Deviating from the original plot

Chapter forty-five

"But I'm not the heroine. Shouldn't you meet with her instead, explain things, or something?" Victoria asked.

"The moment you entered this world, everything changed," the spirit said. "As time passed with you here, the events of this realm began to deviate."

"And whose fault is that? Definitely not mine," Victoria shot back, her tone sharp. The spirit sighed deeply.

"I know you have your doubts," it said softly, "but your world needs you. If the ex-god is not stopped, it will affect everyone—including you."

Victoria fell silent, her mind racing.

"You need to save everyone," the spirit continued, its voice calm yet firm.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" Victoria asked, her brows furrowing. "Everything's already deviated... So I'm guessing the normal plotline is useless now."

"Yes," the spirit affirmed. "You must seek out the Seer. Enquire of her."

"The Seer?" Victoria echoed, blinking in surprise as the silver dreamscape swirled around her. "Hello? Are you still there?"

But the spirit had already faded, leaving Victoria alone in the endless silvery expanse.

✦ ✦

The next day~

Celeste moved through the grand halls of the royal palace, ignoring the astonished glances of the servants she passed.

She was intercepted by one of the prince's attendants.

"Lady Celeste, His Highness cannot see you right now. He's... busy," the attendant said, attempting to block her path.

"Where is he?" Celeste demanded, her eyes narrowing.

"He is in his study, but I—" The attendant stumbled as Celeste strode past him, undeterred.

"Lady Celeste," he stammered, rushing to intercept her again.

"Out of my way!" She barked, her voice sharp and commanding. "How dare you prevent me from seeing that weasel!"

"You—you called His Highness a weasel?!" the attendant exclaimed, shocked.

"And if you don't move," Celeste snapped, "I'll skin you like one!" She yanked him by the collar and shoved him to the floor, leaving him sprawling as she continued toward the prince's study without a hint of hesitation.

She stormed into his study, her eyes blazing as they locked onto Cassius, who met her glare with equal intensity.

"Celeste," he said, rising from his chair. "What part of sending a letter first don't you understand?"

"So that you can find a convenient excuse to avoid me?" she retorted, her brow furrowed.

"Well, if I'm busy, I will obviously decline the invitation to see you," he replied.

"I don't care whether you're busy or not," she shot back, folding her arms defiantly.

"Your desperation sometimes amuses me, Celeste," he said with a soft laugh. "You're quite pitiful at times."

"Idiot!" she yelled, slamming her hand onto his desk as she stepped closer. "Do you think I came here to beg? You threatened my friend yesterday at her birthday banquet!"

Cassius's laughter rang sharply through the study, cutting through the tense air.

"You? A friend?" He sneered between chuckles, and Celeste's anger flared. "Which sane person would want to be your friend?"

"However, if Victoria Valenford truly is your friend, then perhaps I was right to keep an eye on her," he continued, a malicious grin on his face. "After all, only a vile person would associate with others equally vile. Makes perfect sense—two equally horrible people—"

Before he could finish, Celeste's hand shot up, slapping him hard across the face.

"Keep her name out of your filthy mouth!" She spat. "How dare you speak of her like that!"

"Did you just slap me?" Cassius glared at Celeste, his jaw tight with anger.

"How dare you threaten her so openly! Do you even have proof? You're usually not this foolish," she shot back, her voice sharp and full of scorn.

"She is being watched," he said, his tone colder now. "A few weeks ago, she was seen by the imperial guards taking down a member of the Black Mages. Or what about at Duke Merrow's gala, when she attacked the first one? All these incidents began after her return to high society."

"So... You're suspecting her just because she's managed to handle every Black Mage she's encountered?" Celeste asked, incredulous.

"You still don't understand," Cassius said, his eyes narrowing. "She's the only one who's successfully fought them. They wield black magic, yet she manages to beat them. She must know their weaknesses... perhaps because she is one of them."

"I don't think so," Celeste shot back, her voice sharp. "She's just a quick-thinker. I've seen her in action before. Why don't you go to her and ask for advice on being resourceful and clever? She took down the mages with nothing more than a champagne bottle and a brick—while you, armed with a sword, can barely manage anything reasonable against them."

"What exactly are you implying, Celeste?" Cassius asked, his expression a mixture of confusion and irritation.

"I'm saying she delivers justice far more effectively with improvised weapons than you do with your useless sword," Celeste said. "If anything, you should be learning from her, not suspecting her."

Cassius ground his teeth, his ego bruised. "Then mark my words—if you refuse to see the truth, when I have Victoria Valenford dragged to a public execution, you'll go down with her as an accomplice. I'll have both your heads."

Celeste's eyes widened in shock and disgust. Without a second thought, she slapped Cassius again, the sound sharp in the study, before spinning on her heel and storming out.

"She... she slapped me again?" He muttered, pressing a hand to his cheek, stunned. He had never seen her act like this before. All he could do was grit his teeth in frustration.

"Stupid wench," he hissed under his breath, sinking back into his chair, his mind already racing with thoughts of retaliation.

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A/n: Hello guys, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. 

-Cattycat🐾