Chapter 184: Annie, are you okay?
Across the continent, Alexandra called her older sister for a private call.
Alexandra had not called Katherine to ask for permission. That was never how she worked. She called because Katherine would understand the danger faster than anyone else, and because her older sister was usually the first person willing to tell her when she was about to step over a line.
This time, however, Alexandra did not feel like she was stepping over anything. Cassandra’s confession plan had only forced her to put a name to something that had already been growing inside her. Martin was not just some man who happened to interest her. He was the rival who had made her blood heat in the game, the one who could stand in front of her without folding.
That was why Katherine’s reaction mattered, even if Alexandra had no intention of backing down.
Naturally, Katherine didn’t answer right away because she had to wipe down her laptop, so she called back only after she finished.
Alexandra smiled at her. "So, do you want to be part of the rom-com for real, or do you just not want to be left out?"
"I’m serious. But I also can’t let you trample over his feelings just because you got excited. This isn’t a rat race where the first one to confess wins. Cassandra has completely lost her usual composure and is acting on her feelings. Elisebeth has Rias watching over her, so I’m the one who has to hold you back."
"Don’t worry about me, really. Cassandra dropped a bomb, but she also helped me realize that I have a thing for Martin as well. It relieved me. I feel like no other man can bother me now because I have this important objective of winning Martin over. I won’t push Martin beyond what he can handle." Alexandra smiled.
Katherine stared at that smile and felt her patience slipping. The worst part was that Alexandra’s confidence was not empty.
She had fought Martin in the game, challenged him, tested him, and stood across from him as his rival. To Alexandra, that meant she had seen a side of him the others hadn’t. Cassandra knew the nervous employee who tried not to disappoint his boss. Elisebeth wanted to surprise the man who still didn’t know her real face. Katherine kept worrying about the confused boy in the middle of all this.
But Alexandra had met him in the one place where he stood tall, and because of that, she looked far too certain.
Katherine leaned closer to the screen. "Alex, listen to me. You fought beside him and against him, Alex, but his heart is still a different battlefield."
Alexandra’s smile didn’t fade. "I know. But it means I know enough to stand in front of him without trembling."
And that smile drew very dangerous words from Katherine.
"You look like a retard."
—
Cassandra walked over to the huge window overlooking the metropolis.
It may look like I’m the busiest one in the game right now because of the fourteen-day quest, but I can use that to my advantage. The other girls will reveal their identities, and so will I. But it’s better if everyone remains unaware that I’m already in Martin’s party as Kill Clause. That means I need to show him a different side of me, one only he can see...
Of course, Cassandra was still calculating. She could not remove that part of herself even if she tried. But her feelings were there too, messy and impatient, pushing her before she had fully measured the risk.
It was the first time she had ever felt this way.
She called one of her younger sisters on video chat and almost ended the call before it connected. It was ridiculous, and she knew it. She faced executives, shareholders, rivals, and people who wanted to tear pieces from her company while smiling politely at her. None of them made her hesitate.
Yet calling her own sister felt strangely heavier, maybe because Annie had never wanted anything from her except time.
Once Annie answered and saw Cassandra’s face, her eyes filled with tears and she covered her mouth. Cassandra had no idea why it felt like such a big moment, but it did.
"Annie, are you okay?" Cassandra asked.
"I-I am, Elder Sister! It’s just that I’m so happy you called me! You really should call us more often!"
The words were simple, but they hit harder than Cassandra expected.
"Sorry. I’ll do that more often now. I’m calling because I need your help," Cassandra replied.
That only made Annie bawl harder.
"Really?! You need my help?! How?! How can I help you?! I’ll do anything I can, Elder Sister!" Annie asked through her tears.
"There’s a man I have feelings for."
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!" Annie nearly choked on her own gasp.
"I need to show him a different side of me. What hairstyle and hair color do you see me in?"
"Your crimson eyes alone give you a dangerous and intimidating presence. I could see you pairing them with silver hair tied in a low bun, with loose side strands!"
Annie’s tears vanished under pure creative excitement. "Yes, yes, that would be perfect! Silver would soften your face without weakening it. The low bun would make you look noble and composed, but the loose strands would keep you from looking too cold. People would still feel your presence the moment you entered a room, but they would also wonder what kind of man could stand beside you without being swallowed by it."
Cassandra listened in silence.
"And this is where the twist comes in!" Annie continued, almost bouncing in her seat. "Once you wrap your arms around the man you love, that presence will take on a totally new meaning! You’ll elevate the man you love and show your sexy, dependable side! Ah! I want to see that!"
"Could you handle that for me?" Cassandra asked with a genuine smile.
It was nice to see this side of her sister.
"Yes! When should I visit you?" Annie asked with obvious enthusiasm.
"Today... in the game world."
"In the game world?" Annie tilted her head.
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