Draco studied Serena's expression, the way her gaze drifted away, lost in thoughts she wouldn't share. "You're stronger than you realize," he said softly, trying to encourage her to open up. "But pretending everything's fine won't help you in the long run."
She shook her head, a flicker of frustration crossing her features. "It's complicated, Draco. I can't just lay my past out for everyone to see. Not even you."
He took a deep breath, the weight of her words settling on him. "I get that. But we're a team now. Whatever you're dealing with, you don't have to face it alone. I won't push you, but I'm here whenever you're ready."
She met his gaze, and for a moment, he thought he saw something shift within her. "It's just… the rulers of Gemini remind me of things I've tried to forget," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Their presence stirs up memories I'm not sure I can face."
Draco's heart ached for her. "If you want to talk about it, I'll listen. No judgments, I promise."
※※※
["Did our roles just get reversed?"]
Seventeen appreciated his kindness, yet the weight of her secrets felt insurmountable. "I appreciate that, really. But some things are just too deep," she said, forcing a smile to ease the tension.
"Alright, but remember, I'm not going anywhere." He paused, glancing toward the ongoing celebration. "Let's not keep the others waiting. They'll worry."
Seventeen nodded, her heart warmed by his reassurance. As they made their way back into the festivities, she felt a little lighter, but the unease lingered just beneath the surface.
※※※
As they rejoined their friends, Draco couldn't help but watch Seren carefully. The way she interacted with everyone—her laughter, her wit—it was all genuine, yet he could still sense the hidden layers beneath her exterior. The bond they were forging felt real, yet fragile, like a delicate tapestry waiting to unravel.
"Hey, there you two are!" Light exclaimed, breaking into their thoughts as they returned to the group. "We were starting to think you were plotting something!"
Serena chuckled, her smile brightening. "Just needed a moment to breathe. It's a bit overwhelming, don't you think?"
"Absolutely! But look at all the attention we're getting! This is our moment, pretty girl!" Claus chimed in, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
["Is she still leading my cousin on? Can't Claus read the mood? She's clearly not into him. She's never been. She's into me!"] Draco clenched his jaw, annoyed at how he flirted with her.
Hunter leaned against a nearby pillar, arms crossed. "Just don't let it go to your head, Claus. We still have to keep our wits about us, especially with the council keeping an eye on us."
※※※
As they chatted, Seventeen found herself relaxing again, the camaraderie wrapping around her like a warm blanket. Their friendship was something she cherished for now, but a flicker of doubt remained. Could she truly let them in? Would they understand the shadows that lurked behind her smile?
A part of her doubted anyone could.
Then, as if sensing her hesitation, Draco leaned closer, his voice low. "You're doing great, you know. Just be yourself."
She met his gaze, and for a moment, she felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Draco. That means a lot." ["As if they would accept me as Seventeen. I would never fit in. I can only be Serena with them for now."]
※※※
As the night progressed, the rulers of the Zodiac Archipelago continued to congratulate the victorious group, each couple offering gifts that represented their respective districts. When the moment came for the Gemini rulers to step forward, Draco watched closely as their eyes found Serena.
"What a remarkable achievement," Zane said, his voice smooth, yet Draco could hear the underlying curiosity, in an uncomfortable amount. "You have proven yourselves worthy, but I must say, I am particularly impressed by the Cancer member among you."
Draco tensed, the way Zane's gaze fixed on Seventeen made him feel protective. "She played a crucial role in our success," he stated firmly. "We couldn't have done it without her."
Gwyn's expression was thoughtful as she studied Serena, who stood tall but visibly tense. "Yes, we recognize the strength and resilience of Cancer. But it is also intriguing to see a newcomer among us. Especially when she's a doctor, no? I never thought a doctor could so well in a tournament like this."
Draco noticed how Serena's breath hitched slightly, her fingers tightening around the pendant they had received.
※※※
Their gazes felt like a spotlight on her, illuminating every crevice of her being. "Thank you," she managed, forcing the words past her lips, even as a familiar chill crept into her bones. "I appreciate your recognition."
Zane's eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to recall a memory buried deep. "It's always refreshing to see new talent emerge, especially when it comes from a lineage with so much potential. I mean, what is the D'Angelo lineage again?"
Seventeen's heart raced as she sensed the intensity of their gaze, the silent questions lingering in the air. She had to maintain her composure, to present the perfect façade. "I hope to continue proving myself," she said, wishing she could disappear from their line of sight. "I was given the D'Angelo name in the orphanage I came from, in Loveliar."
"So, your parents aren't from Cancer?" Gwyn got a bit closer, taking every detail of her in.
"No. I don't know where they are from, or which district they were from, only that we were from different one, and per the Kingdom's rule, I should be stripped of my parents and thrown into an orphanage. I was never adopted in Loveliar, many kids aren't, I was one of the unlucky ones. I grew to where I am from my own effort and abilities, when you aren't a child who inherits big things from your known or unknown parents, your lineage matters not," she did her best to keep a steady tone as she wove her lies around them with ease.
"The system is necessary for balance," Jove de Lavissaye exclaimed.
"Of course. Balance. That's the most important thing, isn't it?" She said softly, innocently, but there was sarcasm underlying for anyone who was smart enough to catch on. "Although one would say only those born of privilege and who have never suffered any pain or loss, would prioritize that over the lives of so many newborn babies. But it's not like we're getting any of those babies killed, right? The rulers of the Kingdom would never allow anyone to kill innocent children."
["I'm sick of this bullshit."]
"We don't kill innocent children," Astrea de Lavissaye interjected sharply.
"Every children is born innocent. Only the Gods can say otherwise," she smiled softly but there was poison in the curl of her lips. "That's what I believe as a doctor. My duty is to save all lives, not to take them. Only a God could judge the opposite, no? There are no Gods on land."
"Spoke like a true renowned doctor!" Gwyn Vaughn smiled. "Since when have you been working as a healer..., Serena?"
"Since I was 14, there's not much one can do when their magic is all about healing," she brushed away, doing her best not to engage much further.
"For someone who's just a healer, you did pretty grate fighting in the arena," Queen Seraphina Villareal taunted.
"It's precisely because I was raised an orphan that I know how to fight," she countered calmly. "Being an orphan didn't make me less worthy of anything, we don't know who my parents are, they could be anyone. It won't change the fact that I'm strong and extremely capable and worthy of all I've conquered through hard work," ["I'm full of bullshit."]
※※※
["Seven is an orphan, that explains a lot. But why do I feel like she lied about not knowing who her parents were? And did she just confront my parents? That was hot—but dangerous!"]
Draco felt an overwhelming urge to intervene, to shield Serena from their prying eyes. But before he could act, Hunter stepped forward, breaking the tension with his infectious enthusiasm. "We're all excited for what's to come! This tournament has only fueled our determination!"
The rulers shared glances, their expressions unreadable, but Draco caught the slight shift in their demeanor. Perhaps Hunter's energy would shift the focus back to the group rather than dwelling on Serena's past.
As the rulers continued to congratulate them, Draco made a mental note to check in on Serena later. She was strong, but he wanted to be sure she knew she didn't have to bear her burdens alone.
※※※
Once the formalities concluded and the night shifted toward celebration, Seventeen felt a sense of relief. She surrounded herself with her friends, focusing on their laughter and camaraderie. Yet, the Twinscott's rulers' lingering presence was hard to shake.
Eventually, the festivities began to wind down, and as the crowd thinned, she excused herself to step outside for a breath of fresh air. Leaning against the cool stone of the palace wall, she inhaled deeply, trying to clear her mind of the chaos.
"Mind if I join you?" Draco's voice cut through the silence, pulling her from her thoughts.
"Not at all," she replied, gesturing for him to sit beside her, she had felt his eyes on her during nearly the whole time, so she expected him to follow her sooner or later.
※※※
As they sat together in the dim light of the evening, Draco sensed the tension gradually easing from Serena's shoulders. "You handled yourself well back there," he said, his tone light. "Especially with the Gemini rulers. Them aside, I'm sorry about my parents and aunt Seraphina."
"Thanks. I just wish it wasn't so… complicated." She sighed, brushing a stray curl behind her ear.
He glanced at her, noticing the vulnerability in her expression. "Want to talk about it?"
"I don't know where to start," she admitted, her voice low. "I guess I've just been trying to fit in, to be someone I'm not. It's hard when you feel like your past is always lurking in the shadows."
"Then let's face it together," he encouraged, his gaze steady and reassuring. "You don't have to hide who you are. We're all in this together."
Serena met his darkened ice-blue eyes, a flicker of hope igniting within her. Perhaps with their bond growing stronger, she could find a way to confront the shadows that haunted her. And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't have to do it alone.
But the question was: could she push away the lingering memories of what his parents had done, and try allowing herself to give them both a chance?