Chapter 21: The Queen’s Gambit

(Celeste's POV)

Celeste leaned against the piano, her fingers brushing over the keys as she watched Sapphire leave the room. Her heart was still racing, though she'd never let it show. Not to Sapphire, not to anyone.

She's as guarded as ever, Celeste thought, the faintest smirk curling at her lips. But I saw it—the crack in her armor.

It was rare for Celeste to feel satisfaction so deeply. Manipulating people came naturally to her; she understood their weaknesses, their fears, their desires. But Sapphire wasn't like the others. She wasn't so easily swayed by Celeste's charm or clever words. That made her a challenge—a puzzle Celeste was determined to solve.

The melody she'd been playing moments earlier lingered in the room, haunting and unresolved, much like her thoughts. Sapphire had accused her of poking at vulnerabilities, and perhaps there was truth to that. But it wasn't just for sport, not with Sapphire.

Celeste walked to the window, the fading sunlight painting her face in golden hues. She watched as students milled about the campus below, their laughter and chatter reaching her faintly. They were all so predictable, so mundane.

But Sapphire? Sapphire intrigued her.

---

The next morning, Celeste made her way to the courtyard, where the air buzzed with anticipation for an upcoming school event. A banner hung across the main hall, announcing the Spring Ball.

Perfect, Celeste thought. If there was one thing she knew how to do, it was make an entrance.

She spotted Amara across the way, surrounded by her usual crowd. The girl had been quiet lately, almost subdued, and Celeste knew exactly why.

The fallout with Sapphire is eating her alive.

Celeste debated approaching her, but decided against it. For now, Amara was a pawn in a much larger game. Pushing too hard too soon might unravel her plans.

Instead, she turned her attention to Ivy, who was sitting under a tree, engrossed in a book. Celeste walked over, her heels clicking softly against the cobblestones.

"Ivy," she said smoothly, her voice like honey.

Ivy looked up, her expression wary. "Celeste."

"Mind if I join you?" Celeste asked, though she didn't wait for a reply before sitting down.

"What do you want?" Ivy asked, her tone clipped.

Celeste feigned offense, placing a hand over her heart. "Can't I simply enjoy your company?"

Ivy closed her book with a sigh. "Cut the act, Celeste. You're always up to something."

Celeste's smirk widened. "Fair enough. I was just curious about how things are going between you and Sapphire. You two seemed… close yesterday."

Ivy's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care?"

"Oh, I don't," Celeste said breezily. "But everyone's talking about the cracks in Sapphire's little empire. I thought you might have some insight."

"She doesn't need your meddling," Ivy snapped.

Celeste raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the protective edge in Ivy's voice. "Interesting," she murmured. "You really do care about her, don't you?"

Ivy's cheeks flushed, and she stood abruptly, grabbing her book. "Stay out of it, Celeste."

Celeste watched her walk away, a thoughtful expression on her face.

So, Ivy's loyalty runs deeper than I thought.

---

Later that evening, Celeste returned to the music room, hoping to clear her head. The piano was her sanctuary, a place where she could unravel her thoughts and strategize her next moves.

She played a slow, melancholic tune, the notes echoing through the empty room. Her mind wandered back to Sapphire—her guarded expressions, her sharp words, the fleeting vulnerability Celeste had glimpsed during their encounter.

She's not as invincible as she wants everyone to believe.

The thought sent a thrill through Celeste. Sapphire's strength was what made her so captivating, but it was her weaknesses that made her human.

Celeste's fingers stilled on the keys, and she leaned forward, resting her forehead against her hands. She didn't fully understand why Sapphire consumed so much of her thoughts. Was it admiration? Envy? Something else entirely?

She let out a frustrated sigh, sitting back and running a hand through her hair. Whatever it was, she couldn't afford to lose focus. Graduation was looming, and the game was far from over.

Celeste stood, smoothing her skirt and glancing at her reflection in the piano's glossy surface.

Keep your eyes on the prize, Celeste, she told herself. Sapphire is just another piece on the board.

But as she left the room, a nagging voice in the back of her mind whispered a truth she wasn't ready to face: What if she's more than that?

---

Celeste's heels clicked sharply against the hallway tiles as she walked toward the student council room. The Spring Ball preparations were in full swing, and the energy in the air was palpable. For Celeste, however, it was more than just an event—it was an opportunity.

The room was bustling when she arrived, students darting around with lists, fabrics, and decorations. Celeste swept in like a queen surveying her kingdom, her mere presence commanding attention.

"Celeste, there you are!" a flustered committee member exclaimed. "We've been waiting for your approval on the final theme."

She raised an eyebrow, accepting the clipboard thrust into her hands. "Enchanted Elegance," she read aloud, a smirk tugging at her lips. "How quaint. It'll do."

The committee member scurried off, relieved to have her approval. Celeste turned her attention to the room, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Amara.

Amara stood near the corner, flipping through a seating chart with a distracted expression. The once-commanding presence she had always carried seemed dimmed, and it was painfully obvious to Celeste that her fallout with Sapphire had taken its toll.

Celeste made her way over, her movements calculated and deliberate. "Amara," she said, her voice smooth and honeyed.

Amara looked up, startled, and immediately tensed. "What do you want, Celeste?"

Celeste placed a hand on her hip, tilting her head slightly. "Can't a girl offer her assistance without ulterior motives?"

"With you? No," Amara replied flatly, her eyes narrowing.

Celeste chuckled, unbothered by the hostility. "Touché. But I couldn't help noticing you seem… distracted. I'd hate for anything to derail such an important event."

Amara's jaw tightened. "I don't need your help, Celeste."

"Maybe not," Celeste said, her tone light but pointed. "But if I were you, I'd be careful. The cracks in Sapphire's little empire are becoming more visible by the day. If you're not careful, you might find yourself standing on the wrong side of things."

Amara's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, Celeste stepped closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper.

"You're already slipping, Amara. Don't let her drag you down with her."

With that, Celeste turned and walked away, leaving Amara fuming.

---

Later that evening, Celeste found herself wandering the campus grounds. The night air was cool against her skin, and the faint hum of crickets filled the silence.

She stopped by the fountain in the central courtyard, gazing at her reflection in the water. The mask of confidence she wore so effortlessly during the day felt heavier now, the cracks beneath it more visible in the solitude of the night.

Her encounter with Amara had been calculated, but it left a sour taste in her mouth. Celeste didn't enjoy tearing people down—at least, not as much as others believed. But this was the game she played, and there were no rules against exploiting weaknesses.

She sat on the edge of the fountain, her mind drifting back to Sapphire. The memory of their encounter in the music room was still fresh, the tension between them crackling like static electricity.

Celeste let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through her hair. "What is it about you, Sapphire?" she muttered to herself.

For all her scheming and posturing, Sapphire was the one person who consistently threw Celeste off balance. She hated it—and yet, she couldn't stay away.

---

The next morning, Celeste entered the dining hall with her usual air of confidence, though her thoughts were anything but composed. She spotted Sapphire sitting at a table with Ivy, the two of them engrossed in conversation.

Celeste's chest tightened. She hated the way her eyes were drawn to Sapphire, the way her pulse quickened at the mere sight of her. But more than that, she hated the vulnerability it made her feel.

Focus, she told herself, forcing her gaze away. There was no time for distractions—not when the Spring Ball was approaching and the stakes were higher than ever.

She moved to her usual table, where her own group of admirers greeted her with smiles and compliments. Celeste played her part effortlessly, laughing and flirting as though nothing could touch her.

But even as she held court, her mind was elsewhere. The countdown to graduation loomed over them all, and Celeste knew that whatever was brewing between her, Sapphire, and the others would come to a head before the end.

For now, though, she would bide her time, watching and waiting. Because if there was one thing Celeste knew how to do, it was play the long game.

---