"So that's your stepson, Eleanor. You should have introduced him earlier. Now that Prince Bastian is gone, no one will mind if we talk about how handsome he is."
Eleanor frowned at the woman speaking to her. Although she had been enjoying being the center of attention ever since Cassian left with Cordelia, seeing that attention shift to him irritated her deeply. The woman's words stirred something hidden inside her: though she always complained about Cassian, she was not blind to his attractiveness, and being constantly reminded of it at this gathering annoyed her intensely.
"He's nothing special, Lissandre. My son is far more handsome."
"Your son?" The woman furrowed her brow, trying to recall him. "I'm afraid I have no impression of him," she concluded with a mocking smile, causing Eleanor to grimace in clear displeasure.
But then Eleanor regained her arrogance.
"At least people talk about mine. What do they say about yours?" Even though claiming Cassian as "hers" displeased her, it was worth it if it wiped the smug smile off the face of this woman who was always competing with her.
Lissandre didn't reply; she stormed away from the circle of women that had formed. One of the attendees watched her leave with concern.
"Eleanor, won't angering her backfire on you? She may be a countess like you, but I understand your family comes from her county… she might try something against them."
At the reminder of her humble origins, Eleanor didn't answer, trying to prevent anyone from dwelling too much on her past. However, a flicker of worry clouded her eyes.
…
"So? Is no one going to answer me?" Cordelia asked, seeing that I remained silent and turning her inquisitive gaze toward her daughter.
"It was just a joke, Duchess. Your daughter and I aren't close enough to be hiding secrets," I said as I stood up from the armchair under her suspicious stare. I adjusted my suit and looked at her directly. "It was a nice tea. If you feel like playing a prank on Caelia next time, just let me know directly; there's no need to use Eleanor for this."
She nodded with a furrowed brow, accepting my farewell with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. As soon as I left the room, Morgana was left alone with her mother, who shot her a stern look.
"Would you care to explain what that was?"
But Morgana looked confused, more interested in something else.
"Caelia? Why would you use Cassian to prank the Empress?"
"Don't dodge my question, Morgana. I know my daughter, and she has never looked at a man with that expression before."
"It's nothing, I swear. I was just… surprised. We'll talk later," Morgana stammered before fleeing the room.
Cordelia watched her leave, not believing a single word.
Meanwhile, in the hallway, Morgana's heart was racing. Her mind was spinning as she processed the web of information she had woven over the past few days: Cassian, Pradiles, hidden power, the Empress, Leonardo, the ministers, Rosalind, Elizabeth, Elara…
An expression of intense excitement lit up her face as the pieces fell into place.
An insatiable curiosity for the man behind it all took hold of her.
"Cassian…" A mischievous, vibrant smile curved her lips. "You really are terrifying."
For a woman like Morgana, obsessed with control and power, the existence of someone like Cassian no longer frightened her. The initial terror had transformed into something far more addictive: a desire to conquer.
…
Meanwhile, at the party, Eleanor saw Cassian returning alone.
"And the Duchess?" she asked immediately, visibly disappointed that she hadn't been able to exchange even a word with her.
"Her daughter came to discuss some matters with her," I replied, shrugging with indifference.
Eleanor looked at me with irritation.
"And what did she want to talk to you about, anyway?"
"It was exactly as you thought. She was a bit interested in my face, nothing more."
She frowned before spitting out a venomous reply:
"Hmp! Of course I'm right. What else could you possibly be useful for? Those who say you know how to use a sword clearly never saw you while you were growing up… you were always a lazy good-for-nothing."
And this was where I started tuning out her words. My attention shifted to a woman who was staring at my stepmother with quite obvious hatred.
Seeing this, I asked Eleanor while subtly pointing at her with a casual gesture:
"And that woman? Is she another one of your 'friends' or do you simply owe her money? Because it looks like she's trying to set you on fire with her eyes."
Eleanor turned bright red instantly, caught between indignation and embarrassment, and gave me a quick slap on the arm.
"Shut up! I don't owe anyone anything, and don't point at her, you idiot!" she huffed, crossing her arms and dramatically looking away.
"I guess I'm not the only one who thinks you're unbearable," I muttered under my breath with a smug smile.
She tensed up and opened her mouth to deliver another scolding, but she was interrupted by someone arriving in the garden.
The Empress Caelia of Demor had arrived.
She wore an imposing black dress that contrasted with her skin. Her gaze was so serious and domineering that everyone present immediately lowered their heads.
The murmur of laughter and gossip died away to welcome her.
Cordelia appeared shortly after, looking slightly rushed, as if she had just learned of Caelia's arrival and had hurried to receive her.
She approached her friend with a smile, but Caelia did not return it. I noticed both women cast a subtle glance in my direction before Cordelia led the Empress to a more private area.
"Even the Empress came to this party…" Eleanor murmured, perplexed and unable to hide her excitement.
She knew what Eleanor was thinking. Although Caelia usually attended events like this, most of the time only people of her own status were present. Now, not only had Eleanor secured a direct invitation from a duchess, but she had also been at the same party as the empress.
I rolled my eyes at her superficiality.
…
BANG!
The sound of the door slamming shut echoed through the private room. Cordelia looked at her friend, who was staring at her with such fury that, had looks been able to kill, the duchess would no longer be in this world.
"I tell you about him and the first thing you do is invite him to a party like this? Do you want me to die of rage?" Caelia exploded. "I've been trying to get him to come see me for days, and you steal his time for this."
Caelia clutched her head, completely falling apart. Her usual composure vanished, replaced by a nervous agitation that made her tremble.
"And all those women present… staring at him, devouring him with their eyes…" she whispered, her breathing becoming erratic.
Her eyes filled with a possessiveness and jealousy so visible they seemed to consume her.
Cordelia watched her, genuinely surprised. She knew Caelia was interested in Cassian, but seeing her like this went far beyond anything she could have imagined. She hadn't expected such an exaggerated reaction; for a moment, it seemed as though the Empress would be capable of annihilating every woman at the banquet—including her—without distinction.
"It's not just liking what you feel, is it?" Cordelia asked in a whisper that barely reached the Empress's ears. "Caelia, what exactly did Cassian do to you to make you react this way?"