Levi sank onto her bed, the sheets cool against her skin.
She lay on her back, eyes tracing the carved patterns above, but her mind was elsewhere—echoing with the weight of the day.
Restless fingers twitched at her side. She turned, propped on one elbow, and reached toward the bedside table.
There, an unsealed cream envelope waited.
Her brow furrowed. She brushed a thumb over the familiar loops of Crane's handwriting—steady, slanted, unmistakable.
Her heart gave a quiet jolt.
She picked up the letter and broke the seal, careful, composed.
Inside—Winter's script.
'Lady Adler—It would honor me if you would accompany me as my partner at the ball tomorrow evening. Respectfully, Winter Swann Verlice.'
The paper trembled slightly between her fingers.
She didn't breathe for a moment.
Then—slowly, quietly—a smile touched the corner of her lips. Tentative. Guarded. Almost... hopeful.
Levi slipped from the bed.
From beneath her pillow, she drew out a simple black mask and a silver wig—hidden, waiting.
Her heart still beat too fast, but her hands were steady.
She fastened the mask. Pulled the wig into place. Smoothed the strands until they shimmered in the lamplight.
By the time her boots touched the cobbled streets, Lady Adler was gone.
Only a stranger remained.
The Information Guild's hidden entrance creaked open at her knock. She stepped inside, cloak drawn tight.
Behind a long wooden desk, two men looked up.
Levi lifted her chin.
Levi (voice low):"I need updates on the Hayes family,"
The first man shook his head.
Man: "Nothing new, ma'am."
Before she could press further, the second man added.
Second Man (careful):"There is… Ms. Carla Huston-Hayes outside. Inquiring about the Wolfrick release—Sarah Winter's salon dossier. She wants to buy information. She's asked to meet."
Levi's lips curved into a small, sharp smirk.
Levi: "Show her in."
They led her down a narrow hallway to the mirror room—a long chamber lined with tall, ornate mirrors. In the center stood two high-backed chairs facing the largest one.
Levi took the left seat.
The door opened. Carla entered—dressed in elegant black, confidence trailing her like perfume.
She sat in the right chair.
To Levi's view, the mirror reflected Carla's perfect facade. But Carla didn't see Levi. She saw only herself—impeccable, untouchable.
Levi watched her study her own image: every smug tilt of her head, every delicate flick of sleeve.
And Levi waited—silent, eyes cold behind the mask—as Carla confronted nothing but herself.
The power in the room shifted.
Only one woman could see both sides of the reflection.
Levi's smirk deepened.
Levi's masked gaze flicked to Carla's reflection.
Levi (smooth as velvet):"Lady Hayes, What brings you here? What would you like to know?"
Carla straightened, smile practiced.
Carla: "Is this the Nightrose?"
Nodding toward Levi.
"I came to inquire about the young Duke—Winter Swann Verlice."
Levi's lips twitched beneath the mask.
Levi: "And what exactly would you like to know?"
Carla leaned forward.
Carla (voice low):"Everything. From the top of his head to the soles of his boots."
A pause.
"But first—"
She raised a single elegant finger.
"Is he attending the ball tomorrow? And if so..."
A slow smile.
"Will he be bringing a partner?"
Levi let the silence stretch before leaning back.
Levi (polite but firm):"That information, will cost you a great deal."
Carla's smile didn't waver.
Carla: "Name your price."
Levi tilted her head, voice silk.
Levi: "Everything about him? That will cost you one hundred thousand gold coins."
Carla blinked—just once—but her smile remained.
Levi: "If all you want, is to know whether he'll attend, and if he's bringing a partner—fifty thousand."
Carla sat back, considering.
Carla: "Very well, Prepare the dossier. I'll have your payment by morning."
Levi (nodded): "Then we have an agreement."
The mirrors reflected them both. A hidden broker and a calculating noble, bound by silence and coin.
Levi rose and inclined her head toward Carla's reflection.
Levi: "Thank you, Lady Hayes."
She turned and left, cloak whispering behind her.
A well-trained servant waited by the door.
Servent (quietly):"My lady, When Lady Hayes delivers payment, shall we send the dossier at once?"
Levi paused.
Levi: "Yes, Tell her everything we know—that Lord Verlice will attend the ball, and that he will arrive alone."
The servant nodded, pen ready.
Levi turned away, then added crisply.
Levi: "Exclude any mention of his… darker traits. Describe him as the nobleman she wants to believe he is."
Servent: "Very good, My lady. I'll prepare the report at once."
Levi stepped into the lantern-lit streets, boots tapping across cobblestones.
No urgency. No hesitation.
She moved through quiet city blocks—past shuttered shops, dry fountains, and the occasional passing patrol.
A thousand threads wove through her thoughts.
Winter's invitation. The Consort's schemes. Carla's purchase. The dance of power ahead.
The night wrapped around her—quiet, expectant, holding its breath.
At the Adler estate, moonlight guided her steps through silent halls.
In her chamber, she slipped out of her cloak and dress. The fabric fell to the floor.
She changed into a pale gray nightgown—simple silk, unadorned.
The sheets were cool.
She lay on her back, eyes fixed on the beams above.
Thoughts turned over and over.
– The Consort's poisoned offer.– Winter's invitation.– Carla's dossier.– Her family.
She drew in a breath, slow and steady.
Levi (whispering):"I have much to do."
And then, finally, sleep took her.
Morning light spilled through the tall windows.
Isa entered quietly, a tray in her hands.
Levi sat up, pressing one hand to her temple. Her voice was soft, but edged.
Levi: "Where is everyone? What is my family doing... and the Grand Duke?"
Isa set down the tray gently.
Isa: "They're all preparing for the ball tonight."
A beat
"But the Grand Duke—he wishes to see you after breakfast."
Levi gave a slow nod, brushing her hair back.
Levi: "Of course he does."
She swung her legs over the bed, but didn't touch the food.
Isa quietly pulled out Levi's morning wear—cream and silver.
Levi stood without a word and began to dress.
Layer by layer. Persona by persona.
When she was ready, she left the room—tray untouched.
The hall was still.
She crossed it and stopped before her father's study.
A knock. Then entry.
Grand Duke Henry Adler looked up from his papers, expression pinched.
Henry (calm but clipped): "Levi, Sit."
She did—back straight, hands folded.
Henry: "Tell me, What happened with the Consort?"
She met his gaze.
Levi: "She offered me marriage. To her son."
A flicker passed his face.
Henry: "You declined?"
Levi: "Yes."
His jaw twitched.
Henry (muttered):"Outrageous, You said that to her face?"
Levi: "I was polite."
A brittle silence.
Levi (calmly): "I didn't insult her, I just declined the offer."
Before he could speak, her mother entered, tension in her expression.
Nola: "What happened?"
Henry stood, gesturing.
Henry: "She just insulted the Consort. Rejected the Crown Prince."
Her mother turned to Levi, incredulous.
Levi: "I'll excuse myself, I have much to prepare for the ball."
But as she moved to the door, her mother called out.
Nola: "What about the letter? What about Winter's invitation?"
Levi paused.
Levi (without turning):"I'll decline it, I'll send Isa to do so. Politely. I'll go with one of my uncles."
Her mother's voice hardened.
Nola: "Your uncles aren't going. Maximus is away to Nothern sites. Lockwood is with George. Jake is working. If you still plan to refuse Winter... find someone else."
Levi said nothing.
She stepped out, leaving the weight of her silence behind.
Back in her room, Isa waited quietly.
Levi entered without a word and shut the door behind her. She exhaled—slow and sharp—the day's tension sinking into her bones.
Isa glanced up, ready. Levi moved to her vanity, face calm, eyes far.
Levi (softly): "Let's begin,"
Isa nodded and brought forward pen and paper.
Levi shifted to her writing desk, sliding an ivory parchment into view.
Levi (voice low): "Isa, send my regrets. Tell Lord Verlice I'll be going with someone else."
Isa dipped her quill—but paused.
Isa (gently): "My lady, Who will you be going with? I need to notify them."
Levi looked up, expression flat.
Levi (tone final):"Ask one of our knights, I'm not going with Winter. I don't care how Father reacts. The knights are my only option."
Isa exhaled quietly.
She rose, retrieved a sealed envelope from the drawer, and stepped to the door.
Isa (murmured): "To Sir Crane,"
Handing it to the royal messenger waiting outside.
"Deliver this to the Verlice estate. No delays."
The messenger bowed and vanished.
Isa turned back, pen poised again.
Levi leaned into the chair, eyes steady now—distant, but resolute.
Levi: "Thank you."
A pause.
"And Isa… make sure it's done before noon."
Isa nodded and began her task.
Levi watched her for a moment, then closed her eyes and drew a deep, deliberate breath.
The night's plans were already unfolding.
When Isa slipped from the room, Levi opened her eyes.
She raised her hand and whispered the silent summons of Cynefin.
From the quiet, the invisible butterflies bloomed—small, sharp, and ethereal. Only she could see them.
One brushed her cheek before darting out through the open window, winging toward the palace.
Toward the Consort's sealed quarters.
It flew high over tiled roofs, invisible to the world—until it struck something.
Hard.
A shimmer rippled through the air. A warding field.
Levi frowned.
She thrust more intent into the swarm, releasing another.
It hit harder. And shattered.
The backlash slammed into her like a whip. A sudden cough tore from her chest—wet.
She touched her lips. Blood. Just a few drops. Still warm.
Her vision wavered, but she forced it back into focus.
With a snap of will, the butterfly dissolved mid-flight, collapsing into nothingness.
Levi sank to one knee beside her desk, hand braced on the floor. The air still hummed with the echo of her failed magic.
Levi (rasped): "Never before… The Consort. She's cast a barrier."
Her voice was rough. Distant.
She rose slowly, fingertips brushing her temple.
Levi: "Why now? And why her?"
A pulse of cold burned in her chest. Her eyes, black and clear, narrowed with fury.
Levi: "She knows. Or someone told her."
Levi stood taller, the pain buried under focus.
"I won't be kept from the truth for long."
She inhaled—long and steady—letting the taste of iron fade from her tongue.
This wasn't over.