The grand hall glittered with gold and opulence.
Silken banners of both the Empire and Ashkalon draped along the tall columns. The scent of roses and aged wine filled the air, blending with the murmur of nobles and the clink of crystal. Musicians played a soft, haunting waltz in the background, but even that seemed to hush when power entered the room.
Seated at the high table were the most powerful figures in the realm:Emperor Caisson, Crown Prince Liam, Duchess Selene of the South, Kaelen, and Theodore, Duke of the North.
A fanfare sounded.
"Second Prince of Ashkalon, His Highness Prince Khalid, enters!"
Heads turned as Khalid strode into the hall, every step confident. His ceremonial uniform hugged his broad chest, the embroidery glinting under the light. Blue eyes scanned the crowd—but not for politics.He was looking for her.
But she wasn't there.
Instead, his gaze landed on Icarus, standing still and regal near the far end of the hall. The glare Icarus returned was pure, unfiltered murder.
From the shadows, Abigel slipped in unnoticed, leaning against a column, watching everything.
Whispers bloomed like wildfire through the ballroom:
"I haven't seen the princess lately…""I heard she's been hiding in the North.""She hasn't replied to my letters in weeks!"
Abigel's expression darkened, remembering how Theo had stood before a fireplace, burning every letter one by one.
"I should kill them all," Theo had said, voice low and final.
And then—The doors opened again.
And the world held its breath.
Aria stepped into the ballroom.
Her presence silenced every sound. Every heartbeat. Every breath.
She wore a ballgown of deep violet satin that shimmered like a storm cloud under candlelight. A plunging neckline exposed her porcelain collarbones, and her neck glittered with a blood-red ruby choker—sharp as a warning. Her silver hair was unbound, cascading like moonlight, while a sheer, jewelled fan covered the lower half of her face, leaving only her eyes visible eyes that shimmered like liquid gold threaded with steel.
She didn't walk. She glided. Controlled, poised, untouchable.
Every noble turned toward her. Some gasped. Others simply stared.
But Aria's gaze sought only one.
Icarus.
Aria was not just beautiful. She was unreachable.
His fingers curled at his sides, his aura tightening like a rope around his lungs. The red thread between them throbbed faintly beneath his shirt, warm against his chest.
Aria's heels clicked against the marble floor, the echo sharp, elegant, commanding. With the grace of a princess trained by blood and fire, she swept before the imperial dais, dipping into a flawless curtsey.
"Greetings to the Sun of the Empire," she said, her voice smooth as silk—refined, yet distant.
Even her bow was perfect. Trained into muscle memory by the original Aria.This wasn't her body, but somehow… it moved like it had always belonged to her.
Emperor Caisson raised his hand. "Rise."
She did, her golden gaze flickering across the people before her
Her entrance had already silenced the room, but now, the awe was tangible.
"We should call the painter," Crown Prince Liam was the first to break the moment, his voice playful but sincere.
Aria rolled her eyes.
"She's changed so much after going to the North," Caisson muttered next, shaking his head—not out of admiration. Disappointment.
Aria flinched inside.
Last time he had said those words, it was followed by punishment. She instinctively peeked at Theodore, prepared for another blow
But Theo was… smiling?
That's new.
Selene, her mother, was her usual unreadable self—silent, composed, imperial.
And then Kaelen stepped forward, ignoring all protocol and court stares, and enveloped her in a tight hug.
Aria exhaled, just a little. Kaelen was her anchor. Always.
As nobles around them buzzed with polite chatter, she felt eyes on her.
Prince Khalid.
His gaze burned into her, sharp and curious. Not like a lover. Like a man studying something dangerous.
She turned her head sharply, ignoring him entirely.
"Stubborn," Khalid muttered under his breath.
His assistant leaned toward him. "Your Highness, are you alright?"
But Khalid wasn't listening. He was lost in thought.
She was supposed to be one of the Black Knights. Disposable. Easy to take with me.
But now…? She's not simple. Not anymore.
Why did she draw him in like this? Was it her beauty? Her power?No… this was deeper.
Obsession doesn't always need a reason, he thought, gaze darkening. Some people are just meant to burn you.
Khalid stepped forward, cutting through the crowd like a knife.
He bowed elegantly before her, voice smooth. "Lady Aria, may I have the honour of a dance?"
The crowd went quiet again, sensing tension. Watching.
But before Aria could open her mouth—
"No."
Theodore was suddenly between them, a wall in black velvet.
His smile was too sharp. "If you want to dance with Aria, Prince Khalid, you'll have to wait your turn."
The crowd murmured. Khalid's lips twitched. "And how long will that take?"
Theo turned back, voice loud enough for the entire hall to hear.
"The men of the imperial bloodline made a pact when Aria was born. Each family head would dance with her in rotation. It's tradition. Tonight, is my turn."
He tilted his head, that smile still fixed in place.
Icarus had already begun walking toward them.
His expression was unreadable, but his aura said everything.
Don't touch her. Don't even try.
Aria chuckled, low and amused, watching the scene play out before her like a perfectly orchestrated performance. With practiced grace, she placed her hand in Theo's, letting him lead her to the centre of the ballroom.
As they began their dance, the room softened—the murmurs faded, the musicians adjusted their tempo to match Theo's confident stride and Aria's floating steps.
They looked effortless, like they had danced together for years. As if this wasn't the first time, they commanded a room full of nobles and knives.
"Looks like flies are starting to swarm around you," Theo muttered, his voice low and amused.
"Don't worry, Uncle. I'm not a flower. I can bite," Aria whispered back, the edge of her lips curling into a smile.
Theo smirked, but his eyes held a warning as he scanned the onlookers—Khalid's stare, most of all.
As the final note of the waltz rang out, applause followed.
Khalid moved forward, fingers poised to take Aria's hand—but just as quickly, Icarus stepped in, hand replacing Khalid's before contact could be made. The movement was sharp, silent, possessive.
Icarus had never danced at court. He always watched from the shadows, aloof and untouchable.But not tonight.
Not with Khalid watching her like she was something to claim.
Without a word, he guided Aria into the next dance, the space around them tightening with unspoken emotion.
"You look beautiful tonight," Icarus said softly, not meeting her eyes. His cheeks were tinged with red, the tips of his ears flushed.
Aria tilted her head, inhaling. His scent was warm—deep
"Thank you," she whispered, her gaze searching his. For a second, time stilled.
They moved together like threads in a tapestry—interwoven, drawn, inescapable.
And then the music ended.
Aria stepped back and slipped away before either man could stop her. The moment she entered her private chamber, she groaned softly and kicked off her heels, flopping onto a nearby divan.
Her feet ached.
"Too much for one night?" came a calm voice.
Abigel.
She blinked up as he entered silently, his dark aura dimmed for once. He walked over and without waiting, gently took her foot into his hand and began massaging it.
"OH… that feels so good," Aria murmured, leaning her head back with a sigh. "You might be the real miracle tonight."
Abigel didn't reply immediately. His hands worked with careful pressure, but his gaze lingered on her face… maybe a little too long.
"What?" Aria asked, catching his eyes.
He quickly looked down, but she saw the crimson rising to the tips of his ears.
"You… you looked really pretty tonight," he muttered.
Aria blinked.