The grand ballroom shimmered with soft golden light, chandeliers glistening like stars. It wasn't Evelyne's coronation yet—but tonight's surprise celebration might as well have been.
Draped in deep crimson and silver, she stood at the center, a vision of elegance reborn.
Her eyes scanned the crowd. She didn't trust the smiles. Not anymore.
And yet, each male lead approached her, one by one.
---
Zayne offered his hand.
"You look breathtaking," he said.
"I'm not here to be admired," Evelyne replied coolly.
He chuckled. "But you'll be admired nonetheless."
As they danced, he leaned close.
"You shouldn't keep playing detective. You'll get hurt."
"…Was that a threat?" she asked, unblinking.
He smiled. "No. A warning."
---
Arven found her on the balcony later.
Away from the music. Away from the eyes.
"You don't belong in that hall full of snakes," he muttered.
"Yet here I am," Evelyne said.
Arven handed her a glass of wine. "One day, you'll have to choose who to trust. And when you do… I hope it's me."
He walked off, leaving her with only questions and the cold breeze.
---
Then came Caleb.
He approached her hesitantly. Unlike the others, there was no bravado in his step.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
"Because I think I'm falling for the villainess," he blurted out.
The world froze.
"I—what?"
"I know it sounds stupid. Maybe it is. But I've been drawn to you since that day you defended Elisse. Since before that."
She took a step back.
Caleb looked down. "Forget I said anything."
He rushed off, leaving Evelyne stunned in the middle of the ballroom.
---
Inside her chambers that night, Evelyne stared at her reflection.
All eyes were on her.
All hearts tangled with hers.
But none of them knew the truth.
She was no empress yet.
She was a villainess living on borrowed time.
---