Renata woke with a sharp intake of breath.
The familiar weight of her body returned all at once—the firmness of the bed beneath her, the muted stillness of her room, the faint scent of dried herbs lingering in the air. For a moment, she lay there unmoving, staring at the canopy above her as her heartbeat gradually slowed.
Her hands were trembling.
She clenched them into fists, grounding herself in the present.
The VR bracelet on her wrist dimmed, its faint glow fading as it completed the disconnection process. A thin layer of sweat clung to her skin, despite the room being cool.
So it hadn't been a dream.
Renata pushed herself upright slowly, muscles protesting as if she'd truly fought for hours rather than minutes. The realism of the VR world never failed to unsettle her—but this time, the lingering sensation was deeper, heavier.
Someone had entered her trial.
And they had known her name.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Miss Renata?" Divya's voice came gently from the other side. "Are you awake?"
Renata exhaled and rubbed her face once before answering. "Yes. Come in."
Divya entered carrying a small tray, her movements quiet and practiced. She set it down on the low table near the window—a bowl of warm broth, a cup of tea, and a folded cloth.
"You didn't come out for two days," Divya said softly. "I was starting to worry."
Renata blinked. "Two days?"
Divya nodded. "You barely stirred. Your breathing was steady, but…" She hesitated, eyes flicking briefly to Renata's face. "You looked tense."
Renata didn't comment on that.
She accepted the tea, letting the warmth seep into her palms. The silence between them was comfortable, familiar—one of the few places she didn't feel the need to perform.
"I'll be fine," Renata said after a moment. "Just tired."
Divya studied her carefully but didn't press. "The household has been quieter than usual," she said instead. "The elders are occupied, and your father left early this morning."
Renata's brow furrowed slightly. "For what?"
"I'm not sure," Divya admitted. "But there were visitors last night. From the academy."
Renata's fingers stilled around the cup.
"Which academy?" she asked.
Divya shook her head. "I didn't hear. They didn't come into your courtyard."
Of course they hadn't.
Renata took a slow sip of tea, her mind already turning. Academy visitors didn't come without reason—especially not to the Nasir family, and certainly not quietly.
The timing was too convenient to ignore.
"Did anyone ask about me?" Renata asked.
Divya hesitated again, then nodded. "Not directly. But your name came up."
Renata's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile.
So the ripples had reached the surface.
She set the cup down carefully and rose from the bed, moving toward the window. Outside, the courtyard was bathed in early morning light, the magnolia tree swaying gently as if nothing in the world had changed.
Yet she felt it.
A subtle pressure, distant but persistent—like the quiet hum of a storm forming far beyond the horizon.
"Divya," Renata said, not turning around. "If something changes… if people start paying more attention to me…"
Divya straightened. "Then I'll be careful," she said immediately. "As I always am."
Renata glanced back at her, searching her expression.
Divya met her gaze without flinching.
For the first time in a long while, Renata felt something ease in her chest.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Divya smiled, small but sincere. "You don't need to thank me. I'm on your side."
Renata nodded once.
As Divya left to tend to her duties, Renata remained by the window, thoughts swirling. The VR trials had pushed her further than she expected—not just physically, but mentally.
She had faced her past.
She had been seen.
And now, the real world was beginning to stir.
Renata's gaze hardened slightly as she turned away from the window.
If attention was coming, then she would decide how it found her.