Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 15: The Chains Of Fear

Ren sat on the edge of his bed, his mind working at full capacity. He suspected that if it could, it would've been smoking from overuse.

The current Terence Ross was in a word, weak. He could feel how underused his body was. Even the current ten year old Ren that he was would be able to beat this sixteen year old Terence with ease.

And with how weak he was, he knew how today would end. With his death. With the moment that would set Lilith Underwood on the path to becoming the Third Great Calamity.

He'd die and the Ross family wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

Not because they didn't want to, but because even at that age, she was already powerful enough to defeat any Ross Knight without breaking a sweat.

They just had to let her go and accept their losses, breaking their ties with the Underwood family. It wasn't as if she had killed anyone important anyways. It was just the useless third son.

Of course, the Ross family had collected their restitution but who cares? It would still end with him dead.

And if this trial truly mirrored reality, then following the script meant losing everything. He had to change something. Anything.

This had to be the purpose of the test. To change his fate and survive.

To overcome his fear of death at the hands of the third Great Calamity.

Panic clawed at his insides, trying to creep in, but he forced himself to stay calm.

If the original Ren Ross had died after an argument with Lilith, then the answer to this trial was simple.

Avoid her at all costs.

He turned to stare at the servant, who had been standing there like a statue. He blinked and began feigning weakness, coughing into his hand.

"I feel unwell today. Inform my father and Lady Lilith that I am unable to receive her."

The servant hesitated before bowing. "Shall I summon a physician, my lord?"

Ren hesitated. If he summoned the physician, it would quickly be known that nothing was wrong with him. And if he didn't, he couldn't claim his illness was that serious. He'd have to take the gamble.

"No, that won't be necessary." He coughed again. "Just let them know I need rest."

The servant nodded and left the room, leaving Ren alone once more.

He exhaled, relieved. If he stayed locked in his chambers, then maybe—just maybe—he could avoid his fate.

But fate apparently had other plans for him.

Moments later, there was another knock on his door. This time, it wasn't the servant. It was one of the Ross guards, bearing a message from his father.

"Lord Ross expects you in the courtyard immediately." The guard announced. "He says your absence is unacceptable. You must greet your fiancee."

Ren gritted his teeth.

He should have expected this. His father being the rigid sack of pus that he was, would never tolerate such an insult to House Underwood.

Avoidance was not an option. Not if he wanted his father himself to personally come and drag him. And that would have... consequences.

Then I'll have to change something else.

With a resigned sigh, he straightened his posture. "Tell him I will be there shortly."

The soldier bowed and left, leaving Ren to prepare.

He dressed carefully, going for a formal but... muted outfit. Nothing too bold or provocative.

The last thing he needed was to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. He ran a hand through his hair, inhaling deeply before stepping out into the halls of the castle.

As he descended the steps toward the courtyard and saw their guest, his breath caught in his throat. So this is Lilith.

She stood beneath the morning light, her black hair gleaming with a faint blue sheen, her red eyes gleamed like hot coals, ready to consume anything. She had a pale complexion that somehow made her hauntingly beautiful, like the reaper ready to take your soul at any moment.

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She wore a deep red and gold dress, her posture was regal and her expression neutral. She barely even acknowledged him as he approached.

Ren's heart pounded. Cold. Distant. This isn't the Lilith from the game's later years. This is the girl before she became the Calamity.

He was relieved. If she was indifferent to him, then maybe he could use that to his advantage. This was better than her being interested in him.

He bowed slightly. "Lady Lilith, welcome to Ross Castle."

She barely inclined her head in return. "Lord Ren."

Their exchange was brief, formal. No tension, no emotion. Ren almost allowed himself to relax.

If she doesn't care, then maybe I can just maintain this relationship and slip through this day in peace.

He smiled to himself and no matter what he did, he couldn't stop the smile. At least, until the tea gathering.

Seated at an arranged table in one of the castle's halls, Ren found himself flanked by his father and his older brothers. Across from them sat Lilith and an older maid from House Underwood.

The conversation was polite, restrained, the kind that nobility used to say a lot and yet nothing at the same time, and Ren barely spoke.

He had no intention of making a single misstep. Not with Lilith here. Better to fade into the background than face death head on.

He watched as his father and Lilith spoke of topics like politics, alliances, and trade, but Ren barely listened.

His mind was focused on one thing. The argument that kills me happens in private.

If he avoided any one-on-one interaction, he could change the future. Change his destiny.

And then, fate shoved him forward.

"Ren." His father said in that voice of his that meant there was no room for argument. "Why don't you and Lady Lilith take a walk through the gardens?"

Ren's blood ran cold.

His gaze flickered toward Lilith. Her expression did not change, but there was a slight raise of her brow, as if she too had not expected this suggestion. But she said nothing.

He could not refuse because refusal would mean attracting negative attention from Lilith. It was far safer to accept and give her a nice, quiet, boring walk.

Ren forced a smile. "Of course, Father."

He rose from his seat, offering his hand to Lilith. She did not take it, simply standing on her own and moving toward the exit. Ren followed, his heartbeat hammering in his chest.

As they stepped into the estate gardens, he couldn't help the loop of thoughts in his brain.

What if this was exactly what had happened that resulted in his death? What if by accepting, he had actually followed the script of fate?

All he knew was that right now, he was now exactly where he wasn't supposed to be.

Alone with Lilith.

And his death was waiting.