The Slatemark Empire was the largest of the five continents, stretching across the Central Continent, home to nearly three billion people.
Among them, three million bore the title of nobility—lords, barons, counts, marquises, and dukes.
Yet, even for commoners, life in the Slatemark Empire was comfortable.
The standard of living was among the highest in human civilization.
Automation had taken over menial labor, allowing humans to focus on more complex and meaningful work. AI-powered systems handled infrastructure, logistics, and production, but humans still worked alongside machines in industries like cleaning, hospitality, and services—their presence irreplaceable, ensuring a level of finesse and warmth technology alone could never replicate.
And at the heart of this vast empire, stood Avalon.
A city of thirty million, spread across fifty thousand square kilometers—the crown jewel of humanity.
It was a symbol of progress, power, and prestige, standing unrivaled among human settlements.
In a premium coffee shop nestled in one of Avalon's most exclusive districts, two women sat together in a private booth, their cups resting on polished glass, the rich aroma of high-grade coffee lingering in the air.
The price of a single cup here was equivalent to what the average person made in a week.
But for these two, money was never a concern.
Because they were royalty.
Members of powerful families were akin to celebrities, their status earning them admiration, fascination, and envy from the masses.
The first of the two women was Rachel Creighton—her golden-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, her sapphire-blue eyes shimmering under the soft lighting. She was dressed casually, wearing a long-sleeve t-shirt, her posture relaxed yet poised.
Across from her sat Cecilia Slatemark, another woman of unquestionable beauty—though where Rachel's presence was warm and charismatic, Cecilia's was sharp and commanding.
Her crimson eyes flickered with amusement as she leaned back slightly in her seat, dressed in a stylish crop-top and skirt, her confidence unmistakable.
Rachel took a sip of her coffee, then set it down gently before speaking.
"So, why did you invite me here, Cecilia?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Cecilia smirked. "Tell me, Rachel," she said smoothly. "Did you realize something?"
Rachel raised a brow. "What?"
Cecilia's gaze glimmered with mischief. "Seraphina is cunning and cheeky, isn't she?"
Rachel blinked. "Really? I thought you were much worse."
Cecilia's expression didn't waver, though her smile twitched slightly at the jab. She ignored it and continued, "Think back to the Celebration Banquet. When you and I were arguing, and Seraphina dragged Arthur away."
Rachel stayed silent.
Because she remembered.
"We clash a lot, don't we?" Cecilia admitted, crossing her legs. "We're both vocal. We both care about Arthur. And because of that, we keep butting heads."
Rachel exhaled, tapping her nails lightly against her coffee cup. "Maybe you should just get out of the way," she murmured.
Cecilia's smile sharpened.
"But while we're busy fighting each other," Cecilia continued smoothly, "Seraphina plays smart—she watches, waits, and then takes advantage of our arguments to get what she wants."
Rachel frowned slightly. "…That has happened before."
Cecilia nodded, satisfaction flickering in her crimson gaze. "Exactly."
Rachel leaned back, contemplating the idea.
"She's a cheeky elf," Cecilia muttered under her breath, narrowing her eyes slightly.
Rachel huffed a quiet laugh before taking another sip of coffee.
She couldn't exactly disagree.
"Did you call me all the way here just to talk about Seraphina?" Rachel asked, raising an eyebrow. "We aren't fighting for Arthur, Cecilia."
"I know we aren't," Cecilia sighed, twirling the spoon in her coffee. "Because in that aspect, I would lose to both you and Seraphina."
Rachel's sapphire-blue eyes widened slightly.
Cecilia admitting something like that? So easily?
Cecilia scoffed at Rachel's surprise. "I'm not stupid, Rachel."
She leaned back against the cushioned seat, her crimson gaze steady.
"I know Arthur loves me just as much as he loves you both," she said smoothly. "But if it was a fight between the three of us for him, I would lose. Without a doubt."
Rachel stayed quiet, watching her carefully.
"Because I messed up at the beginning with him," Cecilia admitted, her fingers tapping lightly against the rim of her cup.
"Arthur doesn't care about that," Rachel said, frowning.
"Yeah, he doesn't," Cecilia chuckled, shaking her head. "But if he ever had no choice but to take only one of us, I would be his last choice."
Her voice was light, almost too casual.
"It's alright," she murmured. "I've come to live with that."
Rachel's fingers tightened around her cup.
"I don't know how you do it," she admitted after a pause. "I know you, Ceci. I know, even more than me…"
Cecilia didn't respond.
She just smiled.
A small, unreadable smile, one that Rachel had no words for.
The air between them grew heavy, and for a moment, neither spoke.
Then, Cecilia sighed dramatically, flipping her hair over one shoulder. "Well, this conversation got dark."
Rachel let out a breath, allowing the shift.
"Anyway," Cecilia said, her lips curling into a grin. "I didn't call you here just to talk about Seraphina."
Rachel took another sip of her coffee, arching a brow. "Then what?"
"You probably didn't notice, since you're an idiot," Cecilia said matter-of-factly.
Rachel's brows furrowed.
Then, Cecilia slid her phone across the table.
Rachel glanced down—and her expression immediately twisted.
Cecilia let out a mock gasp. "Wow, I should really take a picture of this face. The Saintess, actually shocked? What a rare sight."
Rachel shot her a glare.
But she didn't argue.
Because on the screen, there was a social media post.
A photo.
Of Arthur.
And Rin.
Together.
"You didn't notice," Cecilia continued, leaning back, "because Arthur never posts anything. Ever. But that girl Rin did. And now the whole damn world knows they're together."
Rachel exhaled sharply, placing her cup down a little too forcefully.
"But," Cecilia said, clicking on something else, "that isn't the worst part."
Rachel's eyes widened further.
Cecilia let out a low chuckle. "And you know…"
Her crimson eyes gleamed.
"I know for a fact that I'm the only one in this exclusive story group other than her brother and, well, Arthur himself."
Then, her smile sharpened.
"Looks like she needs to be taught a lesson."
Rachel let out a deep sigh. "Ceci, we can't just go after her. She's a princess. And she's stronger than us."
Cecilia flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Not if we're together."
Rachel rubbed her temple. "Alright, alright. Let's just go to Arthur's new estate first."
She reached for her phone—but before she could send the message, the booth door swung open.
Both women immediately turned their heads.
"Hey, we didn't or—" Cecilia started, before stopping.
Seraphina stood in the doorway.
Behind her, an employee shifted awkwardly, mumbling apologies.
Rachel excused him, and Seraphina stepped inside, gracefully taking a seat across from them.
Cecilia narrowed her eyes. "Did you bully him or something?"
Seraphina tilted her head. "Bully?"
Then, she gave them both a small, knowing smile.
"Hmm, no," she said simply. "I just said I wanted to meet you two. He said he couldn't allow it, so I said I was your friend and walked in."
"You two would be absolute disasters if Arthur wasn't around," Rachel sighed, resting her chin on her hand.
Cecilia scoffed. "Right. As if you would be any better."
She smirked, her crimson eyes glinting. "If Arthur hadn't chosen you, you'd probably be spending all your time in bed, doing—"
Her voice cut off instantly as a shimmering light flickered in Rachel's eyes.
Rachel smiled, but her expression was anything but sweet.
"Just because I let you speak, Cecilia Slatemark, doesn't mean you can go that far."
Cecilia grinned.
"Oh, come on. Prove me wrong."
She leaned forward, her voice mocking. "You were dying to do it with him. Still are."
Rachel's pursed lips twitched as she was about to release her light mana in retaliation.
But before she could—
Frost filled the air.
The temperature in the booth plummeted, an icy mist curling between them.
Seraphina's calm voice cut through the rising tension.
"Both of you. Don't destroy the place."
Her gaze was impassive, but the frost swirling around her fingers made her warning clear.
"If we're going to be sister-wives, we need to get along."
Rachel huffed and turned away. "I get along with everyone."
"Please, Rachel." Cecilia scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Your kindness act is so obviously fake."
Rachel's sapphire eyes narrowed. "It's not fake. Some people can actually care about others."
Cecilia raised a brow. "I care about the people I want to care about."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Seraphina let out a long, quiet sigh.
"I came to the wrong place, didn't I?" she muttered under her breath.