Capturing the Heart of the Sun: I
I've been reading a lot of manhwa and webcomics so this is inspired by those isekai manhwas and will hold similar cliches.
This is my first original fic posted on here using OCs, and I've been experimenting with perspective here too. Usually I write in 2nd person, this fic is in 3rd. And it'll switch between POV of Y/n and the 'protagonist' Maya, maybe some short scenes with other characters. I'm trying new things so please be kind lmao. Anyway, I've had a lot of fun working on this fic and the !! world-building especially. there's a map if anyone wants to see it haha
fixing masterlist links (inc. main blog) later <3
Series masterlist
Full masterlist
SERIES WARNINGS: YANDERE THEMES, abusive behaviour, lots of stalking, violence, mentions of sexual assault, character death (Will Add chapter warnings)
This chapter is 6.5k.
Once again clarifying this whole fic is experimental bc I wanted play with this trope and POV. Future chapters will have 2nd person (Y/n’s, reader’s POV) a lot more
Chapter warnings: yandere and dark themes throughout, mentions of death, mentions of assault, harassment, mentions of incest
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Transmigration wasn't something Maya had ever expected to happen to her, and certainly not on a regular day. She wasn’t hit by a truck, she wasn’t in a coma- there was no risk of dying in her life at all. Save for the risk of boredom. As her friends were busy studying hard at prestigious institutions, Maya had stayed in their small town, alone. The world had moved on from their highschool days, when she and her friends could spend days together. They rarely even messaged her these past few months.
Maya had tried moving on too; she’d been working part time jobs, helping out around her small town where she could, but her life was empty. Dull. Her sole reprieve, the modern era of the internet, truly was a marvel, and more so when it allowed bored women to indulge in fantasies. The men of her town could hardly compare to the dreamy gentlemen of CAPTURING THE HEART OF THE SUN, her latest otome game obsession.
Maya proclaimed herself a top class master of otome games, and CHS (for short) was renowned as particularly difficult. It was an old game, and technology had since advanced to more immersive features. It was a game where the system famously worked against the player, and bad endings were all too common- as such, it was rarely played anymore, certainly not on the PC version. Even the gamemakers had moved on to using VR, abandoning their work of art due to its lack of popularity. But for a top class master, it was…admittedly more difficult than she was used to.
A challenge was exciting, it gave her something to look forward to after long shifts, after conversing with the boring townsfolk day in and out. Maya had finally achieved the ultra rare gold master romancer’s badge, awarded to players who unlocked every good ending. She fully deserved that top class master status- she was the first one to unlock this badge, and the remnants of the CHS forum were in uproar, begging Maya to share the final ending that they couldn't unlock. It was too good a twist, Maya could never spoil this ending- the hidden route of the protagonist, Y/n, and her best friend?? Not once had she expected this outcome, but admittedly, the two were an adorable pair.
It’s worth noting that many of the CHS love interests leaned towards completely psychotic, obsessive styles, hence why bad endings were so easy to achieve. Maya wasn’t proud to admit she’d had nightmares about some of the male leads, with their sick tendencies and frankly irresponsibly dangerous outlooks on love, it had made going back for their good endings even more of a challenge.
The mix of fear and the usual swoon-worthy romantic scenes was enough to keep Maya hooked on playing. And none could ever come above the otp of CHS- it might have been the easiest route to achieve, and usually players unlocked this route first, but it held a special palace in Maya’s heart- perhaps for this reason.
Helios and Y/n were undeniably a perfect pairing. He was gentle, smart, fair, and put her needs above everything- he’d long abandon the duchy to be with Y/n. And more importantly!! He was the only male love interest who never, not even once, showed any signs of yandere behaviour . A healthy relationship through and through. Maya suspects the game’s system made this route the default and easiest to lure players into their sick and twisted world. She’d seen rumours on the forum that it was the beta before the developers had decided on a real theme, but they were too attached to let Helios go.
So after achieving her master status official badge, Maya went back and relieved her favourite route. Helios' good ending would always have a special place in her heart.
Maya had awoken to a blank white space- she’d say room, but there were no walls, not in sight, just white, blinding light- to the system detailing her mission. When she first opened her eyes and realised she was not in her own room, no grand thoughts crossed her mind. She had not been hit by a truck- there were scarcely large delivery trucks in her town, and the country roads were a little too small to let anything isekai-worthy down their tracks. She didn’t exactly have any enemies either. All she could remember was falling asleep to the comforting soundtrack of the game after completing her favourite ending.
Welcome!
There is currently no player of CAPTURING THE HEART OF THE SUN.
For the game system to run smoothly, the game requires a player.
We have decided to test a new immersive program, wherein you, the player, are involved directly in the game’s events.
You will proceed to guide the game to an ending of your choosing.
Beware of bad endings!
Wait, I get to play as Y/n??
You will proceed as Phoebe Cato, daughter of Baron Cato, ensuring the female lead reaches a happy ending!
Maya squealed in delight. Playing as Y/n maybe wasn't the best option anyway, because that would mean she wouldn't get to meet the lovely Y/n. This way she would be working as Y/n’s best friend to lead her to happiness! Oh, Maya knew exactly which route she would be guiding Y/n down. She’d get to see the pair together!! She’d get to attend their wedding and-
Wait, system, what do you mean beware of bad endings?
As part of our fully immersive experience, we’ve added incentives to help players avoid bad endings. We do not view bad endings as a badge to be won, and strongly advise that you avoid bad endings.
Incentives?
The player will receive damage to their health (in the real world form of LIFESPAN) if they pursue a bad ending. If the player reaches a bad ending, their health will be depleted entirely.
I COULD DIE?!!
We hope these incentives will keep you focused throughout our immersive world.
As our top and most loyal player, you were selected to test our new immersive update!
Congratulations!
As a tester I’m telling you not to kill your customers! Fuck!! Can I refuse?!!
Refusal counts as a bad ending. Would you like to give up?
WARNING: THIS WILL DEPLETE HEALTH ENTIRELY.
NO! NO! FUCK YOU!
Fine, so all i have to do is guide the characters down the plot and events of the game? To reach an ending? Any ending I want?
CORRECT. WE STRONGLY ADVISE AIMING FOR A GOOD ENDING.
And what if I’m killed whilst playing?? Since I’m not Y/n, that’s not a bad ending, right??
WARNING: PLAYER DEATH WILL RESULT IN BAD ENDING.
You realise this is a yandere otome game, right???? Most of the characters slaughter the whole country, and you want me to avoid dying?! How can I play as Y/n’s best friend and not die?! She’s a big target!!!
WE PICKED YOU DUE TO YOUR MASTER PLAYER STATUS. WAS THIS INCORRECT?
The system was getting snarky damn…If I say yes do I get to go back home?
No. Proceed with IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE TESTER ?
I don't have a choice, do I? ….Proceed.
Note: the system will be available for support and questioning when character PHOEBE CATO sleeps. We wish you success!
LOADING….
LOADING….
LOADING….
Maya was going to murder the gamemakers if she ever got out of this world. Oh, they were not ready for the lawsuit she would throw at them. First, she knew that there was only really one route she could take. Lucky for her it is her favourite. And luckier still, Helios’ good ending was the easiest to achieve- that, and he was the non-yandere route. That meant she had a much better chance of survival!
Note: before a love interest route is confirmed, events of all routes may take place! Be careful to avert the system’s MATCHMAKING EVENTS to avoid unwanted routes.
What the fuck. When people said the system was working against the players, they meant it for real. That’s the same as saying the system is actually trying to kill me!
Maya opened her eyes. Above her the curtains of Phoebe's four-poster loomed down, the bright ceiling looked menacing. The walls, no matter how far away they might’ve been, seemed to be closing in. She was going to be sick.
Maya thrust the covers off her body, noting the light silk nightgown she wore, and leapt off the bed.
“Lady Phoebe!” A chorus of voices exclaimed.
Maya wasn’t quite sure how she knew which way to go. Sure, the room’s layout was shown in the game, but her feet were moving almost automatically. She reached the toilet (thank god this game was designed with modern toilets) and hurled into it whatever Phoebe had eaten the night before.
“My lady!” A worried voice shouted. Maya could feel gloved hands on her shoulder, on her back. They were soothing, gentle. “Grace, fetch a doctor immediately!”
Maya hurled again after looking at his face.
The realisation of who this man was, who she was allowing to touch her so casually. The butler held her hair away from her face, a concerned frown etched into his features.
“Don’t!” Maya ordered the maid, voice hoarse. “I’m not sick I just-”
“My lady, look at the state you’re in!” The butler pressed. “You’re getting paler by the second, please, lady Phoebe, you must see a doctor.”
Maya narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sick.” She repeated. “It’s just, the sight of you makes me ill.”
The butler’s hands dropped to his sides, shocked. Of course, Phoebe was never this aggressive. And this slimy bastard was used to getting what he wanted.
“My lady, whatever I may have-”
Maya cut him off, seething, “Get out. Grace will be replacing your duties. I never want to see you near me or my quarters ever again.”
“Lady Phoebe, please, there’s been a misunderstanding! You can’t-!”
“If you don’t want to be removed from our service entirely, you will do as I say, Julian. Now, get out.” her glare unwavering, the butler finally left the room with a lowered head.
Maya smiled to herself. There! The nauseous feeling was all gone!
In the game, Julian was one of the love interests. As Phoebe, Y/n’s best friend,’s butler, he was always there during meetings. He was always the one to greet guests for Phoebe. And something in his sick and twisted brain thought that gave him the right to claim Y/n as his own. Even in his good ending, he was a perverted bastard who constantly humiliated Y/n, forcing them to wear revealing clothing at formal events, and even coerced Y/n into indecent acts with him in public. In his bad ending things were even worse. He assaulted and humiliated Y/n, ruining her public image and family name, before kidnapping her away to be his slave in the countryside. It was a route that made Maya sick to the stomach even thinking about it. The end had shown the public believing Y/n had taken her own life out of shame, when in reality the lead had been suffering under the control of Julian.
Maya hoped that her actions would mean he’d never see Y/n again, but she’d certainly keep an eye on it. There was no way she’d ever let things take that route.
She headed to the sink, rinsing her mouth and cleaning up as best she could in these unfamiliar settings. Staring at the mirror was the dainty face of Phoebe Cato, a bright and cheerful young lady. She was the daughter of Baron Cato now; the family was new-money, and to be so closely associated with the daughter of a marquess like Y/n was unusual. Her father was a wealthy merchant from the south of Apollon, the port-town of Oran, who traded the land’s goods overseas and became filthy rich as a result. The Cato family was new to high society, but Phoebe’s mother had excelled at social events, and with their money they could afford to send their child Phoebe to the same prestigious education the other nobles enjoyed. It was there Phoebe had befriended the admirable Lady Y/n.
Maya finished dressing with the help of one sole maid, Grace, who was now her chief maid.
“My lady, are you sure you’re feeling well?” Grace asked cautiously. Clearly she was afraid Phoebe would blow up at her like she had Julian, but Grace, as far as Maya knew, was not a deranged individual. “I’m concerned if you don’t treat your illness, you won’t be well enough to attend Lady Y/n’s ball…”
Her ball!
“Her…birthday ball…?” Maya asked carefully.
Grace smiled, clearly thinking she was convincing her, “Yes, exactly! And Lady Y/n would be devastated to have you miss it, she has been preparing for months. Please, my lady, consider seeing the doctor. If you’re worried about telling the lord, I promise to keep it a secret.”
Maya hummed, as if considering. “I believe I am feeling better,” She saw Grace frown. “But I promise if I feel at all unwell, I will return home and rest immediately.”
“Home?” Grace furrowed her brows, “My lady, are we going out?”
Maya grinned. “Of course, we must visit Y/n. How many days until the ball?”
“Three days, my lady.”
Now she had some idea of a timescale. Y/n’s birthday ball marked the beginning of the game’s plot, and so, the beginning of the events. Was this the system giving her time to adjust? Time to prepare? That seemed awfully considerate. If only Maya would be able to remove all the love interests in those three days, she sighed.
But she shouldn't be so down- she’d already basically removed Julian! She was already one step closer to reaching a happy ending with Helios.
Sitting in the carriage, Maya took her time to observe the scenery of the land. It was quite stunning. Truly something only fiction could produce. There was something magical about the countryside here; it wasn’t like home, Maya thought. It wasn’t mundane, boring. Objectively, it might’ve looked quite similar- sprawling acres of grass and gentle hills- but somehow, it felt different. It felt alive.
She made sure to run through her plan too. She would visit Y/n, fangirl internally about the beautiful female lead, have tea together because something so quaint sounded like so much fun- Maya certainly wouldn’t be missing the opportunity to play rich and avoid death. But most importantly, she would try and convince Y/n to alter the guest list for her birthday ball. First, she needed the third prince removed. He was Y/n’s ex-fiance, and another disturbing route in the game. The parting had been on amicable terms and so the two families were still close- the marquess family was always a strong supporter of the crown.
And second, she needed to convince Y/n to invite her soulmate, Helios Astonan. As Maya recalled, he originally wasn't invited simply because the two hadn’t met before, and because the marquess family had not ventured east all that much, and so hadn’t really crossed paths, outside of official royal events.
Luckily Helios Astonan was the son of the Aston duchy, and so his standing was entirely appropriate to attend Y/n’s birthday ball. Some of the other love interests would not be on those lists for sure.
Arriving at the Orbois estate was something else indeed. And Maya had thought the Cato mansion was extravagant! Truly, the difference between born nobility and the bourgeoisie was evident here. Maya feels faint as she remembers this is their simple capital residence, as nobility would spend much of the warmer season closer to the capitol. The Orbois territory was only a short distance away, to the south of the capitol Solis, did they really need all this extra land and fucking palace to save them that extra distance??!
Rich people. If things didn’t go to plan Maya would be rallying up a revolution, that’s for sure.
The carriage stops just outside the main entrance, as Grace exits to inform someone of her arrival. The novels and such never truly focus on the amount of waiting. Oh, to have phones and drop Y/n a simple message.
The carriage door soon opened again, the Orbois butler, who lead the two of them to a reception room, before he disappeared again with a bow
She could just picture Julian’s slimy grin right now, and hoped sincerely that he was having a miserable time back home.
The butler soon returned with Lottie, Y/n’s personal maid.
“Lady Cato, I’m sorry to say Lady Orbois is feeling unwell and is unable to receive any visitors today.” Lottie doesn’t make eye contact. Suspicious. Y/n wasn’t ill in the game- it clearly stated she’d been waiting impatiently planning for the ball for the week leading up to it. “Might I offer you some refreshments before your departure?”
“Is Lady Y/n resting in her room?”
Lottie stammers out, “O-of course, my lady, where else would a lady rest when she is ill? B-but you cannot visit her!! She insisted on no visitors today.”
A lie, clearly. But if Y/n isn’t in her room, where might she be? Maya knew exactly where she was- she certainly wasn't ill, but perhaps she was stressed. And in that case, Y/n usually spends the day hidden in the gardens. Maya was fairly sure that’s what was happening here too. And if that’s the case, Y/n normally went alone; Lottie didn’t know where she was, and was simply covering for her as instructed.
“Right. I will be leaving then. No need to escort me out, I've been here many times.” Maya spoke smoothly, hoping her tone came off authoritative enough that Lottie would leave it be.
It worked. Lottie bowed, “Of course, my lady. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Maya might’ve said that, but being a transmigrator as of today, she didn't exactly know the layout of the Orbois mansion. And she couldn't very well ask Grace, who had also never been here to show her the way. She’d thought it would be easier than this. Surely the gardens were not so hard to find?? She just needed one door on the ground floor, and that would be it, right??
If Grace noticed she was lost- it was evident, she’d opened three random doors in the hallway alone- she didn’t comment. Julian would’ve had something to say, a mocking smirk on his face, as if he knew the Orbois mansion better. He probably did, creepy bastard.
The next door she opened was another grand fail. The Orbois library. The library was three floors of literary heaven. A perfect, peaceful place for studying and reading too. This was where Y/n took her private lessons, with another deprived monster, her tutor.
Now, the library naturally overlooked the gardens, to help create that peaceful ambiance Maya so adored. If she weren’t on a mission, she would grab a book and plop down right here. But overlooking meant windows, and windows in such a large mansion were surely big enough to fit through, dress and all.
She wouldn’t be climbing out of the window if she weren’t desperate, okay? But this was a desperate time. Soon enough one of the servants was bound to notice her carriage still hadn't moved and come looking for their unattended guest. She needed to get into the gardens to find Y/n immediately.
Maya pulls a chair over underneath the window, wincing at the scraping sound it made against the wooden flooring. Desperate times. Apologies to the staff.
“My lady…” Grace wavers.
“Don’t worry! It’s basically the same as a door.” Maya assures. Grace still looks uncertain. Perhaps she’s right to be alarmed, but only because she likely thinks Phoebe has gone insane, looking at her actions today. “Fine…Well, wait for me by the carriage instead, then. I’m just going to look around for Y/n, and then we’ll be going home.”
Grace sighs, defeated. “Very well, my lady. I assume you don’t wish me to tell the servants of your actions here?”
Maya grinned sheepishly.
Grace bowed, clearly disapproving, but left her alone nonetheless. Maya returned to her all-important task. Shit, the chair was too far away. She clambered back down, looking around for inspiration. If she moved that stool on top of the chair, then, surely, that would suffice?
Maya got to work right away, heaving the stool up onto the chair. That was secure enough, right? She gave it a little shove, a quick wobble test. It rattled a little, the clunking sound of wood against wood. But it didn’t fall. Right. She probably wouldn't fall off climbing up like this?
“What on earth are you doing?” A voice demanded.
Maya thought it such a shame that CHS didn't have any voice actors, for she couldn't recognise anyone without seeing their face. These transmigration novels always brushed over that, didn’t they? Stupid plot holes. As if every protagonist with white hair and a beautiful face was recognisable- in the isekai world, that’s really quite vague.
She turned to face the man, sigh caught in her throat at the sight of him. When would she meet someone who wasn’t a deranged psychopath?
She prayed to meet a man who didn’t want to make her hurl and hide on the spot (the butler not included, he never did anything wrong, but he didn’t make much of an appearance in the game).
In front of her could only be the cold figure of Beau d’Orbois, Y/n’s younger brother. He was strikingly beautiful, an air of elegance surrounding him, his dark eyes boring into her; cold, unattainable. He was the kind of man that belonged in a painting, surrounded by other works of art, someone that truly fit his name. She knew it was him, the chilling fear for her own life under his gaze only confirmed that. A balance to his stunning looks: his disgusting personality.
Not only was he simply a horrible person, but Maya had, regrettably, discovered the hidden route in CHS of Beau. An incest route really wasn’t necessary. Another cold and twisted individual wasn’t necessary.
“I…have you seen Y/n?” Maya was at a loss. Perhaps if she distracted him with a question he wouldn’t interrogate her in her own actions.
Beau’s eyes narrowed. As Y/n’s obsessive younger brother, he was exceptionally hostile to anyone going near his darling sister. “I asked what you were doing.” He states, cold as ever.
Maya felt like she was sweating, cold, nervous sweat from having to face too many psychopaths in one day. “I-uhm, well, it was quite warm in here, so I…I was just trying to open a window…”
Beau didn’t look satisfied. “Weren’t you here to bother Y/n?”
“Well, she’s refusing visitors-” Beau looked far too pleased. “-and I thought maybe if I opened some windows it would cool things down, I mean, it’s no wonder she isn’t feeling well when it’s so-”
The smug look in his eyes fell away, replaced by panic. “She isn’t feeling well?! Why hasn’t anyone told me about this?” Beau hisses.
Maya feels nauseous again. She recalls how much Beau adores fawning over his sister, how much he enjoys seeing her weak and frail. And now she thoroughly regrets telling him of his sister’s fake illness.
Beau’s eyes snap back to her, “Why are you still here? Y/n is refusing visitors, she’s sick. Get out.”
Maya tries her best, “I was worried…”
“It’s not your concern. Leave.” He stalks closer. Maya is sure he’ll drag her out of the estate himself if it means he gets to keep his sister’s company all to himself.
She darts out of the way, laughing nervously. “I was on my way out anyway, no worries.”
Beau follows her out of the room. So he really is going to force her out? It’s scary, like being chased by a predator. Maya doesn’t dare stop moving, and luckily this time, with Beau herding her, she reaches the main entrance without delay.
“Well, um-”
“Did that maid say where she is?” Beau demands. When Maya doesn’t respond right away, he presses, “She’s in her room, yes?”
She nods, too scared to try lying to his face. He’d catch her for sure. “Um, my maid is waiting in the gardens so I’m just heading that way…” Maya blags the excuse, but trails off midway, for Beau has already disappeared. Well, he’s not going to be searching the gardens when he believes Y/n to be in her room, so she’s safe, right?
Maya leaves through the main door, quietly thanking the doorman. She then peers around for onlookers- none- and begins to dash around the side of the mansion. If this was the only way to the gardens, so be it. As long as she got there before Beau realised Y/n wasn’t in her room.
Maya makes it to the main gardens, pausing only briefly to marvel at the wondrous layout. Fuck, is this family rich. Now, think, Maya, where is the hidden gazebo?? It was hidden away in the Orbois maze, and Maya knew she had no chance of finding it by the main maze entrance. So how did Y/n normally get in?? Think! Think, Maya!
It’s to the right of the third fountain, one with the small dolphins, Maya reminds herself, dashing to the third fountain at the end of the long avenue. Thank fuck for the trees around here, she really hoped that no one was cleaning the windows and seeing her ridiculous behaviour. Now from the fountain, there should be a small cluster of trees.
And from there, look away from the hedge (the edge of the maze) and walk until you can no longer see the trees, which, jeez, that must’ve been a trek, they went on forever. And then, finally, turn towards the hedge and look for a pink ribbon.
Maya found it, and, just like she had when she was playing as Y/n in the game, she tugged on it, sighing in relief when it opened- a little gate disguised as part of the hedge. From there, it was straight down the right.
Maya dusted off her dress and fixed her hair, before stepping into the clearing, thanking her obsessive game-playing for remembering this ridiculous route to Y/n’s favourite hidden spot.
“Y/n!” She called out, walking up to the legend. Keep the fangirling on the inside, Maya, you can do it. “I thought you’d be here.”
“Phoebe!” Y/n exclaims, face brightening. Maya noticed she looked rather glum.
“I would’ve been here sooner, but someone told Lottie to turn away all guests, so it took me a while to find you on my own…”
Y/n smiles playfully. She gestures to the seat beside her. “If I knew you were visiting I would’ve given different instructions.”
Maya sits down, eyeing the picnic basket and snacks Y/n had laid out on the table. Clearly Lottie didn’t know she was here, and none of the other servants either, so she must've brought them out here herself. Legend.
“Of course you can have anything, Phoebe.” Y/n chuckles.
Maya doesn’t waste her time, gleefully enjoying the spread of sweets- she’ll get to the tea soon. Rich people, bringing a teapot out in a picnic basket?? She supposes hydroflasks weren’t quite a thing here. But with Maya’s dreams all laid out like this, it’s easy to forget why she’s here in the first place. Not that she would. She can’t, she could die. A harrowing reminder- why not make it her new daily mantra? Focus, Maya.
“So why are you pretending to be ill?” Maya asks, pouring the two of them some tea. She stares at Y/n, watching the way she hesitates to answer, the long sigh. She looks nervous.
“I…I’m scared...” Y/n finally admits, eyes closed as though she’s physically holding back her tears. Maya’s heart wrenches to see her beloved Y/n like this. She never knew Y/n was so stressed out about the ball, she always seemed so excited.
“Y/n, trust me, the ball will be a huge success. Everyone already loves you, and they will only love you even more after!” Maya assures her.
Y/n gives a shaky smile, like she’s trying her best to show her appreciation. She hasn’t done enough yet. Maya feels guilty, but she does have her own agenda too. “Look, if you're nervous, why not shorten the guest list a little? I mean, just remove anyone who might make you uncomfortable! Any feelings of awkwardness, gone! Like, uh, why not get rid of all the old men attending, and all of the princess’ little minions, and uh, the third prince? I mean, do you really want him there? You should definitely uninvite him.”
“He’s kind.” Y/n hums. No, Y/n, he is not!! He absolutely is not!! “And I haven’t spoken with him in a while.” And that drove him completely insane!! Don’t even bother! “And I can’t uninvite the princess’ followers, that’s half the ladies in Apollon.”
“It’s your ball.” Maya points out.
Y/n sighs, “I think I’m just going to be ill for the next four days…years…I could just live here, I’ll sneak out for food, they won’t find me…No one will.”
Maya feels unsettled by that- it’s supposed to be a joke, she knows it is, so why…? “And miss your birthday? You were so excited!! You can’t!”
“Father wouldn’t be that mad if I just stayed at home from now on- Beau can handle social events well enough, and-”
Beau is exactly the problem with doing that!! Maya remembers the runthrough when she deliberately skipped out the main events, and it led to more and more Beau screentime until his twisted route was triggered. She can’t let that happen.
“No!” Maya grabs Y/n’s hands, they’re cold- shaking?! Is she really ill? Or just cold? That nervous? Maya worries, “...If you're not excited anymore, why not invite more people, new people? Wouldn’t that be exciting? You can invite so many new handsome men- I’ve heard a lot about the young Duke Aston recently! The rumours say he’s charming, and funny and…”
Y/n doesn’t look like she’s listening anymore, a distant gaze held in her eyes instead.
“Maybe it should be a female only ball….”
No, the soulmates needed to meet!
“What? And snub half the country? Y/n, just uninvite the third prince, and switch him out for Aston- I mean, I want to see if he’s anything like the rumours.” Maya frowns, “At least think about it?”
“I will talk to my father.” Y/n nod slowly, still looking distant. Y/n and Beau are surely siblings, for this is a similar cold feeling- of course, without the feeling like you’re about to be stabbed. “Father would worry if I were ill for that long…”
And so would that psycho!!
“Y/n, I can be by your side the whole night. I swear, it’ll be fun.” Maya speaks. She makes a risky move, “Remember your 16th birthday? It’ll be an even better night, I’m going to make sure of it!”
Y/n smiles wistfully, considering. Phew, the game only mentioned it in passing, Maya has little idea what actually happened.
“And if anyone annoys you, or you get bored, or tired, or anything- we can hide out here! You can say you feel ill then! Just please, your birthday should be special, fun!”
“...You have to stay with me the whole night, please?” Y/n stares, hopeful. A little pitiful. It’s heart wrenching, Maya is going to faint.
“Of course I will!” Maya smiles, pushing the tea towards her. “Now, drink up, eat up, we’re going shopping once we’re done here!”
Y/n seems to slowly perk up again, be it through the sweets or the nonsense conversation. Maya can confidently say the female lead lives up to the hype. She’s stunning in every way. Funny, though a little more reserved today than Maya has seen before in the game, her personality shines through still.
The two of them sneak out with the basket empty, save for the teapot, of course. Picnic essential. They head back towards the house to drop the basket off and find Lottie, so they can leave to go shopping. The butler takes the basket out of Y/n’s hands straight away, bowing deep for the female lead. As he should. She needs to subtly find out his name, because he is going on a short list of people she tolerates in this world.
Maya is glad to have Y/n leading them this time, not getting lost, because that’d be crazy. She admires the way Y/n carries herself- perhaps it’s the noble upbringing, but she is elegant, beautiful. She looks powerful. And yet, today, her face looks vulnerable, fragile- Maya is worried, she never knew Y/n to be like this about a ball.
“Y/n!” Shit. Beau grabs ahold of her shoulders, pulling her into a tight embrace. Where did he even come from? He buries his head in her neck, Maya swears she can hear him inhaling, ew. His eyes snap to her, a piercing glare. Shit, shit, he definitely thinks she lied earlier, which she did, but it was different!! “Why are you still here?” Beau directs this at Maya, notably, by the harsh and cold tone he uses. As if talking to an insect lingering. “You said you were leaving.”
“I ran into her on her way out. We had tea in the gardens.” Y/n answers, far too gentle with this psychopath. She ruffles his hair adoringly, but Beau catches her wrist.
“You were outside? In your state?!” He shoots another glare at Maya like this is her fault somehow. Y/n catches this one, and sends her brother a disapproving stare. He falters, acting like a wounded puppy. He sighs, giving in. “And you’re going to rest now, correct?”
“Actually, we’re going shopping.” Y/n smiles, she moves to remove her wrist from his grip, and, of course, he doesn’t budge. Y/n frowns, but it’s playful. “Come on, Beau, I’m feeling much better, I promise.”
“We’ll see what the doctor has to say about that.” He grunts, tugging Y/n by the wrist now, in the direction Y/n assumes is towards the doctor.
Y/n drags her feet- it’s a little comical, how casually Y/n is treating this monster. Maya knows how angry her refusal must be making him, and she has a sneaking suspicion he’s pushing all that anger towards her.
“He’ll say I’m completely healthy, I’m sure.” Y/n groans.
“You were outside in the cold even when you were ill.” Beau argues. “It’d be a miracle if that dimwit didn’t make you worse.”
“Hey!” Y/n and Maya both exclaim. Beau’s glare hardens.
“And now you want to drag my poor sister out shopping!” He laughs, as though it’s something insane to suggest. Y/n going outside with someone other than him really might be his worst nightmare. Maya wants to vomit again. “Shopping! I won’t allow it.”
He’s dragged Y/n a considerable way by now, with Maya awkwardly tagging along despite the constant glares to stop. Y/n is huffing, clearly annoyed, but not as annoyed as she should be.
Beau stops in front of a grand doorway, knocking only once and proceeding to throw the doors open in a fit of anger. “Father!” Shit, he’s got their father involved? “Call a doctor immediately, Y/n is feeling unwell.”
“Y/n, darling, you’re feeling unwell?” Her father, the marquess Orbois, all but tosses the documents he was studying to the side, sending an aide to fetch the doctor as fast as possible, and rushes over to his daughter.
Y/n’s father doted on her, she was utterly spoilt. He was protective, naturally, but only ever caring, only ever respectful. In the many routes of the game, the poor man had been slaughtered numerous times, for ‘getting in the way’- he always tried to protect Y/n. He truly loved his daughter, you could see it in his eyes. His gaze was warm, but filled with concern. Whereas Beau’s were alight with anger, and a flicker of smug satisfaction that he’d controlled the situation once again. Maya wanted to slap him. Y/n’s father would dote on her entirely, giving her anything she wanted, but he wouldn’t let her risk her health. Not after their mother had died so young. It really was a smart move on Beau’s part, for Y/n couldn’t argue against her father, not now.
“Father! I was feeling unwell this morning but it’s cleared up since I took a rest in the gardens, I swear, I feel much better.”
“How could you rest with that parasite clinging to you?” Beau scoffed.
“Beau.” The marquess scolded, but the boy didn't apologise, nor look at all regretful. “However, my dear, you do need to rest up properly. You can’t become ill before your birthday, now, that would be a tragedy. You’ll miss everything I've prepared for you!”
“Father, I-”
“That’s the end of it, Y/n. Beau, take her to her room. And Phoebe, dear child,” he smiled gently. One of the few good people in this game, really. “I understand you are worried, but I assure you our doctor is capable. Y/n will be feeling much better after some rest, and will write to you when it’s ok to visit. Take care now, dear.”
Maya sighed, defeated. She shared the same look with Y/n, but only for a second, before Beau tore her away, his arms around her shoulders, his hands pushing her head to lean against him. He turned his head once, eyes mocking as he stared at Maya. I won, they screamed.
Maya could only hope next time she really would have an opportunity to slap him.
But for now, she had to retreat.
This would indeed be a challenge.
