°•°•°•°•||Chapter 14||

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(This happened before Lucas and Aria arrived at Victoria’s room)

Victoria Pov:

Where… am I?

Darkness surrounded me. A shiver crawled down my spine as an eerie sense of déjà vu washed over me—like a nightmare I had seen before.

I stood in a white nightgown, my bare feet pressing against the cold, unseen ground.

No. No, not again.

Before I could process, my body moved on its own—I was running.

Why am I running? Who—

A sharp sound cut through the silence.

The unmistakable whistle of a sword swinging through the air.

My surroundings shifted. The darkness melted away, revealing a chilling sight.

A headless body lay before me, fresh blood pooling beneath it, seeping into the ground.

A severed head rolled to a stop.

I knew—I knew—I shouldn’t look. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to turn away.

But my feet carried me forward anyway.

And then I saw it.

My own lifeless eyes stared back at me.

A soft hum echoed through the air. A figure emerged from the shadows, their sword gleaming beneath the pale moonlight—fresh blood dripping from its edge.

They stepped forward.

The Crown Prince.

I woke with a gasp, my breath ragged, sweat clinging to my skin.

Why did that same nightmare happen again?

I bit my lips as my hands gripped onto the blanket that covered my shivering lower half.
This time, there was no Aria to hold me close here.

---

(Normal Pov: )

Victoria bit her lip anxiously, her fingers gripping the fabric of her sleeve.

Aria should be back be here…

She paced back and forth, her heart restless. The vivid images of her nightmare still clung to her mind, making her stomach churn.

"Why did I see the Crown Prince…?" she murmured under her breath. "What does it mean…?"

The thought unsettled her. She had never been one to believe in premonitions, but the dream felt too real. The sensation of blood, the suffocating fear—it lingered as if it had truly happened.

Then—

A knock.

Victoria jolted, her body tensing for a split second. But when she realized who it must be, her eyes brightened.

Without hesitation, she rushed to the door, relief washing over her as she flung it open.

"Aria—"

"Good morning, Lady Victoria."

Lucas smoothly cut in, bowing politely.

Victoria’s expression immediately stiffened, her gaze burning into the top of his head with full annoyance. Her eye twitched slightly before she exhaled a sigh.

"Good morning to you as well, Doctor Lucas." Her voice was calm, but her patience was clearly thinning as she turned back to Aria.

"Doctor Lucas," Victoria continued, "as you are aware, I am still in my nightgown, and I have yet to eat breakfast." Her narrowed eyes practically dared him to respond.

Lucas only nodded, unfazed.

Without another word, Victoria grabbed Aria’s wrist and pulled her inside. Aria barely had time to yank the cart in with her before the door shut behind them.

---

Victoria watched as Aria walked past Lucas, effortlessly pushing the cart forward. Just before she left, Aria glanced at him slightly, her lips moving in a quiet whisper meant only for him.

She bit her lip, folding her arms together as an uncomfortable weight settled in her chest.

Why does it feel like they're sharing a secret?

The soft click of the door closing echoed in the silence, leaving only her and Lucas behind.

"So…" Lucas tilted his glasses, his voice calm. "How are you faring, my lady?" He bowed slightly, though he could feel Victoria’s piercing gaze boring into him.

"I am doing well," Victoria replied, forcing a polite smile through gritted teeth. Her eyes remained locked onto him, unwavering.

Lucas straightened. "That brings me great joy to know," he said smoothly, bowing his head again.

"Yes. Great. Joy." Victoria repeated, her eye twitching ever so slightly. Then, her smile faded. "May I ask why you were with my maid?"

Lucas didn’t falter. "Perhaps we arrived at the same time," he said, smoothly evading her scrutiny as he averted his gaze.

"Oh?" Victoria’s tone sharpened. "Then why I overheard from the maids about you and my maid walking together? Delivering my food."

Lucas remained silent for a moment, adjusting his glasses.

Victoria took a step closer, her voice dipping into something dangerously cold. "And where is your clipboard?"

Lucas blinked.

"Did you perhaps forget it?" Her violet eyes, void of emotion, locked onto his. Her irritation was no longer masked.

"Or were you too busy focusing on my maid?" Victoria's voice was sharp as she stepped forward, her violet eyes locked onto Lucas.

Lucas pressed his lips together, struggling for a response.

If I were being honest—I was too focused on that maid… and how she managed to make her ladyship so attached to her.

"My apologies," he murmured, bowing his head.

Victoria let out a quiet huff before turning away, putting some distance between them.

Lucas could only sigh inwardly. Never in his life had he felt threatened—except, of course, by Duchess Amelia.

"Make this quick," Victoria muttered, sitting at the edge of the bed, arms folded, legs crossed.

"Right…" Lucas adjusted his glasses. "Have you experienced any changes after eating breakfast?"

I might as well take note of this in my head. He resisted the urge to sweat-drop.

"Nothing. Just full," Victoria replied.

Lucas simply nodded before shifting his approach. "Any nightmares concerning the events at Duchess Amelia’s manor?"

Victoria hesitated.

"I…" She averted her gaze, uncertainty flickering in her expression, unsure if she should tell him about the nightmare she had.

Lucas studied her carefully. "Please do tell. I shall do my best to assist." He placed a hand over his chest in reassurance.

Please do—since my life quite literally depends on it. He sighed inwardly.

"It’s a nightmare… but it has nothing to do with Duchess Amelia or what happened in her manor," Victoria murmured, her voice softer than before. Her fingers tightened around her arms, as if seeking comfort from herself.

Lucas caught the shift in her demeanor, his sharp gaze narrowing slightly. He chose not to comment on it.

"I see. Well, you're free to share it. Perhaps I can help," he offered, keeping his tone neutral.

Victoria hesitated before asking, "Do you believe… that dreams can predict the future?" Her voice was cautious, uncertain.

Lucas hummed thoughtfully, his expression unreadable.

Lucas remained silent for a moment, considering her question.

"Some believe dreams reflect one's deepest fears or unspoken truths. Others claim they serve as premonitions." His gaze lingered on Victoria.

"Why do you ask, my lady?" Lucas tilted his head, curiosity evident in his voice.

"I..." Victoria parted her lips hesitantly, a flash of her own lifeless body surfacing in her mind—then the crown prince, and finally, Aria’s corpse.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she abruptly stood up with a huff. "Dreams are just a figment of our imagination—forget that I asked." She turned away, dismissing the thought.

Lucas remained silent, observing her reaction before giving a slight nod. "Well, I believe that concludes my questions for this morning." He placed a hand on his chest and bowed.

"I shall take my leave now. You will see me again this afternoon." Lucas turned toward the door, pausing for a brief glance at Victoria, who still seemed shaken.

"Take care." With that, he stepped out, the soft clink of the closing door echoing through the room.

Victoria let out a heavy sigh as she sank to the floor—until a sudden realization struck her.

Where is Aria?

Her heart pounded as she shot up, yanking open the door. Gathering her skirt, she dashed past Lucas, who barely had time to react to her sudden urgency.

Lucas adjusted his glasses, watching as her figure disappeared down the hall, her heels clicking against the floor.

"That maid again..." he murmured under his breath before resuming his own path.

----

A soft yawn escaped Aria’s lips.

She had just finished delivering the cart back to the kitchen and was taking her sweet time walking back to the servants' quarters toward Victoria’s room.

I feel like I’m forgetting something… Aria clasped her hands in front of her, deep in thought.

Oh well, probably not important. She shrugged and continued on her merry way—only to abruptly bump into someone.

"Ah—!" Aria yelped as she stumbled backward, landing on her butt—so did the other servant.

"Oh jeez! I’m so sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going!" Aria apologized, scrambling to her feet.

The servant shook his head with a small smile. "No, no, it’s fine."

Aria dusted off her skirt before reaching out a hand to help him up. "Here, let me help."

The servant chuckled, grasping her hand— And the moment their hands touched, a flash of memory surged through Aria’s mind.

A vision of the same servant before her—dead. Killed by a—

"Aria?"

The servant’s voice jolted her back to reality.

"Aha… yes?" Aria blinked rapidly before narrowing her eyes. "Wait—how do you know my name?"

The servant stifled a laugh. "I’m new here, but I keep overhearing the others talk about you."

Aria stiffened. "Aha…—" She forced a nervous smile.

How embarrassing—first Lady Victoria, then Lucas, and now even a new servant? Aria groaned internally.

"What’s your name?" Aria asked curiously, tilting her head.

"Oh, it's—"

"Aria!"

Victoria’s urgent voice echoed down the hallway, her hurried footsteps growing louder. She looked like she had just sprinted through the entire estate.

"Lady Victoria—?" Aria blinked in confusion, only to be abruptly pulled into a tight embrace.

"Oh, thank goodness… you’re still alive…" Victoria murmured, trembling slightly.

Startled, Aria hesitated before wrapping her arms around Victoria, gently rubbing her back in an attempt to soothe her. "My lady, what do you mean…?" she asked, bewildered.

From the corner of her eye, Aria saw the servant shifting awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

"Should I call Doctor Lucas—"

The servant’s suggestion was cut short as Victoria shot him a sharp, icy glare.

"Or… not…" He sweatdropped, swallowing his words.

"Leave." Victoria’s tone was cold, unexpected enough that both Aria and the servant were taken aback.

Huh. I thought this side of her was reserved for Lucas… Aria mused, pressing her lips together as she tried to gauge Victoria’s mood.

Without another word, the servant quickly bowed and scurried away, leaving the two of them alone.

"Uhm… My lady, let's head back to your room now," Aria said gently.

Victoria gave a small nod, but her grip on Aria’s arm tightened—so much so that it felt like she was afraid letting go would make Aria suddenly disappear.

----

"My lady…" Aria softly called out as she gently patted Victoria’s head.

It had been two hours—two whole hours—since Aria found herself stuck in this position.

Victoria clung to her tightly, arms wrapped around Aria’s waist, her body leaning heavily against her. Her face remained buried against Aria’s neck, unmoving.

Meanwhile, Aria continued patting Victoria’s head, her hand moving in slow, rhythmic motions.

Two hours of silence… Two hours of my back aching from this… Aria internally cried.
"I'm sorry…" Victoria murmured, hesitantly pulling away from Aria.

"Eh? Sorry for what?" Aria tilted her head.

"For randomly hugging you and… all," Victoria mumbled, covering her face with her hands as redness crept up her cheeks.

Of course, it was just a silly nightmare—Aria is alive. The realization made Victoria want to curl up and disappear. She closed her eyes, pressing her hands further against her face.

A soft chuckle escaped Aria’s lips. "My lady, are you telling me that out of all the times you’ve hugged me, you never felt embarrassed until now?" She teased, tilting her head playfully.

"I—" How can I tell you it was all because of a nightmare? Victoria hesitated before dropping her hands onto her lap.

"Perhaps…" she muttered, offering a sheepish smile.

Aria simply laughed, shaking her head. "I'm just kidding, my lady."

Even so, Victoria kept her gaze lowered, her embarrassment lingering.

After a moment of silence, she hesitantly asked, "Why were you late?" Her violet eyes met Aria’s hazel ones with quiet curiosity.

"Ah…" Should I tell her that Sherly found me passed out on the ground? …Nah.

"I just got a little distracted by the scenery in the garden," Aria said smoothly. Well, technically, that’s not a lie.

"The garden?" Victoria repeated, tilting her head.

"Mhm. I was wondering if we could move tea time there this afternoon," Aria said, rubbing the back of her neck with a sheepish smile.

Victoria blinked before nodding. "Of course."

Her violet eyes shimmered with warmth as she gazed at Aria, who beamed with delight.

"Anything for you…" Victoria murmured under her breath.

Aria tilted her head. "Did you say something, my lady?"

"Nothing," Victoria replied with a smile.

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||End of Chapter 14||

(Please do check out my new story titled
"I don’t wanna be the player!" If you're into self-aware mcs or otome game tropes:3 )