"She's such a fake pick-me girl. I'm done."
I shut the book with a sharp snap and threw it onto my bed.
How many times could a heroine "accidentally" fall into someone's arms? How many dramatic tears? I couldn't stand it anymore.
"I'm not finishing this."
The lights flickered.
I frowned.
Then everything went black.
---
Pain exploded at the back of my head.
Cold.
Hard.
Stone.
"…What?"
My lashes trembled open.
The air was heavy and cold, nothing like my room. A dull ache throbbed in my skull. Something wet slid down my temple.
Slowly, I lifted my hand.
Red.
Blood.
"Why am I…?"
My voice sounded small. Unfamiliar.
My surroundings came into focus.
High ceilings.
Dark curtains.
A massive room that felt more like a hall than a bedroom.
And I wasn't alone.
Several girls dressed in black-and-white maid uniforms were kneeling in a perfect row.
Kneeling.
On stone.
Trembling.
My heart began to pound.
Why was I dressed like them?
Why was I kneeling too?
Then I felt it.
Someone standing in front of us.
Tall.
Still.
Watching.
The room was dim. I couldn't see his face clearly. Only a broad silhouette framed by shadows.
And then—
Two eyes opened in the darkness.
Bright.
Red.
Not glowing wildly—just sharp, unnatural against the dark.
My breath stopped.
Who…?
He took one slow step forward.
The sound of his boots echoed across the hall.
No one dared move.
His voice was deep.
Cold.
Controlled.
"Take her."
Just that.
Two maids hurried forward and grabbed my arms.
"W-Wait—!"
One of them leaned close, whispering urgently,
"Lower your head! Don't look at him!"
My head was pushed down before I could protest.
My thoughts raced.
Who is that?
Why is everyone so scared?
Why am I here?
This has to be a dream.
There's no way this is real.
I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting to wake up in my bed.
But the cold floor was still beneath my knees.
The grip on my arms was still tight.
And behind me—
I could still feel his gaze.
Watching.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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