Vicent sat alone in his dimly lit room, the soft hum of night barely drowning out his thoughts. The door creaked open, and in stormed Charlotte, her eyes blazing with cold determination.
"You wanted to know what you could use against the prince, right?" she said icily. "If I tell you… what will I get in return?"
He didn't even flinch. Sitting with his back to her, Vicent slowly turned his chair to face her. "I'll help you with whatever you want," he said smoothly, folding his hands on the table.
Charlotte grinned and stepped closer, dropping a folder onto his desk. Inside were photographs — Rosaline.
"She's everything to Prince Stefan," Charlotte said darkly. "His weak point. If you kill her, everything will be smooth for you."
Vicent eyes narrowed. "Aren't you afraid the prince will find out?"
Charlotte smirked. "I'm not scared. Once Rosaline is dead, I'll make him fall for me. And when he does, even if he finds out the truth, he won't kill me. He'll be too blinded by love. Just like he was with her."
Flashback Ends
Rosaline's eyes widened when she saw him—the guy who had saved her at the restaurant. He was seated in a velvet booth, a glass of wine in his hand, laughing quietly with a friend. When his gaze caught hers, he paused.
"I didn't know Stefan's everything was this beautiful," Vicent muttered to Fredrick, the friend seated beside him. "No wonder she's his weakness."
Rosaline gathered her courage and approached him. "Hi," she began softly. "You're the guy who saved me, aren't you?"
Vicent stood, his voice calm. "And you're the girl who told me to mind my business after I pulled you out of danger."
Rosaline winced. "Yeah… about that. I'm sorry. And thank you—for saving me. I didn't know how to thank you before."
Vicent chuckled. "Apology accepted. And you're welcome."
They introduced themselves formally for the first time. Rosaline. Vicent.
A silence settled before he broke it. "You've never really been to clubs before, have you?"
She blinked. "How did you know that?"
"I guessed," he said with a sly smile. "Would you like to go for a walk? See what the streets look like at night?"
She glanced back at her friends. The Saints Casse and Margaux nodded and teased, "Go have fun, bestie. Maybe he's your boy lover!"
"You're both speaking gibberish," Rosaline said, rolling her eyes, but a small smile crept across her face.
Later, by the old bridge
The moonlight danced on the surface of the water beneath the bridge. Vicent leaned against the rail, his eyes distant.
"Why this place?" Rosaline asked curiously.
Vicent exhaled, his voice suddenly softer. "This is where my late girlfriend, Emily, used to meet me. She… ended her life here. She was an orphan, adopted by a kind family, but tragedy followed her. Her stepfather died of illness. Her stepmother got into an accident and passed. And Emily… she couldn't take the loss. She jumped into the lake."
Rosaline's breath caught. "She didn't know how to swim?"
He shook his head. "No. And what she never knew was—this bridge was also where her real parents met before they died. She unknowingly showed it to her adopted parents, and they liked it too… They died later. It's like this place is cursed with memory."
She was silent, moved and shaken by the pain in his voice.
"She told me to find someone who'd love me like she did. Someone who could heal me."
Before Rosaline could reply, a voice cut through the night.
"Vicent!"
It was Charlotte, wearing a hoodie and dark jeans, her eyes narrowing when she spotted Rosaline.
"I went to the club and heard you were here," she said, forcing a smile. "Rosaline, what are you doing out this late?"
Vicent smiled, casually placing a hand on Rosaline's back. "You know her? She's my new friend."
Rosaline looked at him, confused by the sudden shift.
Charlotte nodded tightly. "Mind if I borrow him for a moment?" She didn't wait for a response.
They stepped away. Charlotte's mask dropped. "What are you doing, Vicent?! I told you to kill her, not date her."
"I'll do whatever I want," he said coldly. "But trust me, I'll end it your way. I just want to date her first. She's... different. Beautiful in a way I can't ignore."
Charlotte's eyes darkened. "If you don't kill her in the end, I swear on the Blood Moon, I'll let Prince Stefan know everything. He'll destroy us both."
"Just back me up. Trust the process."
They returned.
"Sorry," Vicent said smoothly. "My incoming girlfriend, we wasted your time."
Rosaline blinked. "What did you just call me?"
"Girlfriend," he repeated, smirking.
"Are you serious?" she asked, stunned.
He nodded slowly. "Will you give me a place in your heart? Even a small one? You're the only person who can fill the emptiness Emily left."
Rosaline pulled back slightly, her expression turning tense. "Vicent, what is all this? I thought we were just friends."
"We were. We don't have to rush it… just let it grow. Please… for Emily."
"Why should I try in the name of someone I don't even know?" Her voice trembled with confusion and anger.
Charlotte jumped in, smiling sweetly. "You two really do look good together, Rosaline. And he can protect you. He already has."
Rosaline looked between them, suspicious but quiet. Vicent said nothing more.
"I won't pressure you," he finally said. "You can give me an answer whenever you're ready. We can go on more dates, get to know each other. Take your time."
Will Rosaline give in to his charm?
Or will she uncover the trap hiding behind that broken smile?