EMILIA "CLANK!"

The sharp sound of a porcelain vase shattering against the wall rings through the Duke's office, sending shards scattering across the polished floor.

"How dare she!" Margaret shrieks, her voice trembling with rage. Her chest rises and falls as she struggles to catch her breath.

I sit stiffly on the edge of my seat, unsure whether to speak or remain silent. Margaret's outbursts have been more frequent lately, but this... this is different.

"How can they be engaged?!" she shouts, turning to her father, Duke Brown, her eyes wild with fury. "Father! You promised me! You said I could have him!"

Duke Brown, seated behind his grand oak desk, pinches the bridge of his nose, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Calm down, sweetheart," he says, though his tone is clipped.

He then glares at my father, Baron Thorne, who sits hunched on the other side of the room, looking small and pitiful despite his broad frame. "Baron Thorne," Duke Brown snaps, "what is the meaning of this? You told me that girl was timid. That she was nothing more than a mouse. And yet, here she is, flaunting her engagement to the Crown Prince in front of everyone!"

"I... I am sorry, Your Grace," my father stammers, his head bowed. "That brat—she's changed a lot since she left. She's not the same Aveline we knew."

Margaret lets out a guttural scream, and I flinch. She suddenly grabs the armrest of her chair, her knuckles turning white. "Changed? Of course she changed!" she hisses. "She caused this. That wench—she stole him from me!"

Before anyone can respond, Margaret gasps and clutches her right hand. My eyes widen as I notice the skin on her hand turning a purplish-black, the unnatural color spreading like ink beneath her pale skin.

"Y-your hand!" I stutter, unable to hide the alarm in my voice.

Margaret stares at her hand, her expression shifting from shock to panic and then to twisted defiance. "This is nothing," she mutters.

Duke Brown slams his fist on the desk, the sound making all of us jump. "Have you been using black magic again?" he roars at Margaret.

"I had no choice!" Margaret screams back, tears of frustration streaming down her face. "I practiced black magic all night, preparing to defeat her! She's taken everything from me! She stole my man, my future—everything!"

The room falls silent for a moment, the weight of her words pressing down on all of us.

"Margaret," Duke Brown finally says, his voice cold and cutting, "with your health deteriorating like this, even if you do become Crown Princess, it will mean nothing. I told you I would handle this myself."

Margaret slumps back into her chair, her face pale but her eyes still burning with hatred.

Duke Brown turns his attention back to my father, his sharp gaze like a blade. "What are we going to do now, Your Grace?" my father asks hesitantly, his voice shaking.

"We will proceed with the plan," Duke Brown declares, his tone leaving no room for argument. "During the National Founding Day celebrations, we will make our move. I will ensure that this time, we succeed."

I feel a chill run down my spine at his words. The plan... whatever it is, I know it will be dangerous.

Duke Brown's gaze narrows as he looks at my father. "And don't even think of running away," he says, his voice dripping with menace. "We're on the same boat now. You owe me too much to back out."

I glance at my father, whose face is pale with fear. He nods weakly, his shoulders slumping further.

Why did Father borrow so much money from this old man? I think bitterly. The debt has dragged us into this dangerous game, one that feels impossible to escape. But deep down, I feel a flicker of dark satisfaction.

If this plan can take down Aveline, so be it.

***

AVELINE The thrill of earlier events still lingers in my chest as I step into the grand estate of the Lytheryss family. The familiar halls of my home offer a strange sense of comfort after the tense tea party, but as I'm about to retreat to my chambers, Father's voice halts me.

"Aveline, follow me."

His tone leaves no room for argument. I nod, silently trailing behind him.

We pass through hallways I know all too well, but soon, the path becomes unfamiliar. Father leads me to a secluded part of the estate, deep into a forested area, until we reach what appears to be a cave.

"Why are we in a cave, Father?" I ask, my voice echoing faintly against the stone walls.

"Be quiet and follow," he says curtly, not turning back.

I purse my lips but obey, curiosity keeping me compliant. The air grows cooler as we delve deeper, the dim light of torches casting eerie shadows across the rough stone.

Finally, we stop at a wall. Just a plain, lifeless wall of rock.

"Here we are. Snap your fingers, Aveline," Father commands.

I blink at him. "Snap my fingers? What for?"

"Use magic, Aveline," he says again, his tone leaving no room for protest.

"Fine." I shrug, lifting my hand. With a quick snap, the sound reverberates around us.

To my astonishment, the cave wall begins to shimmer and shift, as if responding to the magic in the air. A hidden door reveals itself, glowing faintly as it swings open.

"What... what is this?" I whisper, stepping forward instinctively.

"Go inside," Father orders, gesturing for me to enter first.

Hesitantly, I walk in—and freeze.

"OH MY GOD. ELRYX!"

My voice echoes through the chamber as I spot her: my magnificent dragon, her scales glinting faintly even in the dim light. She lifts her massive head, her golden eyes meeting mine.

"My child," Elryx growls, her voice low and soothing.

I rush forward, throwing my arms around her scaled snout. "How are you here? How did you even get here? Did no one notice you flying around?"

Elryx lets out a low chuckle, a sound that rumbles deep in her chest. "I am over a thousand years old, Aveline. Do you think I lack subtlety? I used my invisibility magic to travel here unnoticed."

"That's incredible, but why are you here?" I ask, stepping back to look at her fully.

Father steps forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "Elryx will make an appearance during the opening ceremony of National Founding Day."

I gape at him. "Really? That's amazing!"

"His Majesty himself supports the idea," Father continues. "Elryx's presence is critical. There are concerns Duke Brown may attempt something during the celebrations."

"Duke Brown?" My excitement dims as I glance between Father and Elryx.

"Yes," Father says grimly. "Cedric is not an easy opponent to deal with. He has dabbled in dark magic for years, and there's a possibility he's made a contract with the demon king, Malzareth."

My breath catches. "Malzareth? But why would he—"

"Your father has informed me of everything," Elryx interrupts, her deep voice steady. "Duke Cedric's father, Vistrous Brown, made a contract with Malzareth in the past. I dealt with him long ago."

"You fought him?" I ask eagerly.

Elryx huffs, her golden eyes narrowing. "There was little need. Vistrous Brown was already frail due to his age, and that frailty weakened Malzareth as well. The man perished before I or your grandmother had to act."

"My grandmother?" I repeat, my curiosity piqued.

"Yes," Elryx says, a rare warmth in her voice. "She and I faced many battles together. You remind me of her sometimes."

The compliment fills me with pride, but Father quickly steers the conversation back. "Since Cedric practices dark magic, his body will eventually weaken like his father's, right? If he makes a contract with Malzareth, won't that make him vulnerable?"

"That is the natural outcome," Elryx agrees. "However, it's possible Malzareth has grown more powerful since then. He may have found ways to circumvent that weakness."

"Why would Malzareth take the risk, then?" I ask, frowning.

"Malzareth's ultimate goal has always been to conquer the empire, and eventually the world," Elryx explains. "If my suspicions are correct, Duke Brown's ambition aligns with that goal. Cedric likely desires the throne."

Father nods grimly. "That would explain much."

"Ugh, this is all so complicated," I mutter, leaning against Elryx's warm scales. "But if anything happens, I'm glad I'll have Elryx by my side."

Elryx rumbles in amusement. "And I am glad to fight by yours, my child. The days ahead will not be easy, but you are stronger than you realize."

Her words comfort me more than I care to admit. If Duke Brown truly intends to bring chaos, we'll be ready.