"Are you sure it'll work?"
Vance leaned against the stone pillar of Seraphina's chamber, his arms crossed and expression bored.
Seraphina spun a silver pendant between her fingers. "Liora's weak to kindness, and Derick's too noble to resist a trap cloaked in vulnerability. Of course it will work."
She turned to face him, her sharp eyes gleaming with something darker than mischief. "I just need to test a theory."
Vance raised an eyebrow. "You're obsessed."
She smirked. "I'm curious. He's hiding something. Something… old. Like a scar that never healed."
The next day, Liora wandered the edge of the western gardens, humming to herself. She hadn't seen Derick since the greenhouse.
She missed him.
And that was terrifying.
Because lately, her chest ached when he wasn't around. Her fingers itched to sketch his expression, the way his eyes darkened when he was lost in thought, how he laughed when he thought she wasn't watching.
A sudden voice broke her thoughts.
"Liora."
She turned.
Seraphina.
Liora flinched instinctively, but forced a polite smile. "Yes, sister?"
Seraphina approached with slow grace, like a cat eyeing a mouse. "I've been thinking. We should spend more time together."
Liora blinked. "You… want to spend time with me?"
"Mmm," Seraphina said smoothly. "I've been rather cruel, haven't I? But blood is blood. You are still my sister."
Liora looked down. "That hasn't mattered before."
"And perhaps I was wrong." Seraphina stepped closer and took her hand. "Come. Let's take tea together. I had something made just for you."
Liora hesitated.
She wanted to believe her.
But she also knew better.
Still, her heart wanted to hope.
"…Okay."
Across the estate, Derick stood at the old training hall, running drills. Sword in hand, sweat dripping, heart heavy.
He swung.
Again.
And again.
The sword cracked against the dummy's wooden shield.
Why am I hesitating?
Every time he tried to sever ties with Liora—to push her away—she found a crack in his armor. She smiled. She laughed. She dreamed of him.
And now… Seraphina was watching.
He could feel it.
Something was off.
He turned, as if someone had called his name.
But no one was there.
Liora sat in the grand tearoom, pouring tea with trembling hands.
Seraphina watched her from across the low marble table.
"You're quiet," she said, tilting her head.
Liora forced a smile. "Just thinking."
"About Derick, perhaps?"
The cup in Liora's hand nearly slipped.
"No," she said quickly. "I mean—I—he's just…"
"Just what?" Seraphina asked, voice laced with sugar.
Liora looked away.
Seraphina smiled. "You're growing up. He's handsome, isn't he?"
"…He is," Liora whispered before she could stop herself.
"Do you… trust him?"
Liora turned to face her sister, suddenly wary. "…Yes."
"Even though you know nothing about him?" Seraphina's tone sharpened.
"I know enough."
"Do you?" Her voice dropped, fangs showing beneath her pretty words. "Would you like to know what he's hiding?"
Liora went still.
"…What do you mean?"
Seraphina poured more tea, smiling sweetly. "Oh, nothing. I just wonder if you'll still love him when you find out."
Liora stood up suddenly.
"I think I should go."
"Why? Afraid of the truth?" Seraphina's voice remained soft, but her eyes glittered like blades.
"I'm not afraid," Liora said quietly. "But I won't sit here while you try to poison me against someone who's done nothing wrong."
Seraphina laughed lightly. "Oh, little sister. Always so pure."
As Liora turned to leave, Seraphina's voice followed her.
"He's not who you think he is."
Derick found Liora in the hallway an hour later. She looked pale.
He reached out instinctively. "Liora? What happened?"
She blinked up at him, heart racing. "Derick…"
He caught her before she could fall, steadying her.
"Did she do something?" he asked, voice cold now.
Liora hesitated, then shook her head. "No. But I think… she's trying to turn me against you."
Derick cursed under his breath.
"I'm sorry," Liora whispered.
He looked down at her, stunned. "What?"
"I should have said no. I just… I wanted to believe she changed."
He shook his head. "You did nothing wrong."
He stared into her eyes.
"She's dangerous, Liora. Stay away from her."
She nodded. "I will. But…"
"But?"
Her fingers curled into his sleeve.
"You… you'll tell me the truth one day, right? About what you're hiding?"
His breath caught.
"…Maybe."
She didn't let go.
That night, Seraphina stood at the balcony of her chambers, wind whipping her dark hair back.
Vance returned from the shadows.
"She didn't drink the tea," he said.
Seraphina frowned.
"She's smarter than she looks," she said.
"She's starting to trust him," Vance added.
Seraphina turned away from the moon. "Then we'll just have to destroy that trust piece by piece."