Fate To Fake: Loved by the Fallen; Fated to Kill the Divine

A house… No, no, this wasn't just a house.

It was a mansion.

A huge, sprawling mansion that stood like a sleeping beast behind thick iron gates, its towering silhouette half-shadowed under the lazy morning sky.

Leo stood still for a moment, blinking in disbelief as he stared up at the gate in front of him. His hand hovered near the intercom, hesitant.

"This can't be just a house… It's a damn castle," he mumbled to himself, his voice dry with awe. "Guess I really did get myself a rich girlfriend."

He chuckled nervously, pressing the button beside the gate.

Nothing.

The intercom stayed quiet, and the heavy gates didn't budge.

Leo pressed the button again, holding it a little longer this time. His finger was still on the panel when suddenly—

"W...ho is it?"

A sleepy, half-broken voice crackled through the speaker. It sounded dazed, confused, and groggy as hell—like someone had just been pulled out of a dream by the unexpected buzz.

"It's me. Leo," he replied, leaning toward the speaker.

".... L-Leo?" The voice stumbled again, sounding more surprised now, as if someone had just been slapped awake.

"Yes? Your boyfriend?" he added, laughing a bit awkwardly. For a second, he genuinely wondered if he was at the wrong place.

"Oh? C-Come in!!"

A flustered shout echoed, followed by the low creaking noise of metal shifting. The large gates slowly jerked open with an old-world groan, letting him step inside.

As Leo walked in, his jaw slackened a little.

Inside the estate felt like stepping into another world entirely.

Lush green gardens stretched across the front lawn, with carefully trimmed bushes lining the cobblestone path like watchful guards. Bright flowers bloomed everywhere—roses, lilies, things he couldn't even name—all humming quietly under the breeze. Several small fountains trickled gently in the corners, adding a sense of calm, as if the entire mansion existed in a fairytale.

"This place…" Leo muttered to himself. "It's unreal…"

As he followed the pathway toward the main door, he couldn't help but glance around, expecting something magical—floating lamps, enchanted pets, anything. But nothing happened. It was just… oddly normal. Well, as normal as a magical mansion could be.

'So mages live like this too? Huh. Kind of disappointing.'

The door was still a few steps away when—

Thud!

The massive wooden door swung open before he could even knock.

Standing right there, slightly breathless, was Valra.

She looked like she'd sprinted from her bed to the front entrance without even a moment to check a mirror. Her long hair was tousled and wild, strands clinging to her cheek and shoulders, bouncing slightly with her breath. Her eyes were still sleepy, lids drooping slightly, and her cheeks had a soft pink blush spreading slowly across them.

She was dressed in thin, oversized night pajamas, the fabric hanging loose over her curves and clinging in places where her skin was warm. The neckline of her top drooped slightly off one shoulder, exposing a delicate collarbone and the edge of a bra strap she probably didn't even notice.

"Ha-Ha-ah…" Valra panted lightly, resting a hand on the doorframe. Her voice trembled slightly with breath. "You came… this early?"

Leo paused for a second, a little thrown off by how… messy, beautiful, and real she looked.

"Yeah, I… I just wanted to see how you're doing," he said with a crooked smile, scratching the back of his neck. "I know I said last night that I'd visit, but I didn't think I'd catch you off guard."

Valra blinked at him, her heart skipping. 'He came early… just to see me?'

That one sentence made her chest feel too tight. She swallowed, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.

"A-Anyway… come in," she said quickly, turning around before he could see how much she was blushing.

Leo stepped into the mansion, and the moment he crossed the line, a warm, woody scent wrapped around him. It was rich, earthy, almost nostalgic… and a little sweet. Like dried herbs and clean firewood mixed with a trace of something flowery—maybe her perfume?

He sniffed lightly.

This smell… it was the same one he caught on her that day.

When she fell on his face.... He didn't understand it back then, but now it makes perfect sense.

The entire mansion smelled like her.

Valra walked ahead, trying to keep her steps calm, but her hands were clenched tight. She hadn't even brushed her hair properly. And the pyjamas—oh gods, she wasn't wearing anything fancy or romantic. She looked like a sleep-deprived mess who ran to open the door half-awake.

'Why didn't I put on a robe at least?!' she screamed inside.

She guided Leo to the living hall, a large open space that could've swallowed his entire house and still had room left. Antique chandeliers dangled from the high ceiling, and thick velvet curtains shaded the sunlight into a soft golden hue. The sofas looked expensive, polished, and ridiculously soft.

Leo sank into one and instantly groaned, "Oh damn… this thing feels like it's hugging me."

Valra turned slightly, biting her lip to stop the giggle. 'He looks so relaxed... like a kid discovering a cloud for the first time.'

Leo stretched his arms across the sofa's edge and glanced around. "Your living room is the size of my entire house. Seriously."

Valra smiled shyly, wringing her fingers.

She couldn't deny it. When he called her late last night and asked if he could visit… she didn't even hesitate. She said yes so quickly, it shocked even her. But after that—

She hadn't slept a second.

She tossed, turned, stared at the ceiling. Her thoughts ran wild. She had imagined dozens of versions of this morning. But none of them prepared her for standing here in her pyjamas, messy hair, with Leo actually here.

'What if I say something stupid? What if he thinks I look weird without makeup? What if…'

She stopped herself. Too many questions. Too much pounding in her chest.

Leo was still looking around, clearly impressed. His eyes scanned every corner—furniture, walls, paintings. His awe-filled silence made her squirm a little.

Trying to break the awkward air, Valra hesitated, then asked, "D-Do you want… coffee? Or water? I can make something for you."

Leo shook his head, his voice calm. "No, it's fine. I just… I'm still kind of amazed, honestly. This place is… huge."

He glanced at her, then asked softly, "Where are your parents, though? Are they not home?"

Valra sighed gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "They're… usually busy. They rarely come back."

Leo raised a brow. "So you're here all by yourself? In a mansion like this?"

She gave a slow nod. "Yeah… I mean, the gardens and cleaning are handled by magic, so there's no need for workers. It's just me here. Alone."

Her voice trailed off, and suddenly a cold realisation struck her spine.

Alone.

She was alone with Leo.

In a giant, quiet mansion. No maids, no parents... no noise.

Just the two of them.

She swallowed hard, her throat dry as her eyes flicked to his.

'H-He wouldn't… do anything, right?'

She stared at him, cheeks burning now. Her heart was thudding wildly, louder than before. In the silence, she could almost hear the ticking of the wall clock.

They were really alone.

And anything could happen.

Unsure what was going on in her mind, Leo hummed, "To think you're alone here... damn, must be scary, right?" he asked, turning to look at her—only to see her staring at him with a red face.

"Valra?"

Valra snapped, "I-I'm not ready yet!!" as she frantically waved her hand.

"...Pardon?"

Valra blinked as she blushed, realising she was thinking too much—so much that she had started to daydream. She coughed awkwardly, "W-What did you say?"

Leo frowned, noticing her nervous fingers fidgeting and her foot trembling. 'Maybe she's feeling a little tense since we're alone...' he thought, turning serious as he moved closer.

Valra's heart skipped a beat as she leaned back, "L-Leo?" Just as his face inched closer, she closed her eyes and... puckered her lips subconsciously.

However—

"Don't worry. I'm not going to force myself on my girlfriend."

Hearing that, she flinched and opened her eyes. Leo was gently smiling at her with an innocent expression, and somehow, that made her feel guilty for thinking too much.

Especially because his innocence made her feel even more guilty.

Leo continued, taking her trembling hand, "I'm here because I wanted to see you."

"...."

Valra... didn't hear anything… just her heart beating in her ears. Nothing else after he touched her.

Leo watched her shy and bashful expression, and his innocent lips twitched with an amused smile.

'Now I get why women in the bar act like this… I guess seeing a shy one really strokes your ego,' he thought.

His inner demon wanted to tease Valra even more, but then—

He told himself, 'We didn't come here for that.'

Letting her go, he asked, "If you don't mind... can you show me around? I mean... I wanted to see how a mage's house is different," he said.

Valra snapped out of her daze before nodding her head like a peacock, still trembling from everything her innocent heart had endured today.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed her nerves and asked curiously, "Don't tell me... that's the reason you came here?"

Leo gave an awkward smile.

Valra's lips twitched. Even though she was disappointed... he came to her house, right?

That was fine.

And it's not like they really loved each other… After all, it was a lie on her part.

She only needed to make sure he fell in love with her—otherwise, it would be a wasted effort.

"There's not much here... hmm..."

Valra tilted her head with a thoughtful expression. Her boyfriend came to see how a mage's house was different… She needed to show something impressive, something that would make him want to keep coming back.

In a way, this could be her victory.

"Oh, right… Come with me."

Without hesitation, she pulled him along and took him to a library hidden inside one of the rooms, filled with old books stacked wall to wall.

"This is my father's collection of books..."

She showed him with a proud expression on her face.

Leo blinked. This… was not what he was expecting, to be honest.

Seeing the dull look in his eyes, her lips twitched.

She hadn't impressed him.

But these were ancient books, you know!!

Other mages would kill to get their hands on these!!

Still, she showed the greatness of the library her father had created.

She did know Leo often visits the school library, so once he got interested here, he might visit this place again.

So with that hope, she showed many books—though Leo wasn't particularly interested, he kept listening.

Seeing her ramble around like that… it stirred something strange in his heart.

Like… he really saw her.

And his heart started to beat a little faster… not sure why. Maybe because they were alone… maybe because she was his girlfriend… maybe anything.

But seeing this innocent Valra—

He couldn't help but admire her... like she was telling him not for sake but... she wanted him to understand it.

Just as she was rummaging through the books, she started explaining mage powers, elements, and many things—artifacts and all—when Leo noticed a picture.

"What is that?" he asked, pointing at the picture of a knife… especially the handle… that familiar handle.

He had seen that before.

"Oh? That's… it is Paraclythion. An ancient artifact that connects to another universe."