_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5">Six months had passed since Lia declined the royal ball. Six months of careful, deliberate retreat from anything remotely connected to the main plot. She'd established new routines – morning walks in parts of the garden the male leads never visited, afternoon tea in her private study instead of fashionable salons, and friendly conversation with servants who gradually stopped flinching at her approach.

  Most importantly, she'd successfully avoided all four male leads – or so she thought. The truth was, she'd been avoiding men who were behaving strangely unlike their novel counterparts. Without Seraphina to unite them, they'd been oddly... lost. But Lia, convinced the original heroine was somewhere fulfilling her destiny, attributed their behavior to plot changes caused by Allura's absence.

  When she heard whispers that Prince Cassian seemed distracted at court, she assumed he pined for Seraphina. When rumors spread of Lord Raven investigating something "unprecedented," she believed he was uncovering Seraphina's divine heritage. When temple attendants mentioned High Priest Ezra's unusual meditations, she imagined him sensing Seraphina's pure soul. And when knights spoke of Commander Kieran's restlessness, she figured he was preparing to protect the realm's chosen one.

  Never once did she suspect the truth – that the heroine's role remained unfilled, that the male leads searched for something they couldn't name, and that the story had been limping along without its heart.

  That night, Lia's dreams took an unusual turn. Instead of the familiar hospital memories or anxieties about her new life, she found herself in a vast white space, facing what appeared to be floating screens filled with scrolling text.

  [VIEWER SATISFACTION: 34% AND DROPPING] [CRITICAL COMMENTS THRESHOLD REACHED] [SAMPLE COMMENTS LOADING...]

  "Where's the viliness? This is boring!" "The story cks conflict without Allura's schemes." "Something's wrong with the male leads, they seem lost." "BRING BACK ALLURA OR WE RIOT!" "The heroine's character development feels missing somehow..."

  Lia stepped back, heart pounding. "What is this?"

  "Viewer feedback interface," a pleasant, gender-neutral voice replied. A shimmering figure materialized beside her – humanoid but clearly artificial, composed of flowing data streams. "Greetings, Lia. I am your assigned AI companion, designation A.L.I.C.E. – Artificial Liaison for Interactive Character Enhancement."

  "You're... from the System?"

  "Correct. I've been assigned to address the current narrative crisis." ALICE gestured to the screens. "Your successful avoidance of plot elements has created an unexpected problem. Viewers are dissatisfied with the ck of meaningful character interactions."

  Lia felt her chest tighten. "But I'm trying to prevent a tragedy! I'm staying out of Seraphina's way so she can have her happy ending!"

  ALICE's form shifted, colors muting slightly. "About that... there's something you should know, but the System has restricted my ability to reveal certain information at this time."

  "What do you mean?" Lia demanded.

  "I can only say that the narrative requires your participation more than you realize." ALICE waved a hand, creating a new screen. "The System has implemented a mission framework. Complete designated tasks to increase viewer satisfaction while guiding the story toward... stability."

  The screen dispyed:

  [MISSION SYSTEM INITIALIZED] [OBJECTIVE: Increase viewer engagement through character interactions] [REWARDS: Story autonomy points, narrative protection, world stability] [PENALTY FOR REFUSAL: Forced plot correction]

  "Forced plot correction?" Lia's voice rose. "What does that mean?"

  "The System would override your free will to ensure minimum plot compliance," ALICE expined. "We prefer to avoid such measures."

  Lia sank to the ground – or what passed for ground in this space. "So I have no choice."

  "You have choices within the framework," ALICE corrected. "The missions won't require you to harm anyone or follow Allura's original path. They simply ensure meaningful interaction with key characters who are... in need of direction."

  A final screen appeared:

  [FIRST MISSION] [Deliver a sealed letter to Prince Cassian] [Time limit: 48 hours] [Reward: 100 autonomy points] [Hint: The letter contains information about border security. His Highness has been neglecting state matters tely.]

  "That's it?" Lia looked up. "Just deliver a letter?"

  "For now." ALICE's form flickered. "Think of it as easing you into the system. Future missions may reveal... more."

  "And if I complete enough missions?"

  "You earn greater narrative freedom. Perhaps even the ability to understand what's truly happening in this world." ALICE extended a hand. "Do we have an accord?"

  Lia stared at the offered hand, sensing there was more to this situation than ALICE could say. Six months of hiding had been peaceful but apparently unsustainable. And something about the male leads being "in need of direction" nagged at her.

  She took ALICE's hand. "Alright. I'll do it."

  "Excellent." ALICE smiled, though something like sympathy flickered in its data-stream eyes. "I'll remain avaible for consultation through your dreams. And Lia... trust your instincts. Things may not be as they seem."

  The white space dissolved, and Lia woke to morning sunlight. On her bedside table y a sealed envelope she was certain hadn't been there before.

  She dressed with purpose for the first time in months, choosing a simpler gown than Allura's usual eborate attire. As she descended the stairs, Marie approached with wide eyes.

  "My dy? You're going out?"

  "To the pace," Lia confirmed, surprising herself with how steady her voice sounded. "Please have the carriage prepared."

  As the servants scrambled to comply, Lia clutched the letter and took a deep breath. After six months of avoidance, she was about to face the crown prince – the man Allura had schemed against, the character whose route she knew by heart. Or thought she knew, given ALICE's cryptic hints.

  The carriage rolled toward the pace, and Lia wondered what she would find. Somewhere beyond the fourth wall, viewers leaned forward in anticipation, and the story shifted to accommodate its reluctant viliness's return – and perhaps reveal truths she wasn't yet ready to face.