Chapter 5

Sapphira walked away from Caspian without hesitation, but she could feel his gaze burning into her back.

How satisfying.

The man who had once thrown her away like garbage was now crawling back—only to be tossed aside with the same coldness he had once shown her.

But her moment of triumph was short-lived.

Because someone else had been watching.

Lucian Vale.

She had sensed his presence the moment she turned her back on Caspian. He had been standing in the shadows near the entrance, silent and observant.

And now… he was stepping forward.

The wind carried the faint scent of winter and steel as he approached. His crimson eyes gleamed with undeniable interest.

Just how much had he seen?

Sapphira tilted her head slightly, keeping her expression unreadable.

"My, my," she murmured, "Lord Vale, were you enjoying the show?"

Lucian’s lips quirked up, just slightly. "I must admit, Lady Sapphira, you certainly know how to… entertain."

His voice was smooth as silk, yet sharp as a dagger.

Sapphira studied him carefully.

Lucian Vale was not like Caspian.

He was dangerous.

He did not waste words on meaningless flattery. He did not try to charm her with empty promises.

No.

Lucian watched, waited, calculated.

And that made him infinitely more dangerous.

She let out a soft chuckle. "Did you enjoy seeing Lord Albrecht humiliated?"

Lucian’s eyes glimmered with amusement. "I enjoyed seeing the true Lady Sapphira."

A flicker of something passed through her.

Did he know?

Could he somehow sense that she was no ordinary noble lady?

That she was someone who had lived… and died… before?

Sapphira narrowed her eyes.

"Then tell me, Lord Vale," she said smoothly. "Who do you think the ‘true’ Sapphira is?"

Lucian was silent for a moment. Then, he took a slow step closer, his presence almost overwhelming.

She did not step back.

Instead, she met his gaze head-on.

Lucian studied her, as if searching for something beneath the surface.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he said—

"A storm waiting to be unleashed."

Sapphira’s breath hitched.

For a moment, everything was still.

Then—

She smiled.

"Oh, Lord Vale," she murmured. "You flatter me."

Lucian’s lips curved slightly. "I do not flatter. I observe."

Their gazes locked.

A silent understanding passed between them.

Lucian was not fooled by her noble facade.

And she was not fooled by his polite mask.

He was watching her.

And she?

She would watch him just as closely.

Sapphira left Lucian with more questions than answers.

As she returned to her chambers, her mind was already racing.

Lucian Vale was not just some noble lord.

His presence at Ravenshade was too well-timed. His interest in her was too sharp.

Could he be an enemy?

Or worse…

Could he be a player in this deadly game?

Either way, she could not afford to trust him.

Not yet.

Not when she had so much to do.

Her revenge was far from over.

Selena.

Caspian.

And now… Lucian.

She would deal with them all.

One by one.

But first—

She had to prepare for the Winter Masquerade.

A night where secrets would be revealed… and enemies would make their move.

Sapphira smirked to herself.

Let the games begin.

---

In the grand halls of Ravenshade estate, whispers filled the air. Servants scurried about, their voices hushed as they spoke of what had transpired earlier that day.

Lord Caspian Albrecht had come to see Lady Sapphira.

And the one person who was not pleased by this revelation was none other than Selena Ravenshade.

Sapphira sat gracefully in her private chambers, sipping her tea as she waited.

She knew it was only a matter of time before Selena came storming in, demanding answers.

And as if on cue—

BANG!

The door to her chambers swung open violently, crashing against the walls.

Selena Ravenshade stood in the doorway, her face twisted in pure fury.

"You!" Selena hissed, striding into the room.

Sapphira barely spared her a glance.

"Dear sister," she said coolly, setting her teacup down. "Must you always make such a dramatic entrance?"

Selena’s emerald eyes burned with anger. "Don’t play games with me, Sapphira!"

She marched forward, slamming her hands onto the table.

"I heard Lord Albrecht came to see you today."

Sapphira raised a delicate brow. "Oh? And who told you that?"

Selena’s lips curled in a sneer. "Does it matter?"

Sapphira smiled.

Ah. So Selena had spies watching her.

How predictable.

Selena clenched her fists. "What did he want?"

Sapphira let out a small sigh, as if bored by the conversation.

"He merely wished to speak with me," she said casually. "Something about… regret, I believe?"

Selena’s expression darkened.

"Regret?" she spat. "What nonsense is this? Caspian is mine now."

Sapphira tilted her head. "Is that so? Then why is he visiting me instead of you?"

Selena’s face turned red with fury.

"You little—!"

She raised her hand, ready to strike—

But Sapphira caught her wrist.

The room fell into a tense silence.

Sapphira’s grip was firm. Unyielding.

Selena’s eyes widened.

This was not the weak, submissive sister she had once bullied.

No.

This Sapphira was different.

Sapphira slowly stood, still holding Selena’s wrist.

"Sister," she murmured, her voice as smooth as silk, yet laced with steel.

"If you wish to strike me… you should be prepared to face the consequences."

Selena swallowed hard.

For the first time in years, she felt something strange.

Something she had never felt toward Sapphira before.

Fear.

Sapphira let go of her wrist, stepping back.

Selena quickly masked her emotions, forcing a fake smirk onto her lips.

"Hmph," she scoffed. "Fine. Keep your little games, Sapphira. But don’t think for a second that Caspian will ever choose you over me."

Sapphira simply smiled.

"We shall see."

Selena spun on her heel and stormed out.

But Sapphira didn’t miss the way her sister’s hands trembled.

Good.

Let her be afraid.

Because this time, it was Sapphira who held all the power.

Later that evening, a knock echoed at Sapphira’s door.

Marie, her loyal maid, entered, holding a letter with an elegant wax seal.

"My lady, this arrived for you."

Sapphira took the letter, breaking the seal with delicate fingers.

As she unfolded the parchment, her eyes skimmed the words—

And her lips curled into a slow smirk.

An invitation.

To the Winter Masquerade.

And at the bottom, in bold, careful script, was a handwritten note.

"I look forward to our dance, Lady Sapphira. – L.V."

Lucian Vale.

Sapphira chuckled softly.

So the game has truly begun.

She set the letter down, her mind already racing.

Selena was angry.

Caspian was desperate.

And Lucian?

Lucian was watching. Waiting.

Sapphira’s gaze darkened with determination.

At the Winter Masquerade… she would make her first real move.

And when she did—

None of them would ever be the same again.

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