Seventeen paced through the hallways of the prestigious Downtown Zodiac Hospital, her mind racing as the echoes of her earlier encounter with Draco lingered in the back of her thoughts. She had regained control, kept her composure, but the danger he represented was ever-present. Each step felt calculated, precise, as she moved with purpose.
The city outside was just waking up, the dawn breaking through the towering buildings and casting the hospital's polished marble floors in a warm glow. Despite the chaos of her inner world, Serena D'Angelo remained the perfect mask. The kind, bubbly, extroverted healer. She had perfected the persona, molding it to fit seamlessly into the lives of the six, well, there was a bit of a struggle regarding Draco. Her mission was not just survival—it was victory. And to win, she had to play every role to perfection.
Her eyes scanned the hospital floor, observing the bustling activity of doctors, nurses, and patients. Everything moved like clockwork, just as it should. Her gaze lingered on a group of interns huddled together near the breakroom, whispering excitedly about something—or someone.
"Have you heard about her?" one of them said, her voice hushed but filled with admiration. "Dr. Serena D'Angelo. She's been getting so much attention lately."
"I heard Crown Prince Claus Villareal was interested in her," the other added.
"But I heard she danced with Draco de Lavissaye," another joined the gossip.
"She danced with both," a fourth exclaimed excitedly. "Seems like she was dancing with Prince Claus when Draco interrupted and took her for a dance."
Seventeen suppressed a smirk, letting the praise wash over her without allowing it to disrupt her thoughts. She didn't care about their adulation—it was all part of the show. These people didn't matter. The six did.
"I don't think she's Draco's type," a fifth person said. "Hunter and Prince Claus had spread rumors that his type was darker hair between brown and red. Some say he isn't over the death of Scarlett Vaughn Doom, the heiress of Twinscott, who passed from a sickness when they were children."
"Well, Dr. D'Angelo looks better with the Crowned Prince, she looks like she could be from Imperious even, she has that grace, the kindness, the gold beauty in her hair," one more joined the gossip with a dreamy voice.
"I doubt Draco is into her, he is overprotective of his people, Prince Claus is his cousin and best friend," the one who brought Scarlett Vaughn Doom up, said. "He's probably just watching over his cousin. I believe he still have lingering feeling for the deceased Gemini heiress."
"They were kids," one scoffed. "It's been ages."
"True love lingers," the girl snapped back.
Her heart sank and she froze in her place, suddenly unable to pain attention at anything but the gossip between the group of nurses and doctors. Bile crawling up her throat at the mention of the name Scarlett Vaughn Doom, the deceased heiress of the Gemini district, it made her blind.
"Yeah, but rumors said the Gemini heiress was closer to Corvos Nightshade, not Draco de Lavissaye," another person joined in. "No wonder after her death the heir of Scorpion stopped being anywhere the other heirs were, he couldn't bare it."
"Corvos Nightshade doesn't like anyone, he's a psychopath," the one who was talking about true love snapped.
Seventeen's heart raced at the baffling... stupidity of the gossip. But their words sank deeper into her mind, making it harder for her to brush it away and go on with her work.
"Ah, yes, because you know the heirs personally, right, Melissa? Girl, get over yourself. We may be doctors here, but we're not on Dr. D'Angelo's level, she's a prodigy in medicine like no other. I heard the King and the Queen of Imperious were even considering making her the Royal healer."
"That will make her and the Crown Prince closer," the one who was rooting for Claus giggled.
"Marriage outside districts is prohibited," a guy mocked. "It's all just a mirage. In the end of the day, Prince Claus will marry a girl from Leo, Prince Draco will marry a girl from Libra, and she'll have no choice but to be with a man from Cancer. I might even have a chance."
The reality check of the current situation of the Zodiac Kingdom made Seventeen snap out of her daze. All because of the tyranny and the abuse of power going around for ages. The greed of the rulers had sculpted society like that, to have a minority rejoicing from it, while the rest are left to suffer under a fake sense of responsibility and tradition that was imposed on them a long time ago.
The tyranny that made everyone believe there were twelve instead of thirteen districts, that blinded the people from what is really happening, that censors any attempt of rebellion from within their districts. An abuse of power that gave birth to the overwhelming fear of losing that which they stole from others. Leading to them labelling those born under the Ophiuchus constellation as cursed, all because they have powers that exceed the rulers control, something they spread as an ideology.
Both causing the deaths of so many innocents, the trauma of so many families, as well as heightens the statistics of children abandoned in the dark zones, left to die, to have their life forced and magic slowly sucked out of their body. Stripping so many mothers of their babies, so many babies of their families and of a good future.
That's why she had to make sure the mission was successful, so she could bring the six back with her to start making change together as the prophecy says. To go back to Serpentpire, to her adopted parents Noah and Lilith, both who give their all to save as many forsaken babies from the dark zones as possible, giving them a place to live, a mission in life, a family. Training them, letting them know they are not cursed, they are blessed, they are strong, and they can fight for a better future.
He saved her. He saved all of her siblings. But that didn't wipe the memories away from her mind. The pain of the loss was still there.
"Stop being so pessimist, Kendrick," the girl who was all about true love snapped.
With new resolution, Seventeen left the hallway and the gossipers behind. As she did, her mind drifted back to the previous night at the ball. Claus. Draco. The tension. Each one of them represented a different facet of her plan, a different piece on the chessboard. Claus's growing affection was useful, a tool she could manipulate to ensure his loyalty. Draco's suspicions, though, were far more dangerous.
She turned a corner and slipped into her office, closing the door behind her. It was quiet here, a sanctuary from the web of lies she was weaving. Seventeen leaned against the desk, her mind replaying Draco's words.
"Maybe I'm waiting for you to slip up. Or maybe... I'm enjoying the game."
She hated that he had seen through her so easily, hated that he was clever enough to recognize her manipulations, to somehow actually figure her out, to get a hand of her nickname. But then again, Draco had always been different. The others were easier to fool, blinded by their own egos or too wrapped up in their own ambitions to notice the threads she was pulling.
With Draco, it was a constant battle of wits. He was always watching, always testing her. It excited her in ways she wouldn't admit, but it also made him the most dangerous of them all.
She crossed the room, moving toward the window, her gaze fixed on the skyline of Downtown Zodiac. From this vantage point, she could see the sprawling metropolis, the towering buildings that represented the power and wealth of the Zodiac Archipelago. There were Skyships everywhere, the Airborne Travel route was famous but required one to be comfortable in extreme high heights.
They were large, magical flying vessels powered by elemental air magic and enchanted crystals. Used for long-distance travel or for reaching the more remote districts. Commonly used for powerful tourists, inter-island traders, and long-distance travelers. Skyships were slower than maglev trains but offered scenic routes and luxury accommodations. And it could easily carry hundreds of passengers along with cargo.
It was one of the three main transportation systems in the Zodiac Archipelago. In the past months, since she had arrived in Downtown Zodiac, she had gotten a habit of going around through the electro-magical Maglev Trains, a modern invention combining magnetic technology with magical enhancements. They were high-speed trains that hover above the ground on a cushion of magnetic force, making travel between districts smooth and efficient. All while connecting the central hub of Downtown to all 12 districts, with dedicated tracks for each region.
Some of the trains specialize in cargo transport, but most of the others were for passengers. Famous for being extremely fast, traveling the distance between Downtown Zodiac and any district in a matter of hours, which was why they were so useful to her.
Then there's the waterborne vessels, ferries and cargo ships, actual ships on water. Most used for districts that are located along coastal regions or have significant water features, like Gothlyn, Whiteland, Scorpion, Traeh, of Liberty Hills. They are easily the most common mode of transportation. These include enchanted ferries and cargo ships that can travel swiftly across the sea. Primarily meant for coastal districts and for transporting goods between districts, especially for heavy cargo. They also serve as public transportation between islands. Many vessels have water-bending enchantments or wind manipulation to ensure safe and swift travel even in harsh conditions.
She had always found the engineering of the transportation systems in Zodiac Archipelago fascinating, even if she hates their political structure. Seventeen always respected creative minds that worked for the best of the population. Although she knew those engineers had rather worked for the profit instead.
In the distance, the grand palace that the Royals of Imperious has build to stay in when they came around Downtown Zodiac stood tall, a gleaming symbol of Leo's dominance.
It was almost poetic, in a way. The heirs of the twelve districts, all so powerful in their own right, all so certain of their place in the world. And yet here they were, pawns in a much larger game. A game that only Seventeen understood.
Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the windowsill as she plotted her next move. She would need to get closer to Amelia Saint-Montclaire soon—her influence was too important to ignore. Sablina Wysdomleaf, too, required more subtle attention. They were all key to the prophecy, all necessary for her endgame.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Seventeen turned, adjusting her expression into something softer, more approachable—Serena D'Angelo, the kind doctor.
"Come in," she called, her voice smooth and warm.
The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside. Light Valiant. Seventeen straightened slightly, masking her curiosity with a bright smile. Light had always intrigued her—she was sharp, headstrong, and not easily manipulated. She was the closest of the three girls to Draco, that said a lot on its own. But today, something seemed off.
"Serena," Light said, her tone a little more formal than usual. "I've been meaning to speak with you."
"Of course," Seventeen replied, gesturing for Light to take a seat. "What's on your mind?"
Light hesitated for a moment before sitting, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for hidden motives. Seventeen could feel the tension, the way Light's guard was up. She didn't trust easily, and Seventeen had to be careful. Especially if Draco had been talking in her ear.
"I've noticed you've been spending a lot of time around the others," Light said, her gaze locking onto Seventeen's. "Especially Claus."
Seventeen raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Claus and I have become friends. Is that a problem?"
Light's lips pressed into a thin line. "No, but... I don't think it's that simple. You're... different."
For a split second, Seventeen's heart skipped. ["Can Light see through me as well? Did that vulture say anything to her? I thought we had made considerable progress."] But she quickly composed herself, laughing softly. "Different how?"
Light's gaze narrowed. "I'm not sure yet. But I'll figure it out."
Seventeen felt a thrill of danger, her mind racing as she calculated her response. Light was perceptive, and if she was suspicious, that could complicate things. But suspicion wasn't proof. And Seventeen was nothing if not adaptable.
"Light," she said gently, "I'm here to help. That's all. I understand if you're wary—this world isn't exactly built on trust. But I hope, in time, you'll see that I have no hidden agenda."
A blatant lie, but delivered with such sincerity that even Light seemed to hesitate. Seventeen could almost see the wheels turning in her mind, the battle between suspicion and the natural instinct to trust.
Light stood up abruptly, shaking her head. "We'll see."
Seventeen watched her go, her smile fading the moment the door closed. Light was becoming a problem. One she would have to deal with sooner or later. But not yet. She still had time to maneuver, to manipulate.
With a sigh, Seventeen returned to her desk, pulling up the files she had been working on earlier. She had to keep up appearances, after all. The hospital staff needed to see Serena D'Angelo, the dedicated doctor, not Seventeen Whitlock, the girl of prophecy bent on revenge.
As she worked, her mind never stopped turning, never stopped calculating. There were so many pieces to move, so many layers to her deception. But she was patient. She would bide her time, play her role to perfection, until the moment was right.
And when that moment came, the six would be hers.