The moment Evelyne D’Armont’s carriage rolled across the golden borders of Aurelith, her smirk widened like she’d just stepped onto the stage of her greatest performance yet.
“Send word to the palace. Tell them Lady Evelyne, Duchess of D’Armont and Queen of Petty Revenge, has arrived,” she announced, dramatically pushing back her hood.
Margot, her long-suffering handmaid, groaned from inside the carriage. “Please don’t say that to the guards. Again.”
“Too late,” Evelyne said sweetly, already striding ahead.
---
Scene 1: Childhood Best Friend, Now Future King
The palace of Aurelith glittered with light and decorum, but Evelyne’s eyes were set on only one person: Crown Prince Elias.
He sat in the royal garden, sprawled lazily under a cherry blossom tree, reading a letter with one eyebrow raised and a wine glass dangling from his fingers like he was auditioning to be the poster boy of royal sass.
“My, my,” he drawled as she approached. “The notorious villainess herself. Did you burn down another orphanage or did you just miss me?”
Evelyne tossed her gloves onto his table, eyes glittering. “Elias. I’ve come to make a deal.”
He raised a brow. “Is this like last time when your ‘deal’ got me stabbed by a nun?”
“She was faking the nun thing,” Evelyne sniffed. “And besides, I warned you. Anyway, this time it’s bigger. Strategic. Sexy.”
Elias perked up. “Go on.”
---
Scene 2: The Proposal
Evelyne leaned in. “You still like Crown Prince Lucian, don’t you?”
Elias choked on his wine. “Subtle, Evie. Very subtle.”
She continued with a wicked grin. “And I want Elira Dawnveil.”
He stared. “You mean the sunshine cupcake that your own kingdom thinks you’re bullying?”
“Exactly! So here’s the deal: I’ll help you win Lucian's icy little heart. In return, you help me get Elira. We cause a bit of confusion, stir up the palace gossip—”
“Make them think the wrong people are in love,” Elias finished, his smile blooming into a full smirk.
Evelyne winked. “You and I—two of the most powerful heirs of neighboring nations. If we pretend we’re courting, who’s going to question it?”
“Oh, the chaos,” Elias murmured, already delighted.
“Think about it,” Evelyne added, swirling a glass of Aurelith’s finest. “You’re the future King of Aurelith. I’m the sole heiress to D’Armont. If we join forces, no crown, no saint, no doe-eyed Elira or noble idiot Lucian can stand in our way.”
Elias paused dramatically. “So basically… we fake a romance, distract everyone, and seduce our respective crushes while they’re confused, overwhelmed, and utterly off guard?”
“Precisely,” Evelyne grinned. “We weaponize our reputations. You—charming flirt. Me—merciless villainess. Together, unstoppable.”
---
Scene 3: Operation: Chaos Couple
Later that day, the royal court of Aurelith buzzed with scandal.
“Lady Evelyne and Crown Prince Elias?!”
“I thought she hated him!”
“Apparently not. She just rode into the capital like she owned the place and kissed his cheek in public!”
“I heard she’s transferring her allegiance to Aurelith.”
“She’s abandoning D’Armont?!”
Elias, overhearing this from behind a potted plant, whispered, “You were right. Rumors spread faster than wildfire.”
Evelyne smirked. “And now, Auren won’t know whether to punch you or propose to you.”
Elias held out his hand. “To villainy and victory?”
Evelyne clinked her glass against his. “To confusing the hell out of everyone.”
---
Scene 4: The Strategy Begins
Evelyne sat beside Elias in the royal library, feet propped on an ancient manuscript while plotting their next move.
“We’ll start with a party,” she said. “Invite Lucian and Elira both. I’ll act surprisingly sweet. You’ll be deliciously flirty. They’ll start questioning everything.”
Elias nodded. “And if Lucian starts to suspect something?”
Evelyne waved him off. “Then we dangle just enough sincerity to keep him doubting himself.”
Elias raised an eyebrow. “Are you always this calculated?”
“No,” Evelyne said, batting her lashes. “Sometimes I’m worse.”
---
Scene 5: Letters Sent, Traps Set
Evelyne penned a delicate letter to Elira, sealed with D’Armont’s violet wax:
> _Lady Elira,
There are… misunderstandings between us. I’d like to invite you to Aurelith for a small gathering. No tricks. Just conversation.
Sincerely,
Evelyne D’Armont
P.S. I’m not going to kiss you unless you ask. Maybe._
Margot peeked over her shoulder. “That’s not helping the ‘I’m not in love with her’ image.”
“That’s the point,” Evelyne smirked.
---
Scene 6: A New Power Duo
Elias and Evelyne walked side-by-side down the grand staircase of Aurelith’s palace, arm in arm, a vision of chaotic elegance.
“You do realize,” Elias said, “we’re giving fanfiction writers enough material to choke a unicorn.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Evelyne replied. “And when this is over? We’ll both get what we want.”
“But if we fall for each other in the process?” he teased.
She wrinkled her nose. “Then I’ll throw myself into a volcano. No offense.”
“None taken,” Elias grinned.
And as they laughed, the sky over Aurelith lit up with fireworks for a festival neither of them were actually invited to.
Because if they were going to burn down everything... it was going to be with flair.
--------END--------
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