forward despite the fear twisting in her gut. "Please, Your Grace, I'm not a spy or a threat to you. I'm just a maid!"
"Quiet," Magnus barked, his gaze snapping to her. "Your lies won't save you."
Leona's mind raced. She had to defuse the situation, but how? Magnus wasn't in a state to listen to reason, and Cedric's presence was only escalating the tension.
"Magnus," Cedric said, the sound of his voice slashing through the silence like a blade. "You've always prided yourself on strategy and logic. Is this how you want to be remembered? As a man who let his paranoia destroy his honor?"
For a fraction of a second, doubt flared in Magnus's eyes. It was gone, however, in the next instant, replaced by an all-consuming rage.
"Enough!" Magnus roared, lunging forward with his raised sword.
Leona screamed as the blade arced through the air, but Cedric was faster. He stepped in front of her, his own sword clashing against Magnus's with a deafening clang.
The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the room, and the two men locked eyes in a battle of wills.
Leona stumbled back, her heart pounding as she watched the scene unfold. Cedric moved with a grace and precision that took her breath away, his every motion calculated and efficient. Magnus, on the other hand, fought with wild abandon, his swings powerful but reckless.
"You're making a mistake, Magnus," Cedric said, his voice steady despite the strain of holding back the Duke's attacks.
"The only mistake," Magnus snarled, "was trusting you."
She knew she couldn't stay there. If something happened to Cedric because of her, she would never be able to forgive herself.
"Stop it!" she screamed, desperation lacing her voice. "Both of you!"
Neither man heard her. The clashing of steel reverberated within the hall, drowning her words.
The robotic voice cut into her panic:
"Critical point approaching. Immediate intervention required.
Leona firmed her fists. Intercession? How? She was just a maid-or at least that was what everyone thought. She couldn't let this quarrel get out of control.
Her eyes darted to the chandelier over them, its heavy crystal catching the light. An idea started to form in her head, wild and dangerous, but it was the only one she had.
With a deep breath, she reached over and grabbed a candlestick from a nearby table and flung it at the rope holding the chandelier.
The metal struck true with a loud snap, severing the rope.
The chandelier fell to the floor, shattering into a thousand glittering shards, which sent both men leaping back.
The sudden interruption broke the momentum of the fight, and for a moment, silence reigned.
"What in the world…" Magnus muttered, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Leona.
She straightened, trying to hide the tremble in her legs. "If you're going to kill each other, do it over something more important than a maid," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
Cedric sheathed his sword with a sigh, his expression softening as he looked at her. "Leona…"
Magnus, however, was far from appeased. "You'll regret that, girl," he growled, his grip tightening on his sword.
But before he could make another move, Cedric stepped between them, his presence commanding.
"Enough, Magnus," Cedric said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This has gone too far."
The Duke hesitated, his anger warring with something else—pride, perhaps, or the remnants of the rational mind he once possessed.
Finally, he lowered his weapon, though his glare remained fixed on Leona. "This isn't over," he said, his voice a low growl.
As Magnus stalked away, Leona let out a shaky breath, her knees threatening to give out.
Cedric turned to her, his expression a mix of concern and something deeper. "Are you all right?"
"I… I think so," she managed, though her heart was still racing.
You're brave," he said quietly, his eyes seeking hers. "But you shouldn't have taken such a risk."
Leona's cheeks flushed under his gaze. "I couldn't let you get hurt because of me."
Cedric's lips arched in a small smile. "You're remarkable, Leona. More than you realize."
Her heart skipped a beat at the words, but the robotic voice shattered the moment:
"Antagonist alignment worsening. Time remaining: 48 hours.
Leona's stomach plummeted. Forty-eight hours? That was hardly any time to even get Magnus righted, and he was spiraling so hard and fast.
She looked over at Cedric, still staring at her through the darkness with an intensity that made her feel safe and laid bare all at once.
"Cedric," she whispered, her voice breaking a little. "I, I need your help."
His face went serious. "Anything. Just tell me what you need.
Leona hesitated. She couldn't tell him the full truth-he wouldn't believe her. But if she was going to have any chance of fixing this mess, she needed an ally.
"I think there's something wrong with Magnus," she said carefully. "Something deeper than what we saw tonight. He's not himself."
Cedric nodded slowly. "I've noticed it too. He wasn't always like this.
"Then we have to find out what changed," Leona said, her resolve hardening. "Before it's too late."
As Cedric nodded in agreement, a new sense of purpose filled Leona. The clock was ticking, and the stakes had never been higher.
But with Cedric by her side, she dared to hope that they might just have a chance to set things right.