I have a terrible habit when I'm drunk: I'm easily provoked.
Back at the office, my coworkers used to take full advantage of that, daring me into doing the most ridiculous, unhinged things. That's why I usually avoid getting drunk.
I was only a bit tipsy now, but if I kept drinking, I'd definitely cross the line. And I wasn't sure what I might do then.
So, better stop now. Cassian was already starting to lose control, I needed to stay clear-headed if I wanted to extract anything useful out of him.
I stood and walked toward him. From above, I looked down, he tilted his head back, gazing up at me with an expression that said it all.
He wanted to break my pride, just like Davina had once broken his. Maybe it was the only way he knew how to salvage whatever was left of his fractured self.
I smirked. Pathetic. Alright, fine. Let me indulge you in your sad little moment of power.
I slowly sank to my knees, settling between his legs.
"My turn now?" I tilted my head, eyes raised in challenge.
I saw him inhale, as if suppressing something that had just surged up from the depths of his chest.
"Truth." The word left him on a low breath, and he leaned forward.
I kept my position, looking up into those burning amber eyes.
"What's your connection with Duke Castanier?"
I needed to know if Cassian and Dylan had already begun conspiring, so I could prepare accordingly.
But maybe I was rushing, Cassian wasn't drunk enough yet.
His eyes flicked through me, reading every layer of my intent. With the smug grin of someone who'd won this round, he reached toward me.
I held my breath.
His fingers brushed past my ear to pick up the glass of brandy behind me.
Another drink instead of an answer.
He emptied the glass in one go, then planted both hands on his thighs and leaned in, voice like a predator's growl in my ear.
"My turn again."
Stubborn bastard. Fifteen minutes left.
If I picked "truth," I knew he'd ask something that'd force me to drink. Only one option left.
"Dare."
One corner of his mouth lifted, clearly pleased. He lifted my chin with one finger, savoring the sight of me kneeling before him.
I didn't get it. Davina had knelt before him countless times, sometimes worse than this. So why did he seem so damn pleased now?
"Call me Your Highness." Cassian whispered, his breath hot and heavy against my face.
Oh god, don't tell me… he's like this because it's me?
I kept my chin high, my eyes steady as they met his.
"Your Highness."
Cassian chuckled, soft, but not entirely sane.
So that's it. He's turned on by watching his enemy kneel and still resist him.
What a twisted piece of work.
From this close, it was obvious now: Cassian had gone off the deep end. But the real kicker?
It wasn't because of Davina anymore.
It was because of me, the soul inside her body.
"You're not the Davina I once knew." he murmured.
His thumb slid up from my chin to press against my lips, gently prying them apart.
"Who are you?"
I giggled, then bit down on his thumb.
He hissed, but didn't pull away.
"Davina Emerson." I said firmly.
In this world, I am Davina Emerson. That's the unchangeable truth. I may not have been her once, but I am her now. That's the twisted irony of it all.
"My turn." I tried to steer us back to the game.
But Cassian slipped his hand behind my neck and pulled me in close.
"We're out of drinks. Your turn's over."
Shit. I couldn't leave just yet, still ten minutes to go on the mission timer.
Guess I'd have to stall for time.
"Oh? That's too bad. You don't seem quite… satisfied yet."
Cassian leaned in, his lips hovering just above mine, breath warm and heavy against my face, sending shivers down my spine.
"I told you not to look at me like that."
I braced my hands on his chest, keeping some distance between us.
"Look at you like what?" I asked, playing dumb.
His fingers tangled in my hair and tugged, hard enough to sting.
"Like you see right through me." He growled.
How could I not, when I did see right through him?
"So you're admitting that I do see through you?" I murmured with a teasing smile. Eight minutes left.
"Yes." He said without hesitation, and for once, it caught me off guard.
"To be seen…" He whispered, pulling me closer despite my resistance. "…and to be known."
To be known…
Was this how his brokenness had warped so early, because I saw him?
When the whole world had turned its back on him, when even the one he loved walked away… someone came along and met his gaze with understanding.
How pitiful.
"So then, how should I look at you?" I asked. Five minutes left.
Cassian didn't answer. He seemed to be lost in thought, perhaps wondering whether he wanted me to see him the way Davina once did, or the way I do now.
Davina had always chased him to the point of obsession, yet never once did she truly see him for who he was.
But I, an outsider, understood his nature before I ever stepped foot into this world. And yet, I never once truly looked his way.
That must drive him mad.
Cassian's hand remained tangled in my hair. He wasn't hurting me, but he held me just tightly enough that I couldn't pull away. His amber eyes stared into me, full of emotions I couldn't decipher.
Hatred, loneliness, and yearning, swirling together into a storm far more violent than the rainstorm still raging outside.
I didn't struggle. I waited quietly for him to answer my question.
Eventually, his grip loosened. His hand slipped from my neck down to my shoulder. When he spoke, his voice was low and touched with a distant sadness.
"No matter how you look at me, it won't change anything." A bitter smile curved his lips. "You're still Davina."
He was right. No matter how much I change or try to atone for her sins, everyone will only ever see me as Davina.
While I pity the people of this world, perhaps I'm the most pitiful one of all.
No name. No family. Just a wandering soul trapped in someone else's body.
And so, I have no choice but to survive. To beat this game. And return to where I belong.
At any cost.
"The wine's gone. I'll take my leave now."
I brushed his hand away and rose to my feet, but Cassian suddenly grabbed my wrist, stopping me.
I looked down at him in surprise, meeting his amber eyes, still clouded and chaotic. But most of all, I saw loneliness.
A silent plea, screaming at me: Stay.
It seemed we had more in common than I thought.
We were both far from home. Both had lost everything. And both were utterly alone.
Just then, the system interface appeared, blocking his amber gaze from view.
[Congratulations. You have completed the mission.
In a moment of weakness, having someone by his side allowed Cassian to open up.
Affection +10%.
Current Affection Level: -25%.]
We might be alike, but there's still one difference between us:
This world doesn't belong to me.
I have no obligation to save anyone here.
Unless it's part of a quest.
I gently pried his hand off and let it fall limp into his lap. Without hesitation, I turned and walked away.
Outside, the rain still poured endlessly, washing the world in a cold, gray haze.
Night had deepened, and the chill seeped further into the halls with every passing drop. Had I not listened to Leila earlier, I'd probably be shivering like a leaf by now.
I tightened the cloak around me and continued down the corridor.
From afar, I heard the echo of approaching footsteps.
At this hour? All the servants should be asleep. Who could it be?
A tall figure stepped into the candlelight, clothes drenched, as if he'd just returned from walking in the rain. His jet-black hair clung to the sharp line of his jaw, crimson eyes empty and unfocused, like his soul had wandered somewhere far away. A cold, heavy aura followed him with every step.
It had only been a day.
Why did he look so broken?
When I finally came into Drake's view, I saw his eyes flicker with recognition, only to be swallowed once more by quiet emptiness.
Then the system flashed again in front of me, a grim reminder:
[On-going Mission: Make Drake willingly sleep with you.
Time Remaining: 4 days, 14:37:25.]
***
Thank you so much for reading! 💖
Your support means the world to me. If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone to help it rise in the rankings! And if you truly love it, a Golden Ticket would make my day! 🌟
Every vote, every comment, and every bit of love keeps this story alive. Let's keep going together! 💪📚