Dylan de Beaumon, the adopted daughter of a Duke, recalls the memories of her past-life after hitting her head. Upon realizing she was a villainess character in a novel, she decides to use her intellectual giftedness to get a good career and run awa...
A tall figure lounged against a huge oak tree beside the academy gates. She spotted him sitting with a book in his lap, reading. His long dark eyelashes and black hair looked beautiful, but he also looked lost—as if he was thinking deeply and seriously about something.
"Cas," she called. Her voice was as gentle as a falling petal.
He looked up at her. His usually fiery eyes were now mild, gentle—almost dreamy. Was it love at first sight for him? No, it couldn't have been. He was drawn to her. He was drawn to her the way curious people were drawn to things they couldn't understand. Rather than love, it was fascination.
His gaze shifted to Dylan as she sat down beside him. "Dylan," he called her name softly. "You're back?"
She leaned her head on his shoulder without saying anything. The effects of the ipecac syrup stopped working after thirty minutes of vomiting. She closed her eyes, dizzy, then listened to the grass rustling in the wind. His broad shoulder was oddly comforting and warm.
"Do you like Lord Laikin?" asked the man's voice.
'So it was you I saw at the gate.'
She raised her head, looking up at his handsome features. "If I said I did," she replied, "what would you do?"
For a moment he was silent, thinking about her words. He mulled it over, tapping the pages of his book with a long finger. Dylan was intriguing. Challenging. Unsettling. He wanted to be the first one to figure her out.
"I'd tell you not to fall in love with him." There was sadness in his voice. "You can like him, just don't love him."
"Why are you so interested in me?" she asked him.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I don't know," he said, softly. "Maybe it's because of your eyes."
As he looked at her, eye to eye, he felt peaceful. Her eyes were captivatingly beautiful. Not because of their colour, but because of the secrets and emotions they held. Whenever she smiled, he noticed that her face smiled, but her eyes didn't. Cas wanted to be the first person to see what they looked like filled with happiness.
"I found evidence that links Lord Axil to the underground casinos," he explained, gently touching her cheek. "Hold on a little longer. Soon enough he'll be arrested for helping run an illegal gaming establishment."
If Axil were to inherit the Duchy of Beaumon from his father, he probably won't support Caspian's ascension to the throne. The Duchy has remained neutral in the fight of successors for as long as anyone could remember.
The Duchy of Beaumon possessed military power rivalling that of the Imperial Family's. Having the support of that alone could secure his position as heir to the throne indefinitely.
Since Dylan is the only other child of the Beaumon Ducal household, she'd inherit the position as heiress presumptive, giving Caspian the support of a Duchy when he ascends to the throne. It was a favourable situation for them both.
Dylan sighed with relief, smiled, and then rested her head on his shoulder again. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head lightly. His senses became saturated quickly by the flowery scent of her hair.
"I'm returning home for a while," she whispered. "My health has been pretty bad recently, so I'm going to the Duke's mansion to recuperate."
He looked as if she had hit him in the stomach. "How long?" he asked. "How long will you be gone for?"
"Only a few days, at most. I want to return to the academy as soon as possible."
He looked troubled and hesitated a moment before answering. "Take this," he said, handing her his book.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
"Annotate it for me. Fill the margins with your thoughts, emotions, ideas—anything that comes to mind when you read it. I can't understand you, Dylan."
She frowned, looking at the book. "It's best if you don't. I—"
"Please," he begged, desperation in his voice. "I said you could use me. I'll say it again—use me, Dylan. Use me all you want, but don't throw me away. Don't throw me away before I can figure out what I'm feeling."
'Once his curiosity is satisfied, he'll turn his attention to Grisa. I guess this could help.'
"Okay, fine," she said, standing up, "but don't expect anything."
Before she could walk away, his hand caught the hem of her skirt. For a moment he merely stared at her, his expression unreadable.
"What's wrong?" she asked him.
"Just... just stay like this for a moment longer," he whispered against the soft breeze. "I want to be around you for just a moment longer."
Badump. Badump.Under the facade of indifference she wore, her heart began to beat heavily against her chest. His words brought a slight shade of pink to her hollowed cheeks. For a moment, she didn't look as sick as she did before. It was almost as if her heart had suddenly started beating again in his presence.
They faced one another in silence for a few minutes, each with their own thoughts. Her obvious blush brought a slight smile to his lips. Slowly, but surely, he felt as if he was breaking down her walls piece by piece.
"Can I ask?" he said, breaking the silence.
"Wh-what?"
"Dylan," he said, softly. Her name falling from his lips sounded like ecstasy. "Won't you fall in love with me?" he asked.
Feeling dizzy, she stepped back and glared at him. Then, the young girl ran off without a word.
Badump. Badump.
'What the hell is this feeling?'
Laikin represented comfort and warmth. He felt solid and safe. Her lips exploring his felt reassuring. Cas, however, was the exact opposite. He was excitement and fascination. Discovery.
Grass tickled her feet as she looked down at the green beneath her. The thought of human touch seemed much more bearable with those two. She didn't know why, and she didn't know if she hated it or liked it.
She wished she could tear her heart out of her chest. After all, she didn't need it. It was broken and stopped working a long time ago.
Badump. Badump.
'Why do I feel so strange?'
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Now that we've seen a little more of the male leads, what do you think?
Comment your opinions on them! Your opinions determine how their roles will play out in the rest of the novel!
