Gravella had pulled herself into a quiet corner of the grand hall. She smiled to avoid questions, to hide from curious eyes, but inside, a storm was raging.
Kaelreth D'Armonte began walking toward her with heavy, steady steps, ignoring the stares of the crowd. Just as Princess Elira was about to approach him, he changed direction. The crowd shifted slightly.
Gravella turned her head and first saw his boots. Then came that familiar, stern voice as she lifted her gaze:
"May I have this dance?"
Gravella's eyes widened. The hall fell silent. Her heart nearly stopped.
She wanted to flee. But she couldn't say no.
"O-of course, Commander…"
She extended her hand.
Kaelreth took it with measured grace. His hand brushed lightly against her waist.
And the music began.
The first steps were slow, in sync—but tense.
Gravella avoided his eyes.
Kaelreth, however… was deep in thought.
💭 Kaelreth's Inner Voice (During the Dance)
"The daughter of Margos… pretending to be innocent.
But they always do, don't they?
Sweet smiles. Striking hair.
Yet venom lies beneath—like snakes."
His eyes wandered from her fiery hair to her fingertips.
"Just like your father…
That day… when I passed by your room—"
🔁 Flashback: Gravella's Room – Two Weeks Ago
As Kaelreth walked down the corridor, he heard voices from inside.
The door was slightly ajar.
Two men were speaking.
One of them was her father. Kaelreth recognized him: Lord Vireon, the shadow of Margos.
"Domestic routes are secured. We'll use the palace too. Gravella doesn't even know. We'll use her room for the shipments. The contract's locked in the chest. If anyone finds it—we'll blame her."
Kaelreth held his breath.
A faint noise.
Then silence.
When he entered, the room was empty.
But beside the door…
That contract was still there.
Kaelreth unrolled the parchment.
Frowned.
And made a decision.
"She's involved. She either knows—or chooses to look away.
Either way, she's guilty."
🔁 Return to the Peace Ball – Present
The dance continued.
Gravella seemed as though she wanted to ask something—but stayed silent.
Kaelreth avoided her gaze with an icy look.
"You Margos nobles… pure on the outside, rotten within.
I despise you."
He spoke only in his thoughts:
"I'm sorry, Princess… I cannot dance with you tonight.
I'm occupied with fresh crimes."
As the final note echoed through the hall, Kaelreth released her hand.
His expression never changed.
Without a word, he turned and left.
Gravella stood frozen, unable to grasp what had just happened.
But there was something in that look…
Something beyond coldness—a burning suspicion.
🎭 After the Ball
The hall had emptied. Glittering gowns, expensive jewels, and perfumes faded into silence.
But Gravella still felt the weight of Kaelreth's icy gaze.
"He danced… yet never truly danced. He smiled… but hated every moment.
Why does he look at me like that?"
No answer came.
But part of that answer was already unfolding—outside the palace, in the misty harbor.
⚔️ In the Shadow of Margos – Lord Vireon's Plan
A worn map was spread across a tavern table.
Candlelight flickered. Shadows danced against the walls.
Lord Vireon, the smuggler prince of Margos, leaned toward his companion:
"Gravella is in the palace now. I have a pawn inside.
This time, we can't be discovered.
Yes, that contract… that was my mistake.
But now… my daughter will serve me without even knowing it."
The man across the table frowned:
"And if she refuses to cooperate?"
Vireon grinned—his smile colder than the dark around him.
"Let her.
Slip a few more documents into her room.
She'll never realize the connection.
The more trusted she becomes, the more she'll carry our secrets.
And in the end, they'll think she's the spy."
The man fell silent.
"That could cost her her life…"
Vireon's eyes darkened.
"Then so be it.
She was born into this game—whether she likes it or not."
🥀 Meanwhile – Gravella's Night
Gravella stood by her window in her nightgown, gazing into the dark gardens.
Kaelreth's voice echoed in her ears.
"I hate the Margos bloodline."
"But what did I do?"
"I just want to live."
"To survive."
A knock at the door.
"My lady, new documents were delivered.
Some private notes from your father."
Gravella blinked.
She walked to the small envelope left on her desk.
Inside were financial documents—official-looking, but filled with strange symbols.
"What are these?"
"Why would Father send these to me?"
As she innocently read through them, she didn't notice…
One page inside held a map—detailing illegal trade routes under Kaelreth's command.
By morning, she would be caught in the greatest accusation of her life.
🌙 The Next Morning – Under Watch
Gravella strolled through the palace halls in an elegant robe, documents in hand.
She didn't know what they contained—or perhaps, didn't care.
To her, they were just letters from her father.
But her steps… were already being watched.
From a high balcony, Kaelreth stood in the shadows, eyes locked on her.
A guard leaned toward him.
"Commander, the documents came from her father.
The servants confirmed delivery."
Kaelreth asked without turning:
"The contents?"
"They seem to involve palace affairs.
But they're coded. We're analyzing them."
Kaelreth's face darkened. His gaze stayed fixed on the papers in her hand.
"Could she… truly be innocent?
Or has she worn this mask for years?"
💭 Kaelreth's Thoughts:
"Two weeks ago—I found her contract.
Now she carries secret documents.
She plays the innocent well.
But tricking someone is easy.
Not me."
As Gravella disappeared into the corridor, Kaelreth whispered to himself:
"This time… I'll gather more proof.
I'll get close to you, Gravella…
And I'll tear apart every lie you hide."
🐍 Same Time – Palace Archives
Under Kaelreth's orders, the documents were being examined.
A scribe carefully unrolled a map. It marked the palace's supply routes, security checkpoints… and illegal smuggling lines.
"These… look like they were drawn from the inside," the scribe whispered.
"Only someone within the palace could access this."
Kaelreth snatched the map. His eyes locked onto one spot.
The Margos Residence. Gravella's private wing.
🥀 Gravella's Room
She had set the papers aside. Now she brushed her hair, staring into the mirror.
A strange unease gnawed at her.
Something was off.
"He invited me to dance… but his eyes were full of hate.
He's hiding something.
And I… I'm part of this game now."
⚖️ Kaelreth's Decision
Kaelreth threw the documents onto his desk. His fist clenched.
"I don't have time to play with her.
I will end this operation within the palace.
And if she's involved—I'll face her too."
He turned to his guard.
"Watch her.
But don't let her know.
Gravella Margos…
You're now my mission."
🌸 Gravella in the Gardens – Dawn
She wandered among the flowers, still thinking about the ball…
Kaelreth's cold but focused eyes during their dance…
He was hiding something.
But what?
From behind, a voice rang out:
"In this palace, every step casts a shadow.
But some… try to steal the light of others."
Gravella turned.
Princess Elira approached with graceful steps.
She wore her daytime gown, her hair braided beneath a delicate crown.
But her eyes… were far from warm.
"Your Majesty," Gravella said, bowing slightly.
"No need to be formal, Gravella.
You're not official yet, after all."
There was a sting in her tone.
Gravella recognized it.
Not a threat.
Something worse—a warning.
Elira plucked a blossom from the garden and stared at her.
"You drew a lot of attention last night.
I liked your dress.
But more so… your dance partner."
Gravella's heart tightened.
"He asked me."
"He would." Elira replied.
"It's part of his duty.
Sometimes, he doesn't get to choose who he dances with."
Gravella swallowed hard.
But Elira continued:
"Kaelreth is cold.
But I know what lies behind his walls.
He's been by my side for years.
When blood stained my shoulder, it was his hand that held mine.
And one day, that hand… will be mine again."
She stepped closer.
Her voice dropped—but her words rang loud:
"If your past is dark…
Be careful not to let your shadow grow too large.
Or the lights… will fall directly upon you."
She placed the rose into Gravella's hand.
And with a smile, turned away:
"Your beautiful days are new, Gravella.
But don't forget…
Some things only last for a single night."
Do you think Gravella is truly innocent… or just playing the best role of her life?