This chapter is brought to you by Rewrite The Stars from The Greatest Showman.

---

She was beautiful and handsome and clever and cunning and--and... stunning.

Jovette was stunning in many ways, but it wasn't merely her beauty, nor the fact that she was shining like the most gorgeous jewel on the dance floor in her blood-red and golden dress, that made her stunning.

She was mesmerizing at a glance, and the moths decorating her hair hinted at the danger beneath her elegant gestures. The way she would smile and wow the audience like she was meant for this life dazzled the viewers at the party and distracted them from the fact that she could kill them.

Never before had Rowan seen her embody the grace of an assassin to this degree. She was a Calypto, he knew, but this was the first time he had ever been so aware of it.

She, who was known to be gentle and kind to Tobus' ruthless and apathetic demeanor was more alike to her cousin than anyone ever expected.

After all, House Calypto was a den of killers first and Vesna's agents second.

Jovette wasn't any different if the one who raised her was Tobus.

She spun around the dance floor with her father.

Lord Calypto was as handsome as ever. There were few wrinkles on him and he still looked as if he could kill a group of armed men easily.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the pair, admiring the picture both of them made.

The music came to a soft and slow tune, and Tobus switched out with his uncle.

A rhythm started to play in the background. The strings launched into a rapid melody. The flutes blew out high-pitched notes that should have been terrible to listen to--yet, it was not.

Rather, the song was fitting as the second ritual of the coming-of-age for the Claypto Heir started.

Tobus drew his daggers from their sheaths.

Everyone in the room gasped.

Jovette's protector had pointed his blade at her.

She took the sudden challenge with perfect fineness, drawing her own daggers from the folds of her skirts.

There were discreet and hidden pockets masked by the layers.

Ingenious.

She smirked at her opponent, and in turn, his lips curled into one of satisfaction.

There was whispering in the audience at the sight.

A loud beat of the drum sent the two cousins dashing forward.

They parried and struck at each other with purpose. There was choreography for a ceremonial fight, and then there was... this.

A contest of will mixed in with a bit of danger. Both combatants were efficient, their moves meant to kill rather than display.

Jovette flipped herself over Tobus' shoulder, and Tobus spun around and kicked at her arm.

She dropped a blade, and the tension in the room rose.

Tobus slowly walked forward, emerald green eyes glowing under the light as they watched Jovette like prey.

He lunged and Jovette narrowly dodged a dangerous slice to her neck. There was a quick exchange of blows, with Jovette fending off Tobus with a single dagger.

A moment, and then the combatants crossed paths once more--

"Stop."

Lady Calypto stepped forward, and both Jovette and Tobus paused.

Neither looked as if they had broken a sweat after all that.

Lady Calypto turned to Tobus.

"The Heir has drawn first blood." She tapped her left cheek.

Tobus turned to Jovette, and it was revealed that he had a nick on his left cheek.

It was a long shallow cut with blood dribbling down.

Jovette's remaining blade had a hint of blood on its edge.

Lady Calypto folded her hands together in front of her and looked at Tobus.

"Heir Protector, is the Heir worthy of her mastery?"

Jovette stared at Tobus, and it was then that Rowan noticed she was out of breath.

Tobus bowed his head.

"The Heir has mastered the Calypto Twin Daggers. She is worthy."

There was a cheer of applause as everyone clapped.

But there was more Tobus had to say.

"She has also proven herself worthy of the gifts of House Arcadia."

Otto, Sept, Quin, and Juno stepped forth.

Otto and Sept both held one box each, and Quin and Juno carried a large parcel between them.

Lief opened one of the boxes and presented--

Twin daggers that shone pearlescent white.

Lief held up the daggers before Jovette.

"For you, my Lady. Daggers infused with the bones and tusks of a Beast King."

Jovette's mouth fell open, and she quickly whipped her head around to stare at Tobus with wide eyes.

"You..."

A soft smile appeared on Tobus' face.

Rowan could have sworn some people gasped at the sight.

"Go on. Take it."

Jovette bowed her head and took the daggers with great care. She exchanged her former pair and clipped the new ones into her sheath.

"I am honored," she said.

Lief grinned cheerfully.

Duri and Tess opened the parcel, took each end of the gift inside, and brought it out.

"For you, my Lady. The pelt of the Beast King can protect you from the dangers of all elements," Tess said.

"I'm starting to see a pattern," Jovette smiled, touched. "A Beast King in these mountains... you all hunted it for me?"

A Beast King was so rare. It was a magical creature that had valuable use in many types of magic creation. The fact that Tobus and his followers managed to find and kill one was a near-legendary feat.

Beast Kings were difficult to find, and even more difficult to fight if ever found.

"Aye, my Lady," Duri replied.

She and Tess wrapped the pelt around Jovette. They closed two chains together, and she wore it like a cloak.

Rowan looked around him and saw a few people shooting envious looks at her.

Of course, to have House Arcadia hunt a Beast King specifically for the Claypto Heir was certainly something to envy.

"I am honored." There was a hint of a crack in Jovette's voice as she said it this time.

There was one final gift left to give, and it was Treis who stepped forth and opened the last box.

He brought out a golden pendant from the box.

It swung hypnotically by its chains, and Rowan could have sworn he heard the sound of a storm echo in his ear before it faded.

The people around him watched in awe as the pendant was placed before Jovette.

"For you, my Lady. A magic stone with the properties of a tempest, infused with the magic core of the Beast King. May you summon storms at your leisure."

That was the coolest gift by far.

Jovette gladly accepted the pendant with wonder in her gaze. She put it on around her neck and smiled wide.

"I am honored," she said, and everyone in the room could tell how much love she held for her cousin and his family.

Rowan glanced at Tobus and noted he was hiding something in his hand.

"There's one final gift," the man said.

Tobus walked over and handed Jovette a bottle.

No one was able to make out what it was, but Jovette's reaction was one of disbelief.

"You didn't..."

"For you, my Lady," Tobus bowed his head.

And that was it.

There was nothing else to explain what Tobus had gotten her.

One of the Calypto elders suddenly clapped their hand.

"Alright, next ritual..."

Rowan wondered what Tobus had gotten her.

---

"Rowan and Bel snuck into the party," Otto reported once the final ritual was over.

The last event was a dance between Jovette, Lady Calypto, and Rasa. A traditional dance with the Calypto Heiress and her closest female blood relatives that involved shooting crossbows while performing acrobatics.

Nine nodded and went over to report to his Lord Uncle.

The story was already at the midpoint, and as long as no one tried to kill anyone on purpose, Jovette and Rowan would live.

"What is it, Tobus?" His Lord Uncle turned from his conversation with Lord Eartha and some other lords he didn't bother to memorize the names of.

"The puppies are here," Nine replied.

His Lord Uncle paused, squinted his eyes, and then sighed.

"Look after them. No touching. Including you."

Nine tilted his head.

"Never mind. Just... they're not allowed to walk off anywhere."

"Okay."

The last thing he heard before he walked away was his Lord Uncle heaving another sigh.

---

There was something to be said about the state of their Houses' rivalry by how easy it was for Bel to sneak into the party with Rowan.

Of course, by the death glares he was currently receiving from his uncle, he knew they would be punished once they got back to the Compound.

Tobus was, once again, beautifully dressed during this party.

He presented gifts that drove Jovette to happy tears and then reported Bel and Rowan's presence at the party to his uncle once Otto snitched on them.

Bel guessed that this would happen the moment he made eye contact with Otto.

Rowan moved away from him at some point as the party-goers mingled.

The music, which had been soft and quiet, was starting to pick up.

Another dance was underway, and he spotted Rowan approaching the crowd of men and women surrounding Jovette.

"Hey."

Bel nearly jumped.

He quickly turned around and saw that it was Tobus.

"You want to dance?" he instantly blurted out before his brain could stop him.

Tobus looked at his offered hand and then stared at his face assessingly.

The music was starting to play a song, and Tobus pulled out a strip of silk from his pocket.

"Lord Uncle said no touching."

He tied the strip of fabric over both his palms and then placed his hand over them.

Bel was dumbfounded as he allowed him to do what he wished.

There was a smile on Tobus' face as he met his eyes. "Dance with me, Bel."

How could he say no to that?

The two of them quickly got onto the dance floor just in time.

---

Jovette dipped Rowan under the eyes of literally everyone.

Her father would no doubt be infuriated by who she chose to dance with for the first non-familial dance, but she would like to enjoy her coming-of-age to the fullest.

Toby's gift rested heavy in her hidden pockets.

She couldn't believe he had managed to get this particular breed of moths from her mother. She assumed she had sealed it away after Uncle Thibalt's death.

Toby had taken the moth larvae owned by his father and given it to her.

They were not like her mother's.

Her mother killed her targets by poisoning them, but her uncle, Toby's father, had moths that produced a hallucinogen so potent, it would render its victims insane.

It was a precious gift, one that Jovette swore to be the master of the moment the bottle felt into her hand.

She would not allow herself to stagnate and be weak in the face of change.

She would take Toby's gift and make herself worthy.

"You know, I'm pretty sure none of this allowed."

Rowan spun her around.

"Oh?" she smiled at him and was happy to see a red flush growing on his face.

He pursed his lips.

"Toby nearly killed me twice, and I cried like a baby both times."

Jovette chuckled and pressed a hand to his cheek. "Yeah, but you're charming in your own way. I like you enough to risk it."

"... I don't know if you've heard, but in Ohmlet, they had a civil war a few years back because a man and a woman from rival families eloped. They're calling the tragedy written in the stars. Destiny."

"I think meeting you all those years ago and getting to know you now is destiny. Death is not written in the stars. Not if Toby could help it."

"I guess you're right."

"Hey, we're not exactly civilians. I can't imagine behaving in a tragic and forbidden love with you. Our families might disapprove, but what can they do about it? Besides, Toby said yes to you. That's about eighty percent of all you need."

Rowan smiled down at her, his blue eyes soft with unreadable emotions. The lights all over the room made him appear almost ethereal. Enchanting. Captivating.

Jovette felt her breath stutter.

Oh.

OH.

He really was beautiful.

"My Lady." He brought her hand up to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

"Happy birthday."

"... Thank you."

She refused to dance with anyone else for the rest of the night.

---

The author has something to say:

More progress! I wanted to add Mercury and Pluto into this chapter, but the POV switches were too many for me to handle. Just imagine they're there.