Aki barely slept the night before. The cursed forest, strange quests, and disappearing diary pages had left his head buzzing like a hive of angry bees. But if anything could be worse than that, it was waking up to an invitation that dripped with sweetness — the kind that made his stomach twist.
The invitation was written in fine golden ink on ivory paper, folded neatly with the royal seal pressed at the corner.
"To Lord Riel Arkwood,
The Princess requests your esteemed presence in the garden this evening.
Dress formally.
— Princess Celis."
Aki's eyes squinted as if the letters themselves might bite him.
"Oh, fantastic," he muttered, tossing it aside. "An invitation from the smiling blade herself."
At that moment, Mr. Whiskerdoom, lounging atop a velvet cushion near the window, opened one eye lazily.
"You sound thrilled," the cat yawned, stretching a paw that looked suspiciously sharp at the claws.
"You know this means trouble," Aki snapped back, rubbing his temples. "Why would she invite the 'villain' unless she wants to feed me to a ceremonial sword?"
"Because she's bored," Whiskerdoom replied dryly. "And bored princesses are far worse than angry ones."
Aki sighed. He glanced toward the window, the royal garden shimmering in the afternoon sun like a postcard from a cursed paradise. Somewhere deep inside, he already knew what would happen — another assassination attempt, another nightmare to dodge. But this time, something felt… different.
That evening, the garden glowed with lanterns strung between marble pillars. The scent of roses thickened the air, making the whole place feel like a trap woven from petals.
Princess Celis stood by the fountain, wearing a flowing dress the color of twilight clouds and a smile that stretched far too perfectly.
"Ah, Lord Riel!" she sang, beckoning him forward. "I was hoping you'd come."
Aki's stomach flipped. His eyes darted around — guards, servants, watchful eyes peeking from hedges. His hand brushed his coat, fingers seeking the small dagger hidden within its lining.
"Princess," Aki bowed slightly, the smile plastered on his face feeling more like a mask than ever. "You honor me."
She tilted her head, eyes glittering like polished gems.
"I always enjoy speaking with you," she cooed. "You have… how should I say… potential."
Aki's heart pounded. Potential? That never meant "stay alive."
"You're kind, Your Highness," he replied stiffly.
She giggled, stepping closer.
"Do forgive me if I'm a little forward," she whispered, leaning in. "You must be so tired… always plotting, always defending yourself from those nasty little assassins, hmm?"
Her lips barely moved, but the words hit Aki like ice water.
"You know about—?" Aki's eyes widened.
"Oh, we all know so much," she smiled wider, eyes dark with amusement. "It's why I care."
Care. The word twisted in his chest. He forced a grin that didn't reach his eyes.
As the conversation continued, Aki's attention slipped toward the hedge. A figure in a dark cloak crouched between two lanterns, blade gleaming like a snake's fang.
Aki's heart lurched. He barely had time to react.
"Watch out!" a voice screamed.
The figure lunged. A flash of steel slashed through the air toward Aki's neck.
But before the blade could reach him, another hand grabbed it mid-swing.
Eren.
The Hero.
His sword flashed, intercepting the assassin's strike. Sparks flew. The assassin stumbled, grimacing in pain.
"Back off!" Eren roared, eyes blazing with fury. "You'll not touch him!"
Aki froze. His mind spiraled.
"What… what is happening?"
The assassin snarled but fell back, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as it had come.
Aki staggered, blinking.
"Y-you… saved me?"
Eren's eyes softened. He placed a reassuring hand on Aki's shoulder.
"Of course I did," Eren said, almost bewildered. "Why wouldn't I?"
Aki's mouth opened, but no words came.
Later that night, in his chambers, Aki sat frozen. His coat sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, hands trembling.
Whiskerdoom leapt onto the table, tail flicking.
"Well," the cat drawled, "looks like you've got fans."
"Fans?" Aki growled.
"Do you think a hero jumps in for fun?" Whiskerdoom's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Something's rotten in this garden, and you're standing right in the middle of it."
Aki buried his face in his hands.
"Why does this keep happening?!"
"Because you're still alive," the cat replied. "And people want that dead."
The next morning, whispers rippled through the Academy like wildfire.
"The villain's under the hero's protection?"
"Is he faking it?"
"Maybe he's cursed."
Aki kept his face blank, but his stomach churned.
Something was wrong. The princess's smile. The assassin's precision. Eren's anger, his protectiveness. It wasn't random.
"It's… personal," Aki whispered to himself.
He stared into the mirror again, Riel's face glaring back at him. Crimson eyes sharp, lips twisted in a smirk that seemed far too familiar.
"Oh, this is bad," he muttered.
The garden that shimmered with beauty was, in truth, a battlefield covered in petals. Someone close to Eren — someone trusted — had orchestrated the attack. And Princess Celis, with her gentle smile and velvet words, knew more than she let on.
Aki's survival game was no longer about avoiding death flags written in the diary. Now it was about dodging smiles, lies, and betrayal.
The real game had begun.