Lucian leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but his tone laced with impatience. “So,” he began, his sharp eyes locking onto Victor’s, “what is it you want to talk about? Be quick I don’t have all day.”
Victor chuckled lightly, leaning forward with an air of confidence, his sharp features catching the dim light of the room. “I must say, you’re… different from what I thought,” he remarked, his voice smooth but carrying a subtle edge.
Lucian didn’t respond, his expression remaining neutral as Victor continued.
“I expected a pampered, second-generation rich kid. You know, the kind that wastes their time chasing cheap romances and throwing around their family’s name.” Victor’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “But you? You’ve been playing a very interesting game, haven’t you?”
Lucian’s gaze darkened slightly, the air around him cooling. “Come to the point,” he said flatly, leaning forward. “I’m not here to play games, Victor. Say what you came to say.”
Victor’s smirk didn’t falter. In fact, it widened as he met Lucian’s gaze, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “I heard Avey proposed to you,” he said, his tone deceptively casual, though the words carried a deliberate weight.
Lucian’s expression didn’t shift. “Yes, she did,” he replied, his tone calm, as though he were discussing the weather. “What does that have to do with you?” He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t think I know you, and I’m fairly certain she doesn’t, either.”
Victor’s smile tightened for a split second before he leaned back, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. “Oh, it has everything to do with me,” he said, his voice dropping slightly. “But let’s take a moment to think about this, shall we? You give up on her, and out of nowhere, she realizes she’s in love with you? Doesn’t that seem… odd to you?”
Lucian tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. “Odd? Not particularly,” he replied, his voice cool. “But again, I fail to see how this concerns you.”
Victor ignored Lucian’s dismissive tone, his thoughts racing beneath his outward calm. Inside, his frustration simmered.
If it weren’t for those damned headaches… Victor clenched his jaw slightly, his mind flashing back to the recent chaos that had consumed his plans. Business losses, botched operations, even direct attacks it had all distracted him. Whoever orchestrated those attacks… if I find them, I’ll make them beg for death.
The thought was enough to steady his irritation momentarily, but the memory of the morning brought it all rushing back. He had only just learned about the events at the college. About her. About him. And it had nearly made him spit blood.
Avey proposed to this… this insignificant fool. The sheer audacity of it had nearly driven Victor mad. It had taken everything in him to regain his composure. Now, standing here, his mind swirled with plans and contingencies. He needed to know had Lucian really given up?and what might be the sudden change in avey feeling about?
Victor’s voice remained smooth, his composure unshaken as he pressed on. “It doesn’t add up,” he said, his sharp gaze boring into Lucian’s. “You gave up, and suddenly she wants you? The timing is… curious.”
Inside, Lucian’s thoughts were far less calm than his expression. Max, I swear, if it weren’t for you constantly reminding me that killing this idiot would destabilize this world, he’d be dead a thousand times over by now.
[Host, as I’ve said before, you are an outsider in this world,] Max’s voice echoed in Lucian’s mind, calm but carrying an edge of warning. [It’s fine to make small ripples, even significant moments, but when it comes to Victor the center of this world you must tread carefully. Any attempt to kill him will surely fail.]
Lucian’s fingers tapped lightly on the table as his eyes flicked toward Victor, who was obliviously speaking. This guy, he thought, his jaw tightening. He’s insufferable.
“So, Max,” Lucian said inwardly, his voice laced with sarcasm. What’s the highest probability of killing this arrogant idiot?
Max hesitated for a moment, as though contemplating the question. Then, his voice returned, measured and serious. [If it’s someone like Arthur the antagonist of this world then perhaps well might some important characters which are center of world too. Arthur has the potential, given his role and proximity to the core storyline. But you?]
Lucian narrowed his eyes, his expression still unreadable as he stared at Victor, who continued to prattle on.
[For you, Host, such an outcome is… improbable. You’re not just unfated you’re unscripted. You don’t belong to this world’s design. Victor is the protagonist. The world will bend itself to protect him, and for you to achieve something like this would mean battling fate itself thought Arthur might have some chance which is possible but not…]
Possible, but not impossible, Lucian mused, his thoughts shifting like pieces on a chessboard. His gaze flickered with a calculating glint as he considered the implications.
[I would advise against it, Host,] Max continued, his voice firm. [Fate and the world’s will are complex forces. It’s like asking an NPC to kill the game developer. Even if you succeed for a moment, the repercussions will be catastrophic.]
Lucian exhaled slowly through his nose, his lips curling into a faint, almost sardonic smile. NPCs killing the developer, huh? What a messed-up game this is.
Max didn’t respond this time, letting the weight of his words linger in Lucian’s mind.
Lucian’s gaze darkened as he leaned slightly forward, his fingers steepled. Doesn’t matter, he thought coldly. What’s important is finding the leverage I need. If this world is going to protect Victor no matter what, then I just have to think bigger.
His eyes, sharp and calculating, bore into Victor, who seemed oblivious to the predator watching him. Lucian’s mind continued to whirl with silent strategies and contingencies, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he leaned back, feigning a casual indifference.
Victor watched Lucian closely, noting his silence. “What’s the matter, Kane?”
—-