Chapter 56

══ ◈ ══

I WOKE UP to the glaring light of morning streaming through the windows, only to realize the space beside me on the bed was empty. Sebastian was gone. My gaze fell on the chemise I was now wearing, and my brows furrowed. Did he… dress me?

A deep sigh escaped me as I stared blankly at the chandelier above. Life choices. My life choices. What on earth have I done?

I sat up and instinctively placed a hand on my body—down there. A sharp pang made me wince. “Ugh,” I groaned, my cheeks instantly heating as memories of last night flooded back. Covering my face with both hands, I flopped back onto the bed and began rolling from side to side like a distressed cinnamon roll.

Unfortunately, my rolling spree ended with me toppling off the edge of the bed and landing with an unceremonious thud.

“Ouch!” I yelped, clutching my hip. The ache from the fall was nothing compared to the secondhand embarrassment eating me alive. “Argh! What did I just do last night?!” I screeched, running my fingers through my hair and tugging at it as if that could undo my mortifying actions. Out of frustration, I resorted to nibbling on my fingernails like a deranged squirrel.

Eventually, I dragged myself back onto the bed, plopping down with a dramatic sigh. But the moment I settled in, vivid images of Sebastian’s smug, smoldering expression last night hit me like a slap to the face. My entire body stiffened as my brain shouted, Delete! Delete!

“AAAHHH!” I screamed into the pillow, muffling my despair.

“Are you awake?”

The deep, familiar voice startled me. I spun around like a startled cat, clutching the pillow to my chest. There he was—Sebastian—looking as dashing as ever in his knight’s attire. A knowing smirk danced on his lips, his emerald eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Can you not state the obvious?” I snapped, rolling my eyes to hide my embarrassment.

He chuckled softly, the sound grating and alluring all at once, as he closed the distance between us. Standing by the side of the bed, he tilted his head, watching me like I was some fascinating creature.

“You should take a shower, my lady,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing. Then, with absolutely no regard for my sanity, he leaned in close—too close. His lips were mere inches from my ear as he whispered, “Or… would you prefer if I escorted you to the bathroom myself?”

The audacity! His words sent an involuntary shiver down my spine, but I wasn’t about to let him win this round. My face lit up with a mischievous grin as I leaned in just as close, our breaths mingling.

“Why?” I whispered, my voice dripping with mock innocence. “Do you want to join me?”

His smirk faltered, and his eyes widened slightly. Victory. I bit back a laugh, my grin widening like the Cheshire Cat’s.

“Hah. Got you.”

Before Sebastian could respond, a firm knock on the door interrupted him.

“Sir Sebastian, the Grand Duke wishes to have a word with you,” a voice called from outside. Both of us instinctively turned toward the door.

Sebastian sighed, the smirk on his face fading for a brief moment before returning in full force. He shifted his attention back to me, leaning closer with that infuriatingly confident gleam in his eyes.

“Consider yourself lucky today,” he muttered, his voice laced with playful menace.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes and crossing my arms. “Oh, how magnanimous of you,” I replied, sarcasm dripping from my tone.

His low chuckle reverberated in the room, sending an annoying flutter through my chest. He took a deliberate step closer, the intensity in his gaze making the air between us feel heavier.

“You’ll scream my name again next time,” he murmured, his voice dipping into a husky tone that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. His lips curled into a teasing grin. “But I’ll make sure it’s even louder.”

Before I could snap back with a witty remark, he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine—a quick, confident kiss that left me utterly frozen. My eyes widened in surprise, my brain scrambling to catch up.

When he pulled back, his lips tilted upward into a sly grin as he straightened his clothes with infuriating nonchalance, his hands smoothing over his shirt.

“Take your shower first,” he instructed, his tone effortlessly casual. “I’ll send some servants to assist you, and I’ve already prepared a dress for you. You don’t need to worry.”

He turned toward the door, his back to me, but just as he reached for the doorknob, he paused and glanced over his shoulder.

“Oh, and your cat,” he added, his voice softer, almost fond. “The servants are taking care of him. They’ve taken him for a stroll in the garden.”

With that, he opened the door and stepped out, closing it gently behind him.

For a moment, I remained seated on the bed, staring at the door like a complete fool. My heart thudded in my chest, my thoughts a jumbled mess. Chewy! How could I have forgotten him?!

Groaning, I buried my face in my hands. “What the heck is wrong with me?” I muttered, ruffling my hair in frustration.

Just as I was piecing myself together, the door creaked open. I lowered my hands to see two familiar figures standing there—Eleonor and Lilith.

“Good morning, my lady,” Eleonor greeted with a polite bow, her tone warm. “We’re here to assist you today.”

I blinked, my surprise evident. “Eleonor? Lilith?”

Before I could say another word, Lilith darted forward and threw her arms around me.

“My lady!” she cried, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face.

I stiffened, caught off guard by her sudden embrace. My heart ached at the sight of her tear-streaked face. They had been in the South—how were they here? Who brought them?

The weight of my actions sank in. I had abandoned them without a word, leaving them to fend for themselves. I bit my lip, guilt gnawing at me.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I’m so sorry.”

Lilith’s sobs echoed in the room, and for the first time in a while, I felt the full weight of my mistakes. I hadn’t just been reckless—I had been a terrible lady.

══ ◈ ══

I had just finished my shower, and Eleonor was now carefully brushing my damp hair. Her movements were gentle, but her expression betrayed a hint of tension.

“As they told me,” Eleonor began, her voice low, “after learning about what the Grand Duke did to you... how he kidnapped and tortured you... Sir Sebastian brought us to the South for safety.”

I frowned slightly, glancing at her through the mirror. “I still don’t understand why he did that,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But thanks to him, you were spared from the chaos at the manor.”

Eleonor offered a faint smile but said nothing more, her hands continuing their rhythmic motions.

The rumors about me had shifted like shadows. Instead of whispers about the Emperor, the focus had turned to the Grand Duke. Word had spread that he had suffered a downfall, much like the Emperor’s betrayal of me. The details were murky—conspiracies, power plays—but no one truly knew what transpired while they were away from the Capital.

I sighed, my shoulders sagging under the weight of unanswered questions. If only I had unlocked that hidden chapter in my world... maybe I would already know what’s coming next.

“My lady, it’s done,” Eleonor announced softly, stepping back with a small smile of satisfaction.

“We’ll fetch some food for you now, my lady!” Lilith chimed in, her usual cheerfulness evident as they both curtsied and left the room.

Alone once more, I found myself staring into the mirror. My reflection gazed back, familiar yet haunting. I was relieved that my appearance had returned to normal, but something about my own eyes unsettled me.

As I continued to study my reflection, something in the mirror shifted. My narrowed eyes caught it—a faint glow coming from the drawer where the orb was kept.

My breath hitched. Slowly, I stood and approached the drawer, the air around me growing colder with each step. My fingers hovered over the handle before pulling it open.

The orb lay nestled inside, its glow pulsing softly, almost like a heartbeat. I reached out, my hand trembling, and when my fingers made contact, the orb's light surged. It was blinding yet strangely soothing, wrapping the room in an ethereal amber glow.

I stared into the orb, my own reflection shimmering within its depths—but my ginger-colored eyes were ablaze, as if lit by an inner fire.

Suddenly, my head throbbed, and muffled sounds filled my ears. The orb seemed to pull me in, and my vision blurred as fragmented scenes flashed before my eyes.

“What the hell?” I gasped, stumbling back, nearly dropping the orb in my shock. My heart raced as dread crept into my chest. Whatever I had just seen was something I desperately wished to unsee.

Panic rising, I darted to my wardrobe and retrieved my pouch, fastening it securely around my waist. I grabbed my daggers, sliding them into their sheaths with a practiced motion. My fingers brushed against the orb one last time before I slipped it into the Aether Pouch, its glow hidden but its presence still heavy.

I needed to act, and I needed to act fast.

I was heading toward the door when it suddenly swung open.

Sebastian stood there, his breathing uneven, his usually composed demeanor replaced by urgency. His eyes locked onto mine, scanning my face as if searching for answers.

“Lady Arthemice,” he muttered, his voice low and strained.

Something was wrong.

“Don’t go to the Capital,” he said, his tone a mix of command and pleading.

My brows knitted together in frustration. “I have to go there,” I said firmly, my voice brooking no argument. The weight of my determination hung heavy in the air.

“Why is this happening? It doesn’t make any sense!” I stopped just inches from Sebastian, my gaze piercing into his.

He ran a hand through his already tousled hair, a rare crack in his composed demeanor. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice tinged with both frustration and confusion. “This didn’t happen in any of my previous regressions.”

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, my touch steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “Then let’s go now, Sebastian,” I murmured, a steely resolve hardening my words.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

“Meow.” Chewy appeared, leaping gracefully onto my shoulder as I summoned him. His warm, comforting presence contrasted with the growing tension in the room.

Sebastian’s lips curled into a faint smirk, though his eyes held a hint of resignation. “I can’t stop you, can I?” he asked, his voice low as he exhaled heavily, a mixture of surrender and reluctant amusement.

He stepped closer, leaning his forehead against my shoulder. His presence, steady and familiar, carried an unspoken reassurance—a quiet promise to stay by my side, no matter what lay ahead.

I reached up and lightly patted his head, a rare show of affection. “Then let’s go,” I whispered, my tone softer but no less resolute.

fin.