Milena Valentia sat deep in the library tower, her hand frozen mid-page on *Rose Sigil Magic and Royal Lineage*. The afternoon light streamed through the window, dust dancing in its glow. （A destruction flag...）she whispered to herself. The prince's obsession couldn't be explained by her game knowledge. She recalled yesterday's training grounds—their magic intertwining, lifting her into the air. His hand gripping her arm. Those blue eyes, thirty centimeters away. Then his cold, forceful words: "I want you as my partner for the next exercise too." （This is wrong. In the original story, the prince only showed interest in the heroine. So why me?） Milena turned the page slowly. The library tower's back corner was one of the quietest places in the academy. He shouldn't find her here. The librarian Filia Northgren moved silently between shelves, her footsteps nearly soundless. （I need more distance. I need to redirect his attention somehow...） The noon bell rang. Clanging through the academy. Milena closed her book. The tower would soon fill with other students. She had to leave. She returned the book and descended the stairs. Each step echoed against stone—a sound that grated on her nerves. （The academy gardens. No one should be there now.） She exited through the north entrance. The garden was quiet at this hour. A corridor lined with rose vines on both sides, barely two meters wide. White roses. Red roses. Petals swayed in the breeze. Milena walked with perfect composure. Always perfect. Always calm beneath the surface. Then she saw him. Silver hair gleaming in the sunlight. Nearly 185 centimeters tall. Refined features. A rose-shaped earring on his left ear. His blue eyes locked directly onto her brown ones. Julius Vandars. （Why... here?） Her thoughts accelerated. The prince shouldn't be in this part of the academy. Why was he? "Miss Valentia. The library tower again?" Julius said, stopping before her. His voice was low, quiet. Emotionless. Yet something was different. The word *again*. Milena understood. He knew she spent time in the library tower. He'd come here knowing that. "Your Highness, what an unusual place to find you," Milena replied with a perfect smile. Her voice was polite, controlled, distant. A mask she'd practiced a hundred times. But inside, panic surged. （This wasn't planned. Why is this happening?） "You're avoiding me," Julius said, stepping closer. His movement was silent, swift. "I wouldn't say—" "Don't lie. You don't approach me like the other ladies do. Why?" Julius's blue eyes studied her intently. His gaze held calculation and emotion both—cold yet burning. "Because I'm not suitable for Your Highness," Milena answered. Not the truth. A calculated response. Humble. Respectful. The words wouldn't wound him. But Julius didn't accept it. "That's not for you to decide." His voice was cold. Forceful. He stepped closer. Less than a meter between them now. Her back touched the rose vines. No escape. The corridor was narrow. Roses on both sides. Julius ahead. Vines behind. "Do you... have no interest in me?" Julius asked. The question was unexpected. His voice carried a hint of confusion. Just for a moment. His cold expression flickered. （What kind of question is that?） Milena analyzed instantly. The prince knew she was avoiding him. He wanted to know why. Or perhaps... did he want to know if she was interested? Or was it obsession? "I wouldn't say I have no interest," she said carefully. Not a complete answer. A non-committal response. "Then why do you avoid me?" Julius closed the distance further. His right hand extended slowly. Toward her left shoulder. Where the white rose sigil was marked. （If he touches me... our magic will resonate. It might spiral out of control again.） Her heart pounded beyond control. She swallowed. The sound seemed deafening. His hand reached toward her shoulder— Footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor. Multiple footsteps. Other students. Julius withdrew his hand. He stepped back. A movement a prince shouldn't make. But he did it. The other students passed through. They greeted Milena. She smiled perfectly. Her heart felt ready to burst. But her face revealed nothing. After they passed, Julius didn't speak again. "We'll talk again, Miss Valentia," he said quietly, then left. Like a shadow dissolving into darkness. Milena stood alone in the rose-lined corridor. （What was that?） She looked at her hands. They were trembling slightly. --- That evening, back in her dorm room, Milena collapsed onto her bed. She stared at the white ceiling. （What does he want from me?） In the game, Julius Vandars was emotionless, opening his heart only to the heroine. So why her? She looked in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed. She slapped them sharply. "I can't let emotions control me. This is calculation. I need to find a way to redirect his interest," she said aloud. But her voice trembled. Outside, moonlight illuminated the roses. White. Red. Swaying. （Solitude is fine. I'll abandon emotion. I'll keep wearing the mask. That's how I survive.） She whispered this to herself, then looked at her hands again. They were still trembling. What would tomorrow bring? She didn't know. Reality was closing in—reality her game knowledge couldn't prepare her for.