Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough?

Chapter 41 The False Princess

"You can't hide it. Or rather, when he saw your bloodshot eyes, he probably already had a vague idea."

Cecilia continued, "Not to mention, if your relationship gets even better in the future, and you go and do something naughty, your damn bandage will fall off sooner or later and give you away."

"Therefore, even if you hide for weeks, months, or even years, in the end, once he finds out you are the enemy's true form, he will definitely not spare you, right?"

"I!" Ivina's slightly childish voice trembled, "Why...why did you..."

"Go and fulfill some dreams. I'm sorry." Cecilia looked up at the sky.

"So...you can now enjoy those few days or months of friendship with a clear conscience, and there's even a chance that you might become lovers."

But ultimately, you must understand that the moment your identity is revealed, everything will be destroyed.

"Now, tell me again, do you want Rhodes to be your friend?"

"..."

Ivina felt as if she had fallen from heaven to hell; her whole body was ice-cold at that moment.

She thought that as long as things continued this way, Rhodes could get close to her without being hurt, and she could gradually get used to Rhodes' presence, making him her next umbrella—an umbrella that could take her away from the Duke's mansion.

But now everything has changed.

Because she is a hidden enemy, an enemy of Rhodes...

If the truth is revealed, no matter how she tries to explain or argue with Rhodes about her relationship with Cecilia, it will be in vain.

Because their two eyes correspond to each other.

Cecilia's golden eye was with her, and her red eye was with Cecilia.

Beneath her bandages lay Cecilia's eyes, those radiant golden eyes...

In an instant, the pressure made her breathless.

Why is this happening?

She hadn't even had a chance to experience what it felt like to have friends, or even to confirm that she and he had become friends.

So, is this how it all ends?

This is like a person who has never experienced light from the beginning; she might be willing to sink into darkness and quietly disappear.

But if she touches upon hope, then she is told that hope is about to disappear—

She will become that foolish moth drawn to a flame, sinking deeper into the mire in her struggle for that last sliver of possibility.

Pain and confusion pierced her mind, leaving her at a loss.

Should I honestly tell Rhodes that she is an enemy?

Or should we continue to keep it a secret?

These two things are just different in that one is "surrender" and the other is "probation," but the essential result is the same: a bad outcome.

Among the memories Cecilia transmitted, Ivina truly found it difficult to imagine the future—

Because the probability that Rhodes would keep her after knowing that she was a "hidden danger" is indeed extremely low.

He wouldn't believe his own words, nor would he accept them...

Fear and panic welled up in her eyes as she involuntarily thought about losing everything again, even being abandoned by hope. She murmured, "..."

"What...what should I do..."

"You're not being arrogant anymore?"

She was terrified after realizing that she was not the princess who was rescued at all, but actually a wicked witch.

"Did you become more honest after you found out you were the one chosen?"

Cecilia laughed sarcastically, but in the end, she became calm again:

"Since it's inevitable, it's better to reveal the truth sooner rather than later. Let's see if Rhodes will still accept your existence after seeing your true identity."

The date was set for the day of her coming-of-age ceremony.

We will continue to act according to our previous plans, and on that day, I will reveal the truth.

If... he no longer accepts you, then you should come back and be my vessel.

If he accepts you, then... I wish you happiness. Although, the chance is less than one in ten thousand.

"I..." Ivina clenched her fists. "You...you just want to use me to hold Rhode back, so he can also participate in this grand coming-of-age ceremony you've orchestrated, right?"

"Indeed, after all, if you were won over early on and then really ran away, wouldn't my performance have been pointless?"

Ivina's frustration vanished in an instant, replaced by a flash of anger in her eyes:

"I won't let you hurt him."

"Oh, you're not even friends yet, and you're already protecting her like this?"

"snort……"

"What are you humming about? Is he the person you love or the person I love? Do you really think I would hurt him?"

Moreover, if you say that you can only leave the Duke's mansion with him after your coming-of-age ceremony, he will use various methods to avoid a crisis.

He's much more cunning than I am.

So, I just wanted to see him make his choice under the glitz and glamour of the banquet, to see your fate.

Don't you think it's interesting? When everything should be at its most beautiful moment, the princess's true identity is revealed during her coming-of-age ceremony. What choice will the knight make then?

"I don't think so. I just think that would make me suffer even more." Ivina pursed her lips and shook her head frantically.

"But you have no other choice. After all, knowing the truth, can you still muster the courage to leave the Duke's mansion with him?"

Are you scared?

Even if you take any step, you're afraid he'll shake off your hand and abandon you somewhere.

So... rather than you confessing your sins, I think it's less painful for you to confess yours, isn't it?

"You just need to have fun and wait for the results, isn't that enough?"

Cecilia paused slightly and added:

"The coming-of-age ceremony is an insurmountable hurdle for you. If you can't even properly participate in the coming-of-age ceremony, you won't be able to overcome your inner fears and leave the Duke's mansion."

So ultimately, from the very beginning, you have to wait until the day of your coming-of-age ceremony.

Or, on your coming-of-age ceremony, you could bring your friends, have them hold your hand, and walk up to the altar of blessings... Isn't that your dream too?

Use your coming-of-age ceremony to put an end to the past, to sever ties with me, and to let go of the cowardly you of the past.

If, if he really abandons you, at least until then... I can still make your death have some value.

Cecilia's every word was like a low murmur from hell, using her most familiar identity as the "older sister" to make Ivina's will give up resistance.

She knew Ivina all too well; after all, she was, in the end, her past self.

"I...I..."

"You have no need to deny it."

After Cecilia finished speaking, everything fell into a deathly silence, shattering all emotions.

Ivina had no choice but to agree.

Or rather, if she didn't agree, she genuinely lacked the courage to admit that she was the "enemy"...

Yes, killing yourself... is still too painful.

Ivina finally gave up resisting, loosened her grip, and closed her eyes unwillingly.

"It seems you agree."

Cecilia smiled slightly. "Alright, then all you have to do now is have fun with this new friend, get to know emotions, and try to step out of this ducal mansion that feels like a cage to you."

Then, on the day of your coming-of-age ceremony, I will help you sort everything out.

In this way... you can avoid pain and avoid making a choice.

I really hope, I really hope that even if he knew the truth, he would still be willing to accept your existence...

Although, that's really unlikely.

Cecilia finished speaking and waved her hand. "But anyway... goodbye, dear—sister."