The Imperial Academy.

Students in crisp uniforms strolled around marble halls. Glittering sunlight poured through stained glass. Magic runes hovered in the air.

And I was standing in the middle of the courtyard, pretending I belonged here.

“Target sighted,” Marlowe whispered. “The heroine, Lady Elara Ashwind.”

I turned.

And forgot how to breathe.

Flowing auburn hair, bright green eyes, and the kind of presence that made your soul sit up straight.

She was walking toward me with a sword in one hand and confidence in both boots.

And then she frowned.

“Lord Kael,” she said coolly. “Here to threaten my scholarship again?”

...Oh.

The original villain had already been a jerk to her.

“Nope!” I said, backing away. “Just here to enjoy the weather. And not be a menace. Big fan of your work. Carry on.”

She stopped. “...Are you sick?”

“No! Just... going through character development!”