Three Days Later – Valeburne Estate
Selene stood in the House of Valeburne's inner garden, her feet buried in soft moss, eyes closed.
She let the cold wind brush against her face, trying to silence the storm inside her.
Since the royal court summoned her, sleep had become a luxury.
Her father had given her no lectures, no punishments—just a single sentence before leaving for a council meeting:
"Control yourself, Selene. Or the kingdom will."
Lira's Concern
Selene's cousin, Lira Valeburne, approached quietly from behind.
"Selene?" she called softly, her silver hair fluttering like moonlight ribbons.
Selene opened her eyes, gaze softening just a fraction.
Lira had always been her anchor—a rare presence in this cruel world who never wanted anything from her.
"What is it, Lira?" Selene asked, brushing a rose petal off her sleeve.
Lira bit her lower lip. "There's… news from the palace."
Selene tilted her head slightly.
"The Prime Minister's daughter, Evelyne Greymoor, has requested an audience with you."
Selene's ruby eyes narrowed.
"Evelyne?"
Lira nodded nervously. "She sent a private message. No official seals. No witnesses."
That wasn't normal.
Not in Aerthrial's court, where every step was recorded and every glance could start a war.
The Uninvited Guest
Later that evening, Evelyne Greymoor arrived at the Valeburne estate without fanfare.
Her beauty was the kind that turned heads—obsidian black hair, flawless pale skin, and emerald eyes sharp enough to cut silk.
She smiled politely as she entered Selene's private tea room, but the smile never reached her eyes.
A Dangerous Conversation
"Selene," Evelyne purred, her voice smooth as glass. "We've never truly spoken, have we?"
Selene motioned for the servants to leave. Her crimson eyes remained steady.
"Because you've never had reason to speak to me before," she replied calmly.
Evelyne's lips curved into a smile. "Ah, but now I do."
They sat across from each other—two girls of beauty and power, masks of civility hiding the daggers beneath.
"I'm here to offer you something," Evelyne said, folding her hands elegantly. "A… partnership."
Selene raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I need one?"
Evelyne's emerald gaze gleamed.
"Because the kingdom is changing. And girls like us? We're either chess pieces or players."
Her voice lowered.
"I don't plan on being anyone's pawn."
The Real Message
Beneath the polite words, Selene heard the truth.
Evelyne wasn't here for friendship. She was here because the nobles feared Selene's awakening bond with Lucien.
But rather than oppose her directly, Evelyne wanted to align herself with the rising power.
Smart, Selene thought. But dangerous.
Selene's Answer
"I appreciate your… boldness," Selene said, pouring tea with flawless grace.
"But tell me, Evelyne—what happens when two players sit at the same board, and both think they're the queen?"
Evelyne's smile froze for just a second.
Then she laughed softly, brushing a dark lock of hair behind her ear.
"Then, my dear Selene," she whispered, "we remove the king."
Meanwhile – The Aurelian Estate
Lucien sat in his study, reading through forbidden texts beneath candlelight.
Old scriptures about the Crimson-Gold Cycle, torn from ancient libraries long erased from public record.
His father, Duke Raen Aurelian, believed knowledge was power—but Lucien read for a different reason.
He wanted to understand.
Why were he and Selene cursed to meet in every life?And what was the price of remembering?
A Warning in the Texts
One passage caught his eye:
"When the crimson flame remembers the golden sun, and the golden sun remembers the crimson flame, the cycle accelerates. The world shifts. Old kings fall. New thrones rise—over bodies, not lands."
Lucien closed the book slowly.
The implications were clear.
Either they controlled this power…Or they would destroy everything.
The Game Begins
Outside the palace walls, whispers spread.
Alliances formed in secret.Bonds deepened—and so did betrayals.
And far above the capital, the twin moons watched silently, as they always did.
Waiting.