My breathing faltered.
The translucent lines of the notification still flickered before my eyes, making it seem as if time had stopped. I was used to the system's interference — it forced choices on me, pushed me toward certain actions that I sometimes strongly disliked. But this notification... it was different.
"One step closer to his heart"... "Mentor, or... more?"
I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. My heart was beating so hard that I was worried Roger might hear it.
"Lady Weinstein?" His voice brought me back to reality. Roger tilted his head slightly, his gaze betraying his concern. "Are you... okay?"
I blinked rapidly, trying to dispel the haunting glow of the text. The notification disappeared, leaving behind a heaviness in my chest and a strange excitement.
"I... yes," I exhaled. "I'm fine."
But that was a lie. I wasn't fine.
I tried to remain calm, but this sudden system notification turned everything inside me upside down.
