The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Sophie sat quietly, adjusting the straps on her gauntlet. The morning light filtered through the window, casting a soft glow across her chamber. Her expression remained calm, but inside, she could feel the weight of Sharon's words pressing on her. She knew the risks. But the decision was already made.

"I am serious, Sharon," Sophie replied, her tone firm but gentle. "This is something I need to do."

Sharon stopped in her tracks, spinning around to face her. "Need to do? No, my lady, you don't need to do anything except decline this mission. Let the others chase after ghost stories. You're a knight captain, not some... expendable scout!

Why should you risk your life for a cursed town that no one even believes exists?"

Sophie met her gaze, the resolve in her eyes unshaken. "Because it's my responsibility, Sharon. The people of that town could be in danger. If the reports are true, we can't afford to ignore them."

"It's superstition!" Sharon exploded, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "You heard the other knights. Shadows coming alive and attacking people? That's not a mission, that's a fairy tale! They gave it to you because they think it's a joke. They want to get rid of you, my lady."

Sophie flinched slightly at that last sentence. She knew Sharon was right. She wasn't blind to the fact that the commander had all but thrown her to the wolves with this assignment. But that didn't matter. What mattered was that she had a chance to prove herself. Not to the knights.

Not even to Draven. But to herself.

"They can think whatever they want," Sophie said softly, standing up and fastening her sword to her side. "But I'm going. I won't sit here and wait for another knight to do what I should be doing. I became a knight to protect people, Sharon. And if I'm the only one willing to take this mission seriously, then so be it."

Sharon stared at her, her face a mix of anger and disbelief. "This isn't about protecting people, is it?" she said, her voice lower now, her eyes narrowing. "This is about that damned letter. It's about Draven."

Sophie's breath caught in her throat, but she didn't respond. She didn't need to. Sharon knew her too well.

"Lady Sophie, please," Sharon continued, stepping closer, her voice losing some of its harshness. "I know how much his words hurt you. But this mission... it won't change anything. It won't change how they see you. It won't change what he said."

Sophie turned away, her gaze falling on the polished steel of her sword. "Maybe it won't," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But I have to try. I can't keep living in the shadow of that letter, Sharon. I have to prove that I'm more than what they think I am. I have to prove it to myself."

Sharon let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. "And what about us? Your squad? We follow you because we believe in you, Lady Sophie. Not because of some stupid letter from Draven or because of what those other knights say behind your back. We trust you.

And I can't just stand by and watch you walk into danger like this."

Sophie's heart swelled at Sharon's words. She had always known her adjutant was loyal, but hearing it out loud was different. It gave her strength. But it also made her decision all the more difficult.

"I know you're worried, Sharon," Sophie said, turning back to face her. "And I'm grateful for your loyalty. But I need you to trust me on this. I'll be careful. I won't take unnecessary risks. But I have to go."

Sharon clenched her fists, clearly torn between her loyalty and her fear for Sophie's safety. For a moment, it seemed like she might argue again, but then she let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Fine," she muttered, though her voice was still laced with frustration. "If you're going, then I'm going with you. But don't expect me to like it."

Sophie smiled faintly. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Sharon shot her a look but didn't say anything else. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Sophie alone with her thoughts. For a moment, the silence in the chamber was overwhelming. She stared at the letter from Draven, still folded neatly on the corner of her desk. His words echoed in her mind again—his cold, cutting words about her failures, her inadequacy.

She shook her head, forcing the thoughts away. This wasn't about Draven. This was about doing the right thing. About being the knight she had always wanted to be.

The door creaked open again, and this time, it was Annalise who stepped inside. Her little sister's bright blue eyes were wide with concern, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a more serious expression.

"Sis," Annalise said softly, closing the door behind her. "I overheard what Sharon said. You're really going on this mission?"

Sophie sighed, already dreading the conversation she knew was coming. "Yes, Annalise. I have to."

Annalise's face twisted with frustration, and she crossed her arms, standing between Sophie and the door. "No, you don't have to. This mission is ridiculous, and you know it. The knights are trying to get rid of you, big sis. They're jealous of you. They don't deserve you."

Sophie shook her head, moving toward her sister. "It's not that simple. People are in danger, and if there's even a chance that the reports are true, I have to go. I can't ignore it."

"Why do you always have to be so... so noble?" Annalise huffed, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you just stay here and let someone else handle it for once? You don't owe those knights anything. They've treated you horribly ever since Draven's letter."

Sophie winced at the mention of Draven, but she kept her voice calm. "It's not about them, Annalise. It's about doing what's right. I became a knight to protect people. If I don't take this mission, who will?"

Annalise's lip quivered slightly, and for a moment, her fierce exterior cracked. "But what if something happens to you? I can't... I can't lose you, sis."

Sophie's heart ached at the sight of her sister's vulnerability. Annalise had always been so strong, so protective. But beneath her sharp intelligence and fierce loyalty, there was a fragility that only Sophie truly understood.

"I'll be careful," Sophie promised, placing a hand on Annalise's shoulder. "I've handled worse. You know that."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Annalise's eyes gleamed with unshed tears, but she quickly wiped them away, her expression hardening once more. "Fine. Go, then. But don't think I'm going to sit around and wait for something bad to happen. If you don't come back, I swear I'll—"

"Annalise." Sophie's voice was soft but firm, cutting through her sister's emotional outburst. "I'll come back. I promise."

Annalise stared at her for a long moment, her gaze searching Sophie's face for any sign of doubt. Finally, she sighed, shaking her head. "You're too good for this world, sis. That's why I have to protect you."

Sophie smiled, though her heart felt heavy. "I don't need protecting, Annalise. I need you to trust me."

Annalise's lips twitched into a small, reluctant smile. "I do trust you. But just in case... I'm going to gather some friends. You know, in case I need to rescue you from whatever mess you get yourself into."

Sophie blinked, suddenly concerned. "Annalise, what are you planning?"

Annalise's smile widened, the mischievous glint returning to her eyes. "Oh, nothing much. Just a precaution. Don't worry about it, big sis."

"Annalise—"

"Just promise me you'll be careful," Annalise interrupted, her voice suddenly serious again. "I mean it, Sophie. If anything happens to you... I'll never forgive those knights. Or Draven. Or anyone else."

Sophie's heart twisted at the fierceness in her sister's words, but she nodded. "I promise."

Annalise gave her a final, lingering look before turning on her heel and walking toward the door. "Just don't do anything stupid, sis. I'll be watching."

As the door closed behind her, Sophie let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Annalise's concern weighed heavily on her, but she couldn't let it deter her from the mission ahead. She had to do this—for herself, for the knights, and for the people who might be suffering under the shadow plague.

And despite her sister's words, Sophie knew she was walking into danger. But for the first time in weeks, she felt a sense of purpose—a chance to prove herself.

As she clenched her fist, the face of a certain man, the man that had become her former fiance appeared inside her mind.

"I'll show you that I could stand by my own,"