Mal's POV
The hall glittered with wealth and noise. Golden chandeliers burned above like a hundred tiny suns, their light dancing across goblets of wine and plates piled high with roasted pheasant, buttered bread, candied fruits. Lutes and violins filled the air with sweet melodies while noble laughter rolled like thunder.
Yes. Mal thought. This was more than a celebration. This was a statement.
Her birthday was already being whispered about as grander than the Crestles' feasts — and the Crestles were the untouchable pinnacle of power. Tonight, the Newcastle name rose even higher.
Mal sat at the head of the table, her gown shimmering under the firelight, a vision of gold and silver. Her parents smiled with smug pride, drinking in every bow and compliment thrown their way. Ava had drifted from the hall earlier, her laughter trailing after her like perfume as she disappeared with Marc Crestle. Mal's lips tightened at the thought, though she forced her face to remain smooth, perfect, unreadable.
The musicians changed tempo, and just then, the servants entered with the cake.
The hall gasped.
It was enormous — taller than a child, wide enough to fill a wagon, layered in strawberries and whipped cream. Perched delicately at the top were sugar figurines: a little Mal, smiling with a crown upon her head, and the three Alpha triplets, standing protectively at her side.
The nobles clapped, cheering, while Mal laughed aloud. For once, it wasn't forced. The childishness of it tickled her.
"Do you like it?" Leo leaned close, his lips quirking into a smile.
Mal's eyes softened at him. "Yes. Of course I do."
"This," Leo said, gesturing at the cake, "is only my second gift to you."
"Second?" Mal arched a brow, playful. "You mean the cake?"
Leo nodded, his smile deepening. "Yes."
Their laughter mingled, drawing curious glances from the nobles nearby. Mal basked in it. Even if Ava shone like a jewel, even if the Crestles looked down on them from their emerald thrones, tonight the triplets' devotion belonged to her.
But as the hall roared with cheer, her gaze drifted upward — toward the marble staircase that wound into shadow.
And there she was.
Olivia. Standing at the top, her plain maid's gown a stark contrast to the silks and jewels below. She leaned against the banister, watching with quiet eyes. Mal couldn't tell what the girl was thinking, but she could almost hear her whisper from up there:
That's a really huge cake. Mal must have truly won the triplets' hearts.
But then Olivia frowned, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Mal could see it in her face.
Where the hell is Lex?
The words clanged in Mal's chest.
She hadn't seen him all morning either. Neither had Olivia, clearly.
Mal's nails dug into her palm under the table. Don't you dare, Olivia. Don't even think about it.
But Olivia moved. She shifted from the staircase and slipped quietly toward the hall's exit.
Mal's blood turned to ice.
She's going to him. To Lex.
Mal rose from her seat, her chair scraping softly against the floor. Levi's sharp eyes caught her movement immediately.
"What's wrong?" he asked, brows furrowed.
"Nothing," Mal said quickly. Too quickly. She forced a smile. "I'll be right back."
But Levi followed anyway. He always did.
He caught her at the corridor's corner, his hand curling around her wrist. "What's wrong, Mal?"
"I…" She hesitated, then hissed under her breath, "I haven't seen Lex all day. I'm worried."
Levi's mouth twisted into a grin that was both cruel and knowing. "Worried? Or jealous?" He leaned close, his breath warm at her ear. "Aren't you Lex's favorite? What's the matter — afraid your little maid will steal him away?"
Her jaw clenched, but she didn't pull back. "We need to check his chambers."
Levi's smirk lingered, but he nodded. "Fine. Let's go."
---
Some minutes earlier
Ava strolled beneath the starlit courtyard with Marc Crestle at her side. Their voices wove together with laughter as they shared childhood tales and harmless secrets.
"How old are you, my lady?" Marc finally asked, his tone careful, almost shy.
"To be honest," Ava said with a small grin, "sixteen."
Marc stopped in his tracks, wide-eyed. "Sixteen?"
"Yes."
Marc hesitated, then admitted, "I'm only fourteen." His face flushed with embarrassment, his jaw tightening like he expected mockery.
But Ava only tilted her head, her sea-green dress glowing faintly under the moonlight. "Can I tell you something?"
Marc swallowed. "Anything."
She leaned closer, her lips curving. "I like boys younger than me."
Marc blinked — then laughed, relief flooding his face. "Then I suppose I'm lucky."
Their laughter echoed in the night.
---
Meanwhile
Olivia stood at Lex's chamber door, her knuckles rapping softly. Once. Twice.
No answer.
She frowned, about to leave, when a faint, groggy voice slipped through the wood. "Come in…"
She pushed the door open.
And froze.
Lex lay sprawled on his bed, half-naked, sheets tangled at his waist, his chest bare, his abs flexing as he shifted weakly. His dark hair fell over his forehead, his face pale.
Olivia's breath caught. For a moment, her heart forgot how to beat.
"Good morning, my lady," Lex rasped, blinking up at her.
Olivia blinked back, startled. "Good morning? My lord… it's evening."
Lex frowned, confused. He turned his head, squinting toward the window where the sun had already sunk low. "Evening? How…?"
"You don't know the time?" Olivia asked.
Lex's gaze darted to the clock on the wall, and his eyes widened. "I've been asleep all day? No… no, the tea—" His voice cracked, frantic. "The tea… something must have been in it."
Olivia stiffened. "Tea?"
"The one I drank this morning. Someone put something in it…" His voice slurred, weaker, as if the words themselves drained him. His eyes fluttered closed. "Vervain…"
And then he collapsed into sleep again.
Olivia's heart pounded. She rushed to the table, spotting the half-empty cup. She lifted it to her nose — and the scent hit her like a blow.
Vervain.
Her blood ran cold.
"Lex!" She dropped the cup, rushing back to the bed. She shook him by the shoulders, desperate. "Wake up! Please, wake up!"
Nothing.
She climbed onto the bed, leaning close, her hands trembling as she touched his face. "Lex, wake up, please…" Her voice cracked, raw with fear.
The door slammed open.
Mal. And Levi.
The sight was damning. Olivia on the bed, bent over Lex's half-naked body, their faces inches apart.
Levi's fury erupted instantly. "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
Olivia scrambled back, nearly falling from the bed, bowing low, her voice trembling. "My lord— I— I didn't—"
Mal's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as a whip. "What did you do to him?"
Levi lunged to the bed, gripping his brother's shoulders, shaking him. "Lex! Wake up, brother! Wake up!" His voice broke, wild, desperate. "No… no, no, no…"
Mal's breath caught. For the first time that night, fear clawed into her chest. Is he… dead?
Olivia stood frozen, tears welling in her eyes. "No… I swear… I didn't…"
Levi spun on her, his face twisted with rage, his voice thunderous.
"You have done the greatest mistake of your life!" he roared. "You think killing my brother will end your pain?!"
The words crashed into Olivia like a blade. Killing… Lex?
Her lips trembled. "No… no, I would never…"
But Levi's fury only burned hotter, his body trembling with the urge to tear her apart.
And Mal — Mal stood in the middle, her heart shattering into jealousy, suspicion, and something far darker.