It began two years ago—the day William Delimore set foot in the academy.
That was when his life changed.
Or rather, when it turned into hell.
Until then, William had been an ordinary boy. A little quirky, a little stubborn, but never cruel. Never heartless. His mother had raised him with kindness, and his father had loved him dearly. He was never the type to mock or hurt others.
But on orientation day, everything shifted.
That was when he first heard it.
A low, sultry voice—strangely addictive, seeping into his ear like poison. It told him what to do. Whispered that he should insult a girl he had never even met. Push her down. Mock her bloodline. Flaunt his noble status so everyone around would know who he was.
He couldn’t resist. No—it was worse than that. The voice drowned out his own thoughts, smothered his will, until before he knew it, he was pressing the girl’s head to the ground under his boot.
And then—someone stopped him.
Another commoner. Someone who dared to push him back and protect her.
From that day on, William became someone he despised.
An arrogant noble. A spoiled brat who leaned on his family’s glory instead of his own. Who mocked, who belittled, who wore cruelty like a mask he could never take off.
And all the while, that voice followed him.
Every time he tried to resist it, pain tore through his body.
"I was tortured," William whispered, his whole frame trembling as the memory came rushing back. "It felt like my bones were being crushed one by one... like my skull was being split open. It broke me, inside and out."
He shuddered, his face pale. His eyes snapped toward Emma.
"And now that I’ve told you this... it’s going to happen again. I don’t know if I’ll survive this time."
Emma’s chest ached at the sight of him—this boy who looked so terrified, so small and desperate. She gently cupped his face, her voice steady even though her heart was breaking.
"No one will torment you. Not while I’m here. I promise."
Her words made his eyes flicker with the faintest light. But his body still shook.
Emma steadied her breath. The spell she was holding was draining her, sweat running down her back, but she forced her voice to stay firm.
"As I told you... this spell suppresses the curse, just for now. Whatever that thing is, it can’t hear you while you’re inside it."
William gave a slow nod, but the fear in his face didn’t fade.
Emma’s chest tightened. She needed to know more.
"Do you have any idea who could have cursed you?"
He shook his head. "Lady Saphina doesn’t like me... but not enough to curse me."
Emma hummed softly, then leaned closer. Her voice lowered, gentle, almost pleading.
"William... I know this is the first time we’ve ever spoken. You don’t know me at all. But can you trust me? I will find a way to remove this curse. I swear it—on my life."
William’s lips curved into the faintest, broken smile. "Do I even have a choice?" His voice cracked as he held her hand against his face. "But why? Why would you go so far for me... when we’ve only just met?"
Emma fell silent. For a moment, she searched for the right words, until at last she gave him the truth.
"I think... I’m interested in you."
His eyes widened.
Crack.
Emma winced as the spell began to collapse. The barrier wouldn’t hold much longer. She hurried, her voice urgent.
"Whatever happens—just act like you always do. And stay away from Kevin. Please, William. I’ll find a cure for this. Just... wait for me."
....
[Emma’s POV:]
Back in my dorm, I could still feel it—the frantic thudding of my heart.
What... was that?
Why is William suffering like this?
Is it some kind of twisted curse? Or worse—some hidden force that makes him act like a villain against his will? Could there be others too, forced into chains no one else can see?
But... I haven’t seen anyone bound the way he is. Not like that.
Forget about others...
I had treated this matter far too lightly. But when I saw his trembling eyes—eyes drowning in fear—and the fragile way his soul seemed to wither before me, my chest clenched.
It was the same sinking feeling I had when I died in my previous life.
And I don’t like this feeling at all.
That’s why, I am going to find answers.
And I know exactly who would be able to help him.
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