Chapter 2

Noah sat frozen in his chambers long after the six protagonists had left. His mind whirled with the weight of his situation.

[This is bad. This is really, really bad.]

The system had forced him into this villainous role, and now he had to navigate an unpredictable story where his death was all but guaranteed. Worse, the six protagonists—each meant to be his enemy—were acting… strangely.

[Why did Lucian look at me like that? Why did the others hesitate? They’re supposed to hate me, not… whatever that was.]

He exhaled shakily and stood from the lavish bed, pacing the length of his room. The cold marble underfoot did little to ground him. His mind was too preoccupied with the horrifying realization that something about this transmigration had already gone off course.

[Focus, Noah. Think. The novel’s plot says they should be planning my downfall, but they didn’t even insult me. They looked… concerned? No, that can’t be right.]

A knock at his door startled him. Before he could respond, the heavy doors creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside.

Damien Aldric.

The cold-blooded executioner, dressed in his signature black uniform, shut the door behind him, his sharp silver eyes scrutinizing Noah in silence. The room felt impossibly small under his gaze.

[Oh, great. Of all people, why him?]

“Ravenn.” Damien’s voice was low, steady. “We need to talk.”

Noah swallowed hard, keeping his expression composed. “I wasn’t aware we were on such civil terms.”

Damien didn’t react to the jab. Instead, he took a slow step forward, his piercing gaze never leaving Noah’s face. “You’re different.”

Noah stiffened. His heart pounded violently. [What kind of question is that?!]

“What nonsense are you spouting, Executioner?” Noah sneered, hoping to mask his panic with arrogance. “Did you come here just to insult me?”

Damien didn’t blink. “You seem… troubled.”

Noah forced a scoff, folding his arms. “I have an entire kingdom to manage while dealing with enemies on all sides. Of course I’m troubled.”

Damien tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “Is that all?”

Noah felt a bead of sweat slide down his temple. [He’s fishing for something. But why?]

Before he could reply, the door opened again, and this time, all five of the others entered. Lucian, Caius, Ezra, Veyron, and Soren—each of them wearing unreadable expressions.

Lucian crossed his arms. “You look tense.”

Noah tensed further. [Oh no. Are they all here to interrogate me?]

Caius leaned casually against the wall, smirking. “You don’t seem as ruthless as usual. Perhaps the rumors were exaggerated.”

Noah clenched his fists, his mind racing. He needed to stay in character. “Are you doubting my reputation, Prince Everhart?”

Ezra chuckled, tapping his cane against the floor. “On the contrary. We find you… intriguing.”

[What the hell does that mean?] Noah’s thoughts were running wild, but he forced a composed expression. “I don’t appreciate being treated like a spectacle.”

Veyron’s crimson eyes gleamed with amusement. “You’re always a spectacle, Ravenn.”

Soren, who had been the quietest, finally spoke. “We’ve been watching you for a long time.”

Noah felt a chill crawl down his spine. [That sounds way more ominous than it should.]

Lucian’s golden eyes held his gaze. “For now, we’ll leave you to rest. But don’t let your guard down, Ravenn.”

Noah forced a smirk. “I never do.”

One by one, they turned and left, the heavy doors closing behind them. Only after their footsteps faded did Noah finally exhale, pressing a hand to his racing heart.

[What the hell was that?]

Unknown to him, just beyond the door, the six stood in silence.

“We’ll keep pretending we don’t know,” Caius murmured, his usual arrogance subdued.

Lucian nodded. “For now.”

Veyron smirked. “After all, it’s more interesting this way.”

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