Morning came too quickly.
Sunlight filled the room as if nothing had happened.
As if I hadn't died.
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself.
Alive.
Unharmed.
My fingers pressed lightly against my chest.
No wound.
But I could still feel it.
The blade.
"…So it was real."
Every second of it.
The betrayal.
The silence.
Their eyes as I died.
My gaze hardened.
"…This time, I won't be the same."
A knock came from the door.
"Your Highness, the council is waiting."
Of course they were.
The beginning.
In my past life—
This was the day I walked in with hope.
The day I trusted them.
The day I doomed myself.
The grand hall hadn't changed.
Twelve thrones stood in a perfect circle.
Each occupied.
Each dangerous.
And each one—
A future killer.
The moment I stepped in—
Their attention shifted to me.
Sharp.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
The first to speak was him.
"Late."
Kael.
The Wolf King.
Cold silver eyes. Dark hair. A presence that demanded control.
In my past life, he was the first I trusted.
The first to betray me.
"I didn't feel like rushing," I replied calmly.
A pause.
That wasn't what he expected.
A quiet chuckle echoed.
"Well, that's interesting."
Ronan.
The Lion King.
Golden eyes, relaxed posture, always smiling like nothing mattered.
But behind that smile—
Was calculation.
"I preferred you quieter," he added lazily.
"Then you'll be disappointed," I said.
His smile widened.
"…I think I like this better."
Of course he did.
He always liked challenges.
"You've changed."
Soft.
Measured.
Zayden.
The Serpent King.
Sharp green eyes. Calm expression. The most dangerous mind among them.
He noticed everything.
I met his gaze directly.
"You don't know me well enough to say that."
A flicker of interest crossed his face.
"…Perhaps I don't."
The air shifted.
Heavy.
Hot.
"You understand why you're here."
Draven.
The Dragon King.
Power radiated from him like fire.
Dominant. Unyielding. The strongest among them.
In my past life—
He didn't even look at me at first.
Now—
His eyes didn't leave mine.
"I do," I said.
I stepped forward.
Standing in the center.
"You want a political marriage."
Straight.
Clear.
A shadow moved.
"…And?"
Noctis.
The Raven King.
Dark. Silent. Watching everything without speaking much.
The one who always knew more than he said.
"And I refuse."
Silence.
Complete.
The room froze.
"…What?" Ronan muttered.
Kael stood up instantly.
"You don't have the authority—"
"I have authority over myself."
My voice didn't shake.
Not anymore.
Zayden tilted his head slightly.
"…On what grounds?"
I smiled faintly.
"I don't trust any of you."
That hit.
Hard.
Kael's eyes darkened.
Ronan stopped smiling.
Zayden went completely still.
Draven's presence grew heavier.
Even Noctis stepped forward slightly.
"You would risk war?" Draven asked.
I held his gaze.
"I would avoid a worse outcome."
A pause.
Because they didn't understand.
But I did.
In my last life—
War still came.
And I still died.
Noctis spoke again.
"…You're speaking like you've seen the future."
Dangerous.
I shrugged.
"Or maybe I just make better decisions."
Ronan laughed softly.
"Oh, I definitely like this version."
"I don't," Kael said sharply.
I looked at him.
"Of course you don't."
A step closer.
"You liked me better when I was easy to control."
Silence.
Tense.
Sharp.
Because I was right.
Draven finally spoke.
"Refuse."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Let's see how long that lasts."
A threat.
Clear.
Heavy.
I smiled.
"Try me."
Something changed in that moment.
Not the power.
Not the politics.
But their attention.
Because now—
I wasn't someone they would use.
I was someone they couldn't understand.
And that made me—
Dangerous.