Night had fallen.
The city of Asterion shimmered under lantern light, its rooftops glowing gold as the moon rose like a pale throne above the clouds. Beneath that moon, carriages rolled, nobles whispered, and the Grand Hall awaited its guests like a beast waiting for a feast.
But far from the noise of nobles and carriages, at the very heart of the capital…
The Enchanted Palace did not shine.
It brooded.
Its aura spilled across the city center like thick smoke ominous, silent, ancient. A building of dark wood, silver tiles, and crimson lanterns, its presence alone made the streets quieter. No one ever walked too close unless they had business. Real business.
Inside, atop a balcony overlooking the entire city, a woman sat with one leg folded beneath her, swirling a jug of wine lazily in her hand.
She was breathtaking.
A face that could topple kingdoms.
A beauty so sharp it bordered on cruel.
And yet.
The moment she took a swig of wine, wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and burped, all elegance shattered like glass underfoot.
Her two shadow guards appeared behind her, kneeling instantly.
"Lady," one of them said with a controlled voice, "why… why did you agree to help that spoiled child of the Aserra clan?"
He paused, glancing up in confusion.
"She is nothing more than Noah's pawn. Everyone knows she's wrapped tightly around his finger."
The woman laughed a low, amused sound and poured herself another drink.
"I don't care about that," she said, waving the jug lazily. "If she can give my disciples a reason to live, that alone is enough for me."
She leaned back, looking at the glittering city below.
"And besides," she added, her smile fading, "I no longer think Noah is in control of anything."
The guards exchanged looks.
The woman tilted her head.
"Tell me… are you not curious how assassins walked right into the Aserra mansion? Killed every spy from every faction? And then just…"
She spread her fingers.
"…left?"
The guards remained silent.
"No one admitted to doing it," she continued. "And prideful factions always refuse to confess weakness. So, of course"
"They began doubting each other," the guard murmured, finishing her sentence.
She grinned.
"Exactly."
She took another swig of wine, voice softening with wistful curiosity.
"I'm just very, very curious about how tonight's banquet will turn out…"
A shadow fell across her face as she leaned forward, eyes glowing faintly like a fox scenting danger.
"Tonight," she whispered, "should be interesting."
She laughed loud, rich, unrestrained letting the sound echo across the balcony.
***
Meanwhile in the Aserra Mansion.
The Aserra mansion glowed faintly under hanging lanterns as Crystal Aserra stepped through its front doors.
Her long black hair fell in smooth waves down her back like a curtain of ink.
Her gown white fading into green made her look ethereal, almost like a forest spirit descending from an ancient painting.
But her eyes…
Sharp.
Focused.
Predatory.
Eyes that belonged not to a fairy, but to a hunter who had tasted blood before and would taste it again.
Mari, standing respectfully beside her, tightened the cloak around Crystal's shoulders.
"My lady," she said softly, "the carriage is ready."
Crystal didn't respond immediately.
She looked back just once at the mansion.
The home of her clan.
The birthplace of her suffering.
The prison of her past life.
She stepped into the carriage.
Mari gave instructions to the driver.
"To the Grand Hall."
The wheels creaked forward.
Crystal leaned slightly out of the window, watching the Aserra estate fade behind her. Outside, streets buzzed with noble excitement. Lanterns swung gently in the wind. Carriages rolled past with banners of various clans crimson, gold, azure, silver.
The young heirs were already on their way, wearing smiles that hid sharpened ambitions.
The capital pulsed with anticipation.
And beneath it, like a river of iron, tension flowed silently.
Tonight would change everything.
Crystal felt her pulse calm in her wrist.
"The banquet waits," she murmured.
And her carriage vanished into the glittering maze of the night.
Meanwhile in the Valen Mansion.
The Valen mansion stood tall and imperial, its crest gleaming under the moon. Lord Valen the King's Hand waited at the gate, hands clasped behind his back.
He exhaled slowly as Lyra stepped into her carriage.
She wore a pale blue robe embroidered with silver leaves, and her hair fell softly like moonlit water. Her calmness was serene, almost unnervingly gentle.
"Be safe," Lord Valen whispered under his breath.
Lyra didn't hear him.
Or perhaps she did and chose not to respond.
The carriage door closed.
Horses neighed.
And Lyra Valen left the mansion, her silhouette fading down the illuminated road toward destiny.
Lord Valen watched silently, a small smile tugging at his lips.
His daughter had always been soft-spoken… but tonight, something about her felt different. Stronger. Sharper.
He turned to the servant beside him.
"And what of Raven and Miralyn? Where are my first and third daughters?"
The servant bowed.
"Lady Miralyn departed earlier, my lord. As for Lady Raven… she is currently unavailable and asked not to be disturbed."
"Unavailable?" Lord Valen echoed.
But after a moment, he simply nodded and turned away, hands folding behind his back once more. The hall lights glowed across his shoulders as he returned inside.
His mind drifted.
Three daughters.
Three very different fates.
And tonight…
one of those fates would change forever.
Meanwhile the city was full of rattling.
In every quarter of the city, young heirs stepped into their clan carriages.
Silk rustled.
Metal armor clicked.
Rings glimmered.
Perfumed air drifted beyond windows.
The capital streets filled with wheels and whispers.
"The banquet is starting…"
"The crown prince will be there."
"I heard the Black Sky Sect sent someone."
"Do you think a marriage announcement will be made?"
"I bet someone will cause trouble…"
"No—don't jinx it!"
"Too late."
Laughter floated into the night, mixed with nervous breaths.
Crystal's carriage passed them all, her eyes cold and unreadable as she listened to the city's heartbeat.
Tonight was the night.
The grand banquet awaited.
The banquet…
and all the shadows hiding within it.
The wheels rolled onward.
And fate followed close behind.