It was the second year of my mission to seduce the Hero, and I had accidentally fallen for the Villain. He was obedient, sweet-talking, and knew exactly how to look at me with those puppy-dog eyes. He’d beg for hugs and cling to me like his life depended on it. We had been fooling around for a month when the Hero, face black as thunder, threw me over his shoulder and carried me back to my room. "Have you had enough fun yet?" he gritted out through clenched teeth. Before I could answer, the heavy oak doors of the chamber were blasted off their hinges. The Villain stood in the doorway, a terrifyingly charming smile on his face. "Asking that now... don't you think it's a little too late?" 1 The Order of the Silver Flame accepted a new recruit. Rumor had it he was gorgeous—pale skin, red lips, the works. I caught a glimpse of him passing the training grounds. The rumors didn't do him justice. He was surrounded by a crowd, but his eyes locked onto mine from across the field. He bowed slightly, flashing a smile that was equal parts innocent and mischievous. Like a little fox. I nodded politely, turned around, and walked away. Inside my head, I was screaming at the interface. System! System! I want to switch targets! I want to switch targets right now! The System finally pinged. [System: Sorry, Host. You don't have enough points for that transaction.] How many am I short? [System: Only 50 points! Just complete the main quest and you’ll have plenty!] Useless. Absolutely useless. I rubbed my temples. Five years ago, I transmigrated into this fantasy romance novel. No cheats, no inventory, no System. Just when I accepted my fate as a background character, sweeping floors for three years, the System finally booted up. [System: Hiii! Sorry I’m late! I’m Seven, your Romance Guide!] I threw my broom. Late? You call three years late? [System: Spatial turbulence, you know how it is. Anyway, your mission is to conquer the Male Lead. Make him fall at your feet!] I sighed. Who is he? [System: Look up!] I looked. Walking down the marble stairs was a man in pristine white armor. Handsome, yes. But cold. Frozen. Kaelen. The High Commander. The "Ice Prince." He cared about nothing but duty, honor, and slaying monsters. He was famously celibate. I turned around to leave. Forget it. I’d rather die. [System: Then you will be struck by lightning as a penalty.] I spun back around with a bright smile. Challenge accepted. So, I spent two years chasing Kaelen. I climbed the ranks from a servant to an elite soldier just to be his adjutant. But the guy was a stone wall. Zero romantic progress. So, I gave up. I started "quiet quitting." 2 I was lounging in a tree on Skyfall Peak, eating grapes, when a loud crash shook the forest. I levitated over to investigate. Someone was face-planted in the dirt, legs kicking in the air. I couldn't help but laugh. "Senior..." a muffled voice came from the ground. "A little help?" I cast a simple wind spell to pull him out. It was the new kid. His hair was messy, a few leaves stuck to his cheek, but he still looked devastatingly pretty. His eyes were wet, like a startled deer. "Sorry, Senior," he said, dusting himself off. "I hit the barrier while practicing my flight spell." "You're the new recruit?" He nodded eagerly. "Name?" "Damon," he said, eyes curving into crescents. Ding. [System: New Character Unlocked: Damon. Role: The Main Villain.] My smile froze. Damon? The Shadow Lord? The guy rumored to be a bloodthirsty, ruthless monster with fangs? I looked at the boy in front of me. He looked like a cinnamon roll. Then I noticed his wrist was bruised purple. "You're hurt," I said. Minutes later, I was leading the Big Bad Wolf to the infirmary. Villain or not, building connections never hurt. Damon followed me like a lost puppy. While I applied the salve, he winced. I decided to tease him and pressed a little harder. He bit his lip, eyes reddening. "Senior... gentle, please." Oh, god. My heart skipped a beat. "I'm still bad at flying," he whispered, tugging my sleeve. "Can you teach me?" I cleared my throat. "Come to Skyfall Peak every evening at sunset. I'll teach you." He beamed. "Senior, you're the best!" 3 The next evening, Damon arrived with his training sword. He learned fast. Too fast. I suspected he was faking his incompetence. He was the Shadow Lord, after all. "Look, Senior!" he shouted, spinning in the air. Suddenly, he wobbled and plummeted. I flew up to catch him princess-style, but at the last second, he twisted and wrapped his arms around my waist. We floated down together, spinning slowly. Definite on purpose. "Don't underestimate me, Senior," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. I pushed him away, face heating up. "Focus!" From then on, he came every day. He brought snacks. He covered me with his cloak when I napped. One night, while I was getting ready for bed, I heard a thud at my window. "Who is it?" I grabbed my robe. "S-sorry! I brought fresh fruit..." I opened the window. Damon stood there, blushing, holding a basket of glowing moon-pears. His collar was loose, exposing his collarbones. I took the fruit and flicked his forehead. "Use the door next time." He nodded and ran away. [System: Host, remember the mission! You've been fooling around with the Villain for a month! Progress with Kaelen is zero!] Mute. 4 The Grand Tournament was approaching. Kaelen was busy hunting demons. I was relaxing under a pear tree when a figure materialized out of thin air. Damon. But today he wasn't wearing the standard recruit uniform. He wore black silk robes embroidered with dark gold. He looked dangerous. And beautiful. "You look good," I said honestly. He smiled, flashing into the seat next to me. "I'm glad you like it." He looked at the grapes in my hand. "Senior, feed me?" I tossed him one. He shook his head. "I want to taste the one in your mouth." I choked. This was... aggressive. Before I could respond, the System screamed. [System: Kaelen incoming! Kaelen incoming!] I jumped up. Kaelen stood under the archway, radiating frost. His expression was darker than I’d ever seen. "Master Kaelen," I bowed. He ignored me, glaring at Damon. "Who are you?" "Damon," he replied cheerfully. "Nice to meet you, High Commander." "Skyfall Peak is restricted," Kaelen said, ice in his voice. "Get out." Damon blinked, then leaned closer to me. "Senior said I could come." Did he just throw me under the bus? Kaelen looked at me. "Is this true?" "He... he just came for sword lessons..." "Lessons?" Kaelen scoffed. Damon pouted. "Senior... he's so scary." Kaelen’s hand went to the hilt of his sword. "You’ve been bewitched by this boy for a month?" Damon tried to hook his pinky with mine. Shing. Kaelen’s sword unsheathed, pointing straight at Damon’s throat. "Back off." Damon chuckled. His form dissolved into black mist. "See you tomorrow, Senior."
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