The moon hung low in the sky, its silver glow bathing the Argent estate gardens in a soft, ethereal light. Lila wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders as she wandered through the garden paths. Sleep had eluded her, chased away by the haunting words of the anonymous letter.
The cool night air did little to calm her racing thoughts. Was she truly in danger, or was the letter a ploy to manipulate her? The faint rustling of leaves drew her attention, and she froze mid-step, straining her ears.
Voices. Low, urgent, and unmistakably secretive.
She tiptoed closer, slipping behind a hedge, her pulse quickening. Two figures stood beneath the shadow of an oak tree, their faces obscured by the dark.
"… the festival is the perfect opportunity. She'll be vulnerable there," one of them murmured.
"Are you sure the Queen will approve?" the other asked, their tone laced with unease.
"She doesn't need to approve. This is bigger than her. Eldoria's balance depends on this."
Lila's heart pounded. Were they talking about her?
A branch snapped beneath her foot, and both figures turned sharply in her direction. She barely stifled a gasp and bolted back toward the manor, her skirts tangling in the underbrush. Behind her, footsteps gave chase, but she reached the estate doors before they could catch her. Slamming the door shut, she leaned against it, breathless.
Who were they? And what did they mean about the festival?
The warmth of Adrian's study was a stark contrast to the chill of the garden. The flickering firelight danced across the room, casting long shadows on the bookshelves.
Lila stood near the hearth, her hands trembling as she recounted what she had overheard in the garden. Adrian sat in his chair, his expression inscrutable, but his eyes never left hers.
"And you're certain they mentioned the festival?" he asked, leaning forward.
"Yes," she replied, her voice shaky but firm. "They said it was the perfect opportunity, that I would be vulnerable."
Adrian exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "This changes things. If the festival is a target, we'll need to increase security."
She hesitated before speaking. "Adrian… what if the letter is connected to this? What if it's a warning, not a threat?"
He stood and crossed the room, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We can't take any chances. I'll handle this, Lila. But you need to promise me something—don't act on this alone. You're not alone in this anymore."
His words warmed her more than the fire ever could. For the first time, she felt the weight of her family's protection, a fragile but growing trust between them.
"I promise," she whispered.
The knock at the drawing room door was sharp and deliberate. Lila glanced up from her book, startled. Who could be visiting at this hour?
The butler entered, bowing slightly. "Lord Evandale to see you, Lady Lila."
Ciel? Her heart skipped a beat as he stepped into the room, his presence commanding as always. His dark cloak was dusted with the faint traces of travel, and his expression was unreadable.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Lord Evandale?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light despite the sudden tension in the air.
He gave a small, sardonic smile. "Pleasure isn't quite the word I'd use. I came to warn you."
Lila's brow furrowed. "Warn me about what?"
"The Queen has been… unusually active in her correspondence. She's reaching out to nobles, whispering about alliances and betrayals. I thought you should know."
Her grip tightened on the book in her lap. "Do you think she's targeting the Argents?"
"Targeting you," he corrected, his gaze piercing.
The room fell silent.
"Also," he added, almost as an afterthought, "I heard about the letter you received."
Her eyes widened. "How did you—"
Ciel held up a hand. "I have my ways. Be careful, Lila. Not everyone around you can be trusted."
With that, he turned and left, leaving her to grapple with the weight of his words.
The Argent family sat around the long dining table, the air buzzing with tension as Callum outlined their strategy for the upcoming festival.
"The festival is more than just a celebration," he began, his tone serious. "It's an opportunity to assert our family's position in the court. Lila, you'll be front and center this time."
Lila blinked, startled. "Me?"
"Yes," Callum said firmly. "You've made an impression recently. The court is watching you, and we need to capitalize on that. You'll accompany me during the opening ceremony and handle some of the introductions."
"I've never done anything like this before," she admitted, her voice wavering.
Callum's expression softened, a rare occurrence. "You'll do fine. You've proven you're capable."
Adrian chimed in, his tone teasing. "Besides, you'll have the rest of us to back you up if you stumble."
A small smile tugged at Lila's lips. For the first time, she felt more than a burden to her family. She was becoming an asset, someone they could rely on.
The conversation shifted to logistics, but Lila's thoughts lingered on her newfound role. The festival would be her debut, her chance to prove herself—not just to the court, but to her family as well.
The balcony was bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun as Lila stepped outside for a moment of solitude. The day's events had left her mind spinning, and she needed a moment to collect herself.
She hadn't expected Elyas to already be there, leaning casually against the railing.
"Do you make a habit of sneaking onto balconies uninvited?" she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
He turned, a smirk playing on his lips. "Only when the view is worth it."
Her cheeks flushed, but she refused to rise to his bait. "What are you doing here, Elyas?"
He shrugged. "I came to see how you're handling all the attention. Not everyone thrives under the court's watchful eye."
"I'm managing," she replied curtly.
"Good," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "But be careful. The court's attention is a double-edged sword. And not everyone who claims to love you has your best interests at heart."
She met his gaze, searching for meaning in his words. "What are you trying to say?"
"Just… don't trust too easily, Lila," he said softly before turning to leave.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lila remained on the balcony, her mind a whirlwind of questions and doubts.