Chapter Twenty: The Taste of Revenge

By the time Estella returned to Lucien's chambers, her blood was still boiling.

Her cheek still burned where Valeria had slapped her—but it wasn't the pain that got to her. It was the audacity.

That silk-wrapped bitch thought she could touch her? Humiliate her?

Not a fucking chance.

As she paced the room, her mind spun with possibilities—ways to rip Valeria apart without breaking a single palace rule. Because when Lucien returned, she wanted to make sure Valeria's defeat was loud. Public. Final.

A sharp knock on the door dragged her from her thoughts.

"If it's another of Lucien's little pets, I swear—"

The door swung open before she could finish. Rhea stood there, wringing her hands, her face pale. "My lady," she stammered, stepping inside and quickly closing the door behind her.

Estella raised a brow. "What is it?"

"You need to be careful," Rhea whispered, her voice trembling. "Lady Valeria—she's planning something."

Estella leaned against the dresser, arms crossed over her chest. "Of course, she is," she said dryly. "That woman would plot against a houseplant if it stole Lucien's attention."

Rhea's face tightened. "This is different," she insisted. "She's speaking to the palace council—sowing doubts about you. She's saying you're…unfit to be by the emperor's side."

Estella laughed softly. "Is that all? I thought she might've come up with something original by now."

"My lady, you don't understand," Rhea pressed, stepping closer. "She wants to humiliate you. She's trying to convince the council to recommend your removal. If she succeeds…"

Estella's humor faded. If Valeria was pulling the council into this, she wasn't just playing palace games anymore—she was preparing for war.

"Let her try," Estella said, her smile turning cold. "Lucien isn't so easily manipulated. And when he finds out—"

"She doesn't need Lucien to believe her," Rhea interrupted, her voice tight with panic. "She just needs to make you a liability. Enough whispers, enough rumors—and even he won't be able to protect you."

For the first time, a flicker of unease crawled beneath Estella's skin.

Lucien was powerful—but the empire's politics were a delicate web of alliances and power struggles. If the council turned against her, even he wouldn't be able to shield her from the consequences.

But she refused to play the victim.

If Valeria wanted a war—Estella would burn her to the fucking ground.

---

That Afternoon…

The palace dining hall glittered with gold and marble, but the tension at the long table was thick enough to cut. Estella sat at Lucien's side, her body language lazy, but her eyes sharp—watching. Calculating.

Valeria was seated a few places down, flanked by her usual pair of simpering lackeys. The bruise on Estella's cheek burned like a brand, but she refused to let it show.

Lucien had yet to return from his border meeting, and without his presence, the vipers were out in full force.

"I must say," Lady Seraphina cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "it's surprising to see you here, Lady Estella. I would've thought the emperor preferred…more refined company."

Estella leaned back in her chair, a lazy smile curling her lips. "And yet, here I am," she drawled, lifting her wine glass. "Funny how that works."

Lady Lilith snickered behind her fan. "For now," she murmured.

Estella's smile sharpened. "I'm sorry," she said innocently. "I didn't realize the emperor had appointed you the official bed checker. Must be exhausting, keeping up with who's actually satisfying him."

Lilith flushed scarlet.

Valeria, however, remained calm—too calm. She sipped her wine with delicate grace, her gaze flicking toward Estella like a predator waiting to strike.

"You're awfully bold," Valeria said quietly, her voice silk-soft. "For someone who's just a passing amusement."

Estella tilted her head. "Funny," she mused. "That's what I was about to say about you."

A tense silence followed, broken only when the great doors swung open.

Lucien.

The emperor strode into the hall, all cold authority and lethal grace, his silver eyes sweeping the room. Conversation died the moment he entered—the weight of his power too heavy to ignore.

Estella didn't rise. She merely lifted her wine glass to her lips, watching as he approached.

But Valeria did.

"My emperor," Valeria purred, rising smoothly from her seat. "We missed you during the morning assembly."

Lucien's expression didn't soften. "Sit down, Valeria," he said coldly.

Her smile faltered—but she obeyed.

He moved past her without another glance and stopped at Estella's side, one hand curling around the back of her chair. "I trust you weren't bored while I was away," he murmured, low enough for only her to hear.

Estella tilted her head back, meeting his gaze with a slow, wicked smile. "I managed to entertain myself," she drawled. "But your pets were awfully noisy."

Lucien's lips twitched, but his eyes burned with an edge of danger. "Is that so?"

Valeria's smile tightened. "We were only having a friendly conversation," she said smoothly.

Lucien's gaze cut to her, cold and unforgiving. "I don't recall asking for your explanation."

The tension in the room crackled like lightning.

Valeria's knuckles whitened as she clenched her wine glass. "Of course not, Your Majesty," she murmured.

But Estella wasn't done. Not yet.

She stood, her movements languid and deliberate, and stepped toward Valeria's seat. "You've had your fun," she said softly, her voice a velvet threat. "Now let me make something clear."

The room went deathly silent.

"You think you can push me out?" Estella continued, tilting her head. "That you can turn the council against me?"

Valeria's smile didn't falter, but the flicker of unease in her eyes betrayed her.

Estella leaned closer. "If you touch me again," she whispered, her voice dripping with venom, "I will destroy you."

Valeria's mask shattered. "You—"

"Enough."

Lucien's voice rang through the hall, cold and final. "I've tolerated your pettiness for too long, Valeria," he said, stepping between them. "You will leave Estella alone—or you will no longer have a place in this palace."

Valeria's face paled. "You can't be serious—"

"I don't repeat myself," he said flatly.

Estella smiled sweetly. "Poor thing," she murmured as Valeria's composure cracked wide open. "I guess even a favorite can be replaced."

Lucien turned to her, his hand brushing against the curve of her waist. "Walk with me," he murmured, his voice softer—but no less commanding.

She didn't hesitate. As they left the hall, her heart pounded—not with fear. With victory.

And as for Valeria?

She would learn—too late—that no one touched Estella without paying the price.