The oak door in front of me looked like a gateway to another dimension.
The gold pocket watch I'd stolen from the vanity drawer showed 02:00 AM. The girls' dormitory hallway was dead silent, save for the sound of my own heart beating like crazy.
Thump! Thump! Thump! That's roughly what it sounded like.
'Renji, you're crazy. You've completely lost your mind. You're going into the Heroine's room in the middle of the night to "sell yourself" for a ring?'
But the image of the Chimera's claws ripping open my stomach in Chapter 25 was far more terrifying than my pride right now. I swallowed hard, adjusted my black silk nightgown, and knocked on the door softly.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Click.
The door opened instantly. There were no footsteps beforehand. It was like she had been waiting for me behind the door the whole time.
Jessica stood there. She had changed out of her pajamas into a knee-length white nightgown that was far more modest than mine, but for some reason, the aura around her felt... unsettling. Her round glasses reflected the room's lamp light, hiding the look in her eyes.
"You're right on time, Lady Olivia," she said softly. "Please come in."
I stepped inside. Her room was neatly arranged, smelling of old books and vanilla. On the bedside table, the object sparkled tantalizingly.
The Aether Ring.
There it was. The ticket to extending my life.
"Give me the ring," I ordered automatically. The villainess filter made my voice sound like a master collecting a debt. "I don't have time to play games with a commoner like you."
Jessica walked casually toward the nightstand. She picked up the ring, twirling it between her index finger and thumb. The blue light of the gem reflected on her face.
"You want this?" she asked, her tone flat. "Why? A Duke's daughter who has everything... wants a junk ring I found in the library storage?"
'Storage? Liar! That item was behind a secret wall! How could you find it in storage?!'
I wanted to scream and accuse her of lying, but I had no proof. I had to play along with her script.
"That is none of your business," I scoffed arrogantly, crossing my arms. "Just consider it my whim to collect some trash. Now hand it over, and I will forget your insolence in asking me to come here."
Jessica smiled faintly. She sat on the edge of her bed, patting the mattress beside her.
"The deal hasn't changed, Sister."
She looked straight at me. This time, there was no fear in her eyes. Only a strange, empty gaze, as if she were looking at something far away.
"Sleep here. Keep me company tonight. And this ring will be yours."
"Are you insane?" I said. "You want me, Olivia von Vanderbilt, to sleep in that narrow bed with you? Are you a lesbian? Or do you just want to spread your hair lice to me?"
My mouth was seriously asking for a punch. But Jessica didn't get angry. Instead, she let out a small laugh. A laugh that sounded a bit... broken.
"Ahahaha.... Just consider it my desire to see..." Jessica tilted her head, looking me up and down, "...what it feels like to watch an arrogant noblewoman lower herself for this piece of 'trash' ring."
She tossed the ring into the air, then caught it again.
"So? Make your choice now. This ring or your pride?"
Dammit. She had me cornered. She was forcing me to choose to lower my ego.
Roughly, I stomped my feet walking toward the bed. "Scoot over a bit."
Jessica started to smile... this time it looked sincere, then she shifted towards the wall. I climbed onto the bed stiffly, lying on my back staring at the ceiling, keeping as much distance as possible from her.
"Satisfied?" I asked curtly.
"Not yet."
Suddenly, Jessica's arm wrapped around my waist.
I flinched in surprise. Before I could protest, she had buried her face into the curve of my chest. Her body trembled slightly.
"What are you—"
"Be quiet," Jessica cut in. Her voice was muffled against my skin. "If you speak again, I'll throw this ring out the window."
The threat was effective. I shut my mouth tight.
Silence fell over the room. Only the sound of our breathing remained.
'This is weird. This is really weird. Why is she hugging me this tight? This isn't a hug out of lust. This is the hug of someone who is terrified.'
Jessica's hand didn't stay still. Her fingers slowly crept up, not to grope my body naughtily, but to touch my chest. Right over my heart.
She stayed there. Feeling my heartbeat.
Then her fingers moved up a bit, touching the collarbone area where the Black Rose mark was hidden under my gown. She didn't open my clothes; she just rubbed the fabric over the mark.
Her movement was so specific. As if she knew something was there.
"I am so grateful..." she murmured softly, barely audible.
"What?" I whispered.
"Nothing," she answered quickly. She pulled her hand back, then tightened her hug around my waist. Her legs entangled with mine under the blanket. "You're so warm. Warmer than I expected."
I just stayed silent, stiff as a statue. But slowly, drowsiness began to attack. Jessica's body warmth, the vanilla scent, and the exhaustion of the day made my eyelids heavy.
'Damn... don't fall asleep, Renji. You have to stay alert. Who knows if she wants to kill you in your sleep...'
But Olivia's body betrayed me. This comfort was too sedative.
The last thing I remembered before my consciousness faded was the sensation of Jessica's hand gripping my pinky finger tightly. Very tightly.
As if she was afraid that if she let go, I would disappear into dust.
And finally, I fell asleep.
Morning sunlight slapped my face.
"Ugh..."
I opened my eyes. Unfamiliar ceiling. Ah, right, this is Jessica's room.
I felt the side of the bed. Empty.
I jumped up. Jessica was gone. Was she pranking me? Did she run off with the ring?
I turned to the nightstand.
The object was there. The Aether Ring. Sparkling beautifully under the sunlight.
And beneath it, there was a piece of paper. I snatched it frantically.
To the 'All-Mighty' Lady Olivia,
Thanks for being my bolster pillow. Turns out Nobles can snore too, huh? So cute.
The ring is yours now. Wear it. It suits covering your empty finger.
See you in class.
Jessica.
My face burned red all the way to my ears.
"I SNORED?! IMPOSSIBLE! OLIVIA CAN'T POSSIBLY SNORE!"
I crumpled the paper in mortification. But then, I looked at the ring again.
She gave it to me. Without weird conditions (besides sleeping together), without questions about its use. She just gave it away.
Why?
The question spun in my head. Jessica's behavior was too random. Sometimes she looked like an innocent girl, sometimes like a cunning manipulator, and last night... she looked like a lonely child.
Who are you really, Jessica Miller?
I shook my head, chasing away the thought. I picked up the silver ring and put it on my right index finger.
ZING.
A cool flow of mana instantly enveloped my body. I could feel it... an invisible protective layer was now active. One of my lives was secured.
I got out of bed, straightened my wrinkled nightgown, and walked to the mirror in the corner of Jessica's room.
In the mirror, I saw the reflection of a beautiful wicked woman. But this time, there was a faint smile on her face.
"Alright, Kevin," I murmured, staring sharply into the mirror. "The ring is in hand. Now just to make you cancel this engagement so I can be free forever."
And as for Jessica... I'll keep an eye on her. That girl looks dangerous. But for now, she might be useful.
I stepped out of the room, ready to face a new day that would surely be filled with disasters.