**Viscountcy of Greenhaven**
As the first rays of sunlight kissed Klaire's face, she stirred awake, the rhythmic clatter of the train slowly fading as it approached its next stop. Klaire stretched, bracing herself for what lay ahead. Her journey was far from over. Stepping off the train, she glanced back, her eyes meeting Eric's one last time.
"This is it. My stop," Klaire said, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks again for everything, Eric. It was... nice seeing you again, I guess. Hopefully, we won't run into each other anymore."
Eric chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow. "Most people hope for the opposite, but you don't."
Klaire crossed her arms, her tone teasing but resolute. "No offense, but every time we meet, something terrible happens. It's always some near-death situation or catastrophe. I don't know if it's bad luck or if we just attract trouble, but I think it's better if we steer clear of each other. Not that you're a bad person—it's probably me. Anyway," she unfolded her arms, giving him a light pat on the shoulder, "good luck, Eric. I hope your stepmother stops sending assassins after you. Goodbye."
And with that, she turned away, disappearing into the bustling crowd, her pace steady and unbothered by the chaos she left behind.
Eric stood there, watching her go, his expression unreadable. He whispered under his breath, a smirk tugging at his lips, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Klaire."
---
**Inside Alaric's Private Chambers**
A shadow moved swiftly through the dimly lit room, its figure cloaked in black, silent as the night. The intruder's eyes darted nervously, scanning the space, searching for something of great value. He could feel the seconds ticking away, knowing the prince could return at any moment.
"Looking for this?" A voice, low and cold as ice, cut through the silence. Alaric stood in the doorway, his silver hair glinting in the faint light, his presence chilling the room.
Before the intruder could react, a blade flashed. In a single, swift motion, the figure crumpled to the floor, unconscious before he could even register what had happened. Alaric wiped the blood from his blade with eerie precision, peeling off his gloves and replacing them with a fresh pair.
Hugon, Alaric's ever-loyal advisor, entered the room. "Your Highness," he began, "I believe the Empress is searching for the Dyrna Ring. It was my oversight that led to your absence being noticed. We tried to keep everything discreet, but..."
Alaric stretched his neck, exhaling in annoyance. "It was bound to be noticed sooner or later. By now, she'll realize we've been tampering with her underground operations. Soon, her worries won't just be about the ring—her entire network of resources will collapse. And when that happens, the Count will be of no further use to her."
Hugon nodded in agreement. "What shall we do with the intruder, Your Highness?"
Alaric's lips curled into a dark smile. "Perhaps it's time we gave my dear mother a little surprise."
---
**The Empress's Chambers**
A symphony of shattering glass and the clatter of upended furniture echoed through the grand halls. Servants rushed about, their faces pale with dread.
A young maid hurried towards the head maid, Haera Burne. "Ms. Burne, what's happening? Why is Her Majesty so furious?"
Ms. Burne's expression was as cold as stone. "Gather the rest of the maids and follow me. Her Majesty's chambers need immediate attention."
Inside the Empress's room, Delsanra Beiroris was a vision of fury. Her hands were stained with blood from clenching her fists so tightly, her breath ragged, her face twisted in rage.
"Useless! All of them!" she screamed, pacing furiously, her once regal demeanor now replaced with raw desperation.
Ms. Burne entered without hesitation, immediately tending to the Empress's wounded hands. Silently, she wiped the blood away, signaling the maids to begin cleaning the chaotic mess in the room.
As the Empress stared at her bloodied palms, a male servant entered, his face pale as he hesitated at the door.
"What is it, Haera?" the Empress demanded, her voice dangerously calm.
Haera, usually unshakable, avoided her gaze. "Your Majesty... there's something you need to see."
She gestured for the maids to leave before the male servant brought in a wooden box, placing it on the table. The Empress approached cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. With a deep breath, she opened it.
Inside lay a severed finger.
Her face paled instantly, though she knew exactly whose hand it was. "That fool..." she muttered, biting her lip as she paced. "The account book is missing... and now this. It has to be him."
It was like bad news stack upon one another.
Her fury was palpable, her mind racing with the implications. She had once been an innocent princess, married off to the Emperor of Emberfall, hopeful and naive. But years of neglect and humiliation had twisted her. The Emperor had never touched her, never even glanced her way. Consumed by frustration and the fear of losing favor, she sought any means to secure her position, including sleeping with strangers to conceive an heir. However, she was infertile, a reality that only fueled her anger. Pressured by her homeland and the imperial court, she did whatever was necessary to retain her title. But it was never enough.
And then there was Alaric. The crown prince. The only one who had ever stirred something within her. But neither the Emperor nor Prince Alaric had shown her any love. That rejection had turned her bitterness into a festering wound. And now, if she couldn't have Alaric's love, she would have his downfall. Even if it meant destroying him in the process.
—-
Klaire strolled through the bustling market, a warm meat skewer in her hand, the savory aroma mingling with the scents of fresh bread and spices from nearby food stalls. Each bite brought a strange comfort, but her mind wandered to thoughts of Rohese. What is she up to now? She's probably frantically searching for Lunette by now. A sigh escaped her lips.
As she meandered past a group of gossiping passersby, snippets of their conversation caught her attention.
"Did you hear? Lady Ashley Liabanise has returned," one whispered excitedly.
"Poor girl," another chimed in. "The viscountess was always too busy with her charitable works to care for her properly."
"Charity or not, the girl's spoiled," a third voice added with a scoff. "The Viscountess works for equality, yet her own sister is complaining about not getting enough attention. It's not her fault their parents died early. Selfish, if you ask me."
"But she's only eleven! She was kidnapped and held in seclusion for nearly a month. That would traumatize anyone," the first voice defended.
Klaire nearly choked on her food as she eavesdropped. Swallowing hard, she turned toward the gossipers, her curiosity piqued. "Excuse me, this young lady you're talking about... what's her name? What does she look like?"
The group looked at her, surprised. "You must be new here. The young lady's name is Ashley Liabanise. She's the youngest and only sister of Viscountess Eveline Liabanise of Greenhaven. Beautiful girl, blond hair, and striking brown eyes."
Klaire's heart sank. Why does that sound like little Ash? Her mind raced. She had planned to stay in Liabanise for a while, but if Ashley was there... it could complicate things. If they recognize me, I'll be in danger.
Klaire needed to be in a place where no one could recognize her.
Liabanise wasn't too far from Darkmoor Duchy, but now the risk felt too high.
No, Klaire decided. she shouldn't stay. If Ashley is truly there, then Klaire is glad she's safe, but getting involve is a must not.
And then there was Eric. The uneasy feeling he gave her lingered. What was he doing at the lake? Why was he on the same train? He knew what she really looked like, especially after the potion to change her eye color had worn off at the worst possible moment.
With a deep breath, Klaire knew she had to come up with a new plan. In this novel world, anything could happen, and the less people knew about her, the better.
---
**Darkmoor Duchy, Dawnspire County (Count Zadimous's Estate)**
"Honey, what are we going to do?" Countess Thassalia fretted, pacing anxiously across the grand parlor. "A letter from the palace arrived today. Every unmarried noblewoman is required to attend the selection event. With Lunette missing, how am I supposed to face the others? I've been bragging about her for years, and now I'll be the laughingstock among those old ladies!"
Count Zadimous rubbed his temples, weary from the stress. "I've already sent people to search for her. We'll get news in a few days, I'm sure."
"We don't have a few days! The selection is in a week!" Countess Thassalia's voice trembled with frustration.
Count Zadimous snapped back, his patience thinning. "And what would you have me do? Magically summon her back? Lunette's missing because you couldn't keep an eye on her!"
The countess's face reddened with anger. "Are you blaming me? After everything I've done for this family, for you, you're blaming me?!"
The count sighed heavily and approached her, softening his tone. "That's not what I meant, love. We'll find her. And if not, we still have Rohese. We can send her in Lunette's place and continue searching afterward."
Countess Thassalia looked at him in horror. "Rohese? As the crown princess? Never! That place belongs to Lunette and no one else!"
The count nodded. "You're right. But for now, sending Rohese keeps us in the prince's good graces. We don't have much choice."
Behind the door, Rohese listened to their conversation, her heart sinking. Her parents were planning to send her to the selection event like she was an object, merely to preserve their status. As she retreated to her room, she felt a deep sense of dread.
Opening a letter from Lunette, a line stuck out to her: " Don't let Father's corrupt ways overshadow you." What did Lunette mean by that? Did she know something that Rohese didn't? Was that why she ran away? But why would Lunette, who seemed to dream of the palace life, suddenly vanish?
Over the past few days, Rohese had been replaying everything in her mind. Lunette hadn't been herself for some time. It was almost as if... she had become someone else entirely.
---
**Meanwhile, Back to Klaire (or Lunette)**
Sitting in a wagon, Klaire studied the map in her hands, circling her next destination with care. She had met a merchant earlier—David Gilbin, who was returning to his hometown to care for his sick mother. When she'd asked him for his hometown-he had mentioned Alryne, a small, secluded town far from the bustling cities. A forgotten corner of the world.
It was perfect.
Alryne wasn't even mentioned in the novel, which made it the safest place for her to hide. Situated near the empire's border, it was visited by few and mostly inhabited by older folks. It would take weeks to reach, but Klaire felt it was her best chance for survival.
She sighed, a pang of guilt twisting in her chest. She had left so much behind—Rohese, Ashley, even her tangled past as Lunette. But this was a matter of life and death. She had no desire to be part of the novel's twisted plot. While she felt selfish, she had done what she could to help the characters. She warned Rohese. She left money for Ashley. And as for her parents? They were corrupt and cruel—she owed them nothing. Lunette had been terrible too, but now that Klaire had taken her place, she refused to carry the burden of someone else's sins.
That sounded too selfish of her.
Klaire closed her eyes and whispered a quiet prayer for forgiveness.
Soon as she close her eyes, a flashback surged through her mind. It was just before she stepped off the train. It felt as if fate had played a hand when she collided with someone—Hugon Stonehelm, a supporting character from the novel. His striking blonde hair and blue eyes made him instantly recognizable. While others might share those features, Hugon had a unique scar that sliced across his left thumb. What was Hugon doing on the train? Klaire couldn't shake the feeling it might be linked to Eric. A stepmother wanting her son dead sounded eerily similar to the male lead's backstory. Perhaps she was just too sharp or overly cautious, but Klaire felt the need to come up with several backup plans.
"I'm sorry, but I had no choice. In a world like this, survival comes first."
With that, she set her sights on Alryne, her mind made up. No one could find her there. Not the novel's villains, not her past, and certainly not the main characters.