The enormity of it hit her like a tidal wave. Five years of decisions, encounters, and mistakes stretched before her like an endless labyrinth. And at the center of it all was him—Lucian Valtheris, a man who was both the monster of her nightmares and the love she could never escape.
Her heart twisted as memories of their first meeting played in her mind. She had been a skeptic, a wandering mage among her elven kin, constantly wary of deceit and danger. He had appeared in her life like a storm: charming, intelligent, and far too dangerous for her own good. She had fallen for him before she even realized who—what—he truly was: the Demon Overlord, her people's greatest enemy.
This time, she knew better.
---
The marketplace buzzed with familiar chaos, but her eyes weren't on the crowd or the stalls. They were on him.
Lucian stood at the same vendor as before, his black coat flowing like liquid shadow, his every movement calculated and precise. His dark hair fell into his piercing eyes as he tilted his head, studying her with that infuriating smirk she once found so alluring.
"Are you really going to buy that?" he called out, just like the first time.
But now, knowing what she did, her heart clenched painfully. This is the beginning of everything, she thought. The moment I can change it all—or lose everything again.
Swallowing her emotions, she turned to face him, clutching the peach in her hand. "What's it to you?" she snapped, her tone harsher than she intended.
His smirk faltered for just a second, and she felt a strange satisfaction at that tiny crack in his facade. "Just trying to help," he said smoothly. "That vendor's been passing off bad fruit all morning."
Lies.
She couldn't let him charm her again, couldn't let herself fall into the same trap. But she also couldn't push him away too soon. If she revealed that she knew his true nature, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate her.
"Right," she said, forcing a sarcastic smile. "Because you're so trustworthy."
"Trustworthy enough to save you from bad peaches." His voice was teasing, but she caught the flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
He's watching me, she realized. Calculating.
"Thanks for the advice," she said coldly, tossing the peach back onto the stall. "But I can take care of myself."
As she brushed past him, her hands clenched into fists. Her heart pounded, her mind racing with a new plan: she couldn't fight him directly. He was too powerful, too cunning. If she tried, she'd die just as she had in the first timeline.
If I expose him too soon, I'll never survive.
---
Back in her apartment, she paced furiously. The system had given her memories, but it hadn't given her any clear instructions on how to proceed. Why me? she thought bitterly. I'm no hero. I'm barely surviving as it is.
But then her mind drifted back to the moment Lucian had shot himself. She could still see the look in his eyes: regret, longing, love. He had cared about her, even as he destroyed her. That meant she had a chance—no matter how small—to change him.
"If I want to survive," she muttered, "I have to make him fall for me again. And this time..." She paused, her stomach twisting at the thought. "This time, I have to use it against him."
She hated the idea. Manipulation wasn't her style. But what other choice did she have?
---
As days passed, she began her work. Each encounter with Lucian was carefully calculated. She played the skeptical mage, wary of his charm, but allowed herself moments of vulnerability—just enough to keep him intrigued.
Meanwhile, she scoured his home, his strongholds, and every corner of his world she could access. Her goal was simple: take anything and everything he could use to hurt her—or himself.
But with each step, her resolve wavered. She saw glimpses of the man behind the monster. Lucian was ruthless, yes, but he was also deeply lonely. He hid it well, but she recognized the cracks in his armor because she wore the same ones.
We're not so different, she realized one night, staring at the dagger she had stolen from his study. A weapon that could kill even an immortal like her.
The thought terrified her. Because deep down, she knew she didn't just want to survive. She wanted to save him.
---
One evening, as they stood on the balcony of his castle, the conversation turned unexpectedly serious.
"You're different," he said, his voice low. "You don't trust me, but you don't fear me either. Why?"
She hesitated, gripping the railing tightly. "Because fear doesn't solve anything. If I were afraid of you, I'd never get to see the parts of you worth saving."
He looked at her sharply, his eyes narrowing. "Saving?"
She met his gaze, her heart racing. "I'm not your enemy, Lucian. And I'm not your pawn. I just want to find a way for us to exist without destroying each other."
For a moment, he said nothing. Then he laughed softly, a sound filled with both amusement and sadness. "You're an idealist, aren't you?"
"No," she said firmly. "I'm just tired of losing people I care about."
As she was about to leave the balcony, Lucian grab a hold of her and yank her back into his warm, muscular arms
" I don't know what you mean by 'saving' or anything about you. Yet, you know so much about me.. " He stated as he started to get suspicious of me. It is only starting yet is my life about to be forfeit before it even starts.
Oh, God.
She gulped as sweat drips from her forehead as he stares intensely at her. Wanting for more answers.
Answers didn't come only an ackward and deafening silence. That made him so irritated at the same time intrigued.
'This girl is so interesting' he thought
"We will meet again 'girl'. " he stated as he walked back to his quarters, his presence still lingers.