I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 7

I shuddered at the bloodthirsty delight in his eyes as he spoke. "What a terrible person."

"What happens to him, in the book?" Luke leaned forward, whispering the question in my ear.

Lucien laughed as blood splattered on his face and hands, still clutching the saw and his father's severed head.

My eyes met a gentle concerned gaze. "He died." I gave a simple answer, praying he wouldn't ask for details.

"Good." He smiled. "Should we start recruiting Lords?"

I returned the expression. "Let's do it. Remember, Graham's success in the novel was mostly based on the Lords' hatred of you and their desire for revenge."

"But I haven't been slaughtering indiscriminately, like in the story."

"Exactly. So a lot of Graham's persuasive power is gone. And even more so for Fetter if he's relying on my sister." I shrugged. "She'll try to go along with the story, but she doesn't know how much you've changed it."

"So who do we go after first?"

I pointed. "You mentioned that you saved the Fourth Lord's daughter after she was kidnapped and returned her home, right? Let's start there."

The conversation went smoothly, and just a few minutes later Luke was clutching his first key.

"I can't believe he handed it over so quickly!"

Luke grinned at my words. "I'm glad I was trying to make sure you wouldn't be disappointed in me."

The Ninth Lord handed over his key quickly, having only earned his spot after Luke had captured the previous Lord and imprisoned him.

"I'm grateful that you were merciful at that time." The young man shook his head slowly. "Given how you were treated, you had every right to take our lives."

"I know." Luke took the key from him, a solemn expression on his face. "Thank the nameless slave who saved my life and begged for me to spare the innocent."

The third key was somewhat of a surprise. It was the First Lord, who approached us first with a reverent expression.

"You are the Nameless One?" To my shock, he ignored Luke, reaching out to shake my hand.

"...Yes....?"

"I am in awe of your teachings, after hearing them from my valet!" His smiled widened. "I too have sought to cast off my name and joins the ranks of safety and obscurity."

"..."

"..."

Luke and I stared at him, unsure how to respond. Laughing brightly, the man thrust a key into Luke's hand. "Good luck, main character. May one day you find the peace of casting off the spotlight as well." With those words he walked away, seeming to almost have a spring in his step.

"..."

"..."

"Luke..."

"Seems like your cult has spread to the nobility..."

"My cult?"

Luke chuckled, reaching out and pulling me to his side gently. "Even when you aren't trying, you somehow manage to save me. How can I ever let you go?"

I felt conflicted, equal parts warmth and fear warring within me at his words and touch. I cared for Luke, I wanted to stay by him...

But isn't this exactly what happens to side character women before they are killed?