“You don’t even have to try. People just... flock to you. That’s why I took the quest from Irwen,” Ian spat, his voice tight with frustration.

  “You did what?!” I shot to my feet, nearly knocking over the delicate porcelain teacup in front of me. The sharp clink of it hitting the saucer echoed through the room.

  Kai lifted a hand, his fingers gracefully arcing downward as if pressing invisible ripples back into place. “Miss Charlie, embrace calmness, like the moonlight settling over a still lake—gentle, unwavering, and clear.”

  I clenched my fists, forcing myself to take a deep breath.

  Calm, like moonlight... sure.

  I exhaled slowly, settling back into my seat, though my heart still hammered in my chest. “You’re right…” I muttered, my glare softening as I shot Kai a brief nod. “Fine.” I turned back to Ian, narrowing my eyes. “I’m listening, Ian, my former friend. What did you do?”

  Ian scoffed, sharp and condescending. “I just played the game,” he said, leaning back with an infuriating smirk, his fingers drumming lazily on the table as though he’d just delivered a finishing blow to a boss.

  My eyes locked onto his, trying to read the storm behind them.

  Where was all this anger coming from? Was it just jealousy, or was there something more? Is there truth in what he said? I wondered, a flicker of self-doubt creeping in. I did have knowledge about the future. I did have a knack for games.

  Maybe it was easy for me in ways it wasn’t for others.

  Am I a proud snob?

  Kai interjected, his tone steady, as if oblivious to the rising tension. “Yes, knowing our flaws is the first step toward a better future. It is like seeing cracks in the earth before planting—only with awareness can growth take root.”

  Ian snorted, slamming his cup down on the table with a force that made the tea ripple. “Nonsense. You always were clueless!” His voice rose. His hands gestured wildly, as if trying to physically throw his frustration at me. “Do you remember Dominica? I was trying to get her attention, but she had eyes only for you!”

  “Dominica?” I blinked, thrown completely off-guard by the sudden shift in topic. “Who’s that?”

  Ian’s eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed with a fury that radiated off him in waves. He rose to his feet, his fists clenched tight, knuckles white. “You bastard! She loved you!”

  What?

  I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could even process his accusation, Kai’s calm yet commanding voice stopped us. “Bèn Dàn. You. Will. Not. Give in to anger—lest you become like a wildfire, burning all without purpose, leaving only ash behind.”

  Kai’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes perceptive, as though he could see straight into my thoughts. “Please, ignore this foolish apprentice. He enters this meeting with a clouded view of you, like mist obscuring the morning sun. But I have seen the real you—both in the way you wield your sword and in the strength of your actions.”

  I glanced at Ian, whose chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, his anger still simmering just beneath the surface. What the hell is going on? Why is he so angry at me? My mind was spinning, trying to piece together what I’d done to ignite this level of animosity.

  A forgotten girl?

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  A missed signal?

  “The last year in high school. She even sent you a Valentine’s gift, and you ignored her. She was heartbroken, and I was her friend. It was so frustrating…” Ian said, his voice calmer now, though the tension lingered. “You don’t remember her? How cold you were?”

  I blinked, a memory flickering to life—crumpled red paper, a heart-shaped box. I did not know who sent it back then, and in typical clueless-John fashion, I responded by getting wasted at the bar.

  “I… had no idea. I’m sorry,” I whispered, the words tasting bitter. “My social skills were in the negative back then. No, scratch that—they’re still bad… despite my recent improvement.”

  Great.

  Just what I needed today. As if one friend betraying me wasn’t enough. Now two? Fantastic. Truly, life’s on a roll.

  Ian grinned, a sharp, sour thing that didn’t reach his eyes. “Fine. You’re safe in the real world, so they’re targeting you in the game. As much as I’d like to see you fall, even I don’t like this. I sent her all the info she wanted, and now I’m going to join her. Sorry, not sorry.”

  “They can’t target… me? Who?” I shot to my feet, my movements quick. Lola flinched at my sudden motion, and I gestured for her to stand too. My voice was strained, teetering on the edge of breaking. “That’s the last thing I want to know before I go. Thanks for the tea, Kai.”

  Kai nodded slowly. “Your path is yours to choose, like a river deciding its course through the valley. I am thankful for your attempt, however turbulent it may have been.”

  Sure talk like a philosophy book.

  Whatever.

  We all turned toward Ian. He let out an exaggerated sigh, as if we were inconveniencing him. “Fine. Some lady contacted me. Said she wants to ruin your game. I agreed. What’s done is done. You’ll lose everything. I don’t know how, but it’s inevitable. It’s my revenge, so… enjoy.”

  I stared at him, my heart thudding painfully in my chest.

  A million responses formed in my mind—anger, sarcasm, confusion—but none of them made it past my lips. What was the point? He was already gone, in his mind, and I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

  Without a word, I turned on my heel and left the room, my steps steady but my insides crumbling like brittle glass. The moment we were outside, my facade shattered. Tears welled up and spilled over before I could stop them, hot and bitter against my cheeks.

  “Uhm, Charlie…” Lola whispered, her voice soft, hesitant, like she was afraid touching the wrong nerve would make me fall apart completely. “I don’t know what happened, but…”

  “Me neither, Lola.” My voice cracked, and I sniffed hard, trying to steady myself. It didn’t work. “This… will take some time to soak in.” I rubbed furiously at my face with my sleeves, as if wiping the tears away could erase the mess of emotions swirling inside me. “Sorry. Can I ask you to take me outside through a side entrance? Somewhere with fewer people? I… I need to get home.” I pulled myself together enough to add, “Jerry’ll call a taxi. Don’t worry.”

  “Done.” Jerry was quick.

  Lola hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her usual bright expression dimmed by worry. “Of course, Lady Charlie. Follow me.”

  I nodded, pushing the side door open and stepping out into the cool night air. The relative quiet outside the massive Congress Center was a welcome relief, though the city’s distant hum still provided a constant backdrop. I leaned against the cool exterior wall, the rough texture grounding me as I waited, hugging myself slightly against a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature.

  One betrayal. Two betrayals.

  How many more before I break completely?

  My mind replayed the conversations, the accusations, the raw emotions laid bare. Lucas, wanting the ghost of someone else. Ian, consumed by a bitterness I hadn’t even seen coming. It felt like the foundations I’d been desperately trying to build, friendships, trust, even my sense of self, were crumbling around me.

  I need to offer Ian a chance. I owe it to him for all the years. Maybe he’s just… misguided?

  And yet… Adam’s words echoed too. My sister. The acceptance, the pride in his voice… it was a tiny anchor in the storm. Maybe I wasn’t just John trapped in Charlie’s body anymore. Maybe… maybe this was me now. The thought was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

  A pair of headlights cut through the darkness, growing brighter as Roberto’s familiar, beat-up sports car approached, its engine rumbling with more enthusiasm than precision.

  I took a deep breath, pushing away from the wall. The tears threatened again, but I blinked them back fiercely. No more crying. Not now.

  I had a prince to catch, a treasury to… visit, and a war to prepare for.

  The world might be fracturing, my friendships might be in pieces, but I wasn’t done yet. Not even close.

  Roberto screeched to an exaggerated halt, the passenger door swinging open.

  Time to face the next turn, I thought, stepping towards the car. The Sword Queen cosplay feeling less like a costume and more like armor.

  --- End of [Book 1] Rimelion: The Exploiter ---