"I want to request an item that can create an illusion. One where… anyone who sees me believes I'm someone they trust. I need it to last five hours."
Fluffy blinked, the chibi fennec fox frozen mid-hover as if buffering her request. Then the holographic screen shimmered, processing.
[Analyzing request… Validating parameters… Matching item from database…]
Lines of glowing runes scrolled across the screen as a magical blueprint rotated slowly in the air. After a few seconds, the system let out a triumphant ding.
Ding!
[Item Found: Trustweaver Rune]
[Type: Temporary illusion rune]
[Effect: Alters user's appearance to resemble someone the viewer inherently trusts or obeys. The illusion auto-adjusts based on observer's mind.]
[Duration: 5 hours (based on request)]
[Cost:
♡ Personal Request Fee: 5 Affection Points
♡ Item Cost: -20 affection points
♡ Item Usage (5 hours): 10 Affection Points
♡ Total Deduction: 35 Affection Points
♡ [Total Cost: -35 Affection Points | Affection Points Remaining: 5]
A glowing, violet-blue rune hovered above the screen, pulsing softly like a heartbeat.
Fluffy's ears twitched again. "That's an advanced request, Princess. Are you sure?"
"Yes," Evelisse said immediately, voice firm.
Fluffy's voice turned serious. "This rune projects an illusion that makes you appear as the one the viewer inherently trusts or obeys—someone of authority or emotional importance. But be warned, Evelisse. You don't automatically know who they trust. You'll need to 'read the room' and act the part. If you speak too casually or incorrectly, you might blow your cover. The rune activates the moment the kidnappers see you. Once it starts, there's no turning back."
Evelisse snorted lightly. "Great. So I'll look like someone I don't even know exists, and I'll have to act like them too? Super comforting."
"I'm being serious," Fluffy scolded. "You don't know their history or speech patterns. You could be seen as a leader, a noble, a criminal mastermind—anything. Tread carefully. If they suspect you, the illusion could crack."
Evelisse's fingers curled around the rune as it floated down into her palm. Its surface was cool, pulsing like a heartbeat. She stared at it, a spark of sarcasm in her voice. "I'm sure I'll totally know how to impersonate a shadowy underworld boss with zero prep time."
"Then don't speak unless you must," Fluffy warned. "Listen first. Mirror their tone. Observe their dynamics. You can do this, but only if you stay sharp."
Evelisse nodded and moved to her wardrobe. She grabbed a dark cloak with a deep hood, something that could cover her until she reached the dungeon. The castle at night was a fortress of shadows—one slip and she'd be caught.
"Let's move," she whispered.
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
The corridor outside her room was dim, lit only by wall sconces. The candles flickered against the stone walls like nervous whispers.
Fluffy summoned a tiny holographic map beside her, the path to the dungeon glowing in soft blue.
"Guards on the west wing rotate every fifteen minutes," Fluffy murmured in her mind. "You have three minutes. Go."
Evelisse darted down the hall, her soft slippers muffling her steps. Her heart thudded—not from fear, but adrenaline. This wasn't just a secret mission. It was survival.
She slipped behind a tapestry as two guards passed, holding her breath until their footsteps faded.
'So far, so good.'
Down a spiral staircase, past the disused wine cellar, and through a narrow servant's corridor she'd only seen once in a childhood memory—the route was tighter than expected. At one point, she had to duck beneath a low beam, brushing cobwebs off her shoulders.
"Next left," Fluffy whispered.
Evelisse turned and nearly walked straight into a patrolling knight.
"Whoa!" She pressed herself into the shadows, the edge of her cloak brushing the cool stone wall.
The knight paused.
'Don't move.'
Seconds dragged. The knight tilted his head, then walked on. She waited three whole breaths before creeping forward.
Up ahead was a heavy oak door with a rusted brass keyhole.
"There," Fluffy said. "The guard who passed earlier has the key clipped to his belt."
Evelisse's stomach sank. 'You've got to be kidding me.'
The knight wasn't far—he'd stopped at a nearby alcove, humming to himself as he leaned against the wall.
When one of the guards turned to adjust his shoulder plate, she dashed forward, her hands quick and silent. Her fingers closed around the key ring. The metal jingled faintly.
The guard blinked, half-turning.
Evelisse froze.
But the other guard spoke up, stretching. "Ugh, I swear this armor gets heavier every year."
"Right?" his companion replied.
As they laughed, Evelisse darted back into the shadows.
"Key secured," she whispered.
"Proceed straight, then take the hidden stairway on your right. Quick, before they start patrolling again."
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
The door groaned slightly as she opened it, then clicked shut behind her.
She was in.
The air in the lower dungeons was colder, thicker. Damp stone walls exhaled mildew. Torchlight flickered weakly along the corridor, casting long, sharp shadows that danced like silent ghosts.
The Trustweaver Rune pulsed faintly beneath her skin.
"Turn right," Fluffy directed.
She moved swiftly. A few more turns, and the corridor narrowed. Voices echoed ahead.
Evelisse froze.
That voice—deep, sharp, calm but edged like a dagger.
Lucien.
She crept to the edge of the corridor and peeked around.
The chamber was low-ceilinged and dimly lit by a single, swinging lantern. Shackled to the wall were two figures—dirty, bruised, and unrepentant. One had a bleeding lip. The other grinned despite the chains.
Lucien stood before them, gloves off, sleeves rolled up, his posture composed—too composed.
"Tell me who gave you the orders," he said quietly. "I won't ask again."
No rage, no yelling. Just... cold.
His eyes gleamed with ruthless focus. He was no longer the calm, warm brother who read her bedtime stories. He was a commander. A predator.
Evelisse had never seen this version of him. The brutal strategist. The eldest brother not as she knew him, but as others feared him.
Lucien's voice cut through the silence. "You've got one chance. Give me the name of your leader."
The taller prisoner chuckled. "Oh, how noble. Does big brother blondie think threats work here?"
"Try again," Lucien said, a quiet threat in every syllable.
One of the prisoners scoffed. "We've told you nothing because you're not meant to hear it."
Lucien's fist moved too fast to see. The prisoner's head snapped sideways, blood trailing from his nose.
Still, he laughed. "Hit me all you want, Blondie. The thorn in your side is closer than you think."
Lucien's jaw tightened.
The other kidnapper smirked. "You nobles are fools. Meddling in forces you can't control. You think we're the threat?" He spat at Lucien's boots. "You should keep your enemies closer, because your family's about to bleed—publicly."
Lucien stepped forward.
"Don't," Fluffy whispered in Evelisse's mind. "Don't try to activate the rune yet. Not until your brother is gone, just find a good spot."
Evelisse nodded silently, inching closer—just enough for the kidnappers to catch a glimpse of her when the moment came.
Then it happened.
Something furry and very much alive brushed her ankle.
She looked down.
Squeak!
A rat.
"EEP!"
She jolted back instinctively, her foot striking a loose stone.
CLACK!
The stone echoed like a gunshot in the silence.
Lucien turned. "Who's there?"
Fluffy hissed, "Hide. Now."
She scrambled behind a broken crate, heart hammering. The illusion hadn't activated. The kidnappers hadn't seen her yet.
Lucien stepped away from the prisoners, eyes scanning the room. His hand moved to the dagger at his belt.
"Show yourself," he ordered, calm but commanding.
Evelisse didn't move.
He took a step closer.
'Please… please don't recognize me…'
His boots echoed on the stone floor, drawing closer.
Closer.
Fluffy's voice whispered urgently, "If he sees you, the illusion won't activate properly. You need the prisoners to see you first."
Closer...
Her heart thundered in her chest. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the rune tightly. 'Please don't see me, big brother Lucien. Please turn back...'
Closer....
Lucien's footsteps drew ever closer. The light from his torch grew brighter. Evelisse could see his shadow now, long and sharp against the wall.
She curled tighter into the corner. 'Don't breathe. Don't move. Please, not now!!!"