A few days pass peacefully before the excitement begins. The halls are buzzing with activity. Apparently Eileen is stirring up trouble again. I'm starting to get a headache from the constant gossip. Everyone seems to have something new to talk about everyday. I've played as Eileen many times, but this is the first time I've been around in the Academy as someone utterly unconnected to her. Eileen can live her best life, but it'd be great if every single conversation didn't somehow loop back to the girl.

Maybe most annoying is that every time I try to brush off the subject people act as if I'm being cold or aggressive toward Eileen. As if not participating in gossip is negative! Honestly, I just don't want to get dragged into the massive...plot-cluster that is Eileen's life in the academy. I just want to be left alone to enjoy my time with Viktor. Is that really such a crime???

Speaking of which, Viktor has been rather quiet. A lot of his classmates seem to have begun studying magic with him, or wanting him to give them lessons on herbs or whatever they've discovered while studying in the field. He's grown busier lately, due to all the attention from the other students. While I'm happy he has more friends than I did before, I'm feeling rather neglected. He's only really spending time with me on weekends now...and sometimes not even those.

It makes me a bit lonely. I know he's not deliberately neglecting me. We're both busy people, and with finals coming up in a few months there will be even less time to socialize or study together. It's a natural result of him having magical classes and myself not. We simply can't spend the time together we did while we were all at the same level in first year.

...I feel lonely.

But I brush it away. Viktor is still warm, sweet, and oh-so-loving whenever he has time to be with me. He never fails to make sure I know that he adores me and I am still the center of his universe, no matter how busy he is. So it is with a warm heart I look forward to this evening, when I am sure I can be in his arms again.

I've dressed up nicely. It's Friday - not actually, this world doesn't use those names, but the equivalent - so tonight is the start of the weekend. I want to start it gloriously with Viktor. My hair is coiled into an ornate hairstyle, decorated with precious gems and jewels, my hair having been oiled and curled until it shimmered in the light like threads of pure moonlight. My dress is black lace, accenting the color of my hair and the paleness of my skin, trimmed with small gems and gold, with a silver satin skirt flowing elegantly behind me.

It's a little odd to balance that with a plate of baked goodies, but...well. I'm good at baking, it turns out, and Viktor loves these. I haven't had the occasion to give him any in a while, so it's worth the clashing vibes.

He should be out in the garden, where we always meet after his classes. I cross the lawn in long, gliding steps, my skirt sweeping behind me gracefully. I push past the large hedges to reach the gazebo in the far back.

A flash of movement catches my eye and I freeze, taking a step back. There is a woman hanging partway out of the tree over the bench, arms clutching to the branches desperately, kicking in the air.

Eileen.

With a shout, her grip suddenly slips and she falls.

Strong arms catch her. I'm rooted in place. I can't move, watching with wide eyes as Viktor speaks with a panicked tone loud enough that his voice carries to where I'm standing, if not the words.

The plate I'm holding slips from my hands, falling into the underbrush.

I don't need to hear the words because I know what he's saying to her by heart. I know this scene perfectly. It plays out vividly in my memory.

How many times have I watched this happen?

Many.

A sick feeling twists my gut.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I swallow, unable to breathe for a second as I watch Eileen blushing and rapidly shaking her head.

This-

This is Viktor's first CG in the game. The one that plays at the early stages if his route if you spend enough time studying with him.

I-...I don't know...what I feel.

I-

Run away, because I have to. I turn and flee, my stomach heaving as my shoes crush down leaves and broken branches under my feet. I can't look at Viktor anymore. My throat feels raw, and my heart aches as I stumble and collapse in the nearest bathroom. My body lurches as I dry heave into the sink.

The mirror stares back at me accusingly, revealing my twisted reflection and pale, sickly expression. I run my hand over my face, forcing myself to breathe, and splash cold water onto my face to wipe away the sweat and tears.

My legs feel numb as I sink to the ground in the bathroom, struggling to control my breathing, to get a grip.

Victor's smile flashes through my mind.

I'm...being ridiculous. I don't care how it goes in the game, this isn't the game. Viktor loves me. I'm the one he wants to marry. His fiancee. Everything will be fine. I just need to get a grip. The last thing I should do is overreact and hurt Viktor's feelings making terrible accusations simply because I played a game in another world. He'd never understand. And if I act irrationally he'll think I'm upset for no good reason and then it'll ruin things between us and...

...I don't know if I'd survive that.

I don't know that I could lose Viktor and keep smiling. I couldn't. It'd destroy me. I don't...I can't...I won't do it. I won't give up. I love him too much to lose him.

I close my eyes, pressing my forehead to the cool marble of the floor and wrapping my arms around my chest. I'm...fine.

I'm fine.

I'm just...anxious. That's it.

I take a deep breath.

It'll all be alright.

I stand up, smoothing my dress, dabbing my eyes, and forcing a smile back onto my face. Today is good. Viktor and I are about to share a passionate weekend. Nothing else matters.

When I emerge from the bathroom and return to the garden, there's no sign of Eileen, just my beloved sitting on the bench as always. My heart warms at the sight of him. He stands at the sound of my arrival and a worried smile breaks onto his face as he notices my state. "Ophelia..."

He crosses the distance and rushes to my side, wrapping his arms around me. His head rests against my own as he cradles me tenderly. His familiar scent surrounds me. My pulse races, but for a much better reason this time. I am filled with happiness and relief.

"Viktor, what a lovely surprise!" I nuzzle against him affectionately, a grin creeping across my face as he pulls back, brows furrowed with concern. "You look stunning, darling. I'm sorry I was so late! Did I interrupt something important?"

Viktor shakes his head slowly, looking at me oddly for a moment before letting out a short sigh. "No. I was merely...thinking."

"About me?" I bat my eyelashes at him teasingly. "Am I so distracting that I appear so frequently in your thoughts?"

His eyes sparkle at the playful accusation, but he looks more relieved than anything, which strikes me as a little odd. He cups my face with both hands, brushing his lips against mine, kissing me tenderly before pulling back, eyes still roaming over me as if to ensure I'm in one piece. "Yes. Always. I cannot stop thinking of you, my treasure. It's rather irritating, really."

I chuckle at the joke and peck him on the cheek before settling in beside him.

"You spoil me, beloved."

He settles back and brushes my hair from my face, compulsively fixing what I'd missed a few moments ago. He lets out a content sigh and I happily oblige, closing my eyes and leaning into his gentle preening. "Are you alright, love?"

"Of course, I'm with you, how could I possibly be anything but wonderful?" I reassure him, pulling him into my arms. "Did you wait long, love?"

Viktor pauses and hesitates before giving a slight shake of his head. "Not at all. I arrived early, but you are just on time." He murmurs, smiling as he reaches over and traces the shape of my face gently with his finger, caressing my cheek and then sliding down my chin to lift it.

His green eyes stare intently into mine, and his voice becomes hushed. "I love you."

I lean forward and press my lips to his, then pull back with a flirtatious grin, looking him in the eye and whispering into his ear. "Shall we skip the dinner and head to our rooms? I can offer you some of my homemade cooking instead." I smirk coyly and wiggle my eyebrows.

Viktor chokes and I snort in amusement as he coughs, and I pat his back and pull him to his feet. "Ahaha, Viktor! Are you quite alright? My darling, please tell me you aren't becoming ill! We'll have to delay until you're well and able to receive my...gifts..I mean...my food."

Viktor recovers from his bout of coughing, wheezing slightly as he clutches his chest, staring at me with red cheeks. "Wha-"

I wink seductively and press a finger to his lips before he can protest.

He sighs. "Oh goodness, you're determined to kill me aren't you?" He lets out a defeated sigh, shaking his head before he begins to smile, his gaze becoming fond and soft. "You always know precisely what to do to make me adore you more, Ophelia."

I flush happily, wrapping my arms around him once more. "As long as I can be the person you adore the most in this world."

He places a kiss on the crown of my head, and leans in close to whisper into my ear. "Always, my lovely Ophelia. Always."