As she stood there smoking, looking out at the dark palace grounds, System 427 materialized beside her.
"Host," he said quietly, "you usually don't smoke. Is something wrong?"
Heena spoke in her mind, not wanting to wake Larus. 'What's the current status of the female lead's protagonist halo toward the male leads?'
The System paused, his expression troubled. "I... I cannot define it correctly," he admitted. "I'm connected to you, so I can measure probability and affection ratings toward 'you'. Mostly hatred, honestly. But their feelings toward each other? That's harder to read."
Heena nodded, taking another drag from the cigarette. 'What do you think about the female lead, System? About Seraphina herself?'
The System hesitated, floating closer. "Host, I found something. It sounds idiotic, maybe, but I've been thinking about it."
'What?'
"Seraphina's mother," the System said carefully.
Heena turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised. 'Her mother is alive .'
