Aria moved like a ghost through the palace halls—quiet, composed, unreadable. Servants bowed as she passed, unaware that the girl in front of them had already died once.
Inside, her heart raced.
Seventeen again.
The Imperial Debut Ball was just hours away—where the kingdom's young nobles would be introduced to society. Where Selene would "accidentally" bump into the prince, fall into his arms, and begin the sweet, manipulative game that would end with Aria's ruin.
[Mission Reminder: Prevent the Engagement.]
[Failure Penalty: System Lockout – Permanent.]
[Bonus Objective: Publicly Humiliate the Heroine. Reward: +5 Charisma, "Social Predator" title.]
Aria smirked. "That's new."
She sat at her vanity, eyeing her reflection. This face… too soft, too passive. No wonder they had underestimated her before.
Not this time.
She opened a hidden drawer and pulled out a velvet box. Inside lay a sapphire choker—an old gift from her mother. Elegant. Noble. Intimidating.
She fastened it around her neck like a weapon.
That evening, the ballroom glittered like a dream: chandeliers bathed the guests in golden light, while violins whispered lullabies of politics and power. Nobles circled each other in gowns and masks, offering smiles sharp as daggers.
And then, a hush.
He had arrived.
Crown Prince Kael Aurelion.
Tall. Cold. Beautiful in a way that didn't feel human. Eyes like winter storms—distant, unforgiving.
He didn't smile.
And yet, every girl in the room leaned forward.
Aria did not. She sipped her wine, watching like a wolf in silk.
Then, just as she remembered, Selene appeared at the top of the stairs. Soft curls. Powder-blue gown. Tears ready to fall. Her specialty: the "innocent stumble."
She descended one step, then another—
And tripped.
Only this time, someone caught her first.
Not the prince.
Aria stepped out smoothly, her hand extended, eyes wide with "concern."
"Oh dear," she said sweetly. "You really must learn to walk properly. The prince has better things to catch than clumsy little girls."
Gasps.
Selene's face went pale.
Aria's lips curved.
[Bonus Objective: Complete.]
[+5 Charisma acquired. Title unlocked: "Social Predator."]
Kael's eyes met hers across the ballroom.
Cold. Calculating.
Interested.
And the game began.