Morning training at Lorien training school was already halfway through.
The wide training room was filled with voices warming up, feet shifting on the floor, and the faint sound of the piano at the corner. Mrs Elopee stood at the front with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes moving from one trainee to another as usual. Everything looked normal at first, until she counted again.
Her brows slowly pulled together.
Everyone was here.
Everyone except one person.
"Where is Elara?" Mrs Elopee asked, her voice calm but clearly unhappy.
The trainees exchanged glances. No one answered. It was Lyra who finally raised her hand, looking a bit nervous as she stood straighter.
"She's… having a bath," Lyra said.
The room went quiet.
Mrs Elopee turned to look at her. "A bath?"
"Yes, ma'am," Lyra replied quickly. "A very… long one. I think the water is too warm."
Someone at the side let out a small laugh before quickly covering their mouth. Mrs Elopee sighed, pressing her fingers against her temple.
"This is not a resort," she said. "Tell her training does not wait for steam."
Lyra nodded repeatedly. "Yes, ma'am." and dashed away.
At the other side of the room, Livienne frowned slightly. Her gaze kept drifting toward the door. She was standing in the front as always, her posture perfect, her expression gentle, but there was impatience hidden deep in her eyes.
Not long after, the door finally opened.
Elara walked in, Lyra behind her.
She did not look rushed. She did not look flustered. Instead, she looked calm, like someone who had already settled their thoughts before stepping inside. Her back was straight, her steps steady, and her eyes were clear.
The room felt different the moment she entered.
It was not obvious, but it was there. The kind of change people could not explain, yet could still feel.
A few trainees turned to look at her. Some frowned in confusion. Some felt surprised without knowing why.
Elara bowed lightly. "Sorry I'm late, Mistress."
Mrs Elopee studied her for a moment. "You look fine for someone who has been sick recently," she said.
Elara smiled faintly. "I feel better today."
Livienne felt it clearly then.
The attention, slowly shifting away from her.
Her fingers tightened slightly, but she quickly relaxed them.
Mrs Elopee clapped her hands. "We will sing now."
She chose a song that made several trainees stiffen.
It was a famous song written by a well-known Aurelian singer. A song everyone knew, and everyone feared. It was difficult not because of the notes alone, but because of the emotions buried inside it. Many people could sing it correctly, yet almost no one could make it feel right.
One by one, the trainees stepped forward.
Some missed the key.
Some sang correctly but sounded empty.
Some were so nervous their voices shook badly.
The tension in the room slowly grew.
Then it was Livienne's turn.
She stepped forward with confidence. Her breathing was controlled, her posture elegant. When she opened her mouth to sing, her voice flowed smoothly, clear and pleasant to the ear. Though the emotions weren't as much as good.
People's eyes lit up.
"She's really good," someone whispered.
"She will definitely win Starhunt."
Livienne smiled gently as she sang, as if she already belonged to a bigger stage.
When she finished, applause followed. She turned her gaze toward Elara, calm and confident, waiting.
This song was her strength. She knew it.
"Elara," Mrs Elopee called.
Elara stepped forward.
She took a slow breath before singing, steadying herself. When her voice came out, it was not perfect, but it was firm. The words carried weight, like she understood them deeply.
The room slowly grew quiet.
People listened.
Her emotions felt real, not forced, not exaggerated. It felt like she had lived through the song, like she was telling a story rather than performing.
Then came the high note.
Her voice trembled slightly.
It did not collapse.
It did not break.
That small tremble made it human.
When she finished, no one spoke for a moment.
Mrs Elopee's eyes widened slightly.
Even Livienne stiffened.
Elara's voice was not flawless, but it was stronger than anyone else's. Even stronger than Livienne's. Strong enough to surprise everyone in the room.
Livienne smiled again, though her eyes were darker now. "You're really pushing yourself," she said lightly. "Starhunt must mean a lot to you."
Elara looked at her calmly. "It should," she replied. "It only comes once in a while."
The words sounded simple, but they landed firmly.
Mrs Elopee nodded. "Your improvement is very clear," she said. "If your voice fully recovers, you will be excellent."
Livienne's face darkened for just a second before she laughed softly. "I'm alright," she said when someone asked her what was wrong. She clapped lightly, her smile perfect again.
Mrs Elopee then announced, "The competition is in a few days. You may go out to prepare. Buy what you need."
Mrs Elopee gave a few more instructions before walking out of the hall.
Cheers filled the room.
Lyra immediately grabbed Elara's sleeve, her eyes shining. "We can go together, right?"
Elara nodded. "Yes."
Before they could move, Livienne walked over.
She held out two invitations with a friendly smile. "I'm hosting a small party tonight," she said casually. "I'd be happy if you came."
Elara was not surprised. She already knew this would happen before the Starhunt competition.
That party.
That night.
She remembered everything.
Meeting Riven. Falling for him. Learning later that he belonged to Livienne, and that she herself had only been a tool.
At first Elara wanted to refuse, but then she changed her mind.
This life was already changing some things. She had met the actor earlier than before. Who knew what else would change?
Elara paused.
She looked Livienne straight in the eye.
Then she smiled calmly. "Alright," she said.
Livienne's smile widened...
–
The party was held in a rented villa at the edge of Lorien.
It was not too big, but not small either. Soft yellow lights hung around the garden and inside the house, giving everything a warm and lazy feeling. Gentle music played in the background, the kind that made people feel relaxed without really listening to it. There were trainees from the school, and also a few outsiders whose faces Elara did not recognize.
Everyone knew this kind of gathering was not officially allowed, but no one said anything. As long as nothing serious happened, it would just be treated as harmless fun.
Elara arrived with Lyra. She wore a simple blouse and loose pants. Nothing flashy, nothing eye-catching. Lyra, on the other hand, looked much more dressed up. She even wore light makeup, though it made her look more nervous than confident.
When they walked in, a few people turned to look.
Livienne noticed them immediately.
She was dressed beautifully, her clothes bright and stylish, standing out from everyone else. When she saw Elara, she smiled widely and walked over as if she had been waiting just for her.
"Elara, you're here," Livienne said warmly. "I'm so happy."
She took Elara's hand and led both girls inside, guiding them to a special seating area. It was closer to the center, where everyone could see them easily.
People began to praise Livienne right away.
"She's so generous."
"She's really taking care of Elara."
"They're so close."
Livienne laughed lightly. "I take her as a sister," she said. "We're similar in some ways."
Elara almost snorted.
She kept her face calm, though inside she felt nothing but disgust.
Someone nearby chuckled and said, "Livienne is just too kind. Of course Elara can't really compare, but it's nice of you to encourage her."
Livienne smiled, as if embarrassed. "Don't say that."
Elara said nothing. She simply picked up her drink and took a small sip.
Not long after, Livienne clapped her hands lightly.
"Since we're all here," she said sweetly, "why don't we ask Elara to sing for us?"
The attention shifted instantly.
Elara looked up.
In her past life, this was where everything had started.
But this time, she smiled faintly and said calmly, "I'm not feeling well today. My throat is still recovering."
Livienne blinked, clearly not expecting that answer.
"Oh," she said softly. "That's a pity."
She then gently pushed Elara into a group conversation nearby, laughing as if it was nothing.
People joked around.
Someone made a teasing comment.
Everyone laughed.
Elara did not get angry. She did not snap. She simply replied calmly, turning the joke around in an easy way.
The laughter changed tone.
Some people looked surprised.
"She had become different, do you noticed?" someone whispered.
Livienne's fingers tightened around her glass for a brief moment.
Riven arrived late.
The moment he walked in, the atmosphere shifted slightly. He was tall, handsome, and carried himself with confidence. He spoke easily, smiled easily, and people naturally made space for him.
In Elara's past life, she had been nervous the moment she saw him.
This time, she felt nothing.
When Riven's eyes landed on her, he paused slightly. Livienne had described Elara to him before, but the girl in front of him did not quite match that image.
He walked over and spoke to her casually.
Elara replied politely, but kept her distance. When he tried to joke or lean closer, she moved away slightly, her smile calm but cold.
Riven noticed.
It made him curious.
Lyra, who was already tipsy from one drink, suddenly said loudly, "Oh! So this is the famous Riven!"
Riven is also a trainee,but from another training school.
The room burst into laughter.
Lyra blinked, confused. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Elara almost smiled.
Livienne began handing Elara drinks.
"Just one more," she said sweetly. "Don't be rude. Relax, it's a party."
Elara drank slowly.
Sometimes she poured a bit away when no one was looking.
She watched Livienne carefully, trying to understand her plan.
After a while, Elara's steps became unsteady. Her words slurred slightly. She leaned against the table as if she could not stand straight.
Livienne stared at her, then smiled.
Riven grew bolder.
His hand brushed Elara's arm "by accident." He said playful things, his tone teasing.
Elara said confusing replies, her words unclear. Riven misunderstood them, thinking she was helpless.
Livienne caught the moment.
She turned to a girl nearby. "Kioyothe," she said softly. "Can you take care of Elara for a bit? She's not feeling well."
Kioyothe smiled instantly. "Of course."
She helped Elara up.
Lyra frowned and stood up. "I can—"
Elara made a small motion. Just a glance and a subtle shake of her head.
Lyra froze, confused.
Kioyothe led Elara away.
Inside the room, Kioyothe pushed Elara onto the bed roughly.
"So you're acting all mighty these days," she sneered. "Let's see how proud you are tomorrow."
She left.
Elara lay still.
Not long after, the door opened again.
Riven walked in and locked it behind him...