The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the dorm room. It had been a long night.

Her mind kept circling back to the book, to the shifting plot, to the feeling that someone—somewhere—was pulling the strings. But she wasn’t the same Vaelis Cara who was once at the mercy of fate.

She was rewriting her own story.

A vibration on her phone broke her thoughts.

Lucien: Meet me at the West Courtyard in 10 minutes. Don’t be late.

Vaelis arched an eyebrow. Lucien rarely spoke to her directly, let alone summoned her like this.

Curious, she finished her coffee, grabbed her coat, and made her way outside.

—

The West Courtyard was a picturesque part of campus, with marble benches, neatly trimmed hedges, and a small stone fountain in the center. The morning air was crisp, tinged with the scent of damp earth from last night’s rain.

Lucien stood beneath a towering willow tree, his dark trench coat blending into the shadows.

He didn’t belong in the softness of daylight—his presence was something sharp, something that made the air feel heavier.

Vaelis approached but kept a measured distance.

"You called?"

Lucien looked at her, his gaze unreadable. A gust of wind blew, sending a few stray leaves swirling between them.

"You’ve been busy," he remarked.

Vaelis tilted her head. "Is that a problem?"

He chuckled, low and deep. "No. Just interesting."

She crossed her arms, unimpressed by his cryptic words. "If you called me here just to be vague, I have other things to do."

Lucien’s gaze darkened slightly, but instead of pressing her, he pulled something from his pocket and tossed it toward her.

She caught it instinctively. A business card.

Her breath hitched.

Élaisse – Luxury Consignment House

She glanced back at him, wary now. "Where did you get this?"

"You’re not the only one who knows how to gather information," he said casually. "A luxury consignment business is an ambitious choice for a student. Most people wouldn’t even think of it."

Her fingers tightened around the card. She had been discreet about this. The business was still in its early stages, a passion project she wanted to expand. She had started it under a different identity, using it to gain financial independence.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.

Lucien stepped closer, just enough for her to catch the faint scent of expensive cologne—subtle, but unmistakable.

"An offer," he said smoothly. I know you’re planning to expand. I can help you secure a place in the highest circles. And the real question wasn’t why he was interested—it was why now.

She exhaled slowly, then asked, "Since you’ve been reborn, why are you helping me? What’s your motive?"

For the briefest moment, Lucien’s expression changed.

A flicker of something raw—something that looked almost like recognition.

Like he had been waiting for this moment.

But it was gone just as quickly, his face slipping back into its usual cold indifference.

"Take your time, but don’t take too long," he said instead.

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving her with more questions than answers.

—

That evening, Vaelis sat in her dorm, staring at the business card once again.

Élaisse.

The business had started small—select luxury items, carefully curated and resold to those with the taste and money to appreciate them. But now, if she wanted to take it to the next level, she needed more influence.

Lucien’s offer could open doors she wouldn’t have access to on her own.

But working with him meant playing a different kind of game.

And Vaelis wasn’t sure whether she wanted to invite a man like Lucien into her world.

Her phone buzzed again.

Lucien: Decide soon.

A slow smirk curled on her lips.

The game had begun.