"It's going to be so fun!" Seanna exclaimed, her face brightening up as she continued, "The traditional play is only enacted when the new Emperor is announced. Besides, only those nobles who are near the Emperor's age get to see it! We are so lucky we were born around the same timeline as Raashid!" She babbled happily while I stared out of the window of the carriage as it took us to the Auditorium, humming in acknowledgement whenever required.

She babbled a few more minutes before the carriage came to a halt in front of the auditorium. I mentally smirked.

She happily got out of it and I took a step down on the stair before wobbling.

Time to execute my awesome plan!

"Ah!" I wailed weakly, staggering and missing a step and (thankfully) landing into Sir Gaston's arms who looked at me with a worried expression.

"My stomach!" I groaned feebly, clutching onto my side as Sir Gaston held onto me.

Seanna's happy mood disappeared in a second as she rushed to me. The guards guarding the Auditorium gate also exchanged worried glances.

"STUPID!!" She hissed at me, "I told you not eat so many cookies!"

"Sorry-ughh!" I groaned, staggering weakly as Sir Gaston set me back into the carriage.

Seanna looked at me worriedly, mentally contemplating what to do.

I tried my best to fake a pained expression groaning every now and then while clutching my stomach.

Hahaha. Now you have to go in without me~

".....Let's go back to the mansion." She said sighing before sitting in front of me on the couch.

I stopped groaning. She is going back to the mansion? What the hell?! I thought she would go in without me and I'll head back to the mansion.

"Seanna, " I said weakly, "you were so excited to see the play. You must go."

"No." She replied instantly.

The play is about to start, I had to do something fast.

"Seanna, what about Raashid?" I quickly said, "he would be so disappointed if you didn't show up."

She frowned, "No. He'll be disappointed if you didn't show up."

Such delusions.

"That's why you'll have to go in my stead." I said taking her hands in mine, "It would be a shame if the person invited to accompany the Emperor on this auspicious day doesn't show up. That's why someone has to go in my stead. And that someone is you, Seanna. You are my companion. If I can't manage to attend an event, you'll have to go in my stead." I said. I've stayed in this world for enough time to know how things work.

Seanna's frown deepened as her mind debated what to do, "But....You're the one who was invited to accompany Raashid, not me. You're the one who's supposed to sit on the Empress seat, not me."

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! JUST LISTEN TO ME AND GO!!!!! GODAMN IT!

"Seanna," I whispered feebly, swallowing my frustration and anger, "at least inform Raashid of my absence. I don't want him to think I stood him up." I muttered tiredly before handing her the invitation I had.

"Please." I said and gave her my best puppy eyes look (which I had to manage while looking in pain too).

Villainess charms, please work!!

Seanna swallowed before nodding, I mentally sighed in relief.

Then she got out of the carriage and made her way towards the Auditorium as the carriage started moving in the direction of the mansion.

I sighed and slumped in my seat.

Now that Seanna was going to accompany Raashid, this event should go according to the novel. Even though I don't remember much, both of them should have a nice evening and maybe Seanna would realise that she loves Raashid. And then the story can flow how it was supposed to.

And even if she doesn't realise that now, there will be more chances in the future. I can still manage to get them together.

I smirked satisfactorily and looked out of the window.

The play is supposed to be the most awesome ones in the history.

Seanna's words repeated in my mind and I frowned.

It's a shame that you're missing on the goods.

My conscience mocked me.

Uhhh....

After a few minutes passed with me internally debating whether to just go back to the mansion or to return back to the auditorium, I decided, "Sir Gaston," I called, opening the small window on the side of the carriage, "I'm feeling alright now so I'll like to go back to the Auditorium."

I didn't have anything to do back home. Besides, father and Aiden would question me as to why I'm not attending the play and will freak out if I told them I have a (fake) stomach ache. It's better to just go to the Auditorium, I can just sit on Seanna's place since I'm sure Raashid wouldn't allow her to sit anywhere else but the Empress seat once she is up there.

Sir Gaston again asked if I'm sure and I reassured him and the carriage turned and we were again going to the Auditorium.

Once we were in front of the Auditorium, the guards in front of the gates frowned.

I made my way towards the gates and one of the guards asked, "Weren't you sick, my lady?"

I smiled a bit and said, "It's all okay now." The guards nodded before letting me enter.

"Let me escort you, my lady." One of the butlers standing in the queue of escorts made his way towards me.

He bowed and extended his arm, "Your invitation please, my lady."

I froze.

Shit.

Seanna has both the invitations!!

"Actually, my companion has it." I replied sheepishly.

He looked at me with raised eyebrows and before I could explain further, a guard near the gate said, "She's telling the truth. We saw the lady giving the invitation to her companion."

I smiled gratefully at the guard as the butler nodded before escorting me inside the auditorium.

"Your family, my lady?" He asked.

"Perinius." I said and he nodded, "Your seat would be on the second floor, second last row. I am not sure which number, hence I would request you to meet your companion and ask her to return your invitation." He said and I nodded.

I didn't need to disturb Seanna (since I basically lied and she would beat me if I showed up now), I knew her seat number so it wouldn't be hard to find it (she doesn't stop once she starts babbling).

501. I think.

Once we were on the second floor, the butler stopped in front of the doorway which was guarded by two guards who asked me for my invitation.

They wouldn't allow me inside without an invitation and I was about to make my way back to the carriage (to just go back home) when I noticed the pink thing moving away from the auditorium from the window in the hallway.

And I was sure it wasn't coming back till a few hours.

I couldn't even hitch a ride from a common carriage since it asks for money which I currently do not have.

That only left me with one option.

Fight.

"I'm telling you, I'm Adailia de Perinius." I said making the guards shake their heads, "We can't allow you inside without an invitation."

"I told you! My invitation is with my companion who is currently sitting inside!"

"We can't just allow you in. We'll have to testify your identity."

"Pink hair. Green eyes. What more proof do you want?" I asked.

The guards again shook their heads, "A proper one."

I thought for a second.

"The emblem on my shoe." I told him, lifting up my dress a little to show him the small golden emblem on its heel.

They looked at it, then at each other before nodding and stepping away for me to enter.

I slid the velvet curtains sideways before slipping in.

The play had already started as I stood at the doorway. I looked up to see where Seanna was supposed to be sitting and to my right, I saw her and Raashid talking in a balcony like structure. Sitting beside each other.

And I felt my heart drop.

What the.....

Before I could dwell more on this uneasy feeling, the red curtains on the doorway opposite to mine opened and came in Hayden.

He stopped when he looked at me and gave me a polite smile as he started making his way towards me through the row between two seats.

"Nice to meet you, Adailia." He said smiling and I smiled back, "Nice to meet you too."

He took my hand to place a gentle kiss on it before saying, "So, where's the crybaby?"

Before I could confirm if he was talking about Seanna, a man hissed at us, "Go somewhere else. We are trying to enjoy th-" he stopped when Hayden gave him a cold glare.

"So..?" Hayden looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

I smirked and pointed at the balcony just above us.

His eyes trailed to where I was pointing before they visibly darkened.

I frowned, what's with his reaction?

He dropped my hand and made his way upwards, climbing the stairs.

He greeted Raashid before talking to Seanna and then I gasped.

He just took her wrist and forced her up before going down the stairs and leaving through the door opposite from where I stood.

What the fuck is he doing?! I tried so hard to get those two together!!! My awesome acting skills!!! All wasted!

I took off right after that. Turning around and quickly slipping through the curtains and dashing outside.

"What the....didn't she just go in there? After fighting with us for so long?" One of the guards whispered and before I could hear the other's response, I already turned a corner and was heading straight to the stairs.

I kept on running till I reached the main gate of the Auditorium.

"Did you see a man with white hair and a lady with black hair somewhere?" I asked the guard on the gate.

He looked at me quizzically before nodding, "Yes, they went outside." He replied and I quickly left the Auditorium, striding outside on the street.

I swiftly walked towards the direction he pointed and found myself in front of an alley.

I could hear voices coming from that direction so I started walking, following the voices.

Soon I found Hayden and Seanna.

The two of them were screaming at each other.

Make that three.

I was all too ready to go and tell off Hayden and yell at him till he goes deaf.

"I'm trying to change for you! Can't you see it!?" Hayden yelled.

"Oh no I can't! You go around flirting with whoever you want and I can't even talk to my friend without you creating a scene!" Seanna yelled back.

"A friend? Oh please! That guy is obviously interested in you! Who asks a friend to sit on the seat reserved for his fiancee?!"

"We are just friends! And even if we weren't, whatever I do, is none of your damn busine-.", "-But you told me you like me?!" Hayden cut her off, looking at her with dread.

"So? Doesn't give you any right to interfere with my business. And let me remind you, we aren't in any sort of relatio-"

I stopped at the scene in front of me.

Hayden just pulled Seanna towards him,

And kissed her.

OH.MY.FREAKING.GOD.

"What the fuck?!" I exclaimed in shock, making Seanna and Hayden pull away from each other.

Seanna's face, which was a shade of pink soon turned to a normal shade as her eyes narrowed at me.

"What are you doing here?!" She asked.

"What are you doing here?!" I countered, "with him at that?"

"We were kissing, obviously." Hayden stated, before glaring at me, "before you ruined it."

What the hell is happening?

My mind was jumbled up with questions and theories and shit and stuff.

"Why...?" I asked, as I failed to understand why he would kiss her.

Hayden scoffed, "Because I love her."

My eyes went wide as saucers as I stared at him, thinking if heard him correctly.

He loves her.

Hayden loves Seanna.

But wait.....

"Weren't you supposed to love Adailia?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Hayden sneered, shaking his head, "Speaking in third person now?" He laughed mockingly before saying, "You're too weird and full of yourself."

Wait...what? Me? Full of myself? Does this guy even look at himself!?

"How can you just assume I love you? Just because I talked to you for a little bit doesn't mean anything." He said.

"Hayden, mind your lang-" Seanna started but Hayden cut her off, "Oh please Seanna! How can you defend her after all that she did to you?"

I frowned, I didn't do anything to Seanna.

But Adailia did.

"How do you-" Seanna started but Hayden cut her off again, "Rumours are all around the school. She is horrible. How can you stick with her for such a long time?" Hayden exclaimed, looking at Seanna pitifully.

Well, I was angry now.

"Rumours about you are widespread too, Hayden." I said, venom lacing my voice, "And trust me, he won't stick with you for a long time, Seanna." I said looking at her.

"Shut up!" Hayden snapped, glaring at me, "You don't know anything about me!"

"Nor do you!" I screamed at him.

We both stood there, glaring at each other, his eyes intimidating me but I refused to look away.

After a minute he sneered, "I feel bad for you Seanna." He said, not looking away from me, "that you're still stuck with this pretentious bitch. And me loving you? In your dreams. You're not smart enough nor do you an ounce of dignity. First Raashid now me. You're so desperate. I can't be with such a shameless and characterless perso-"

And then the next thing I knew, that I punched him, in the face, real hard.

I mentally smirked when I heard a crack and he was on the floor, blood gushing through his nostrils. Seanna gasped.

"Fuck you." I spat before flipping him off with my other hand, the one that punched him was still clenched tightly.

I turned around and stormed out of the alley.

Too many things were going through my head.

I punched a western royal.

And a guest from another country at that.

Who was a bit messed up in the head and wouldn't think twice before doing things.

And can call out a war.

And can potentially kill me.

Am I stuck with the same luck? Did I get out of Raashid's murder list just to end up in Hayden's?

"That was one hell of a cool mov-wait, are you crying?" Raashid exclaimed (who was leaning against the wall just beside the alley), rushing towards me.

I didn't realise I was crying till he wiped my tears from my cheeks with the pad of his thumb.

"What's wrong?" He asked gently, "Don't cry."

"I-I" I started, the pain from the event that just happened searing into me, "I........think I broke my fingers.......OH GOD RAASHID! DON'T TOUCH! FUCK!", I hissed in pain. I think the crack I heard earlier came from my fingers.

"Yes. Two fingers are broken." He said, sighing, "Let's head back inside." He said and I nodded, sniffling a bit.

__

_____

"Don't move your fingers. It's just a temporary ailment." Raashid said and I nodded.

Everything was turning out so unexpectedly.

Hayden fell for Seanna.

That took me by surprise.

"What happened?" Raashid asked gently.

"Hayden liked Seanna. Said mean things to me. I told him off and then punched him. The end." I told him.

"Oh.." Was all he said before a comfortable silence descended on us.

We were sitting on a bench outside the auditorium, watching the sunset.

".....I never thought things would turn out this way." I said after some time.

After all the things that happened, I came to a single conclusion: The plot is messed up.

"Nor did I." Raashid replied making me look at him.

"If someone said I'd comfort 'Adailia de Perinius' a few months ago, I would've laughed on their face." He sighed, "But here I am." He said smirking, making me chuckle.

"Honestly, sometimes....things just don't turn out the way we want them to. And we can't do much about it but just accept." He said.

"That's true. Things change with time." I muttered.

"Not only things, humans too." Raashid said, "I know I changed." He said confidently before looking at me, "And you." He pointed at me, "Changed a whole lot. A lot lot." He exasperated, like he couldn't believe his words, "I don't think change is a correct word." He said before tapping his chin, thinking for a second, "Its like...."

"There's someone else living inside you."

I froze.

I never thought someone would think of it that way.

Change of heart, yes.

But someone else living inside me?

Never.

He noticed.

"What's wrong?" Raashid asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Ah-nothing." I said and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"You would be laughing at this, but you didn't." Raashid said, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, you didn't." I said quickly

"No, I did. Your face says it all." He said.

I paused.

Was there any point in hiding the fact that the soul living inside this body is not Adailia's?

Technically, yes. If we don't want people thinking you've finally gone crazy or call an exorcist.

My rationality told me.

But I want to tell him.

Some part of me thought.

"I.....I am not Adailia." I muttered quietly, "My soul is from another world."

I don't know what took over me that moment and I blurted that out.

My heart thumped against my rib cage.

Most probably he won't believe me.

But I want him to.

I slowly raised my eyes to meet his surprised one's.

He looked like he was still processing what I said.

He is so slow sometimes.

I looked away at my feet and after what felt like an eternity he finally said,

"Me too."

"Huh?"

"I'm from another world too."