Racing doubts

     The ride back home was quiet as expected. Ryder on the other hand had more emotional energy radiating from him more than usual. Brenna who was an expert at reading his emotions felt all of this, however she chose to remain silent.

    Upon reaching the castle, Ryder dropped off heading to his room without any form of hesitation. Opening his door and jumping on the bed, Ryder dived deep into his thoughts with a rather stern expression. It was soon discovered that he did not come out for the entirety of that day.

     Sun rays flashed on Ryder's eyes as he laid asleep in bed. Opening his eyes, he realized that it was a brand new day. His early morning routine always included the sun invading his eye lids. Even though he wished this could be changed, he was starting to get use to it.

    Sitting up on his large bed, Ryder noticed the maid who was bending over as usual. At this point he was starting to believe this was her own morning routine. Perplexed, Ryder gave a confused look at her which caught her attention. Believing that she had done something incredibly wrong this time, she laid on the floor hoping to live another day. This only led Ryder to have a short conversation with her.

    "Maid, what is your name?"

    "My name is Biscuit, my Lord!"

    'Biscuit!? Why would her parents name her Biscuit?', Ryder couldn't help but wonder.

     "Bis... Biscuit you don't have to bend over whenever you open my window, you know."

     "What!? My Lord I honored by the fact that you have spoken to me but I cannot possibly do that..!"

     "Biscuit! If you ever bend down like that again, I will turn you into a frog", Ryder bluffed.

     Seeing that she was adamant on behaving this way, he decided to threaten her a bit. Sure he couldn't do this but Biscuit didn't know that.

     "What!? I don't want to be a frog!... Okay my Lord I will do as you ask", Biscuit said as she got up to her feet.

     Now he just had to wait till the next day to see if he had really fixed the issue. The feeling of fixing a problem gave Ryder relief, though that soon dissipated when he remembered he had harder problems to resolve.

    Recalling the events of the previous day left a series of disturbing flashbacks in his mind. He didn't know how long he could live like this. A voice from the front of his door however, soon grabbed his attention.

    "Are you doing well, Master Ryder?"

    "Oh, Lady Brenna!", Biscuit bowed acknowledging the presence of her superior.

     Noticing the bright red gown Brenna wore, he had forgotten about what ran in his mind. He considered the sight in front of him one to behold. Snapping out of his daze, he answered her question with a nod.

     "I would like to speak to you in private."

     Biscuit on hearing her words left the room in a haste, giving the two of them the space they needed. Walking up right in front of him, Brenna looked into the eyes of Ryder shortly after, causing him to think about what she wanted to say.

    "I am disappointed in myself, Master Ryder. I noticed that you felt down after the match yesterday but yet I did nothing about it."

     Curious about where things were going, he kept quiet.

     "I will cheer you up the only way I know how. I am ready, Master Ryder."

     'Ready for what?' Ryder questioned himself.

    Grabbing hold of Ryder's hand, Brenna lead him out of his room into the halls of the castle. Even though he had no idea where she was taking him to, Ryder could not help but feel his heart pounding.

     Right in front of the two was a door that led to a bedroom. If Ryder had to guess, he would say this was Brenna's room. This thought was confirmed when she dragged him into the room. The scent of the whole room brimmed with the smell of Brenna. It was at this moment Ryder understood what she meant.

    'She is ready to have babies with me!? But what about me!?'

     Planting a kiss on his mouth, Brenna's hands ran through Ryder's body, sending waves of pleasure all over him. This feeling of ecstasy was eventually interrupted by a sharp piercing pain in his back.

    "Aargh!"

    Ryder broke away wondering what had just happened. 

     "What is wrong, Master Ryder? Do you not want this? Besides I am only getting started", Brenna with a hypocritical smile said causing Ryder's eyes to widen.

     In one swift move, she tore the gown she wore off her body revealing herself in a white vest and fitted pants. Strangely to Ryder, this pants seemed to outline the shape of her legs just right.

     'What is wrong with me!? I am clearly about to die and I am having a boner!'

    Brenna tossed what seemed to be a injection on the floor. Now he finally understood why he felt pain from his back not so long ago. He had been injected with some thing he was unaware of.

    "That is Whisper Willow venom. It is the only venom I am aware of that can harm my master. If you are here you are definitely on par with him then, so it is only fair I use it on you. You think I wouldn't notice that an imposter replaced my fiance!", Brenna glared fiercely at him.

    Just then the effects of the venom hit Ryder. He felt incredibly dizzy, nauseous and weak all over, he could barely even move his body.

    "Brenna...what...are...you?", Ryder struggled to speak.

    "Don't bother. The venom messes with one senses and to some extent causes body paralysis in weaker hosts. You on the other hand should barely be able to move. With the time I have, I will finish you off."

    Creating a black magic symbol, Brenna drew out a spear from its center eventually pointing it's sharp edge at Ryder. A huge magic circle engulfed the environment from the base of her feet creating a space like environment. Ryder came to a realization that this spell was the type used in the room for practicing spells in the academy. In short she was about to use some dangerous spells on him.

     "Talking to maids, making friends, fighting physically and most of all caring about low breeds. You think I wouldn't notice!? My master would never do such things!", Brenna explained with rage apparent on her face.

     Multiple magic circles appeared in front of Brenna blasting off powerful bursts of light. They behaved like wild blades rushing towards Ryder. Due to his sixth sense, he managed to dodge some of them taking several hits to his body. They sliced through his body like he was paper causing him to fall face first on the floor. The aching feeling from Ryder's wounds caused him to bite his lips.

    Not giving him time to catch his breath, Brenna swung her blade hard across the ground hurling him in the air. Not too long after, a barrage of spear strikes followed while he was still up in the air. At this point, it was clear to him that he stood no chance against her like this.

     "Brenna...stop this!"

     This would only result in a back slam to the floor. Jumping as high as she could, Brenna created another magic circle the size of a table before launching her spear through it. Upon passing the interiors of the circle, the spears speed increased as if it were being influenced by massive amounts of gravity. This time Ryder's sixth sense would prove to be useless as it was unable to alert him of it before the strike. Taking a direct hit to the heart, a massive shock wave went around the environment. After landing on the ground, Brenna walked towards him in order to observe.

     "You shouldn't have acted like my fiance, now it has cost you your life.."

    Brenna's eyes widened in shock as she saw Ryder still gasping, desperate for air.

    'His... his still alive! But how?'

     Ryder was astonished himself as he was struggling to breath without a heart. This suffering was ended though when Brenna drew the spear out of his heart.

     "So you really are Master Ryder..", Brenna said trying to hold back her tears.

     Ryder understood the pain she felt within her just by seeing her face. Not only had see not trusted her fiance but she also tried to kill him. Technically she was right but he couldn't really tell her that.

      "I am.... sorry"

      After her apology she disactivated the spell surrounding the room before dashing off to who knows where. Ryder attempting to stand to his feet, tried to go after her. However it was at this time that he began to feel the effects of the attacks he received earlier. His vision began to blur before he began to fade away.

    'Is this how I die? Being stabbed in the chest by my fiancee? That is kinda cool if I have to admit it. At least I don't have to face anymore of this shitty world', Ryder thought before passing out.