The afternoon sun bathed the palace in golden light, painting the marble halls in warm hues. Celestine walked in silence, her heels echoing softly against the floor.
The encounter with Damien still lingered in her mind.
"He's dangerous. But... he seems to see something others don't. Could I use that to my advantage?"
As she pondered, Lira appeared hurriedly, holding a small box wrapped in silk.
— "Milady! A mysterious gift just arrived in your chambers. There was no sender's name."
Celestine raised an eyebrow. Anonymous gifts rarely meant anything good.
— "Show me."
When she opened the box, she found a bouquet of black roses, and among the petals, a note written in elegant calligraphy:
"The most beautiful villain blooms in the darkness.
Allow me to be your shadow. – D.C."
Celestine sighed, immediately recognizing the initials.
— "Damien Corvus…"
Lira frowned.
— "That's dangerous, milady. That man is known for manipulation."
— "I know." — Celestine replied, tucking the note away. — "But in a place where everyone wants to see me fall, even a shadow can become a useful weapon."
---
🌙 The Meeting with Emilia
Later that evening, in the palace's inner garden, Celestine found Emilia sitting under a blooming tree, reading quietly. The air was calm, and the birds' gentle songs contrasted with the political tension that haunted the palace.
— "Lady Emilia."
The heroine looked up, surprised.
— "Duchess Celestine… I didn't expect to see you here."
— "Nor did I expect to come." — Celestine smiled, sitting beside her. — "But I thought… it might be pleasant to talk."
Emilia hesitated. In her golden eyes, there was caution — but also a spark of curiosity.
— "Yesterday, during the council… your words were different. Not like the Celestine I knew."
Ayumi took a quiet breath.
— "Perhaps because I am no longer the same."
Emilia closed her book slowly.
— "Everyone says you're my rival. That I should fear you. But… for some reason, I can't bring myself to hate you."
Those words struck Ayumi more deeply than she wished to admit.
Emilia was the perfect heroine — pure, radiant, destined to win Leonhardt's heart.
But at that moment, she seemed only like a sincere girl offering an unexpected friendship.
Celestine reached out her hand with a gentle smile.
— "Then don't hate me. Let's change this story together."
For a brief moment, Emilia seemed to waver… but before she could respond, a sharp voice sliced through the air.
— "Step away from her."
Leonhardt stood nearby, his icy blue eyes fixed on Celestine.
---
⚔️ The Confrontation
— "Your Highness," Celestine said calmly, bowing slightly. "I was only speaking with Lady Emilia. There is nothing improper in that."
— "Nothing improper?" — the prince narrowed his gaze. — "Since when do you seek friendship with the one you always tried to destroy?"
Emilia tried to intervene.
— "Your Highness, please don't be so harsh. The duchess—"
— "Emilia." — he interrupted gently, but firmly. — "You don't understand the danger."
Celestine lifted her chin, her patience wearing thin.
— "Danger? I'm tired of that word. No matter what I do, it will never be enough for you to see me as anything but your enemy, will it?"
Leonhardt stepped closer, close enough for Ayumi's heart to race. His presence was suffocating… and yet, magnetic.
— "Don't be mistaken, Celestine." — his voice was low, dangerous. — "If your actions ever put Emilia at risk… I'll be the one to end your story myself."
The words were sharp, but his eyes betrayed something else — doubt.
As if a part of him no longer knew who she truly was.
Celestine held a cold smile, though her heart burned inside.
— "Then watch closely, Your Highness. Because this time, I won't follow the script you expect."
Silence hung heavy between them before Leonhardt turned away, leading Emilia with him.
---
🌑 Damien's Shadows
Alone again, Celestine exhaled softly. But she wasn't truly alone.
— "Bravo, duchess." — Damien's voice echoed from between the columns. — "To face the prince head-on… what delicious audacity."
He emerged from the shadows, that dangerous smile never leaving his lips.
— "Tell me, Celestine… how long can you keep walking that fine line between redemption and ruin? Because I, for one, can't wait to watch you fall."
Celestine narrowed her eyes.
— "Then watch carefully, Damien. Because I will survive. I will rewrite everything."
Damien laughed softly, stepping closer with dark elegance.
— "And that," he whispered, "is exactly what makes you fascinating."
---