Lucy had always envied her sister. Katherine was stunningly beautiful. Her hair was a cascade of auburn curls, her skin the color of honey, and her eyes held a mesmerizing softness. Anyone who looked into those eyes would have surrendered their life without a second thought.Her beauty wasn't just about sexuality or lust; it was something deeper. Even the dullest man would have fallen at her feet. Katherine's lips were a luscious red, her voice as sweet as a songbird's. She was a fairy tale brought to life. No one could believe she was a pauper, often having to save her food for the next day. She seemed to glow, even in her hand-me-downs.To Lucy, Katherine was perfect. She looked like a princess from a storybook. And she had a prince willing to give her the world. Katherine was engaged to a young baron who had just inherited acres of land and fields from his unfortunate uncle. They were to be married the following month, securing Katherine's future. Unlike Lucy."Be more like your sister," their mother would say as she helped Lucy into her dress. They no longer had a maid. "Less cynicism. Mind your tongue. And for heaven's sake, learn to walk like a lady.""I've tried," Lucy grumbled."No, you haven't," her mother tightened the corset."You're suffocating me, Mags!""You'll get used to it," her mother replied, unmoved."I'll die before a duke dances with me," Lucy said bitterly."At least you'll get a duke to notice you.""Mags!"Her mother rolled her eyes. "Stop whining."Katherine's arrival interrupted their argument. As always, she looked breathtaking. Her dress was new, a gift from her fiancé. "I think I hear a carriage," she announced.Mags smiled. "Well, off you go, darling. Your beau must be waiting. It takes forever to tame this bird's nest on your sister's head. Can you imagine how hard my job is?""It's not a bird's nest, it's hair!" Lucy retorted."Shut up, Luc!" Mags hissed."Well, see you at the ball." Katherine skipped down the stairs, greeting her fiancé warmly.Watching her eldest daughter, Mags smiled. "She's like a sweet deer, isn't she?""What am I, then?" Lucy asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice."A worm," Mags replied without hesitation."At least I can burrow into a deer and eat its organs from the inside out.""Stop it, Luc! That's disgusting." Giving up on Lucy's hair, Mags simply tidied it up. Then she brushed her youngest daughter's dress, making sure it was perfect.A carriage pulled up outside. Lucy was startled. "But we don't have enough money for a carriage.""So? How else are you going to get to the ball? Walk?" Mags' eyes narrowed."Well," Lucy shrugged, "I could run."Mags rubbed her temples. "Listen, Luc," she said, "this is an important ball. King Julian is hosting it. Not everyone gets invited. So I expect you to use this as an opportunity to find a wealthy husband. Understand?"What did running have to do with finding a husband? For a moment, Lucy wanted to ask, but decided against it. Instead, she nodded.Mags accompanied Lucy to the carriage. Before the coachman set off, she said, "Don't wipe your hands on your dress after eating. Don't lick your fingers. Use a handkerchief.""I'm not a child!" Lucy didn't even have a handkerchief."Good luck!" Mags waved as the carriage started moving. "Don't look at his face, look at his pockets, Lucy!""Oh, for heaven's sake! I get it! See you later!" Lucy sighed as the carriage turned a corner. Her lips turned down. Who would look at her, let alone her pockets?Still, she would try. Mags had gone out of her way for this. She had even cut back on their food to pay for the carriage. Lucy almost felt touched.The king's residence was quite a distance away. It took half an hour to get there. When she arrived, the place was already teeming with people. Everyone looked so elegant and wealthy in their fine clothes. Lucy's confidence dwindled as she glanced at her own outdated dress.As she entered the ballroom, she encountered a group of young men. They were dressed impeccably, their clothes shimmering, and their cuffs adorned with gold. They snickered at her, whispering among themselves. Lucy felt a surge of anger. She held her head high and walked away, but realized she should have been more gracious. How could she attract a baron, duke, or even a lord if she acted like that?The ballroom was vast. The King, Julian, sat on a throne-like chair, guarded by a few attendants. But really, guards were unnecessary. Beside Julian was Maximilian Silverstone, the kingdom's most formidable soldier. They said his strength was equal to that of a thousand men.And then there was Maximilian's son, Daniel. This was the reason for the ball. Daniel was of marriageable age. And Lucy had set her sights on him. But it would be a tough competition.Undeterred, Lucy planned to approach Daniel by weaving her way through the dancing couples. She would glide gracefully towards the throne, curtsy, and introduce herself. It would be so elegant.However, her plan went awry. Instead of gliding gracefully, she bumped into several couples, sending girls tumbling and tearing their dresses."What are you doing?" "You're crazy!" "Get out of here!"Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the dance floor. It was Katherine."What were you thinking, Luc?" she asked."I was just trying to mingle," Lucy defended.Katherine rolled her eyes. "That's not how it's done. Wait here, I'll ask George to help you." George was Katherine's fiancé."No, no, no," Lucy held onto her sister's arm. "Tell me how to flirt with men."Katherine sighed but agreed. She took two cups of punch from a passing servant and handed one to Lucy. "First of all—""Is that a chocolate cake?" Lucy interrupted, her eyes fixed on a nearby table.Katherine pointedly ignored her. "No, Luc. I know you love cake, but your hands will get sticky, and your teeth will be covered in chocolate. Men don't like messy girls."Lucy's shoulders slumped. She took a sip of her punch. It was sweet and fragrant. Her eyes drifted towards young Silverstone, who was dancing with another girl. But his eyes seemed to be on her. No, not her, but Katherine. Of course, Katherine could mesmerize men without even trying. It was so unfair.Suddenly, the music stopped. Daniel's gaze was drawn to the entrance. Everyone else followed his lead. A young man was walking in. What caught everyone's attention was not just his handsome face but his unusual hair. Half of it was silver, the other half dark gray.Lucy had heard rumors about him but had never seen him before. People said his hair was cursed. His family denied it, of course."Ah! Nightshade!" King Julian called out. He held out his hand.A slightly older man walked beside the young man. He was tall and imposing, dressed in a cloak that was fastened at one shoulder. Even standing next to Maximilian, Mr. Nightshade seemed more menacing. Lucy wondered how many soldiers it would take to defeat him.The music started again, and everyone returned to dancing, as if the arrival of the two men had been a mere interlude.Ignoring his father, the young man with the unusual hair turned and walked towards Lucy. He was incredibly handsome. His gray eyes seemed to hold a magical quality. Lucy's heart pounded as he approached.But it wasn't her he was approaching. It was Katherine. Of course. Even this extraordinary man was captivated by her beauty. Lucy felt a surge of bitterness. As long as her sister was alive, she would always be overshadowed. No man would ever look at her. She hated Katherine. She wished her sister would just disappear.