The morning after the Ancient Greenhouse incident, Luna Academy was buzzing with fresh gossip.
* "Did you hear? Lady Rosel single-handedly fought off an assassin in the forbidden zone!"
* "I heard she protected that scholarship student with her own body!"
* "Wait, wasn't Prince Leo there too?"
* "Who cares about the Prince? Lady Rosel looked like a knight in shining armor!"
I sat in the quietest corner of the tea garden, holding my teacup with trembling hands.
*A knight in shining armor my ass! I was screaming internally the entire time!*
A translucent neon comment box popped up in my vision:
* **[User_OrangeCat]:** *LOL ROSEL'S REPUTATION JUST ACCIDENTALLY LEVELED UP!*
* **[User_LocalObserver]:** *From 'Cruel Villainess' to 'Heroic Protagonist' in less than 24 hours. Impressive.*
* **[User_YuriSimp]:** *Forget the rumors! How's Chloe?! Is she awake yet?!*
* **[User_OlympicShip]:** *Rosel, go visit your yandere girlfriend in the infirmary!*
I set my cup down with a sharp *clink* and massaged my temples. "Shut up, all of you. My head is about to explode."
"Lady Rosel...?"
A soft voice broke the silence. I turned to see Chloe standing at the gazebo entrance, clutching a small wicker basket. She looked pale, but the moment her eyes met mine, a bright blush spread across her cheeks.
"Chloe?" I narrowed my eyes. "What are you doing out of bed? You completely drained your magic last night."
She stepped closer, keeping her head down. "I... I couldn't rest knowing you might be hurt because of me," she whispered gently.
*Ping!*
**[Reading Chloe's Thoughts...]**
*‘Lady Rosel's voice... is so soft when she scolds me. My heart is beating so fast... Ah, I want to hug her again like last night... But I must control myself, or she'll think I'm weird...’*
*YOU ARE ALREADY WEIRD, CHLOE! YOU PULLED A DAGGER ON THE CROWN PRINCE!*
I cleared my throat, forcing Rosel's signature cold demeanor. "Sit. You're making me look like a tyrant who forces injured people to stand."
"Y-Yes!" Chloe's eyes lit up like a happy puppy, and she sat across from me.
As she placed her basket on the table, I noticed her right hand was wrapped tightly in bandages from overusing her wind magic. Without thinking, my former adult-male instincts kicked in. I reached out and gently brushed my fingers against her bandaged hand.
"Does it hurt?" I asked softly.
Chloe froze. Her breath hitched, and her emerald eyes widened.
**[Reading Chloe's Thoughts...]**
*‘SHE TOUCHED MY HAND! LADY ROSEL IS TOUCHING MY HAND! GOD, PLEASE LET ME NEVER HAVE TO WASH THIS BANDAGE AGAIN!’*
*HOLD ON! DON'T KEEP A DIRTY BANDAGE!*
* **[User_YuriSimp]:** *YESSSSS! ROSEL MADE THE FIRST MOVE!*
* **[User_OrangeCat]:** *Chloe's brain is currently melting, LMAO!*
I quickly pulled my hand back and coughed awkwardly. "I mean... don't use magic for a few days. You were reckless."
"I would burn the entire academy down if anyone tried to hurt you, Lady Rosel," Chloe replied with a sweet, angelic smile—completely ignoring how terrifying that sounded.
*...Yep, 100% Yandere.*
Before I could address her scary statement, Chloe pulled a thick, dark envelope from her basket.
"I found this near the shattered glass after you passed out last night," Chloe said, her smile fading. "It fell from the assassin's cloak."
I took the letter. The dark wax seal bore an emblem I recognized all too well: a black snake wrapped around a broken sword.
The **Shadow Syndicate**—a dark underground group that wasn't supposed to show up until much later in the original story!
"The Shadow Syndicate...?" I muttered.
Chloe leaned in, her eyes dimming as a dark aura flared around her. "Does this mean someone hired them to target you, Lady Rosel? Should I... hunt them down for you?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" I slapped my hand on the table. "You stay out of this!"
*Ting!*
**[System Notification: Main Quest Unlocked!]**
* **Quest:** Unraveling the Arcadelt Family Secret
* **Reward:** A clue on how to return to your original world!
My eyes widened. *A way back to my real world?!*
I looked down at the mysterious letter, then up at Chloe, who was staring at me with pure devotion mixed with growing obsession.
My quiet life was officially gone—but for the first time since transmigrating, a real way out had finally appeared.
Sebab ceritanya sudah makin seru, mau lanjut ke **Chapter 12**? (Pilih: Mau adegan selidiki suratnya, atau mau pangeran Leo & penyihir Adrian dateng buat makin bikin rusuh?)