I was still sprawled across the bed when Nero's voice cut through the silence.
[You might want to sit up, host.]
"Why?" I mumbled into my pillow. "I'm enjoying my peace. Let me have this."
[Because your maid is coming up the stairs.]
I froze. "How do you even know that?"
[System awareness, obviously. I know everything happening within a hundred-meter radius. You're welcome.]
Before I could say anymore, there was a knock at the door—gentle, practiced, and exactly on cue.
"My lady?" came a soft, familiar voice. "It's Lila. I'm here to assist you with your change of clothes."
"Come in," I said, quickly sitting up and trying to look less like I'd been having a one-person debate with the ceiling.
Lila entered gracefully, her hands clasped neatly before her. She was petite, with light brown hair braided back and eyes that always carried that calm, patient look of someone who'd seen far worse chaos than me.
She gave a small curtsy. "Lady Seraphina, Her Grace asked that you change before dinner. Shall I prepare your evening gown?"
"Sure," I said, waving vaguely toward the wardrobe. "Something light. I'm not in the mood for a corset that tries to end my life."
Her lips twitched with the faintest trace of amusement. "Of course, my lady."
As she began pulling out fabrics, Nero's voice piped up again.
[You really have a talent for commanding people while still sounding like you don't want to.]
I frowned slightly. You know, for a system, you talk a lot.
[You'd miss me if I didn't.]
Doubt it.
While Lila laced up the back of my gown, Nero's tone shifted—mock-serious. [I must say, host, for someone who slapped a prince and secured an engagement, you're handling nobility quite—casually.]
"I'm not good at pretending to be elegant all the time," I muttered under my breath.
[Still, you could show some decorum when speaking to your system.]
Decorum? I raising a brow. You're supposed to help me, not lecture me.
[Would you prefer I spoke differently?] Nero asked, and suddenly his voice changed—silky, grand, and dripping with dramatic flair. [My dearest host, dost thou wish for thine attire to dazzle the realm and blind thine enemies with elegance?]
[Or something more robot like.]
I choked on my laugh. Absolutely not. Never do that again.
Luckily Lila didn't hear or she chose to pretend to not notice me, either way it's probably better.
[See? You prefer me this way.]
"Unfortunately, yes," I muttered, trying not to grin as Lila stepped back, tightening the last ribbon.
"There, my lady," Lila said softly. "How does that feel?"
I looked at myself in the mirror. The gown was pale blue with delicate lace trimming the sleeves—simple but still very… princess adjacent. "Perfect," I said with a small smile. "Thank you, Lila."
She nodded, pleased. "Shall I fetch you some tea?"
"No, that's all. You can go."
She curtsied again and began heading for the door, but paused when I spoke up. "Wait—Lila, do you know where my parents are?"
"Her Grace is in the drawing room," she said promptly. "And His Lordship is in his study. Would you like me to summon them?"
"No, that's fine." I smiled politely. "You can go."
"Very well, my lady." With another curtsy, she slipped out, closing the door softly behind her.
The room fell quiet again, sunlight spilling across the polished floor.
[You miss them already?] Nero teased.
I rolled my eyes. "No. I'm just bored. There's nothing to do."
[You just got engaged to a crown prince, survived the most dramatic day imaginable, and now you're bored?]
"Exactly." I flopped back onto the bed again. "See my problem?"
[You could write a diary,] he offered dryly. ['Dear Journal, today I emotionally scarred a royal family.']
I snorted. "Tempting. But no."
[Then perhaps… you could play with magic.]
That made me pause. "Magic?"
[You do remember you have it, right? Or did the slap of destiny wipe your memory clean?]
I sat up slowly, curiosity crawling through me. "You mean I can actually use it? Not just light a candle or whatever?"
[Oh, you can do much more than that, host.] His voice dropped to a mischievous hum. [The question is—are you ready to find out how much?]
The room suddenly felt a little too quiet, the air thick with something electric.
I swallowed, glancing toward the window where sunlight painted the curtains gold. "Define ready," I said slowly.
[Good answer,] Nero said, amusement lacing his tone. [Let's find out together.]
And just like that, the lights flickered.