Third Person's POV

Asteria stood by the large bay window in her room, gazing down at the long driveway below. The view of the family estate was usually calm, serene even, but today it was anything but. A line of sleek black cars was parked outside, each one marked with a small but unmistakable crest—an intricate crown encircled by thorns. The Kings had arrived.

Her pulse quickened. The Kings weren't just any visitors. They were rivals—her family's greatest enemy. Every encounter with them was dangerous, their presence a reminder of the precarious balance of power that always seemed one wrong move away from erupting into chaos.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Asteria, you need to get ready," came Alicia's voice from the hallway. "They're downstairs."

Asteria sighed, running a hand through her hair, still tangled from sleep. She knew what awaited her: another gathering where she would have to smile and play her part, all while pretending the weight of her family's criminal dealings didn't suffocate her.

"I'm coming," she muttered, her voice edged with frustration.

Alicia opened the door, stepping inside. Her aunt's face was a mixture of concern and urgency. "Your father expects you to be there, Asteria. The Kings need to see unity. You can't give them any reason to think we're divided."

Asteria's annoyance flared. "Why do I have to be there? It's not like anyone actually cares what I do."

Alicia sighed softly, crossing her arms. "It's not about you. It's about what you represent. Now, please, don't make this harder than it needs to be."

Asteria didn't respond, simply turning away as she finished getting ready. She knew her aunt was right, but that didn't make the situation any easier to stomach. She felt trapped—by her family's expectations, by the presence of the Kings, by the entire world she was born into.

She smoothed out her dress, the fabric cool against her skin, before finally heading downstairs to join the others.

The dining room was tense when Asteria entered, her heart beating a little faster as she took in the scene. The long mahogany table was set with silverware and crystal glasses, reflecting the soft glow of the chandelier above. Her father, the head of the family, sat at the far end, his face as unreadable as ever. The Kings sat opposite him, their sharp suits and sharper eyes cutting through the tension in the room.

But what unsettled her most was the gaze of Zeltros Kings. His eyes were on her from the moment she stepped inside, watching her in a way that made her stomach tighten with an uncomfortable mixture of emotions.

She swallowed hard, trying not to let his attention rattle her. She could feel it burning into her as she walked to her seat.

Sorry for being late," she mumbled as she sat down.

Her father didn't acknowledge her apology. Instead, he cleared his throat, commanding the room's attention. The conversation stilled as all eyes turned to him.

"I have an announcement to make," he began, his voice steady and authoritative. "It's time we solidify the bond between our family and the Kings. After much consideration, I'm pleased to announce that Lillian will marry Zeltros, forming a new alliance between our families."

Asteria's heart froze. She knew it was coming, but hearing the words aloud felt like a knife twisting in her chest. Her eyes flicked toward Zeltros, whose gaze hadn't left her once during the entire announcement. She couldn't read his expression, but she felt the weight of his stare.

Before she could react, a voice interrupted her thoughts—Lillian's voice, sweet and innocent, cutting through the room like a dagger dipped in honey.

"Asteria," Lillian said, her tone light but with a hidden edge. "You haven't congratulated me yet. Are you upset?" She gave a saccharine smile, her eyes wide with false concern. "It's okay if you are. It's all a big surprise, after all."

Asteria stiffened, feeling the eyes of the room land on her once again. The question was a trap, a carefully disguised attempt to embarrass her. Lillian always knew how to make her look foolish, even when pretending to be kind.

"I'm not upset," Asteria managed, her voice flat. "I'm happy for you both."

Her words felt hollow, as though they didn't belong to her. She wanted to scream, to leave the room, but instead, she forced herself to sit still, her hands hidden under the table where they clenched into fists. She could feel the sharp sting of her nails digging into her palms.

Lillian, of course, wasn't done.

"Then why didn't you say anything sooner?" she asked, tilting her head with mock confusion. "You're usually so thoughtful, sister."

Asteria could feel her anger rising, her frustration burning beneath the surface, but she forced herself to stay calm. She refused to let Lillian win, not like this.

"Congratulations, Lillian. Zeltros," she said, her voice quieter now. "I wish you both the best."

Her father gave a satisfied nod, the tension in the room seeming to ease as he moved on to discuss the finer points of the engagement. But Asteria barely heard any of it. The weight of the announcement, of Zeltros' eyes on her, of Lillian's cruel little game—it was all too much.

She glanced across the table and caught Alicia's eyes. Her aunt offered a sympathetic smile, but it did little to ease the ache that had taken root deep inside her.

As the conversation moved on around her, Asteria felt more alone than ever, despite the crowded room. The noise, the laughter, the discussions of business and alliances—they all faded into the background.

Inside, she was lost, trapped in a world where she didn't belong. And now, with Zeltros tied to her sister, that feeling only grew stronger.

The breakfast had ended, but Asteria remained in her seat, watching as the others slowly filtered out of the room. Her father left first, his heavy footsteps echoing through the hall. Her brothers followed, deep in discussion about the business arrangements the marriage would bring. The Kings stayed behind to negotiate further details, but Asteria didn't care to listen.

It wasn't until Zeltros stood up that she felt her heart quicken again. His movements were slow, deliberate, as though he had all the time in the world. He paused for a moment, glancing in her direction, and for a split second, their eyes met.

But just as quickly, he looked away, leaving her alone at the table as the door closed behind him. Asteria let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Alicia, the last to leave, touched her shoulder gently.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Asteria gave a small, bitter smile. "What do you think?"

Alicia sighed, her face filled with concern. "I know this is hard. But you can't let it get to you. Lillian—"

"I don't care about Lillian," Asteria interrupted, her voice tight. "I don't care about any of this."

She didn't wait for a response before standing up, walking out of the dining room and heading back to her room, her heart heavy with a mix of anger, frustration, and something she couldn't quite name.

She wasn't sure how much more of this she could take.

Many might call her dramatic yet when her childhood crush was engaged to her stepsister, that feeling was quite painful. Only the one who went through that could understand.

Sighing, she returned back to her room, where she felt the most safe.

Lights twinkled from the large ballroom, where the party to celebrate Lillian and Zeltros' engagement was well underway. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses drifted through the open windows, but Asteria sat in her room, staring out at the night. The last place she wanted to be was at that party.

Her hands gripped the edge of her vanity table, knuckles white with tension. She could already imagine the shallow smiles, the fake congratulations, and the whispered conversations about the new alliance. A celebration for Lillian. A celebration for Zeltros. A reminder of everything she didn't want to face.

A soft knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Asteria?" Alicia's voice came through the door. "Are you ready? The party's already started."

Asteria sighed heavily, not bothering to hide her frustration. "I'm not going."

The door opened anyway, and Alicia stepped inside, her expression firm yet understanding.

"You have to go, Asteria. Your father expects it. The family expects it."

Asteria didn't turn to face her, keeping her gaze fixed on the night outside. "I don't care what they expect. I'm not in the mood to celebrate Lillian and Zeltros."

Alicia moved closer, her tone softening but still resolute. "I know it's hard for you. I know you don't want to be there, but staying up here will only make things worse. You have to show your face, even if it's just for a little while."

Asteria clenched her jaw, trying to hold back the surge of emotions that threatened to spill over. "Why should I have to pretend? Why should I smile for them?"

"Because that's what this family does," Alicia replied, her voice gentle but firm. "We keep up appearances, even when it's hard. Even when it feels like the last thing we want to do."

For a long moment, Asteria stayed silent, her hands still gripping the table. She hated this, hated the idea of walking into that ballroom and pretending like she was happy for her sister. But she knew Alicia was right. She couldn't hide forever.

With a reluctant sigh, Asteria stood up, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress.

"Fine," she muttered. "But I'm not staying long."

Alicia smiled slightly, her expression tinged with sympathy. "That's all I ask."

The ballroom was already filled with guests when Asteria arrived. The glow of the chandeliers reflected off the expensive fabrics of designer dresses and tailored suits, the room buzzing with chatter and laughter. Lillian was the center of attention, as expected, standing beside Zeltros as they greeted the guests. Her face was a perfect mask of innocence, her bright smile flawless.

Asteria felt a knot form in her stomach as she scanned the room. She couldn't bear to look at Zeltros. Instead, she headed to the side of the room, hoping to blend into the background.

As she moved through the crowd, she spotted her fourth brother, Zack, leaning against one of the marble pillars, a drink in hand. His expression was bored, eyes flicking across the room as if looking for an escape from the party.

Asteria approached him, grateful for a familiar face. "Zack."

Zack turned, offering her a small, lazy grin. "Hey, little sister. Didn't think you'd show."

"I didn't have a choice," Asteria muttered, glancing around the room. "Aunt Alicia made sure of that."

Zack chuckled, sipping his drink. "Yeah, she's good at that. I wasn't planning on sticking around for long either. This whole thing is... well, you know how it is."

Asteria nodded, her eyes briefly landing on Zeltros across the room before quickly looking away.

Before she could respond, she noticed a girl slipping out from behind one of the nearby curtains, straightening her dress as she shot a quick glance at Leo, her fifth brother, before disappearing into the crowd. Asteria raised an eyebrow.

"Leo," she said, folding her arms. "Was that—?"

Leo shrugged, not the least bit concerned. "What? It's a party. People get bored."

Asteria gave him a disapproving look. "You were caught by Clarissa earlier, weren't you?"

Leo laughed, shaking his head. "Clarissa needs to mind her own business. I'm not here to please her—or anyone else for that matter."

Asteria frowned, her brother's carefree attitude only adding to her growing frustration. "You can't just keep doing whatever you want, Leo. Sooner or later, you'll get yourself into trouble."

Leo waved her concern away. "Don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing."

But Asteria wasn't convinced. Leo had always been reckless, and tonight was no different. She could see the subtle tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes darted around the room, looking for distractions. He was just as trapped by the family as she was—only he hid it well behind a smile and a casual shrug.

"I just... I don't want you to get hurt," Asteria said quietly, her voice barely audible over the noise of the party.

Leo's expression softened, and for a brief moment, the usual mask of indifference fell away. He reached out and ruffled her hair, a rare gesture of affection.

"Don't worry about me, Asteria. I'll be fine."

Asteria sighed, knowing that arguing with him wouldn't change anything. She stayed by his side for a few more minutes, the two of them standing in companionable silence as the party swirled around them. But even with her brother beside her, Asteria couldn't shake the feeling of isolation that had settled deep in her chest.

It wasn't long before Lillian's voice echoed through the room, calling for attention, and Asteria knew it was time for the official announcement. She could feel everyone's eyes turning toward the happy couple, their cheers and applause already starting.

But all Asteria felt was the growing weight of everything she couldn't say, the unspoken words choking her as she stood there, alone in a room full of people.

The weight of the party pressed down on Asteria, each laugh and cheer making her feel more distant and disconnected. The air inside the ballroom felt thick, suffocating, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't push away the growing sense of anxiety that gnawed at her.

She needed air.

Gripping her glass of red wine tightly, Asteria made her way to the nearest exit, slipping out unnoticed. The cool night breeze hit her face as she stepped into the garden, instantly providing some relief from the stifling atmosphere inside. The neatly trimmed hedges and soft glow of the garden lanterns should have been calming, but her thoughts raced, bouncing between her family, the engagement, and Zeltros.

Zeltros.

His presence lingered in her mind, no matter how hard she tried to push it away. His cold eyes, the way he'd watched her earlier at the dinner, the tension in his gaze whenever it fell on her. She hated it, but part of her was drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain. It was wrong. It was all wrong. He was engaged to Lillian, and yet...

Distracted, Asteria turned a corner in the garden's path and walked straight into a solid figure, her glass of red wine sloshing wildly.

The sharp intake of breath and sudden warmth of liquid splashing across fabric told her what had just happened.

"Oh no!" she gasped, stepping back quickly, eyes widening in horror as she took in the sight before her. Zeltros stood there, his white shirt stained with a deep red blotch where her wine had spilled across his chest.

For a moment, there was silence. His cold, calculating expression faltered for just a second, showing his irritation before he masked it again.

"Asteria," Zeltros said, his voice low and clipped. He glanced down at his ruined shirt and then back at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Really? Red wine?"

Asteria opened her mouth to apologize, but the words caught in her throat. Her heart raced, and she could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to—"

He cut her off with a sigh, waving a hand dismissively. "It's fine. Accidents happen." His tone was indifferent, but his gaze lingered on her, sharp and unreadable.

For a moment, Asteria thought he might walk away and leave her standing there, mortified. But instead, he took a step closer, the corner of his mouth twitching into the faintest hint of a smirk.

"You should be more careful where you're going," he said, his voice softening slightly, though his words still carried an edge. His eyes flicked over her, a look of amusement mixed with something darker. "I don't mind a mess... but not on me."

Asteria swallowed hard, her mind racing as she tried to process what was happening. Zeltros was always distant, cold even, but now, standing this close to him, she could feel the strange pull between them—the tension that hummed in the air like electricity.

"I—" she began, but before she could finish, Zeltros leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

"You look lovely tonight, Asteria," he said, his words dripping with a subtle flirtation that sent a shiver down her spine. His eyes glinted with something she couldn't quite place, something dangerous. "Too lovely to be hiding away in the garden."

Her breath caught in her throat as she felt a strange fluttering in her stomach, the butterflies she had fought so hard to ignore now swirling uncontrollably. She hated the effect he had on her, hated how she couldn't stop her heart from racing when he was close.

But before she could respond—before she could even make sense of the storm of emotions within her—they were interrupted.

"Zeltros!"

The voice came from the direction of the house, sharp and urgent. Asteria turned to see Xavier, one of Zeltros' closest friends, standing near the entrance to the garden. His eyes flickered between the two of them, a curious smirk playing on his lips.

"Your fiancée's looking for you," Xavier said, raising an eyebrow. "She's wondering where her future husband has disappeared to."

Zeltros straightened, his expression hardening once more as he glanced at Asteria. Whatever playful energy had been there moments ago was gone, replaced by his usual cold detachment.

"Right," Zeltros replied, giving Asteria one last look before turning away. "Duty calls."

He walked toward Xavier, who threw a quick, knowing glance back at Asteria before they both disappeared into the house.

Asteria stood there for a moment, her heart still racing as she tried to calm the storm inside her. The encounter had left her feeling unsteady, confused by the way Zeltros had spoken to her, the way he had looked at her. He was engaged to her sister, yet in that moment, it had felt like there was something unspoken between them—something dangerous.

But she couldn't let herself think about it. Not now. Not ever.

Pushing the butterflies down, Asteria gathered herself and made her way back to the house. The party was still in full swing, the music and laughter filling the air as if nothing unusual had happened.

As she re-entered the ballroom, she blended back into the crowd, her heart still heavy but her mask firmly in place once again.

The bell above the boutique door jingled softly as Asteria stepped inside behind her stepmother, Evelyn, and stepsister, Lillian. The elegant interior was all creams and blush pinks, rows of silk gowns hanging on golden racks, and a soft murmur of conversation filling the air. It was exactly the kind of place Lillian adored—pristine, delicate, and expensive.

Asteria, however, felt trapped the moment they entered. This wasn't just any shopping trip. It was bridal shopping for Lillian's upcoming wedding, and Asteria had been dragged along under the guise of "helping." But in reality, she was just another pair of hands to do half the work.

"Asteria, darling," Evelyn's voice dripped with fake sweetness as she turned to face her. "Be a dear and grab those veils from the back. Lillian needs options to try with the dresses."

Asteria forced a tight smile, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Of course."

Without another word, she turned and headed toward the back of the shop. Her stepmother's sharp gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, making sure she followed orders. Lillian, on the other hand, was already admiring herself in front of the mirror, twirling in one of the many gowns she planned to try on that day.

"Oh, Asteria," Lillian called in a sugary voice as she picked at the dress's skirt. "Could you also grab the tiaras when you're back? I just have to see how they'll look with this gown."

Asteria clenched her fists, her patience thinning with every second. This was supposed to be a day of celebration for Lillian, but it felt more like a chore for her. She was annoyed, but as usual, she bit her tongue. She was used to being treated this way, after all.

With a sigh, she gathered the requested veils and tiaras, balancing them carefully in her arms as she returned to the front of the store. Evelyn and Lillian didn't even glance her way, too absorbed in their world of perfect weddings and luxury.

"Finally," Lillian said, barely looking up from the mirror. "You're taking forever. Don't you want to see me in my dress?"

Asteria's lips twitched, fighting a sarcastic retort. Instead, she placed the items on the counter next to them. "Of course, Lillian. You look... wonderful."

It wasn't a lie. Lillian looked beautiful, as always, but Asteria wasn't in the mood to shower her stepsister with the praise she so clearly craved. Instead, she felt her annoyance simmering beneath the surface, threatening to spill over.

Before the situation could get worse, the jingle of the boutique door sounded again, and Asteria turned just in time to see her third brother, Nicole, walking in. His tall figure cut a casual silhouette in his black leather jacket, and his sharp blue eyes found hers immediately, a grin spreading across his face.

"Asteria!" he called out, striding toward her. "Perfect timing. I need your help."

Evelyn glanced up, arching an eyebrow. "Nicole, we're in the middle of something important. Lillian's bridal shopping—"

"I know, I know," Nicole interrupted smoothly, flashing a charming smile. "But I need Asteria's expert advice on something urgent. You don't mind, do you?"

Lillian let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. "Of course. Take her. It's not like she's doing anything helpful here anyway."

Asteria blinked, her annoyance flaring again, but she quickly caught Nicole's sly grin. He was rescuing her, she realized. He knew how much she hated these outings.

"Come on, Asteria," Nicole said, grabbing her hand. "I'm terrible at this suit thing, and I really need you to help me pick one out for the wedding."

Asteria gave a small, grateful smile and didn't argue as Nicole pulled her out of the boutique and onto the bustling street outside. The fresh air hit her, and she immediately felt lighter.

The tension from the bridal shop began to ease as Asteria and Nicole strolled down the street together. The shops and cafes buzzed with life, people milling about, laughing, enjoying the pleasant afternoon.

"Thanks for getting me out of there," Asteria said, finally exhaling the frustration she'd been holding in. "I don't know how much more I could've taken."

Nicole chuckled, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets. "You looked like you were one veil away from losing it. Thought I'd better intervene before Lillian turned you into her personal servant."

Asteria shook her head, smiling despite herself. "It feels like that every time we go shopping together."

They walked in companionable silence for a while before Nicole nudged her gently with his elbow. "So, ice cream?"

Asteria glanced up at him, surprised. "Ice cream? I thought we were supposed to find you a suit."

Nicole shrugged, grinning mischievously. "Yeah, but the suit can wait. Ice cream's more important. Plus, you look like you need a break from all that wedding nonsense."

Asteria's smile widened. "You're not wrong."

They made their way to a small, cozy ice cream parlor on the corner of the street. The scent of freshly made waffle cones greeted them as they walked inside, and Asteria's mood instantly lifted. They stepped up to the counter, scanning the colorful display of flavors.

"I'll take the usual," Nicole said, flashing the server a charming smile. "And whatever she's having."

Asteria ordered her favorite flavor, the simple act of choosing something for herself a small but welcome relief after the morning's chaos.

Once they had their cones in hand, they found a bench outside and sat down, enjoying the sweet treat and the peace of being away from their family.

"So," Nicole began, licking his ice cream, "you okay? You've been pretty quiet lately."

Asteria hesitated for a moment before sighing. "It's just... everything. The wedding. The family. Lillian. I don't know... I feel like I'm constantly being pushed aside."

Nicole looked at her thoughtfully, his expression softening. "I get it. Lillian's... well, she's always been the center of attention. But you don't have to let her—or anyone else—make you feel invisible."

Asteria nodded, appreciating his words, but it didn't change how she felt. "It's not just Lillian, though. It's this whole wedding thing. Zeltros, the Kings, the pressure from Dad... I just feel like I'm stuck."

Nicole was quiet for a moment, then leaned back, looking at the sky. "Yeah, the family's complicated. But you don't have to be part of the mess if you don't want to be. You've always been different from the rest of us. Stronger, in your own way."

Asteria smiled slightly, a warmth spreading in her chest at her brother's words. It was moments like these that made her grateful for Nicole—his calm, easygoing presence that always seemed to make things feel a little lighter.

They finished their ice cream in comfortable silence, watching the world go by. For now, at least, Asteria felt a little more at ease. Away from the family drama, from Lillian's demands and Zeltros' confusing presence, she could breathe.

Tomorrow, she would have to face it all again. But for now, she had a moment of peace, and that was enough.