The dawn light filtered through the thin curtains of her room, casting delicate patterns on the wooden floor. Seventeen awoke with a sense of urgency thrumming in her veins. Today was pivotal—not only would she confront Draco, but she also had a message to send to Noah, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
Seventeen had only gone out in the morning for breakfast in the restaurant on the ground floor of the condominium her and the other doctors were staying. She chose to go for a Scale Toast—a multi grain toast with avocado, poached eggs, and a sprinkle of seeds—with Dove's Nest Oatmeal—a creamy oatmeal with honey, nuts, and dried fruit—and a mug of Turquoise Tea—an herbal tea infused with turquoise flowers. All meals you can only find in Whiteland or Downtown Zodiac, the most Libra breakfast possible.
After breakfast, she moved to her writing desk, where she had carefully hidden parchment and ink. Seventeen took a moment to gather her thoughts, the weight of her dual identity pressing down on her. As Serena, she had to be the compassionate healer, the girl who drew people in with her warmth. But beneath that façade lay a strategist, a manipulator who understood the delicate dance of power.
She began to write, her pen gliding over the paper.
[Father,
Everything is falling into place.
The council's instability has created an opportunity, and I'm rallying the six. They are eager for change, for a voice that represents their frustrations. C and H are already on board, and I plan to approach D today, A and S will soon follow with H's help, and C will help getting L on it also. I'll keep you updated as things progress.
Trust in me, and know I am with you in spirit, guiding our purpose, our cause. Together, we will rise from the ashes of this madness. We will make them pay for all that we've lost.
With unwavering loyalty,
Your daughter,
Seven]
Seventeen folded the parchment carefully and sealed it with a small wax emblem she had fashioned herself—an intricate design that symbolized her connection to Noah, it was burgundy and marked with a serpent on it. She would send it off with a trusted messenger later, ensuring that Noah received it without raising suspicion.
※※※
Draco paced his room, the late morning sun casting shadows across the floor. He was lost in thought, his mind a tempest of conflicting emotions. The council meeting had unsettled him, their arrogance overshadowing the real issues that plagued their districts. He felt trapped in a gilded cage, forced to play the role of the dutiful son while his heart yearned for something more—something real.
His thoughts drifted to Seventeen, the enigmatic girl who had taken Downtown Zodiac by storm, then Imperious, and now she was there, at him home, in Whiteland. There was something intoxicating about her; she had a way of seeing through the facades everyone wore. But today, her intentions seemed clearer, more focused. The idea of rebellion had sparked a flame within him, one he had tried to extinguish for years.
He recalled their last conversation, how she had challenged him to think beyond loyalty to his family. He had never loved his parents—not after what they had done. The brutal murder of his younger sister haunted him, a constant reminder of the darkness lurking within their power. They demanded his loyalty, projecting a sense of duty that felt more like a chain than a bond. He loathed them, their hypocrisy, but that loathing was buried beneath layers of obligation and fear.
Suddenly, a knock at his door broke his reverie. "Draco?" It was Astraea, his mother. "Can we talk?"
["Fuck. Right now? Isn't it too early?"]
With a sigh, he opened the door, plastering on a smile. "Of course, Mother. What's on your mind?"
Astraea stepped inside, her expression serious. "I wanted to check in on you. The council's decisions are causing quite a stir, and I know you've been feeling the pressure."
Draco nodded, making sure to look grateful for her concern, all while also aware that she had her own agenda. "I'm fine, just…thinking."
"Thinking is good," she replied, her ice blue eyes piercing, mirroring his own. "But remember, loyalty to our family is paramount. We need to maintain our position in Whiteland, especially with the other districts growing restless."
He nodded, but in his heart, he felt the dissonance between her words and his growing desire for change. "I know, but sometimes I wonder if we're doing the right thing. People are suffering under the council's rule. What if there's a better way?"
Astraea's gaze sharpened. "Be careful, Draco. Questioning the council's authority can lead to dangerous consequences. You have a duty to uphold our family's legacy."
"I understand," he replied, but the fire within him refused to dim. As she left, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, and the burden of expectation weighed heavily on his shoulders.
※※※
With her message securely hidden away for delivery, Seventeen prepared to meet Draco. She had spent the morning considering how best to approach him, the delicate balance between allure and strategy pulsing in her mind. She could not afford to reveal her true intentions too soon; she needed to draw him in, to make him believe in her vision.
As she made her way to the park where they had agreed to meet, she felt the energy in the air shift. The whispers of rebellion danced on the edges of her thoughts, but there was also the thrill of potential—the chance to play the game at a higher level. She had dressed a baby blue dress and muted dark blue knee-high heeled boots, all that harmonized well with her—Serena's appearance, and that would give her a bit more height. Seventeen was never one to lack confidence, but Draco made her constantly annoyed with their phenomenal height difference.
The park was lush and vibrant, a stark contrast to the turmoil she felt inside. Birds chirped in the trees as she arrived, spotting Draco seated on a bench, his posture tense and guarded. He looked up as she approached, his expression a mixture of curiosity and something deeper—an unspoken understanding of the stakes.
"Serena," he greeted, his deep voice warm yet cautious.
"Draco," she replied, offering a smile that concealed the tumult beneath. "I hope you're well."
"I'm managing," he said, but she could see the shadows lurking behind his eyes. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said last time."
"Good." She leaned in, her voice softening. "You're not alone in this, you know. There's a whole world out there waiting for us to change it. I believe you want that too."
Draco hesitated, his vulnerability surfacing. "It's not that simple. My family—"
"—is not your only choice," Seventeen interjected gently. "What if we could build something new together? Something that reflects our hopes instead of our fears?"
His brow furrowed as he considered her words. "And what if we fail? What if it costs us everything?"
["It's a gamble. But it's better than doing nothing."] Seventeen reached across the bench, her fingers brushing against his. "Then at least we tried. At least we stood for something, instead of hiding behind empty loyalty. You have the power to shape your destiny, Draco."
He studied her, searching for deception but finding only sincerity in her gaze. "You really believe that?"
"I do," she replied, her heart racing as she realized how close they were. The air around them seemed charged with possibility. "I believe in you, and I believe in us."
In that moment, something shifted between them. Draco's walls began to crumble, and she could see the yearning for freedom reflected in his ice blue eyes. They were close, closer than before, than they should be, it felt dangerous in a exciting way. But before he could respond, the sound of footsteps broke the spell.
"Draco!" a familiar voice called. It was Hunter, rushing toward them, his face flushed with urgency. "You won't believe what I just heard."
Draco straightened, the moment slipping away as Hunter approached. "What is it?" he asked, his tone shifting to one of concern.
Hunter leaned in, lowering his voice. "I've just learned that there's been talk among the council about cracking down on dissenters. We need to be careful—if they catch wind of our plans…"
Seventeen felt a chill race down her spine. The council was becoming increasingly wary, and their window of opportunity was closing. She needed to act swiftly.
"I'll talk to Claus," Hunter continued. "We need to regroup and discuss our next steps."
"Absolutely," Draco agreed, but his gaze lingered on Seventeen, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
As the conversation shifted back to plans, Seventeen's mind raced. She had to keep the momentum going, to weave Draco further into her tapestry of rebellion while ensuring that Noah remained informed.
"Let's meet tonight," she suggested, her voice steady. "We can gather everyone and solidify our plan. The council's threats may be looming, but we can't let fear dictate our actions."
["I got him. I finally got him."]
The trio agreed, their camaraderie igniting a spark of hope within her. As they walked back through the park, the shadows of uncertainty loomed large, but so did the promise of change.
※※※
Draco walked alongside Seventeen and Hunter, the tension within him palpable. She had stirred something within him, a longing for purpose that he hadn't felt before. But with every step, the reality of their situation seeped back in—his family's expectations, the looming threat of the council.
"Serena is right," Hunter said, breaking the silence. "We can't let fear rule us. If we don't stand up now, when will we?"
Draco nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He stole a glance at Seventeen, her features illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun. Her softly tanned skin, the long wavy golden hair, her bright blue eyes. She wasn't his type, at all, in fact, she was far from it, but for some reason, a part of him couldn't help by think of her in a dangerous way, a way that got his very being craving to know more of her, to have more of her. He was still suspicious, but those thoughts weren't as recurring as before. Her passion was infectious, and yet he couldn't shake the apprehension settling in his gut.
"Tonight," he murmured, his thoughts racing. Tonight would be the night everything changed.
As they approached the council grounds, Draco felt the weight of responsibility settle onto his shoulders. He had a choice to make, and in that choice lay the fate of not just himself, but everyone around him.
※※※
That evening, as darkness enveloped Whiteland, Seventeen prepared for their clandestine meeting. She had sent her message to Noah, her heart buoyed by the knowledge that he was with her in spirit. Now, she stood before her mirror, adjusting her appearance to ensure she looked every bit the part of the kind, bubbly healer she had portrayed.
She practiced her smile, reminding herself of the delicate balance she had to maintain. She needed to be approachable yet authoritative, warm yet fierce.
They needed Serena, but the Serena of tonight needed a bit of Seventeen.