The air was warm and sweet with lavender—how strange that such a soft scent could exist in a world so cruel.
Serena sat at the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her hands were still trembling, even though her face looked calm.
Too calm.
She remembered the heat of the fire. The weight of the chains. The sound of Kael's footsteps walking away. That memory clung to her like a second skin.
But this face—young, unscarred, untouched—belonged to a girl who still thought love was enough to survive.
Not anymore.
---
> [First Task: Prevent Alina Valen from attending today's royal tea.]
[Time Remaining: 2 hours, 41 minutes.]
---
She clenched her fists.
That tea. It had been the moment Alina began weaving her little web—sowing rumors, charming Kael, pretending to be the gentle sister while planting poison in Serena's shadow. She remembered walking in that day thinking nothing of it. She left with her reputation already beginning to rot.
Not this time.
She stood and walked to the wardrobe. The maids would arrive soon, and she needed them to see a composed young lady, not a woman who had risen from her own ashes.
She chose a simple sky-blue gown—elegant, soft-spoken, the kind her stepmother always said made her "look manageable." She brushed her hair back into a gentle braid. Not because she wanted to look innocent—but because no one suspects a snake in silk.
---
A knock came at the door. Two soft taps.
"Come in," Serena called, voice steady.
Alina peeked in, her face glowing with sweetness. Her curls were tucked into a lace bonnet, and she wore a pale pink dress that barely hid her figure—soft, lovely, vulnerable. The same tricks Serena used to fall for.
"Sister!" Alina beamed. "You're awake early. I thought you might be too nervous for today."
Serena smiled, just a little. "Why would I be nervous?"
Alina tilted her head like a curious bird. "Today's tea. With the Queen's ladies. Everyone knows it's your chance to shine."
> My chance to shine? Or your chance to shine in my place?
"Oh, that." Serena walked to her desk, as if it were nothing. "I won't be attending."
Alina froze.
"What do you mean? Mother said it's vital for your engagement."
Serena turned slowly, letting silence do the heavy lifting. "I'm feeling… unwell."
"Serena," Alina said, a hint of urgency creeping in. "You can't miss it. The duke might—"
"Kael," Serena interrupted softly. "His name is Kael. And if he's the sort of man who changes his heart over tea and chatter… perhaps I should miss it."
That shut her up.
Serena turned back to the mirror, pretending to smooth her dress. She could feel Alina behind her, stiff as glass.
"Why don't you go in my place?" she added lightly. "You've always been better with smiles and gossip."
Alina blinked, caught off guard. "I—well, I suppose I could explain that you were ill, but—"
Serena stood and walked up to her, slow and calm.
"No need to explain." She placed her hand gently on her sister's shoulder, eyes locked with hers. "Tell them whatever you like."
For a moment, she could see it—the flicker in Alina's eyes. Confusion. Caution. Maybe even fear.
Good.
---
> [Task Completed.]
[Reward Unlocked: Memory Fragment – "The Garden Lie."]
[Punishment Avoided.]
Serena blinked at the glowing message.
> But… I let her go. Why would that count as a success?
Another line appeared, as if reading her thoughts:
> [Target Chosen: Alina Valen. Mission success is based on disrupting her rise.]
[Your manipulation redirected suspicion toward her. Her behavior at the tea will now begin exposure protocols.]
She smiled faintly.
> So the game has more layers than I thought.
---
"I'm going to rest now," Serena said sweetly. "Let Mother know I've given you my blessing to represent me."
Alina nodded slowly, still uncertain. "Of course… Sister."
She left without another word.
Serena shut the door behind her and let her shoulders slump for the first time.
Her hands were trembling again.
> That wasn't so hard, she told herself. You didn't scream. You didn't stab her. You smiled.
And it worked.
But it hadn't felt like victory. Not yet.
She sat back at her desk as the system screen pulsed again.
---
> [Memory Fragment: "The Garden Lie" has been unlocked.]
Location: South Courtyard. Date: One week from today.
Memory: Alina plants false evidence beneath the rose hedges.
Option to intervene: unlocked once target is exposed twice.
---
Serena exhaled slowly, her heart pounding beneath her calm.
> One task done. One thread pulled. The web hasn't even started unraveling yet.
But it would.
And when it did, Serena Valen would not stop until every lie, every betrayal, and every mask was burned away.
Even if she had to burn with them.
---