Silence fell over the banquet hall.
She appeared at the doorway.
Julia.
Her dress — deep violet, clinging to her figure, with a slit up to the thigh and a daring neckline.
The fabric slid over her skin like a touch.
Silver strands of hair brushed her collarbones.
Violet eyes — piercing, like arrows aimed straight at the heart.
She walked slowly.
Without fear. Without shame.
Each step — predatory, like a huntress returning to her forest.
The entire hall froze.
Men — in awe, their hungry eyes sliding over her body.
Someone swallowed hard.
Someone felt tight in their trousers.
Someone felt wet between their legs.
Women stood frozen.
Some in envy, others — in silent fear.
It wasn't a woman who entered — it was Darkness itself.
Beautiful. Cold. Confident.
Julia approached the throne.
Before her — King Kailan.
And his new wife — Lia.
She bowed slightly, allowing eyes to linger on the curves of her body.
— I greet the King… and the Queen of Light, — her voice was warm, thick like wine. — It is an honor to be here.
Her eyes met Kailan's.
And in them — fire.
And ice.
And memory.
He couldn't look away.
His heart pounded.
His whole body tensed.
Arousal surged suddenly, like a wave. He felt it pulse in his lower belly.
He quickly grabbed his glass. Took a gulp, almost in one breath.
Lia leaned in closer.
Her hand rested on his thigh.
— Are you alright? — she whispered.
He didn't answer.
He couldn't.
He looked only at Julia.
As if seeing her for the first time.
As if he'd forgotten everything — except her lips. Her scent. Her body.
— I'll go greet the other guests, — Julia said.
And left.
Without looking back.
Her walk — like a kiss stretched in time.
The fabric of her dress swayed, revealing her thigh.
Her neck — long, pale, like porcelain.
Her back — perfectly straight.
Every movement — burned.
Kailan kept watching her.
Lia gripped his hand, but he didn't notice.
He saw Julia moving gracefully among the guests.
Speaking to lords and dukes, smiling ever so slightly.
Men swallowed hard.
Women hated her.
His cheeks burned.
Tension in his body made his head spin.
He sat there.
But inside — he was already beside her.
Remembering. Feeling.
And she… for a moment, everything disappeared.
The music fell silent.
The lights dimmed.
She was there again.
That evening.
Snow.
Soft. Thick. White, like a veil.
Frost bit her cheeks. She stood at the gate, wrapped in a warm cloak, holding herself together.
She was nineteen.
And she waited.
With love. With faith. With innocent joy.
He was returning. Her husband. Her Kailan.
The only one who stood by her when the world called her cursed.
And then — he came.
On a white horse.
In shining armor.
Strong. Majestic.
But his eyes…
Cold.
He dismounted.
Held out his hand.
But not to her.
To another.
— Who is she?.. — her voice trembled.
Kailan looked straight at her.
— I'm divorcing you, — he said plainly. Evenly. Without emotion.
Her world collapsed.
— You're… joking?.. — she whispered.
— You're not a match for me. You have dark magic.
Lia… she's light. She's kind. Not like you.
Lia stood beside him.
Smiled with the corner of her lips.
As if saying: You are nothing.
Tears flowed.
But it wasn't the cold.
It was the emptiness.
Julia's world shattered.
She died there.
In that snowy courtyard.
Return to the banquet.
Music. Laughter. Whispers.
Julia was here again.
She calmly sat on the couch, elegantly crossed her legs.
Her dress slid higher.
Her thigh — like an invitation.
A glass in her hand.
She drank. Slowly.
A drop of wine on her lips.
She licked it. Leisurely. Hotly.
Men in the hall gasped for air.
Someone blushed.
Someone fantasized.
Someone's hands trembled.
Someone — moaned under their breath.
Women stared with hatred.
But they envied her.
Her confidence. Her body. Her power.
She smiled.
Just a little. Barely noticeably.
As if saying: You forgot me. But I've returned. Stronger. More dangerous. More desired.
And in that moment —
Kailan understood.
He had lost.
And this was only the beginning.