The moon hung low over the palace gardens like a witness unwilling to interfere. The gala had dwindled to murmurs and moonlit scandal. Seraphina, still dressed in midnight, wandered the hedge paths alone—or so it seemed.
> [System Alert: Unregistered Presence Detected]
[Warning: High Threat Potential. Approach with Caution—or Flair.]
A faint rustle stopped her. She turned sharply.
And there he was.
A stranger stood by the marble fountain — or perhaps a shadow shaped like a man. Tall, clad in black with silver-trimmed sleeves and gloves, his face was partially veiled by a hood. But she saw enough: sharp cheekbones, lips carved from arrogance, and eyes like dying stars — deep, cold, and watching her far too closely.
"Out past curfew, Lady Nightshade?" His voice was velvet and razors.
She didn't flinch. "So are you. Unless stalking counts as a formal introduction where you're from."
He chuckled, low and unapologetic. "You're not what I expected."
"That makes two of us," she said. "Name?"
He stepped into the moonlight. A silver insignia flashed on his collar — the crest of House Virellian, the empire's most secretive vassal kingdom. Sorcerers. Assassins. Rumor had it they fed on treason and secrets.
"My name is Lucien," he said. "Second son of the Virellian throne."
Her eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't be here. Virellians are banned from court politics."
"Then it's a good thing I'm not here officially."
> [New Romance Candidate Registered: Lucien Virellian – "The Dark Prince"]
[Hidden Class: Shadow-Binder, Status: ???, Affection: Neutral (Curious)]
[System Note: Dangerously hot. Likely to cause emotional whiplash. Proceed anyway.]
"Why are you here, unofficially?" Seraphina asked.
Lucien smiled, not answering. Instead, he moved closer, his presence unsettlingly calm. "You walked away from the prince today. Impressive. Rarely do lambs abandon wolves."
"I'm not a lamb," she replied coolly. "And he was no wolf. Just a well-fed dog."
Something like amusement flickered across Lucien's face. "So what are you?"
Seraphina tilted her chin. "A woman who already died once. I don't scare easily."
"Good," he murmured. "Fear makes people predictable. And I rather enjoy surprises."
> [Mini-Quest Unlocked: Learn Lucien's Motive]
[Optional Bonus: Don't Fall for Him (Haha, Good Luck)]
He offered his gloved hand. "May I escort you back to the palace?"
She considered it. "If you try to kill me, I bite."
"I wouldn't dream of it," he said, voice of all silken lies. "I'm far more interested in watching you destroy yourself... or everyone else."
They walked back side by side — like night and darker night.
And in the hedges behind them, something ancient stirred.
> [System Comment: Welp. You just unlocked the villain route. Hope you brought snacks.]