AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
For a few blessed seconds, there was silence. Actual silence, no red glow, no cracking walls, no villain monologue. Just torches burning steadily and my pulse trying to punch through my ribs. Then my brain caught up.
"Wait." I looked around the chamber again. No Alice. No corrupted aura, no dramatic hair flips. Just us. "You kicked her out."
The torches flickered once.
"VILLAINESS REMOVED FROM ACTIVE EVENT ZONE."The system answered smoothly.
I stared at the empty space where she had been standing.
"You removed her." I repeated slowly. "Why?"
There was a brief pause, like it was considering how much emotional damage to cause.
"BECAUSE THIS IS NO LONGER A VILLAINESS-CONFLICT PHASE."The system explained.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Then what phase is it?"I asked.
A single beat.
"INITIATING: DANGEROUS LOVE EVENT."The system said.
The air went very, very still. I blinked confused.
"I am sorry?"I asked.
