Effect of the allure

Aria ended the call, her trembling hands clutching the phone as she struggled to stifle the sobs rising in her throat. She leaned against the bed frame, her tear-streaked face hidden by disheveled silver hair. Her heart ached from the pain of rejection, and she bit her lip to stop herself from crying out loud.

Minutes later, a knock sounded on the door. Aria hesitated before opening it to reveal Eric standing there, his face a mixture of guilt and hesitation.

"Aria... I'm sorry," he said, stepping inside. "I couldn't handle it."

His voice was weak, and it only fueled her frustration. She turned away, her shoulders trembling as she choked out, "You didn't mean it, right? You called off our engagement just because I fainted during the betrothal ceremony? Instead of comforting me on my sickbed, you—" She faced him now, her silver eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You decided to cancel the engagement. Do you know what that means for me? What do you think people will say? They'll laugh at me! Mock me!"

Her voice cracked as she fought to contain the whirlwind of emotions tearing through her.

Eric stepped closer, his own expression pained. "I couldn't handle it, Aria. You fainted… just moments after it was revealed you couldn't summon your magic." He paused, his hands fidgeting. "That alone made my parents reconsider the engagement, and… and…"

His words reopened a wound she desperately wanted to forget. Memories of the betrothal ceremony flooded back. It had been her first attempt to summon magic in public, a rite of passage for those coming of age. Every royal heir even commoners were expected to wield magic by the age of eighteen. Many, like her stepsister Helen, had even discovered their powers earlier.

But Aria… she had nothing.

When she failed to summon her magic, the room erupted with whispers and mocking laughter. Her embarrassment was unbearable, and the strain caused her to faint. Now, Eric's words only made her humiliation worse.

Eric sat beside her, glancing at her tear-streaked face. "I know it's unfair. You're beautiful, kind, and everything anyone could want in a fiancée. But—" He hesitated, guilt and shame warring in his eyes. "But your status… it's something I couldn't ignore. My friends mock me for being engaged to a forgotten princess. My parents constantly remind me of what the alliance with your family is costing them."

Aria's chest tightened. Forgotten princess. She had heard the term so often that it almost felt like her title.

Eric continued, his voice lowering. "My parents proposed an alternative, since our families already have an alliance they don't want to break. They suggested… Helen. Your stepsister."

Aria froze, her breath catching in her throat. Helen?

"You're marrying Helen?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Wow. Fine then. I wish you both a long life filled with happiness."

Helen. Her stepsister, two years her younger than her, born to the king's second wife after he adopted three sons but still longed for a biological male heir. Although both of them were girls...Helen had been doted on from birth, adored as the true princess, while Aria was treated like a ghost in her own home.

Helen's talent had only widened the chasm between them. At fifteen, Helen had already demonstrated rare and powerful magic, earning the kingdom's admiration. Meanwhile, Aria, now of age, remained powerless and scorned. It was no wonder Eric's family leapt at the chance to trade her for Helen.

"Aria…" Eric began, but his voice trailed off as his gaze shifted to the amulet around her neck. "What's this?" He frowned, reaching out.

Aria instinctively stepped back, her hands moving to protect the small trinket.

"It doesn't match your taste," he muttered, yanking the amulet from her neck before she could stop him. It fell to the floor with a soft clink.

Her heart raced in horror as Eric's eyes locked onto the amulet. The look on his face was unsettling—fascinated, almost predatory. Aria's mind flashed back to her earlier encounter with Lord Adrien, she believed that the amulet had a purpose although she didn't actually know what it did. She didn't fully understand its power, but Eric's reaction confirmed her fears.

"Eric… give it back," she whispered, stepping forward.

But Eric wasn't listening. His expression darkened as he picked up the amulet, his fingers brushing against its surface. His eyes gleamed with a strange, unnatural hunger.

"What's happening to me?" he muttered, his gaze drifting to Aria. His pupils dilated as if he were seeing her for the first time.

"Eric?"

In an instant, he was in front of her, his hands gripping her shoulders tightly. His breath was hot against her face, and his eyes burned with desire.

"You've kept me at arm's length all this time," he rasped, his voice thick with longing. "Why? You're my fiancée—or, at least, you were. You wouldn't even let me touch you."

His hands slid down to her waist, pulling her closer. Aria pushed against his chest, panic bubbling inside her.

"Eric, stop! You're not thinking clearly!"

But he didn't stop. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Why shouldn't I? We're parting ways, Aria. Let me have this… just once."

He pushed her back onto the bed, his hands moving to unbutton his shirt. Aria's mind raced as she tried to wriggle free, her voice trembling.

"Eric, please. Don't do this!"

His shirt fell to the floor, revealing the toned muscles of his chest. His hands moved to the hem of her dress, his eyes locked onto hers.

"You've always been so stubborn," he murmured, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "But not tonight."

Aria's heart pounded as she struggled beneath him, her breaths coming in sharp gasps. The room seemed to blur around her as Eric's hands inched closer,

And then…