n

n

nWaking up, I could already tell how sleep-deprived I was. Who wouldn't? I literally could not sleep well because of the fear of Lukas returning. I asked my brother if I could sleep in his bedroom instead because there is no way that guy would come to his room boldly. There was a short dispute about this and that but in the end, we compromised by letting him sleep in my room instead.

nHe stayed on the sofa while I cowered in my bed, holding Kuro. Even though Nathaniel was just right there, I was still a bit apprehensive. I kept thinking that Lukas could seriously come again despite Nathaniel being here. He's that unpredictable, you know. Thus, why I couldn't sleep properly at all, always waking up from every small movement.

nIt's such a hassle, I swear.

nI let out a depressed sigh and groaned in annoyance. Ruining my already wild hair in frustration.

nWill I start living in anxiety like this from now on? Ughh…

nThis is just day one and I'm already exhausted. Who would want this life?

nI guess I have no choice but to face Lukas seriously… I mean, I don't want to hide from him all the time because that is just so stressful. Would I just let my brother sleep on the sofa from now on? Would I start hiding from Lukas like a criminal? And can I even hide from him anyway? That's Lukas we're talking about. He does whatever the hell he wants.

nHe's the male lead! The Gods are always in his favor, however unfair and absurd that is.

nSo I can't hide… Maybe I could for a few days but definitely not forever. And knowing that he was so pissed off last night… Brrr. He looked like he was about to choke me!

nFine…

nMy only problem now is to think of a reason that doesn't sound like a lie even though it actually is… Which I am not very good at. I kept wondering about that too because I'm already a terrible person in my opinion, yet I can't even lie properly. What's with that?

nAh, but I can spout nonsense though…

n

"Milady, a letter has arrived addressed to you.

" Erin poked her head from the doorway and entered right away upon seeing I'm awake.

nI turned towards her and beckoned.

n

"Oh? Let me see…

"

nI rarely get a letter unless it's an inquiry about my health nowadays. I wonder if it's the same.

n

"By the way, where is my brother?

" I asked after I took the envelope from her hand. I didn't know what time it was already and how long I was asleep. But knowing that my brother is not here anymore, it must be late.

n

"The young master had left not too long ago. He didn't bother to wake milady and let you sleep.

" Erin answered and started helping me comb my hair to its original state.

n

"Is that so?

" I muttered.

nThat meant I was actually deep in sleep after worrying like crazy last night to not even noticing it. But it is still not enough because I feel tired as hell.

nFlipping the envelope, my eyes fell on the seal and I was surprised. It was actually from the Vinea's, probably Rosamunde because why the hell would the rest of her family send me a letter?

nCurious, I opened it leisurely and read the entire thing, growing more surprised.

n

"Rosamunde is inviting me for tea. Huh… That's new.

" I checked if it's from her again and it was really from hers. And then I started feeling complicated.

nShe's inviting me for tea and she specifically mentioned my name which means it's exclusive. It's not the usual invitation for a tea party where there are other ladies present.

n

"Does milady want to go?

" Erin chirped.

n

"Why not? I have nothing else to do anyway…

" I replied.

"And I want to know what kind of medicine she took to suddenly have the urge to invite me. This is a conspiracy.

"

nForget about being invited to her tea party because that never happened. I only see her at someone else's tea parties and never on a personalized one. And yet…

nAlthough it's strange, it's not like I don't want to go anyway. I'm kinda flattered a bit?

n

"Does Lady Rosa still bother you?

" Erin inquired.

n

"No, but it's still strange. I wonder if she sent this as a mistake. Maybe this is meant for someone else,

" I grumbled while fiddling with the envelope and letter again.

nBut it's clearly my name written on it. It's even mentioned in the letter itself.

n

"The end is near, I reckon…

" I then placed the letter in the drawer where my other letters are and was suddenly jolted back after a thought came to mind.

n

"Ah!

" Gasping, I ran to the balcony and gazed at the sky.

nI remembered seeing the moon in half and Lukas telling me someone just shot the moon. Why did I forget that? It was absurd!

nBut after looking at the clear sky and seeing the moon in its full glory, question marks dotted my entire face.

n

"It's… full? Huh?

"

nBut there was barely a moon last night, why is it okay now?

nErin, who was startled from my sudden sprint, followed me out of the balcony.

n

"Milady?

"

nMy brows were furrowed real hard right now because of confusion.

n

"The snow had stopped too…

"

nIt wasn't a product of my hallucination, was it?

n

"Snow?

" Erin repeated dumbly beside me.

nI turned to her.

n

"Tell me, Erin, did it snow when you woke up?

"

nErin shook her head, looking confused and bewildered.

n

"No, milady. Why would it snow?

"

nYeah. Why would it, indeed.

n

"I wondered too. I clearly saw it blasted in half last night…

" I whispered and stared at the moon, mystified.

nDid someone restore it before everyone else noticed the abnormality? Or was it just my imagination?

nWas everything that happened last night a fever dream?

nBut of course, it wasn't. Because when the sun went down and night fell, someone decided to haunt me again.

nI was applying cream on my face in front of the mirror when I looked up and saw Lukas standing behind me like vengeance itself. I almost believed a ghost was haunting me because he appeared out of freaking nowhere!

n

"Oh, sweet Luminus! You scared me…

" My hand was on my chest and I could feel the loud thumping of my heart like it's about to get out.

nI will truly die of heart disease sooner or later from all this ordeal I've been facing.

nLukas snorted derisively, his eyes dark and gloomy.

n

"You should be.

"

n