"When the river changes its course, even the fish must learn a new way to swim."

*******************

Rosaline tried to call her nerves down as the carriage rolled toward the imperial palace.

It had been the butler’s words, spoken quietly that afternoon after she had finally decided to attend.

Not advice.

Not comfort.

Just a simple truth.

And somehow, it had stayed with her.

Because that was exactly what today felt like.

A change in current.

A choice that could alter something she did not yet understand.

By the time evening arrived, her nerves had become a living thing inside her.

They sat low in her stomach, twisting and tightening each time she thought about where she was going.

The palace.

Again.

Without Xandros.

That was the part that unsettled her most.

Not because she needed him.

She refused to think that.

But because every time she entered those golden halls, something happened.

Something changed.

And tonight, she would be walking into it alone.

********

Her chambers glowed softly beneath candlelight as maids moved around her with practiced precision.

The dress Lily had chosen for her was different from the emerald gown she had worn to the royal ball.

Less dramatic.

No less beautiful.

It was a soft champagne-gold gown with fitted sleeves made of translucent silk and a bodice embroidered with tiny silver vines that seemed to shimmer whenever she moved. The neckline curved elegantly across her collarbones, modest enough for an afternoon / evening tea, but flattering enough to remind everyone exactly who she was now.

A duchess.

Lily adjusted the final pin in Rosaline’s white hair, stepping back to inspect her work.

Tonight, she had arranged it in a low braided knot, leaving several pale strands loose enough to soften her face.

"No flowers?" Rosaline asked, glancing at her reflection.

Lily smiled.

"You do not need them today."

Rosaline turned toward her.

"And why is that?"

"Because today," Lily said, brushing imaginary dust from Rosaline’s shoulder, "you need to look elegant... not approachable."

Rosaline laughed softly.

"That sounds ominous."

"It should."

Rosaline raised a brow.

Lily leaned in.

"You are going to the palace without His Grace. Which means two things."

Rosaline folded her arms.

"I’m listening."

"First...some people will assume you are vulnerable and make assumptions about your marriage."

Rosaline nodded, though slightly shaken.

"And second?"

Lily’s smile turned sharp.

"They will regret assuming that."

Rosaline laughed again, though her nerves remained.

A knock came at the chamber door.

"Enter," Lily called.

The butler stepped in, dignified as always, though his expression held unusual seriousness.

"Your grace," he said with a bow. "The carriage is prepared."

Rosaline nodded and moved toward the door, but the butler spoke again.

"I have also assigned another maid to accompany you."

She turned.

"Another maid?"

A younger woman stepped in from behind him.

She looked no older than twenty, with dark skin, wide eyes, and a timid posture.

"This is Mara," the butler said. "She will assist Lily."

Rosaline looked confused.

"Why would Lily need assistance?"

The butler’s voice became carefully neutral.

"Because His Grace gave explicit instructions."

Rosaline blinked.

"What instructions?"

The old man met her gaze.

"That you are not to be left alone."

Her chest tightened.

It was ridiculous.

Infuriating.

And somehow...

comforting.

She looked away first.

"I see."

The butler bowed again.

"Your safety is his first concern."

Rosaline said nothing.

Because suddenly she wasn’t sure she trusted her own voice.

The carriage ride to the palace was quieter than the first.

Perhaps because this time there was no duke sitting across from her, quietly pretending not to notice when she stared.

She looked out the window instead.

The streets of Dagon glowed beneath evening lanterns.

Vendors were closing their stalls.

Children were being called indoors.

The city was winding down.

But the palace...

the palace was just beginning.

Beside her, Lily noticed her silence.

"You’re thinking too much."

Rosaline turned.

"I am not."

"You are."

Rosaline sighed.

"It feels strange."

"What does?"

"Going there without him."

Lily’s mouth curved.

Rosaline noticed immediately.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Lily."

The maid folded her hands.

"I simply find it interesting."

"What is interesting?"

"That two weeks ago you wanted to run away from His Grace."

Rosaline narrowed her eyes.

"And?"

"And now you miss him enough to feel strange attending an event without him."

"I do not miss him."

Lily’s smile widened.

"Of course not."

Rosaline crossed her arms.

"You enjoy provoking me."

"Very much."

Mara, seated opposite them, tried very hard not to laugh.

Rosaline noticed.

"You too?"

The poor girl nearly choked.

"No, Your Grace!"

Lily laughed outright.

And despite herself...

Rosaline smiled.

The palace looked different during daylight.

At night, it had seemed untouchable.

A glittering monument built by gods.

But now, beneath the fading sun, it looked older.

More dangerous.

Its marble walls seemed to carry secrets.

Its golden towers reflected authority.

Its windows glittered like watching eyes.

As the carriage stopped, a servant immediately opened the door.

Rosaline stepped down carefully.

Her gown whispered over the stone.

The invitation had called it an "Evening Tea of Noble Ladies and Gentlemen"

Which sounded harmless.

That alone made her suspicious.

Inside, she was escorted not to the grand ballroom, but to a smaller palace wing.

Still luxurious.

Still intimidating.

But more intimate.

Soft music drifted through the halls.

Tea was already being served.

When Rosaline entered,... conversation paused.

She felt it immediately.

That subtle shift.

The room noticing her.

There were perhaps twenty women gathered.

Every one of them noble.

Every one beautifully dressed.

And every one accompanied.

Rosaline noticed that first.

Husbands.

Brothers.

Fiancés.

Men stood nearby in small groups, speaking quietly while the women socialized.

She alone stood without a partner.

The realization hit harder than expected.

Then she saw Seraphine.

Of course.

Seraphine stood near the center like she owned the room.

She wore deep red silk and enough jewels to shame a crown.

And around her clustered several noblewomen.

Like obedient birds.

The moment Seraphine spotted Rosaline, her lips curved.

Not warmly.

Never warmly.

"Duchess Rosaline," she said, loud enough for others to hear.

Rosaline approached with measured calm.

"Lady Seraphine."

The title was deliberate.

Seraphine noticed.

Her smile tightened.

"You came alone."

Rosaline lifted a brow.

"I was invited."

A few women exchanged glances.

Seraphine laughed lightly.

"Of course. I simply wondered whether His Grace trusted you enough to send you unattended."

Rosaline smiled.

"I wondered whether your father trusted you enough to let you out."

A few gasps.

One woman nearly dropped her cup.

Seraphine’s smile vanished for half a second.

Then returned.

Sharper.

"Oh," she said sweetly. "So she does speak."

Rosaline accepted a teacup from a servant.

"I always speak."

She took a delicate sip.

"I simply prefer not to waste words."

This time, even one of Seraphine’s own friends failed to hide her grin.

Seraphine’s jaw tightened.

Before she could respond, another voice interrupted.

"You may sit with me."

Rosaline turned.

A young woman sat alone near the window.

Dark-haired.

Quietly dressed.

Beautiful in a way that did not demand attention.

She gestured toward the empty chair beside her.

Rosaline accepted immediately.

"Thank you."

The woman smiled softly.

"I am Lady Elira."

Rosaline sat.

"Rosaline."

"I know."

There was no malice in it.

Only kindness.

Rosaline liked her instantly.

"You came alone too," Rosaline observed.

Elira nodded.

"My fiancé died last winter."

The words were simple.

No self-pity.

Just truth.

Rosaline’s expression softened.

"I’m sorry."

Elira shrugged gently.

"And you?"

Rosaline hesitated.

"My husband is... occupied."

Elira smiled knowingly.

"That sounds complicated."

Rosaline laughed.

"It is."

They spoke easily after that.

About how absurd noble gatherings were...most especially.

And for the first time that evening...

Rosaline relaxed.

Until the doors opened.

The sound was not loud.

But it changed everything.

Conversation stopped.

Men straightened.

Women turned.

Rosaline followed their gaze...

A man entered.

No... 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

not a man.

A force.

He was tall.

Taller than Xandros.

His hair was dark...not black, but midnight black...and it fell all the way to his waist like liquid silk.

His features were impossibly beautiful.

Sharp, Perfect, and dangerous.

And his eyes...

gold.

Cold gold.

The room reacted instantly.

Shock and whispers filled the room.

Even Seraphine looked unsettled.

Rosaline felt it too.

Not fear.

Something stranger.

As though her body recognized him before her mind did.

The man paused at the doorway.

His gaze moved over the room.

Ignored everyone.

And landed...

on her.

Rosaline froze.

Beside her, Elira inhaled sharply.

"Oh no."

Rosaline barely heard her.

Because he was already walking.

Straight toward her.

Not toward Seraphine.

Not toward the royal family.

Not toward the nobles.

Toward her.

Each step was deliberate.

Silent.

Predatory.

The room watched in complete silence.

Rosaline rose without meaning to.

Her pulse thundered.

He stopped directly in front of her.

Close enough that she could see the gold in his irises shifting like fire.

And then...

he smiled.

Slowly.

As though he had found something he had been searching for.

"Found you," he said.

And the room exploded into whispers.