The warm southern breeze brushed against my skin as I leaned against the window, watching the town below. Merchants called out their wares while townsfolk bustled about, their daily lives carrying on peacefully. It was a quiet contrast to the turmoil I’d once known. Here, in the townhouse Darious had given me, life finally felt... manageable.

Two years had passed since the war ended. It felt longer, like an entire lifetime had been packed into those chaotic days. Now, Eleanor and Lilith’s laughter drifted in from the garden, light and carefree.

I glanced outside to see them crouched by the rose bushes, their hands dusted with soil as they admired their work. Chewy, their small and spirited companion, bounded around them, his wagging tail stirring petals and sending both girls into fits of giggles. Lilith tried to scoop him up, but he wriggled free, earning a delighted laugh from Eleanor as she reached to pet him instead.

Cecelia and Lumine had married before I came here. Darious had taken up his title as Grand Duke and was busier than ever. Lumine’s coronation followed not long after, and now he sat as Emperor.

As for me, I had chosen this quiet life in the South with Sebastian. He had said it would be a good idea, and I had to admit he was right. The South was beautiful in its own way, with its open fields and calm pace. Even Charlie had found his place here, becoming a knight and working closely with Sebastian.

I let out a quiet sigh, my gaze drifting to the garden. The peace, the normalcy—it all felt surreal. This was my life now.

Or so I thought.

Out of the corner of my eye, something flickered. My breath caught, and a sinking feeling settled in my chest. Slowly, I turned toward the faint glow, my heart thudding louder with each second.

And then, there it was.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

You have completed the final predicament! You have ended the war and restored the kingdom in progress.

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

The words floated before me, sharp and clear. My stomach twisted. I hadn’t seen this system notification in so long, I thought it was done.

Apparently, it wasn’t over. It had been waiting—waiting for the kingdom to be fully restored. And now that it was, the system had returned. Why now? I wasn’t sure.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

Do you want to end the game?

◣ Yes ◥ No

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

The words glowed faintly before me, casting an eerie light across the room. I stared at the holographic screen, my breath hitching in my throat. “End the game?” I echoed softly, the words tasting foreign on my tongue.

Without a second thought, I reached out and pressed Yes. Maybe this would finally erase it, make it vanish for good.

But the relief was short-lived.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

Are you certain you want to end the game?

◣ Yes ◥ No

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

My jaw tightened as irritation bubbled under my skin. “Seriously?” I muttered, jabbing the Yes option with a little more force than necessary.

Still, the system wasn’t done testing my patience.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

Final confirmation: Do you truly wish to end the game?

◣ Yes ◥ No

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

My hand froze, hovering over the glowing button. My fingers trembled slightly as a flicker of doubt wormed its way into my mind. Was this it? Would pressing this finally break the chains the system had wrapped around my life?

I drew in a shaky breath, steeling myself. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Then, with deliberate care, I pressed the button one last time.

The holograph flickered, dimming as though it were drawing its final breath. Then, the screen burst into a vibrant display of gold letters.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

Congratulations, dear player! You have completed all predicaments. Your choices have led to freedom!

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

I blinked, my chest tightening as the words blurred through the tears welling in my eyes. Relief, disbelief, and something resembling emptiness swirled within me.

The system wasn’t finished yet.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

This is goodbye. Thank you for playing, and enjoy your journey!

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

It was done. Truly done.

The system—the invisible force that had dictated my every move, stolen my choices, and twisted my life into something unrecognizable—was gone.

I stood there, staring at the empty space where the holograph had been, my thoughts swirling.

Huh. The game I created, the game I played, and the novel that ended when the war was over—it was all gone. My story had reached its final page.

A chuckle bubbled up unbidden, dry and humorless. Arthemice had dragged me here for revenge, fooling me into believing she sought vengeance against the Emperor, when in reality, her true target was me. She wanted retribution because I had written her character that way. In a strange way, it was clever of her, especially since I had lost all my memories of how I created this world and the game itself.

“How ironic,” I muttered, suppressing the urge to laugh outright.

“Arthemice?”

Sebastian’s voice, deep and steady, pulled me from my thoughts. I turned toward him, his tall frame framed by the soft glow of the setting sun spilling through the doorway. Concern lingered in his emerald eyes, their usual sharpness softened by the warmth of the moment.

Hearing him call me Arthemice felt right. I had asked him to stop calling me Faerie—a name tied to a life I wanted to leave behind. That life was filled with mistakes, blinded dreams, and choices that hurt too many people. It wasn’t who I wanted to be anymore.

“Are you alright?” he asked gently, stepping closer. His voice carried the weight of genuine care, grounding me.

I blinked, brushing away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. “I’m fine,” I replied, my voice soft yet steady as I managed a small smile.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed, his gaze unwavering as if he could see through the walls I tried to put up. But he didn’t press. Instead, he gave a slight nod, holding up a delicate porcelain cup. “Your tea is getting cold.”

I chuckled quietly, the sound light and unburdened. “Thank you,” I murmured, taking the cup from his hand. For a brief moment, our fingers brushed, and the simple touch sent a warmth through me that had nothing to do with the tea.

I glanced back at the spot where the holograph had once hovered. The space felt lighter now, as if the shadows that had clung to me for so long had finally lifted. With the system gone, I was free—truly free.

The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers and the promise of a fresh start. I let go of Sebastian’s hand and knelt beside Eleanor, admiring the vibrant roses. Chewy meowed softly and padded over, curling up on my lap. I chuckled, gently rubbing his head as his purring filled the quiet moments between the girls’ laughter. His small, warm body was a comforting weight, a symbol of the simpler joys I had found in this life.

When I rose to my feet, I carefully lifted Chewy and set him down on the soft grass. He stretched lazily before trotting off toward Eleanor and Lilith, who immediately showered him with affection.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson, I rose to my feet and turned to Sebastian. His emerald eyes reflected the sunset, holding a quiet intensity that made my breath catch.

For the first time in years, I felt like I belonged—not as a piece in someone else’s game, but as myself.

I stepped closer to him, letting the evening’s golden light wrap around us. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.

“For what?” he asked, tilting his head, his gaze locked on mine.

“For staying,” I said, my words simple but heavy with meaning.

Sebastian’s expression softened. He reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. His lips lingered for a moment, warm and reassuring, before he pulled back just enough to meet my gaze.

“Always,” he murmured, his voice steady and filled with quiet devotion.

The stars began to peek through the twilight sky, casting a silver glow over the garden. I whispered a silent farewell to the system that had once controlled me. My future was my own now—unwritten, unbound, and full of possibility.

And with Sebastian by my side, I was ready to live it.

END OF TO BE THE VILLAINESS