The feast continued deep into the night.Laughter rang out, high and brittle, like glass ready to shatter.Silverware clinked.Wine spilled red over white tablecloths like fresh blood.
But I wasn't watching the courtiers anymore.No—I was watching her.
Evelyne.The storm in a silk dress.Her every smile was a dagger slid between someone's ribs.
And tonight, she was beautiful in her cruelty.Terrifying in her precision.
She laughed at the Baron's joke—But her gaze flicked once, sharp as a whip, to where his wife sat trembling.
She complimented Lady Viora's gown—But I caught the way her lips curled, mocking the outdated fashion in subtle cruelty.
This was Evelyne Ascaron in her element.Queen of daggers.Mistress of venom laced in honey.
And yet—Even now, I could see it.
The tightness in her jaw.The faint tremble in her hand when she thought no one was looking.
She was tired.Frayed at the edges.
Because while I played my game from the shadows—She was fighting in the light.Every noble, every sycophant, every vulture was tearing at her piece by piece.
I pushed away from the column I'd been leaning on.Enough watching.
Crossing the floor felt like wading through a pit of snakes.Eyes followed me.Some curious.Some hateful.All dangerous.
I reached her just as another minor lord bowed low, pressing a too-slick compliment into her ear.
Her smile didn't falter.But her fingers dug into her fan so hard I saw the fabric strain.
I stepped in close, ignoring the glares.My hand settled at the small of her back—Possessive.Unyielding.
"My fiancée looks tired," I said smoothly, voice pitched just loud enough."Surely no one would begrudge me stealing her away for a breath of air."
The lord stammered, backpedaling.
And Evelyne—She looked up at me with a flicker of something raw behind those cold eyes.
She let me guide her away.Through the golden doors.Out into the cool corridor where the noise faded like a distant storm.
For a long moment, we said nothing.Just stood there in the silence, breathing hard.
Finally, I spoke."You're overreaching."
Her head snapped toward me.Eyes flashing."So are you."
I almost smiled.There she was—Not the tired girl, but the lioness ready to bare her fangs.
"But you're breaking your own rules, Evelyne," I murmured, stepping closer."You can't tear them apart if you let them see you bleed."
She stiffened.Cheeks flushing—not from shame, but from fury.
"And what would you have me do?" she hissed."Sit back while they claw at my throne? Smile as they rip my name to shreds?"
I reached out.Fingers brushing under her chin, tilting her face up.
"Yes," I said softly."Smile. And make them choke on it."
Her breath hitched.For a heartbeat, the space between us grew taut—Tense and trembling.
Then she slapped my hand away.
"You're insufferable," she muttered.
I laughed.A low, genuine sound that echoed in the empty hall.
"And you're still pretending you hate that about me."
Her eyes darkened.Storm clouds gathering.
I should've stepped back.Given her space.
But instead, I closed the distance—Trapping her between the wall and my body.
Her hands pressed against my chest.Not to push me away.But to steady herself.
"This alliance of ours," she whispered, voice thin."It's going to burn everything down."
I leaned in.Our foreheads nearly touching.
"Good," I murmured."Let it burn. And we'll dance in the ashes."
Her breath shuddered.Her fingers curled against my shirt.
For a second—Just one second—I thought she might close that last inch between us.
But then—The sharp click of heels echoed down the corridor.
We snapped apart like guilty lovers.
Lady Viora appeared, all painted smiles and daggered words.
"Ah, Lady Evelyne, Lord Leonhart… I trust everything is well?"
Evelyne's mask slid back into place like it had never cracked.She stepped forward, regal and cold once more.
"Of course, Lady Viora. Just discussing future plans."
Her smile was sharp enough to bleed stone.
And me?I let my lazy, dangerous grin spread wide.
"Plans that will make this court very interesting soon."
Lady Viora's eyes flickered.Good.Let her wonder.Let them all wonder.
As we walked back toward the golden hall, Evelyne's hand brushed mine.Brief.Barely there.
But enough.Enough to remind me:
We were in this together.Bound by ambition.By rage.By something deeper and darker neither of us dared name yet.
And as the music swelled and the vultures smiled, I knew—The real game was only just beginning.