Because somewhere between the schemes, the lies, the laughter, and the countless moments they had shared, they had quietly claimed a place in her heart.
She had fallen for them, completely, hopelessly, and the thought of losing even one of them hurt far more than the fear of losing herself.
If she ever confessed her true intentions in the beginning, she knew they would be furious.
They might hate her.
They might even despise her for using them.
And if that day ever came, she would accept every ounce of their anger without complaint because she knew she deserved it.
But none of that mattered right now.
All that mattered was keeping them alive.
The real question was... how?
How was she supposed to protect them from something she couldn't even fight?
Perhaps she could use the female lead's halo to strengthen their male lead halos, allowing the two forces to reinforce one another. Maybe that would be enough to resist the world's consciousness.
...Or would it?
