The night's chaos had left the estate in shambles. Guards patrolled the corridors, servants whispered nervously, and the once-calm air of the Duke's mansion was thick with tension. Mina sat in the servants' quarters, her black maid uniform slightly disheveled, her mind racing with possibilities. The attack wasn't random—it was the game pushing back.
Kael had disappeared into the shadows after the initial confrontation, leaving Mina alone to make sense of the events. She didn't trust him fully, but his words echoed in her mind: "The game adapts to those who resist."
But Mina wasn't just resisting; she was determined to overthrow the entire narrative.
---
Morning Shadows
By dawn, Mina was summoned to Caspian's study. The room, lined with tall bookshelves and warmed by a crackling fireplace, was a stark contrast to the cold uncertainty in Mina's heart. Caspian sat behind his ornate desk, his expression grim but composed.
"Mina," he began, his emerald eyes locking onto hers. "The intruders from last night were not mere thieves. They were trained assassins, targeting members of this household."
Mina straightened her posture. "Do you think it was politically motivated, Your Grace?"
Caspian shook his head. "It's more complex than that. There's a pattern to these attacks, one I've been tracing for months. Each target is tied to something deeper—something I can't yet explain."
Mina hesitated. Should she tell him the truth? That this was no ordinary world, and their lives were mere threads in a preordained tapestry? No. Not yet. Caspian needed to focus on the immediate danger.
"If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know," she said instead.
Caspian's lips curled into a faint smile. "You've already helped more than you know."
---
The Letter
Later that day, while cleaning the study, Mina stumbled upon a letter addressed to Caspian. It bore no seal, only a single phrase scrawled across the parchment: "Protect the anomaly."
Her heart skipped a beat. Was the letter referring to her? Or perhaps Kael?
Before she could ponder further, footsteps echoed behind her. Mina quickly tucked the letter into her pocket and turned to see one of the estate's senior maids.
"Lady Mina," the woman said, her tone curt, "the Duke requests your presence in the west garden."
Mina nodded, smoothing her apron as she made her way outside.
---
The Garden Encounter
The west garden was a sprawling expanse of roses, ivy-covered arches, and winding stone paths. Caspian stood near a fountain, his posture regal yet approachable.
"Mina," he greeted her with a nod. "Walk with me."
She fell into step beside him, the rustle of their footsteps blending with the gentle trickle of water. For a while, neither spoke.
Finally, Caspian broke the silence. "Do you trust me?"
Mina glanced at him, caught off guard. "Of course, Your Grace."
He stopped, turning to face her fully. "Then tell me the truth. I know there's more to you than you let on. The way you carry yourself, your insights—it's as if you've lived a life far beyond the walls of this estate."
Mina's breath caught in her throat. Was he guessing, or did he truly suspect her secret?
"I… I've always been observant," she said carefully. "It helps me do my job better."
Caspian studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. But know this: whatever you're hiding, I'll protect you. You have my word."
His sincerity struck a chord in Mina. For the first time since her reincarnation, she felt the weight of her burden lighten, if only slightly.
---
Kael's Warning
That evening, Mina found Kael waiting for her in the servants' quarters. His blue eyes were sharp, his demeanor tense.
"You're playing a dangerous game," he said without preamble.
Mina folded her arms. "And you're not?"
Kael smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Fair point. But you need to be smarter about this. The game isn't just reacting to you; it's escalating. Last night's attack was just the beginning."
"What do you suggest?" Mina asked, her tone clipped.
Kael stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You need to find the core. The source of the game's power. Destroy that, and the entire system collapses."
Mina frowned. "And where do you propose I start looking?"
Kael's smirk returned. "The royal capital. Specifically, the palace. There's a hidden archive beneath it—one that holds answers to questions you haven't even thought to ask yet."
Mina felt a surge of unease. Venturing into the capital meant putting herself at the heart of the game's narrative, where the so-called "heroes" would be most active.
But what choice did she have?
---
The Departure
The next morning, Mina approached Caspian with her request.
"Your Grace, I'd like to accompany you to the capital," she said, her voice steady.
Caspian raised an eyebrow. "The capital is no place for a maid."
"I believe I can be of use," Mina insisted. "Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on you."
Caspian chuckled, a rare sound that warmed the room. "Very well. But stay close. The capital is rife with dangers, and I won't have you caught in the crossfire."
---
Arrival in the Capital
The royal capital was a sprawling metropolis, its streets teeming with merchants, nobles, and commoners alike. The palace loomed in the distance, its towers piercing the sky like jagged spires.
Mina's first glimpse of the city left her both awed and uneasy. This was the heart of the game's narrative, the stage where the main characters played out their grand drama.
As they made their way to the palace, Mina couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Her instincts, honed by months of navigating this twisted world, told her danger was near.
---
The First Confrontation
That evening, while exploring the palace grounds, Mina stumbled upon a group of knights in heated discussion. She recognized them immediately—they were part of the main cast, the "heroes" destined to shape the game's outcome.
Before she could retreat, one of them spotted her.
"You there! Maid!" a young man with golden hair and striking blue eyes called out.
Mina froze, her mind racing. This was the protagonist, the central figure of the game's storyline.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his tone accusatory.
Mina lowered her gaze, adopting the demeanor of a humble servant. "I was just ensuring everything is in order for tomorrow's banquet, my lord."
The protagonist frowned but seemed to accept her explanation. As he turned back to his companions, Mina slipped away, her heart pounding.
She had come face-to-face with the game's driving force—and survived.
But she knew this was only the beginning.