AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
I kept looking at him. His expression was carefully neutral, but his sharp golden eyes flickered with something unreadable as he approached.
"I take it that was from the rogue king." His voice was even, but there was an edge to it.
I folded my arms.
"What's it to you?" I asked.
He exhaled, then crossed his own arms.
"You really don't find this strange? The rogue king who, might I remind you, is usually ruthless, is suddenly sending you courting letters?" Xavier asked.
Oh, I was well aware of how weird it was. But it was my problem. Before I could retort, a new voice cut in.
"Wait… The rogue king?" A female voice said.
I turned to see Rosalie standing nearby, eyes wide. Oh, wonderful. Now she knew too.
"What does he want with Isabella?" She asked, more confused than jealous. "This doesn't make sense. He's supposed to be-" She hesitated, glancing at Xavier.
I sighed.
"Yeah, yeah. Supposed to be a heartless villain, right? Well, maybe the game's script is broken, because he clearly has other plans." I said.
Xavier's jaw clenched slightly. He was angry. It seems that he also is jealous because of the current situation.
"And you're just going to play along?" He asked.
I scoffed.
"What else am I supposed to do? The system literally assigned me a task for this. Unless you've got some magic way to refuse a system order, I'm listening." I said.
I was surprised that they understood what the system meant in the first place. Neither of them had an answer for that. Rosalie frowned, shifting her weight.
"Still… be careful." She said.
I raised an eyebrow.
"You worried about me?" I asked.
She hesitated, then nodded.
"Yeah. I am." She said.
Okay, I wasn't expecting that. Xavier, however, looked like he wanted to break something. His fingers twitched at his sides in anger.
"Just don't get too comfortable with him." He said.
I smirked.
"Why? Worried I'll fall for the big bad villain?" I asked.
His glare deepened, but I didn't wait for a response. Instead, I turned away, leaving them both with conflicting emotions. Because whether they liked it or not… I had a task to complete.
The town was bustling with life, laughter, and the occasional scent of roasted meat from street vendors. I stuck to the quieter paths, my hood pulled over my head as I navigated through the crowd. The system had forced my hand, so here I was, dressed in the dark red silk gown Michael had sent. It clung to me in a way that felt both elegant and irritating. I wasn't used to dresses, especially not ones meant to impress.
"Damn system. Damn event. Damn rogue king."I muttered.
The invitation had led me to a grand building in the heart of town. Unlike the usual rough, practical structures, this place had an air of sophistication, dark banners, intricate carvings of wolves on the entrance, and guards who eyed me curiously but didn't stop me. I inhaled sharply before stepping inside. The hall was warm, lit by golden chandeliers. People, mostly rogues chatted in small groups, but a hush seemed to fall as I entered. Then, I felt it. A presence. Heavy. Commanding. My gaze was drawn to the far end of the hall, where a figure stood, watching me with quiet amusement. Michael.
And holy hell, the game had seriously downplayed his looks. He was tall, easily towering over most men in the room, with broad shoulders and an air of effortless authority. His long black coat was lined with silver detailing, framing a dark tunic that clung to a lean, powerful build. His hair, a deep brown bordering on black, was slightly messed up, as if he had just run a hand through it. But it was his eyes that made my breath catch. A piercing silver, sharp as a blade, yet filled with something dangerously unreadable. He smiled. A slow, knowing smile.
"Isabella." His voice was deep, rich, like velvet laced with steel.
I stiffened, forcing my face into a neutral mask.
"Michael." I said.
His gaze flickered over me, taking in the dress.
"I see you accepted my gift."He said.
I crossed my arms.
"Only because the system forced me to." I said.
He chuckled, low and dark.
"Ah, of course. The infamous system." He stepped closer, and I was suddenly acutely aware of just how huge he was.
"I must admit." He murmured, eyes locking onto mine, "you wear it beautifully."
Damn it. Why was the villain so smooth? I cleared my throat, stepping back.
"Let's get to the point. Why invite me here?" I asked.
His smirk didn't fade.
"To see you, of course." He said.
"Why?" I narrowed my eyes.
Michael tilted his head slightly, studying me. Then, he leaned in just a fraction, his voice dropping into something only I could hear.
"Because, little wolf… you're far more interesting than this game gives you credit for." He said and grinned.
Well. Shit. That was not what I expecting at all.
The flickering torchlight cast shadows across the open space, where laughter and conversation filled the air. Yet, my focus remained locked on one person, Michael, the rogue king.
I still didn't understand why he had invited me here, why his silver eyes held a warmth that contrasted so strongly with his reputation. He was supposed to be ruthless, a king feared even among his own people. And yet, he was standing before me, completely at ease, as if I belonged at his side.
"You look stunning tonight, Isabella.." Michael murmured, stepping closer. His voice was smooth, confident dangerously charming.
I opened my mouth to argue, but then I heard it the hushed whispers of the gathered rogues.
"The king is actually courting someone?"One of them asked.
"I've never seen him act like this before." Another said.
"Looks like he's finally found his queen." Third one said.
The words sent a jolt of shock through me. I glanced around, realizing that nearly everyone was watching us. My face grew hotter by the second, and I turned back to Michael with a glare, expecting him to deny it or brush it off. Instead, he only smirked, his silver eyes glinting with amusement.
"You hear that? They're already seeing you as my woman." He said.
I scoffed, refusing to let my heart race at his words.
"That's their assumption, not mine." I said.
Michael leaned in just slightly, his voice lowering so only I could hear.
"Then tell me, Isabella, would it really be such a bad thing?" He asked.
I hated how my breath caught in my throat, how his presence made my thoughts scatter. I should have pushed him away, but the way he looked at me… it was like he had already decided. And the rogues? They were watching with knowing smiles, as if they, too, believed it was only a matter of time. Michael's grip on my hand lingered after he pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to my knuckles. His lips barely grazed my skin, but it sent a strange, unfamiliar heat crawling up my arm.
"You look absolutely stunning today, Isabella." He murmured, his voice rich and smooth. "If I didn't know any better and about the system, I'd say you dressed up just for me." He grinned.
I scoffed, pulling my hand back.
"I wear this because I got no choice here."I said.
His smirk widened.
"Exactly. And yet, I find you more breathtaking each time I see you." He said.
Wait, when he saw me for a first time? The nearby rogues weren't even trying to be discreet about their excitement. They whispered among themselves, exchanging knowing looks. One even elbowed another, mouthing something about their king finding his woman. I ignored them and was about to say something snarky in return, but then I felt it, an unmistakable, tense presence. Xavier. What was he doing here in a first place?
I turned just as he stalked toward us, his jaw tight, golden eyes locked onto where Michael stood beside me. Michael, of course, only looked amused.
"Well, well." Michael drawled, turning to face Xavier. "I was wondering when you'd show up. Don't tell me you were jealous."
Xavier's expression darkened, but before he could say anything, another presence arrived. Rosalie. She walked in gracefully, her red hair catching the light, but Michael didn't even spare her a glance. For the first time, Rosalie, the female lead, the center of the story was ignored. And the worst part? She noticed. Rosalie slowed her steps, clearly thrown off by Michael's lack of attention. She was used to people turning to her, acknowledging her presence, but Michael remained entirely focused on me. I, on the other hand, wasn't sure how to feel about it.
Xavier's hands clenched at his sides as he took a step closer.
"Isabella." He said, his voice carefully controlled. "A word."
Michael hummed in amusement.
"Now, now, Xavier. It's rude to interrupt a conversation between a man and the woman he's courting." Michael grinned.
My breath hitched.
Courting? The whispers of the nearby rogues grew louder. Xavier's expression twisted, but before he could snap back, Rosalie finally spoke.
"Isabella." She said softly, her green eyes searching mine. "You're… okay with this?"
I frowned.
"With what?" I asked.
"With him." She motioned subtly toward Michael, as if saying his name out loud would make this situation even more real.
Michael only chuckled, entirely unbothered.
"What's wrong, little heroine? Are you worried I'll steal your spotlight?" He asked.
Rosalie stiffened, and Xavier shot him a warning glare.
I exhaled sharply.
"Look, I don't know what all of you are expecting me to say." I turned to Michael. "You showed up here, you sent gifts, you flirted with me, fine. But why?" I asked.
His silver eyes gleamed.
"Isn't it obvious?" He asked.
"No." I said.
Michael stepped closer, his voice dropping just for me. "Because you're mine."Michael grinned.
Silence. Rosalie sucked in a quiet breath. Xavier's entire posture radiated tension. The rogues around us looked ready to explode with excitement. And me? I wasn't sure whether to scoff, laugh, or feel something dangerously close to anticipation.