5.3.

"What exactly is this situation, Evelyn?" Carol asked with a skeptical gaze.

"It's.. complicated."

Turning to one corridor and into the next, Wilson and Quilin were nowhere to be found.

"Where are they.."

"I wish I knew," Carol bowed and smiled at passing students and priests.

"They couldn't have gone far.." Evelyn bit her lips.

Coming near the lounge area close to the stairs, they found Wilson sitting alone in deep contemplation.

"Brother."

He nodded to Carol's greeting, then turning to Evelyn, he spoke.

"Evelyn, can you tell me about what I just witnessed to the extent you're comfortable with?"

"..."

"As your brother, I want to help in any way I can. Father has also relayed your wish to me. I hope to aid you in that."

Her father had relayed her wish– her wish to wed Sequencee. That was so long ago. Evelyn gripped the fabric of her dress.

"Evelyn, it's important to enlist the help of those around you, especially in situations where the one you love has more than one partner," Carol advised, and at the same time, to remind herself of her own situation.

"I know it's difficult for you. How about we talk about it when we return? Perhaps holding a delicate conversation in this environment isn't conducive."

"Yes.. I think so likewise.." Evelyn said.

Was this the beginning of carnage in a relationship? Evelyn didn't want things to go down this route, fearing that it would only trouble Sequencee further.

Her title as princess was problematic enough, now she had to make things worse by manipulating Sequencee with her power?

"Love is war, as they say," Carol muttered at random.

"Where's Quilin?" Evelyn asked.

"My wife? She went back to the villa to prepare dinner."

"She cooks?" Evelyn asked.

Wilson only smiled back in response.

===

"So to summarize the truth is that you don't hold any feelings for the princess?" Quilin asked with a puzzled expression.

"Yes."

"That is difficult indeed. It would make some sense why she would stop me there. Although, I would find the part in which you have an absence of any feeling towards my sister-in-law doubtful. I'm certain you wouldn't treat someone who you didn't feel anything for with such care to have her still pursue you, am I wrong?"

"Yeah, well.."

Sequencee stared the bowl of congee in front of him, unsure of the truth himself.

His dinner arrived during the time Quilin was holding a conversation with him. While she did permit him to indulge himself while they chatted, Sequencee didn't have the courage to do something like eating in front of the future empress while she was talking to him.

"I feel that you're hiding something much deeper; a reason why you're denying her, not simply that you wish to fulfill your current fiance's wishes, I'm I correct?" Quilin leaned against the desk, legs folded.

"The main reason why I'm denying her is really because of Schwii, I think. I promised her.."

'Then why did she allow Leticia? Am I really keeping my promise?'

"I believe it would be good for a demon to marry a royal, my personal opinion at least. Should the public learn of the matter, it would do good to drive away the stigma long haunting your race for years. If I may add, my younger brother-in-law is courting a demon himself."

"You mean.. one of the imperial prince?"

"The third prince."

Sequencee showed Quilin a weird gaze. She giggled.

"Think about it. If that really were the case, why are you still acquainted with her now?"

"That's just because she's part of the heroes party."

"How does that relate?"

"I don't know. Random fate?"

Quilin's eyes sparkled.

"If you're certain fate exists– having been entangled with the love of Her Highness, what do you think fate is telling you to do?"

"What I do know is that I need to break out of the loop."

'She's trying to change my mind.'

Sequencee promised Schwii that he would do everything he can to reject the princess. He can't bend here.

'If things go south, I'll have to return to the demon empire, simple as that..'

Was it all that simple? If he incurred the wrath of the royal family, he would no longer be able to enjoy the amenities of the common populace would he now?

It might even spark an eternal war.

"Think about it. I wouldn't mind having a little brother-in-law to take care of you know?"

"Yeah.."

Quilin raised herself from her seat.

"I'll be going now. Have a pleasant evening.." Quilin was about to activate her gift when she recalled something. She turned to him with a playful smile, "While I may not remember the exact date, don't forget to prepare good clothes for the luncheon with His Imperial Majesty."

"Wait, what..?"

She disappeared before Sequenecee could confirm anything.

'That isn't an invisibility skill.. teleportation?'

Her presence in Sequencee's spatial magic field simply disappeared like that. Her gift remained a puzzle to Sequencee.

'Even a princess has to have a trump card or two.'

Sequencee stared out the window once more.

'Dinner with His Majesty?'

===

"Morning knucklehead."

"Ugh?"

"Open your eyes."

Sequence blinked a couple times.

Reese's blurred figure became clear in his eyes. Silky black hair curled around her ears, snowy white skin slipping from the collars of the uniform, alluring gold irises sparkling like morning rays.

She was wearing a Victorian maid uniform holding a tray with a jug of lemon water.

'What in the fu..'

"Despite experiencing a near death duel, you still have the audacity to destroy your body at night. You're really interesting," she leaned in.

Sequencee turned his head away and forced himself to get up.

'The hell did I do yEstherday night? Why can't I remember.. this is..'

"The infirmary?"

He was in the infirmary of the training theater.

"Yup. How did you not know? Did you hit your head on a boulder or something?"

Sequencee held his head and tried to recall.

'YEstherday night I was in the hospital. I met Evelyn's brother and sister, and then I left to..'

"Ah.. so that's why.. but, why I'm I here?"

When Iona was free in the evenings, Sequencee would spar with her in an attempt to grow stronger. And in many instances during the fight, he would end up here in the infirmary from being evacuated by the duel space.

Just that– this time, instead of Iona, it was Reese.

"Did I fight you last night?"

"Certainly not. Have a sip of water if you would please~"

"It's not poisoned.. is it.."

Reese merely smiled in response.

Sequencee looked over to the familiar priest in the infirmary. He nodded in respect.

"Iona entrusted your safety to me. Are you not happy for me to take over her role?" Reese's smile flattened.

"Since when?"

"Didn't I tell you last time?"

"YEstherday."

"Yes, you remember, good grief."

"How did I pass out?" Sequencee couldn't recall anything from last night, like, at all.

Iona or Schwii would've likely been the one to take him into custody if he ever left the hospital, not Reese.

"Who knows~" Reese looked away.

Sequenccee frowned. "So what do you want?"

'Did she wipe out my memories or something.. wait, I shouldn't even be looking at her in the first place..'

"Anyways. You should really go back to the hospital. It's 2 am in the morning. I've informed the priestess on night duty that you just went out for some fresh air," Reese winked.

'That doesn't sound convincing in the slightest..'

Sequencee gulped down the drink Reese prepared and got up.

"Honestly, even if Iona told you to do this, why did you agree?"

"I wish I knew the answer to it too."

'As if..'

"Now, let's go." Reese promptly made her way out of the infirmary while acknowledging the priest's presence with a polite nod. He was enraptured in an instant.

Proceeding out of the theater, under the dark sky, the two of them made their way to the hospital slowly. There was scarcely anyone around– the humming of cicadas, the serene mood of the quiet walk.

In the slip of a moment, Reese ran forward and turned around to him. Her hair swayed in the moonlight, both her hands interlaced behind her back.

"Equality between humans and demons."

Upturned eyes peeking from the fringes of stray strands of waving hair.

"To The Savior who gave me a second chance in life, this new pair of these eyes she bestowed upon me, allowing me to see the truth of the world. I believe I was called upon here for more than just living. There must be some larger purpose to my existence.. and alas, it dawned upon me."

'The hell is she talking about..'

"You are the key, Sequencee. Or should I call you, Your Highness?"

"You.."

"The catalyst to a new revolution, the harbinger of the world's end. And I would like to be the center of that."

'The new revolution? Harbinger of the world's end? Did she brainwash Iona for that information ..?'

"So, Your Highness. Allow me to serve you, and till your death, I shall be yours completely," Reese raised both arms towards Sequencee, a delirious expression enrapturing her pretty face.

– Fate.

Twisted, crazy fate. She was proselytizing him into her faith.

'I need to get out of here..'

"No.. thank you.."

"NO OBJECTIONS MAY BE ALLOWED."

Her expression contorted.

[Charm Magic: Transient Servitude]

[Activated Trait: Focus]

Sequencee's eyes began to lose its shine.

'I'm I being controlled right now..?'

The world seemed to fade as an unknown itch to dominate her surfaced from his depth.

Sequencee grabbed his head.

"Hm? Come on now, stop resisting. It's not like I'm trying to do anything bad I'm I? I won't try to steal your lover's position. If you'd like, you can even treat me as your slave," Reese's fingers danced on his chest.

'I don't get it..'

The buzzing noise in his ears grew increasingly loud. The world seemed to brighten up in a familiar light, one that made no sense.

"I'll be your sword."

"Hey.. Reese?"

"Yes?"

"If you're going to be my slave then you better stop.. the effect of your system spell right now."

Reese's laughter could be heard echoing all around, deafening yet beautiful. The fog shrouding his consciousness faded. He felt the world spin as both feet grounded back to reality.

"Then from now on, I'll be in your care, Sequencee," Reese giggled.

"..."

'Sealed the deal huh? What a manipulative bitc..'

Trotting towards the hospital building, Sequencee wondered what it is that Reese meant or.. what about him she had changed in that encounter.