𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(54) The System's Glitch.

"........," 

"If it's Hamilton Street..."

Winter trailed off, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He seemed to be pondering its location.

Hamilton Street was just a block away from the Eckart mansion.

Since he already knew who I was, it would have been much easier to simply ask him to escort me to my room.

By now, It's a possibility that (Y/N), too, is aware of my identity.

Oh, pardon me.

It's a fact.

Even Alissa managed to see through my disguise so easily.

Maybe it's time I should consider getting a better one.

However, I chose to maintain the pretense of ignorance.

‘Let's just act like no one knows the other,’

After all, I wasn't planning on seeing Winter again after today.

"It's difficult to reserve a carriage with the crowd,"

I said, spitting out an excuse almost immediately.

"Didn't you come with a bodyguard?"

He asked, his eyes turning serious behind the small holes of the rabbit mask.

I thought about my only bodyguard at the mansion, Eckles.

Though he was a bodyguard of mine only in title, I had no intention of using him that way.

‘I need to treat him carefully, like a fragile baby, now that he's the only hope I have of winning this game,’

I mused.

I shrugged and lied, "Every lady has her secrets."

Winter's curiosity faded, and he seemed to understand a bit of what I was implying.

He then withdrew a staff from his robes and extended his other hand towards me. 

"May I ask you to lay your hand on mine?"

Teleportation.

It appeared he was going to use it as expected.

‘Thank goodness,’

I thought, feeling relieved as I placed my hand in his.

He squeezed my hand shortly after.

Winter then addressed (Y/N) with his title, "Your Grace," his tone gentle and respectful. "Would you like to accompany us, as well?

The male in question still looked out of it, his gaze lingering on our intertwined hands.

His eyes held a distant, almost pained expression.

I looked above his head.

His interest score had dropped once more.

Yet again.

[Interest 48%].

‘Why does it keep dropping?’

I wondered, a mix of frustration and confusion swirling inside me.

(Y/N) finally shook his head slowly, his voice calm but distant.

"No, I'm good. You two can go without me for now. I'll stay back,"

I couldn't help but wonder if he was, in fact, jealous.

But of whom?

Winter or me?