Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 50 ==Decisions==

"My Muse!!!"

My face instantly soured the moment I heard his voice echo through the office.

"I thought we agreed you'd stop calling me that," I said flatly as I sank into the soft couch across from him.

"Nope! What we agreed on was not falling in love. Nothing in that agreement said I'd stop calling you my muse," he said, grinning like a smug cat who just stole the cream.

I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my past lives. I completely forgot about the "muse" thing. Ugh.

"So," he said, eyes twinkling with mischief, "what can I do for you, my one and only inspiration? Or are you just here to grace my humble office with your beauty?"

His excitement was ridiculous—but oddly... contagious. His eyes sparkled like he'd won the lottery. Was this really Lex? The same guy who once brooded for three days over a typo? He didn't feel like Lex anymore. Or maybe he never was? The confusion in my head was starting to turn into a mental jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces.

Anyway.

"I'm here to hear your thoughts on my plan," I said seriously, brushing off the chaos in my brain.

Honestly, I was curious—very curious—about why he kept shooting down the idea of me accepting the king's proposal.

"I'm listening," he said, sitting up straighter, all business now.

"I heard from my informants that His Highness, King Frederick, plans to propose to me at the Summer Ball. I'm thinking of accepting... so I can infiltrate the Northern Kingdom."

The moment I said it, his smile vanished like a fart in the wind. The silence that followed was so uncomfortable I almost coughed just to fill the air.

"So... what do you think of my plan?" I asked, trying to break the awkward quiet.

"Alyssa," he said slowly, "you can't possibly be thinking of marrying the king just to infiltrate his kingdom."

I rolled my eyes again—seriously, I might go blind one day.

"Why not? It's the only move we have! This is the best way to get in, even if it means... selling myself to another kingdom."

"You're not a pawn to be sold," he said calmly, but his voice had a firmness to it. "The Northern Kingdom is dangerous, Alyssa. Marrying the king would be like walking straight into a lion's den wearing a meat dress."

"That's the point!" I snapped. "You think I don't know Queen Lilith wants something from me?"

"Alyssa, just listen to me for once! Marrying the King isn't the answer—he'll be the end of you!"

He froze after that. His eyes widened like he hadn't meant to say that last part. His hand even flew to his mouth in horror.

"...What?"

Silence.

"Kian," I said, my tone dropping, "what do you mean he'll be the end of me? How would you know that?!"

"I... I can't tell you."

And there it is. The classic "I can't tell you" card. I was getting really tired of that one.

"How am I supposed to just blindly trust you when you won't even give me a real reason?!" I was practically vibrating in place now.

"Alyssa, please..."

"Please what? Don't marry the king? Why? Just say it!"

"I can't! But he's dangerous and—"

"Oh, give me a break, Kian! Everyone's dangerous these days. Even you are dangerous. But I'm still friends with you, aren't I?"

He fell silent.

"I know you're trying to protect me," I added softly, "but how can I let you, when you're not giving me the truth?"

He opened his mouth, then closed it.

"Alyssa," he finally said, "you can't marry the King."

"I will marry him. It's my duty."

"You will not," he said firmly.

"I will," I shot back. "And unless you give me an actual, goddamn reason why I shouldn't... I'm not backing down."

He sighed. A deep, frustrated kind of sigh. Then his blue eyes locked onto mine.

"I... can't tell you. I'm sorry."

"Then I'll take that as a no. No reason, no stopping me. My sister says he's fit to be my husband, and while I don't care about titles—"

"Is that what this is about? Status? That he's a king?"

"Of course not!" I snapped. "This is about duty. Something bad is going to happen, Kian. Something big. If I don't go to the Northern Kingdom and investigate, we might all be doomed."

I stood up, brushing imaginary dust from my dress.

"What if..." he said suddenly, "what if you fall in love with him?"

I paused. Then gave him a wicked smile.

"That's absurd. But who knows? According to all the novels I've read, love doesn't show up until after the wedding."

His expression darkened. It was almost scary.

"I'm not the kind of girl who falls in love easily," I added. "Especially not after what you did to me... as Lex. I don't believe in love anymore."

He said nothing.

"Well then," I said, tossing my hair over my shoulder, "thanks for the... emotional roller coaster."

And just like that, I walked out of his office before he could even say goodbye. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, exhaling so hard I probably shifted the building's foundation.

"Madam? Are you okay?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Oh, Smiley!" I gasped. "You scared me."

He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. You looked... emotionally wrecked."

"I just argued with Kian," I grumbled, rubbing my temples.

He nodded, looking concerned. And beautiful. No wonder my brother's in love with him.

"Madam, about your brother and me... I—"

"I'm okay with it," I said gently. "But you have your reasons for staying away. Just know... he has his reasons too."

He lowered his head, guilt written all over his face.

"The only thing that matters is that he loves you. And from the way you just blushed, I know you still love him too."

He chuckled nervously. "Madam..."

"But I do have one question," I whispered, leaning in close to his ear. "Have you two done the deed?"

His face went bright red.

"M-Madam!!!"

"What? I'm just asking!"

"O-Of course not!" he stammered, completely flustered. It was adorable.

"Right, right... nothing happened," I said, waving it off casually. But deep down, I knew something did. And honestly? Good for them.

"Well, I'm off. I'll send your regards to my brother!" I called over my shoulder as I sauntered away.

I didn't need to look back to know he was redder than a tomato. But I also knew... he loved it.

I just hope they end up together. They deserve a happy ending. Maybe one day... I will too.