Chapter 2 Title: A Dance with Fate

The scent of blood still lingered in the air, mixing with the fading aroma of fine wine. The banquet hall, once filled with laughter and celebration, was now silent—save for the heavy breathing of knights standing guard and the distant cries of wounded nobles.

Sonya's fingers curled around the dagger in her palm, her knuckles turning white. She could still feel the warmth of Austin's presence beside her, his sword dripping with the blood of assassins.

She looked up at him.

Austin von Ravenclaw.

The man she had sworn to destroy.

The man who, just moments ago, had saved her life.

Her heart pounded, not with fear, but with something far more dangerous—uncertainty.

"Your Highness!" General Hans rushed to her side, his eyes scanning her for injuries. "Are you hurt?"

Sonya blinked, snapping out of her trance. She tightened her grip on the dagger and forced herself to stand tall. "I'm fine,".

Sonya's gaze flickered to Austin, who stood motionless, his sword still raised at his side.

What game are you playing, Austin?

Austin stood there, his navy-blue cloak drenched in blood, crimson streaks splattered across his face. Yet, his expression remained eerily calm—devoid of fear, anger, or even relief. His violet eyes flickered with something unreadable as the imperial guards stormed into the banquet hall, their rifles gleaming under the chandelier's flickering light.

General Hans stepped forward, his voice sharp and commanding. "No one will leave this hall until the assassins are identified and the damage is assessed!"

A tense silence followed, broken only by the labored breathing of the wounded and the distant cries of panicked nobles.

The emperor hurried to his daughter's side, his regal composure faltering as he cupped her face. "Sonya, are you hurt? Speak to me, sweetheart."

She shook her head. "I'm fine, Father." But her heart was still racing.

The crown prince clenched his fists, his golden eyes blazing with fury. "Who would dare attack the imperial family inside the palace?!"

Austin remained still, his mind racing.

In the original story, I was the one who orchestrated this attack.

But this time… it wasn't me.

Then who?

Who had rewritten fate?

Austin studied Sonya's expression, the flicker of doubt in her eyes unmistakable. He knew exactly what she was thinking—he had written this scene himself.

But this time, the pieces were no longer following the script.

He kept his expression calm, brushing a gloved hand over his bloodstained coat. "It seems you doubt my intentions, Your Highness." His voice was smooth, almost amused as if he could read her thoughts.

Sonya's eyes narrowed. "Should I not?"

A pause. A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You're free to think whatever you like." His gaze flickered toward the lingering Imperial Guards before he took a step closer. His voice dropped to a whisper, just for her. "But I wonder… If I truly were the one behind this, would I have saved you?"

Sonya clenched her jaw.

She hated it. Hated that his words made sense. In the novel, Austin von Ravenclaw never revealed himself so soon. He worked in the shadows, manipulating events like a chessboard. Yet here he was, covered in the blood of the assassins he was supposed to have sent.

Nothing was adding up.

Before she could respond, General Hans approached, bowing slightly before the emperor. "Your Majesty, we've captured one of the assassins alive."

The hall fell silent.

Austin's eyes darkened. Alive? That wasn't supposed to happen either.

The emperor's voice was grave. "Bring him forward."

The guards dragged a hooded figure into the hall, his arms bound in enchanted chains. His face was bloodied, one eye swollen shut, yet when he looked up, it wasn't the emperor he fixated on.

It was Austin.

Sonya caught the flicker of recognition in the assassin's gaze. A chill ran down her spine. No. This wasn't right.

The assassin coughed, spitting blood onto the polished floor before forcing out a ragged laugh. "Duke Ravenclaw…" His voice was hoarse, yet filled with an unsettling amusement. "You weren't supposed to be here."

Austin's eyes sharpened.

Sonya stiffened. What did he mean by that?

The assassin turned his gaze toward the emperor and let out a breathless chuckle. "Tell me, Your Majesty… Do you really think this attack was for the princess?"

Silence.

The emperor's expression darkened. "What are you saying?"

The assassin grinned through his bloodied teeth. "It wasn't her we were after." His eyes flicked back to Austin. "It was him."

The entire hall froze.

Sonya's breath hitched. What…?

Austin's fingers twitched at his side, his mind racing. This wasn't in the book.

Something—someone—had rewritten his story.

And now, the true game had begun.

The assassin's grin twisted into something unreadable, his bloodied lips parting to respond. But just as the words were about to escape—

BANG.

A sickening pop echoed through the grand banquet hall.

Blood sprayed across the polished marble floor as the assassin's head burst apart, pieces of flesh and bone splattering like a grotesque firework. His body slumped forward, twitching for mere seconds before going completely still.

A single drop of blood landed on the hem of Sonya's pristine white gown.

Silence.

For a brief moment, no one moved.

Then—

"Someone silenced him." General Hans's voice cut through the heavy tension like a blade. His gloved hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the grand hall with razor-sharp alertness.

Sonya sat in silence, her fingers curling into the silk sheets of her bed.

Something was wrong.

Something was terribly, terribly wrong.

She had spent years preparing for this. From the moment she regained her memories, she had lived with only one goal—revenge.

She had calculated every possibility, memorized every event, and anticipated every twist the story would take.

Yet now…

Nothing was happening as it should.

The assassination attempt had played out differently.The wrong target had been attacked.And now, she couldn't predict what would come next.

Sonya clenched her jaw.

"Someone… is rewriting the original story."

That meant only one thing—her knowledge was no longer absolute.

A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.

The voice of General Hans Ubeltt carried through the heavy door."Your Highness, the investigation is complete. You may leave the hall now."

The banquet had officially ended.

With a composed expression, Sonya rose from her seat, but deep inside, unease coiled around her like a snake.

This changes everything.

A Carriage Ride Through an Unfamiliar World

Meanwhile, Austin sat inside his carriage, his expression unreadable as the wheels rattled against the cobbled streets of the Imperial Capital.

His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

The assassination attempt was supposed to target Sonya.Instead, the assassins had gone after him.

Why?

Whoever was altering the story—they knew.

They knew he had changed.They knew he wasn't the villain they expected.

He exhaled slowly, trying to process the situation when suddenly—

Through the window of the carriage, he saw something that made his blood run cold.

The slums.

A twisted, broken part of the capital, filled with filth, despair, and people barely clinging to life.

Austin's eyes widened in shock.

There were no slums in the original novel.

He had written about an empire of towering structures, golden streets, and an advanced society built on magic and prosperity. The capital had its inequalities, yes—but never something as devastating as this.

The stench of rot and waste filled the air.

Children with hollow eyes huddled in dark alleys.

A beggar sat against a crumbling wall, his skeletal fingers reaching out for scraps.

This… wasn't how it was supposed to be.

Austin's grip tightened on the carriage door.

And then, another anomaly.

In the distance, he saw a towering building.

A symbol he recognized instantly—the Merchant Guild of Zidir.

His pulse pounded in his ears.

Impossible.

He had written that the Merchant Guild of Zidir was founded fifteen years after the coup.Yet here it was—standing now, in the present.

Someone was rewriting the world itself.

Austin inhaled deeply, his expression darkening.

"If even the foundations of the empire are changing…" he muttered, "then what else has been rewritten?"

His thoughts were interrupted as the carriage continued forward, heading toward the Ravenclaw estate.

A Night of Restless Thoughts

Back in her chambers, Sonya sat by her window, the moonlight casting a cold glow over her face.

She traced the rim of her goblet with a single finger, her eyes sharp as a dagger.

"If my fate has truly changed, then I need to act. Immediately."

The original story no longer belonged to her.

That meant her future, her revenge, and even her survival were now uncertain.

She exhaled.

There was only one way forward.

She needed information.

Sonya rose from her seat, her decision made.

Sonya moved like a shadow through the castle halls.

Every step was measured, every breath controlled.

She had done this before—in the original timeline. But this time, the stakes were even higher.

If she was caught, everything would fall apart.

Her personal maid, Mira, lay soundly asleep in her bed, her breath slow and steady. A special sleeping herb mixed into her evening bread had done its work.

With Mira in her place, no one would suspect she was missing—at least for a few more hours.

The night air was cold as Sonya slipped past the guards, narrowly avoiding detection more than once. Her heart pounded as she pressed herself against the cold stone walls, listening to the heavy footsteps of knights patrolling the grounds.

She moved only when the time was right.

And after what felt like an eternity, she was finally out.

The capital streets were dimly lit, the flickering lanterns casting eerie shadows. Sonya pulled the hood of her cloak lower, keeping her face hidden.

Her destination was clear.

The Moonlight Bar.

A well-known den of criminals, smugglers, and mercenaries. But more importantly—it housed the most extensive information network in the empire.

If she wanted to understand what was happening to the world, she needed answers.

And this was the only place she could find them.

A Deal in the Dark

The Moonlight Bar sat in a narrow alleyway, its entrance barely noticeable among the abandoned buildings.

Sonya pushed open the door.

A thick wave of smoke and alcohol filled the air.

All eyes turned to her.

She ignored the stares, walking straight to the bartender—a burly man with sharp, knowing eyes.

"I want a Red Whiskey with Rum," she said softly.

The bartender didn't blink. Instead, he gave a slow nod and motioned for her to follow him.

They passed through a door behind the counter, stepping into a dimly lit corridor that led downward.

The scent of damp stone filled her nose as they descended into the underground.

At the end of the hallway, there was a single chair.

Sonya took a seat.

A moment later, a figure emerged from the darkness.

The man wore a sleek black suit, his face concealed behind a bunny mask. But what caught Sonya's attention were his eyes.

Violet.

A rare and striking color.

His voice was smooth as he said, "What may I help you with today, customer?"

Sonya met his gaze through the mask. "I need information."

The Bunny-Masked Man chuckled. "The Bunny's Lair deals in information, yes. But tell me, what exactly are you looking for?"

Sonya's voice was cold. "Austin von Ravenclaw."

The moment his name left her lips, the air in the room seemed to change.

The Bunny-Masked Man tilted his head. "Curious choice. Information about him is quite costly."

Sonya didn't hesitate. She reached into her pouch and placed four large gold coins on the table. Each coin was worth 10,000 gold.

The masked man glanced at them and smirked. "Not enough. I need five more."

Sonya's brows furrowed, but she said nothing. She reached inside her cloak and pulled out another five gold coins, setting them down with a soft clink.

The Bunny-Masked Man tapped the coins with his gloved fingers before nodding.

"Very well. Your information will be delivered to your estate."

Sonya's eyes narrowed. "You know where I live?"

The man gave a light laugh. "The Bunny's Lair knows everything."

A shiver ran down Sonya's spine.

This man was dangerous.

She gave a slow nod before rising from her chair and exiting the room.

As soon as she was gone, silence filled the underground chamber.

Then—

A single hand reached up to the bunny mask, pulling it away.

Austin von Ravenclaw smirked.

His violet eyes gleamed in the dim candlelight.

A servant stepped forward, bowing. "Shall I keep an eye on her, my lord?"

Austin leaned back, twirling the bunny mask in his hands.

"No need." His voice was laced with amusement. "For now."

The Game Has Begun

Austin leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as his violet eyes darkened. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows over his face.

"I need information," he said, his voice low but firm.

The servant standing before him bowed slightly. "On whom, my lord?"

Austin's fingers tapped rhythmically against the table. "The ones who attacked today. I want everything—names, affiliations, their leader, their financier. Find their hideouts, their supply lines, and their contacts within the palace. Leave no stone unturned."

The servant bowed deeply. "Consider it done, my lord."

As the servant left, Austin leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. His mind was spinning.

"Why was I attacked instead of Sonya?"

In the original story, the assassination attempt was meant for her. It was supposed to be a catalyst that forced her into a corner, making her rely on him. But someone had changed the script.

Someone else was pulling the strings now.

Austin clenched his fist. "Who is rewriting my story?"

A Dangerous Shadow

Meanwhile, Sonya moved carefully through the dimly lit streets of the capital, her cloak drawn tightly around her.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess.

"The Bunny's Lair… it's even more dangerous than I thought."

It was an organization shrouded in secrecy—whispers of its influence reached even the highest circles of power.

Rumors claimed that they had spies embedded within the royal family, controlling the flow of information in ways no one could anticipate.

If that were true…

Then why was Austin von Ravenclaw attacked instead of me?

Sonya had assumed Austin was just another noble, powerful but predictable. But tonight had proven otherwise.

He had killed without hesitation. Protected her without hesitation.

And most importantly—he had been the real target.

She shivered, but not from the cold.

Something had changed.

And she no longer had the advantage of knowing what would happen next.

As she continued walking, she glanced toward the sky. The moon was full, casting a pale glow over the silent streets.

For the first time, Sonya felt it.

The story she once knew had been rewritten.

And she had no idea what came next.

Two days had passed since the banquet.

Sonya sat in her private chambers, the morning sun barely illuminating the deep red curtains that covered her windows. A strange unease settled in her chest—the feeling that something was slipping out of her control.

Then, she heard it.

A soft tapping.

Not on the door, but on the window.

She turned sharply, eyes narrowing as a large raven with glossy black feathers perched on the ledge, its beady crimson eyes locked onto her.

It held something in its beak—a tightly rolled parchment, sealed with a sigil she had never seen before.

Carefully, she unfastened the message from its beak.

The moment she took the parchment, the raven let out a sharp caw and flew away, disappearing into the sky.

Her hands trembled slightly as she broke the wax seal and unfurled the letter.

The Information on Austin von Ravenclaw

Name: Duke Austin von Ravenclaw

Title: Officially, Duke of the Ravenclaw Household.

Position: Newly appointed Magic Professor at the Imperial Academy.

Influence: While his elder sister acts as the official head of the family, it is said that Austin holds the true power. Many key decisions within the Ravenclaw territory and even within the imperial court seem to be silently influenced by him.

Combat Abilities: A strategic genius with overwhelming magical prowess. His strength remains unknown, but whispers say that his magic is beyond human comprehension.

Wealth & Power: The Ravenclaw family controls half of the empire's magical artifact industry, making them one of the wealthiest noble houses.

Enemies: Recently targeted by an assassination attempt—one that was meant for someone else.

Sonya sat in her chambers, gripping the raven-delivered parchment, her mind swirling with revelations.

"Half of the empire's magical artifacts… The Ravenclaw Duchy controls that much power?"

She exhaled slowly, placing the parchment on the table before her.

She had always known the Ravenclaw family was influential—after all, they were a ducal house directly serving the imperial crown. But she had never realized the true extent of their reach.

For any noble house to command such control over the magical artifact industry was unprecedented. Artifacts were not just decorative or tools of convenience—they were the very foundation of military strength, commerce, and governance in the empire.

Whoever controlled artifacts controlled the battlefield.

"No wonder they were able to instigate the rebellion in the original story," she murmured. "They had the resources, the connections, and the sheer influence to make it possible."

Yet, something didn't add up.

In the depths of a hidden stronghold, beyond the reach of the empire's laws, beyond the watchful eyes of the nobility, a single candle flickered, illuminating a map riddled with red markings.

Austin von Ravenclaw stood before it, his violet eyes cold and calculating. His cloak was still stained with the dried blood from earlier, a silent reminder that someone had dared to take his life.

"A mistake they will not live to repeat."

A shadow moved behind him.

"Master," the voice was calm but carried a hint of urgency. "We have confirmed the identities of the ones who orchestrated the attack."

Austin did not turn.

"Speak."

The shadowed figure stepped forward, revealing a woman clad in dark leather armor, her silver hair tied in a tight ponytail. She was one of Bunny's Lair's best informants, known only as 'Shade.'

She placed a folder on the table.

Austin finally turned and opened it, his eyes scanning the contents.

What he saw made him pause.

The Mastermind Behind the Assassins

The assassins were not simple mercenaries.

They were not common rebels.

They were a handpicked unit from an unknown faction operating deep within the Empire's borders.

Name: The Ivory FangPurpose: Political destabilization, assassination, and covert operations.Confirmed Leader: UnknownAffiliation: Uncertain, but evidence suggests they are being backed by the Imperial Assembly.Motive: Eradication of key figures obstructing their hidden agenda.Primary Target: Sonya— but someone changed the order at the last moment.

Austin narrowed his eyes.

"They were meant for Sonya… but the order was altered?"

His fingers tapped the edge of the folder.

"Who had the power to alter the contract?"

Shade hesitated before answering.

"...A noble. Someone within the Assembly itself."

Austin's expression remained unreadable, but inwardly, his mind was already assembling the pieces.

"If the Imperial Assembly is involved… then this isn't just about me or Sonya. This is part of something much larger."

His eyes flickered toward the list of names of those associated with the Ivory Fang.

One name stood out.

As Austin read state advisor herald von Jupiter.

A Whisper in the Dark

In a place where even the shadows feared to linger, a soft chuckle echoed—a sound both sweet and sinister.

The dim glow of candlelight flickered, casting eerie shapes along the stone walls of a secluded chamber. Books, documents, and ink-stained parchments lay scattered across a grand mahogany desk, their edges curling with age.

At the center of it all sat a woman, poised with an air of absolute control.

In her delicate hand, she held a fountain pen—its silver nib glinting under the dim light, ink dripping slowly onto the open pages before her.

Her lips curled into a smile.

Not one of kindness.

Not one of warmth.

But of possession.

"Oh my, oh my…" she mused, her voice laced with amusement.

She tilted her head, violet eyes gleaming as they traced the name written on the parchment—

Austin von Ravenclaw.

"My dear Austin," she whispered, twirling the pen between her fingers. "You think you can rewrite the story?"

A soft giggle.

"How adorable."

She leaned closer, her lips brushing against the cool surface of the ink-drenched paper as if it were a lover's cheek.

"But don't you see?"

A slow, deliberate stroke of her pen.

The ink swirled—letters shifting, reality bending, the very fabric of fate unraveling beneath her delicate touch.

"I will change everything for you."

The candlelight flickered once.

Then—darkness.

The wheels of fate had already begun to turn, no longer in their control.

Austin von Ravenclaw and Sonya, two figures whose destinies had once been written in ink, now found themselves entangled in a mystery far beyond their understanding.

Their lives were no longer dictated by the script Austin had once known. Someone—somewhere—was rewriting their stories.

The question was no longer what happens next, but rather—

"Will they survive this change, or will they perish as mere pawns in someone else's grand design?"

TO BE CONTINUED...

NOTE: PLEASE COMMENT ON WHAT ALL SHALL I IMPROVE AS THIS IS MY FIRST NOVEL SERIES YOUR SUGGESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION