The sky above Aurelith twinkled with stars, and the royal palace bathed in gold light, buzzing with music, perfume, and the whispers of scandal. Nobles lined the marble halls, all waiting for a glimpse of the infamous villainess and her sudden… boyfriend?
Prince Elias twirled a golden wineglass in one hand and Evelyne D’Armont in the other. She wore black velvet embroidered with tiny crimson thorns, like a walking warning sign. Her smile was all teeth.
"Ready?" Elias murmured as they stood at the top of the stairs.
Evelyne leaned in, pretending to whisper sweet nothings. “Let the war begin.”
They descended together like two blades wrapped in velvet.
Scene 1: Their Targets Arrive
From the grand entrance, Crown Prince Lucian of Thornehart entered, all royal stiffness and cold grace. His white uniform was immaculate, his golden hair catching candlelight like a halo—if angels were perpetually irritated.
Beside him, Lady Elira Dawnveil smiled like springtime itself. Soft curls bounced as she walked, dressed in light blue silk that shimmered like moonlight. Her eyes were wide as she took in the luxury of the Aurelith palace—and froze when she saw Evelyne.
Elira blinked once. Twice.
And then her expression shifted—confusion, then panic.
“Why is she…?” Elira whispered to Lucian.
“She’s with Elias?” Lucian frowned, his royal instincts kicking in. “Something’s not right.”
Evelyne spotted them and waved—sweet, too sweet. “Lady Elira~!”
Elira looked like a kitten who’d just been invited to tea by a lion.
Scene 2: The First Strike
“Your Highness,” Evelyne greeted Lucian like she hadn’t fantasized about stepping on his royal cloak. “Lady Elira. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation.”
Elira stuttered. “I-I thought this was from Prince Elias…”
“It was,” Elias said smoothly. “Evie and I wrote it together. We’re rather fond of hosting events as a couple now.”
Lucian narrowed his eyes. “Couple?”
Elias smiled. “Oh yes. We’ve… grown close. Isn’t that right, darling?”
Evelyne’s eyes gleamed. “Intolerably close.”
Lucian nearly dropped his champagne. Elira actually did.
“Oops,” Evelyne said with the fakest gasp in Aurelith.
Scene 3: The Tea Table Tension
They sat for tea in the garden under hanging lanterns. Birds chirped. Flowers bloomed. Nobles whispered.
Evelyne sat beside Elira, close enough to graze her hand now and then. “So, Lady Elira. How is your health? Still fainting in sunbeams like a Victorian poem?”
Elira flushed. “I do not faint.”
“Oh good,” Evelyne said sweetly. “I’d hate for my company to overwhelm you.”
Lucian shot her a glare. Elias coughed to hide his laugh.
A servant brought biscuits. Elira grabbed one like it might save her from drowning in flirtation.
“I heard you’re engaged, Lady Evelyne?” Elira asked suddenly, trying to flip the attack.
“Not yet,” Evelyne said, voice syrupy. “But Elias has been very persuasive.”
Elias took her hand with mock sincerity. “She completes me.”
Lucian gagged.
Elira blinked rapidly. “You… really like him?”
Evelyne looked directly into Elira’s eyes. “Let’s just say—he’s not the one I want, but he’s the one I need… for now.”
Elira dropped her biscuit again.
Scene 4: Elias Turns Up the Heat
Elias pulled Auren aside as musicians began to play in the courtyard. The two princes stood beneath a tree lit by glowing crystals.
Auren folded his arms. “What’s your angle, Elias?”
“I want you,” Elias said simply.
Auren flinched.
“You’ve always known it,” Elias continued. “So why now, when I finally say it out loud, do you look like I slapped you with a fan?”
“You’re not serious,” Auren said stiffly.
Elias tilted his head. “And if I am?”
Auren was silent for a long moment.
Then Elias leaned in. “Just say the word, Auren, and I’ll break this fake relationship in a heartbeat. Evelyne’s only here to help me get to you.”
Auren looked up, startled. “So it is fake?”
Elias smirked. “Maybe. Maybe not. Guess you’ll have to stay close to find out.”
Scene 5: A Dance and a Warning
Inside the ballroom, Evelyne reached for Elira’s hand.
“One dance?”
Elira looked torn. “I’m not sure—”
“Afraid you’ll like it?” Evelyne teased, pulling her in.
They waltzed, Evelyne leading. Elira’s steps were clumsy, but Evelyne held her firmly, guiding her with ease.
“You don’t have to act like you hate me, Elira,” she murmured. “I already know you don’t.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Elira muttered, blushing.
Evelyne’s breath tickled her ear. “Your hands shake every time I get near you. Is it fear… or something sweeter?”
Elira pulled away just slightly. “Why are you doing this?”
Evelyne’s expression darkened—but only for a second.
“Because you’ve stolen hearts by accident your whole life. It’s time someone stole yours… on purpose.”
Scene 6: An Unexpected Twist
Later that night, Elias found Evelyne on the palace balcony, sipping wine and watching the stars.
“She looked like she was about to kiss you,” he said.
“Which one?” Evelyne asked.
He snorted. “Elira.”
Evelyne grinned. “She won’t admit it. Not yet.”
“She will,” Elias said. “Lucian’s cracking too. I almost kissed him. I think he was mad at how much he liked it.”
They clinked glasses.
“Evie,” Elias said, suddenly serious. “What if this backfires?”
“Then we go down in history as the most glamorous disasters of the century,” Evelyne said without hesitation.
They laughed.
Behind them, unseen, Elira stood half-hidden behind the curtain—watching Evelyne.
And this time, she wasn’t blushing in confusion.
She was blushing in something much more dangerous.
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