3. A Brat

Sici blankly continued to stare at the system screen popped up in front of her, visible to only her.

Contemplating on what to do as she noticed she really was possessing Melina's body right now.

Any other normal situation would have her act like a villainess and torture the protagonist or become a protagonist. What did it even mean to find her killer and punish him?

"Well, technically she is a protagonist. I just never tried her route. I was busy finishing playing as Auree which was interrupted by her!" She thought looking around the maids busy serving her as soon as they saw her gain consciousness.

In Illusions of Flames, the game had three protagonists.

'Auree Ashdatt ' - daughter of Duke Ashdatt. Kind hearted but shy. Because of her shyness, she was mostly misunderstood for being cold hearted.

She had long straight brown hair and blue eyes. Her smile had a warm gentle which was effective in many situations. She also had a reputation for her wits.

'Eva Briar ' - one and only princess of the empire. She has a sweet cheerful personality but overly conscious about her height. Talk about it and she will make an enemy out of you.

Her hair is blonde with a unique shine to it, specially cause it's short and wavy along with blood red eyes.

'Melina Noirey ' - daughter of Marquis Noirey. She was arrogant and prideful. Yet her beauty was unmatched, making her the rose of high society.

Her long red hair complimented her reputation along with her emerald eyes. She was also known for never smiling at anyone.

Finally, as the name has it, the three have a gift called Illusion. An illusion that has made everyone believe they possess a burning flame in their hearts.

Auree possesses a blue flame. Eva, a golden one while Melina's got a red one.

Auree's character introduction had caught Sici's attention, specially the blue flame part. Curiosity having the best of her, she chose to pick her.

Wanting to 100% her route, she didn't bother to check the other protagonists route.

Now, she sure regretted it. Because, she wasn't getting any help that she was promised.

Though it's just been awhile since she had a small chat with the host.

Her attention is now on the maids, "Get out of this room."

"Leave me alone this instant," ordering them in a threatening tone.

The maids silently leave the room as fast as possible, fear visible in their faces.

Sici finally starts to feel her frustration drop as silence fills the room now.

Sici threw off the covers and got out of bed. She looked down at her hands, that were no longer hers. They were elegant, with long fingers and perfectly manicured nails.

She stumbled to the mirror and gasped at her reflection. She was really possessing Melina Noirey, with piercing green eyes and long, wavy red hair.

The realization was slowly kicking in but now she finally accepted it.

Noticing her pale skin, she softly touches her cheek, "So smooth. As expected of a noble lady.."

Gradually, she started to feel weak, strength leaving her body the longer she moves around.

*Ting!*

[ User's Body Still Hasn't Recovered ]

[ User May Faint If Body Is Not Rested ]

Seeing the notification screen, she realizes she forgot to ask the important questions.

"She told me to find her killer. What killer and what the heck happened?" She groans in frustration, slamming her forehead.

"I'm an idiot!" She approaches the bed to rest and tamper with the system.

Suddenly, someone rudely slams the door open, "You nearly died and yet you can't seem to act like a saint, can you?"

He was 6'3 feet tall with a well build body. Sweat was dripping down his forehead indicating he just finished with his training for the day.

His hair was a shade of cadmium green and eyes were crystal like sky blue that gives off a ocean like feel.

She almost started to admire how such a color combination was being pulled off. Plus, his looks were no joke.

Sici wasn't startled but accepting of the situation since this wasn't as astonishing as what she had been through in a short amount of time, "I think I'm capable of accepting anything that's going to happen now.."

"Even if I saw a fish talking and walking in here now," she thought.

She was feeling heavy so nothing felt amusing to her anymore. There was nothing she could do but accept whatever happens. She mutters under her breath without making him notice, "Who the fuck is that now?"

[ Step-brother. Luke Noirey. 21 years old. ]

[ Warning : He is a brat, won't hesitate to harm you ]

She wanted to smile widely, seeing her question answered by the system, "Now that's how I like it."

Continuing to be expressionless, she plays along with whatever information she has, "At least I have an excuse to use."

"But what about you?"

"You're talking back to me?" Luke glares at her.

Her heart starts to beat fast yet she decides to take the risk to be herself.

She glares back at him, "Is this how you should talk to your older sister who just returned from death?"

Luke feels bewildered. Melina never acted this way before and always ignored him or held her head low in front of him, allowing him to treat her rudely.

"Something wrong with your head? You think you're a big shot now? You should have just died."

"I hate brats. How am I supposed to deal with a brat?" She thought, getting pissed by every word that comes out of his mouth.

"If I catch you behaving like this-"

Sici gives him a hard slap on the face, leaving a red hand mark on his fair skin, "Just because I am silent about it, doesn't mean you can go around making demands."

Maintaining her calm demeanor she resumed, "If we weren't related, I would have mistaken you for a peasant."

Her body moved normally as if she had received a buff due to her anger.

"What did you just do! Have you forgotten your place!?" He shouts, touching his cheek, "Have you lost your mind!?"

"Oi, you want another slap?"