To be the Villainess

O25.

Chapter 25

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MY HANDS trembled, the chill of fear still crawling up my spine as I clutched the book tightly against my chest. Sebastian stood in front of me, his towering figure a silent presence in the dim room. The voice that had spoken earlier was gone, but the unsettling feeling lingered like a shadow in the corners.

“I need to see Charlie. Will you be alright if I leave you here, my lady?” His voice was calm now, but his eyes scanned the room warily before finally settling on me.

I forced a nod in response, my throat too tight to speak at first. I couldn’t let him stay with me-he had his own life to protect. Besides, hadn’t he spared mine? The order had been clear—kill me if I knew his true identity, and yet, here we were.

“Yes, Sebastian. I’ll be fine. I can protect myself.” My voice was steady, but his name hung in the air between us like a secret exposed. His eyes widened, only for a second, as though my use of his real name had struck him unexpectedly.

“Be safe, my lady,” he replied, his tone softer now, before turning toward the veranda. With a fluid grace, he vaulted over the railing and disappeared into the night.

“Be safe also, Sir,” I whispered under my breath, unsure if he heard me. But in the fleeting moonlight, I caught a glimpse of his lips curving into a smirk before he vanished from sight.

As soon as he was gone, I slammed the window shut and drew the heavy curtains across, sealing myself inside. The night felt far too close, too dangerous. I glanced at the clock, its hands crawling past midnight. The room was now eerily silent, save for the soft ticking that marked the passing minutes.

I lit the lampshade, casting warm light across the room, and sat down with the book. Something about it drew me in—especially after that voice had warned I wasn’t supposed to hold it. My curiosity gnawed at me.

This book... there must be something inside I need to know.

Suddenly, a familiar shimmer caught my eye.

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The player has begun reading the book entitled, “The Knight’s Love.”

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I glared at the hologram. Really? Did it always have to appear at the most inconvenient times?

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The plot of the game will change once you finish reading. Predicaments will follow soon. Good luck!

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I clicked my tongue in irritation. Luh. Now the system was making me second-guess reading this thing. But it didn’t matter—whether I read it or not, the system would find a way to torment me either way. I could feel it lurking, always.

With a sigh, I opened the book and started the first chapter. The words were thick and heavy, drawing me into their world. My brow furrowed as I sank deeper into the pages, my mind swimming with the possibilities hidden within. The quiet tension in the room pressed down on me, but I couldn’t stop.

This book held something important. Something that might just change everything.

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