Chapter 18
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The palace ballroom shimmered under the glow of chandeliers, a dazzling spectacle of gold and crystal. Nobles fluttered about in elegant silks, laughter drifting through the air like delicate perfume. It was the perfect setting for courtly grace, whispered politics, and—
"Stop stepping on my dress."
Evelina did not look at Seraphina.
"If you don't want me to step on it, don't walk so close," she murmured, adjusting the silver embroidery on her gloves.
Seraphina scoffed. "As if I would choose to be near you."
"And yet, here you are."
Seraphina opened her mouth, undoubtedly to say something dramatic, but before she could, a voice called out from across the ballroom.
"Ah, Lady Evelina, Lady Seraphina—you arrived together after all!"
The room fell into immediate, unbearable silence.
Evelina turned just in time to see Lord Edric Fontaine, a noble whose greatest talent was making everything ten times worse.
He beamed at them. "What a delightful surprise!"
Seraphina's smile was strangely sharp. "Yes, delightful."
Evelina sighed.
The gossip had begun.
---
They wove through the ballroom, side by side, out of necessity, not choice.
Evelina could feel the weight of the court's eyes, their curiosity a tangible thing. She had been prepared for whispers, for questioning glances—but this?
This was fascination.
And she knew why.
Seraphina du Lys, golden darling of the nobility. Evelina Aurelius, the woman everyone once loved to hate. Together.
It was a scandal wrapped in silk.
A political disaster waiting to happen.
And the Queen had orchestrated it beautifully.
Evelina sighed.
"Try not to look like you're plotting my murder," she murmured.
Seraphina's smile did not falter.
"If I were plotting, you wouldn't know."
Evelina hummed thoughtfully.
"Perhaps. But I doubt you'd be subtle about it."
Seraphina's fan snapped shut.
"You are unbearable."
Evelina smirked. "So I've been told."
---
Cassius found them within minutes.
"Interesting choice of company," he remarked, sipping from a crystal goblet.
Evelina accepted a glass from a passing servant, lifting it delicately.
"Blame your mother."
Cassius chuckled, but there was something calculating in his gaze.
Seraphina crossed her arms. "This is temporary."
Cassius arched a brow. "Is it?"
Seraphina faltered.
Evelina took a slow sip of wine.
Seraphina hated losing verbal battles.
She also hated Cassius.
It was a terrible combination.
"You think you're clever," Seraphina muttered.
Cassius smirked. "I know I am."
Evelina sighed. "If you two are going to argue, at least do it near the musicians. That way, it will look like dramatic poetry instead of sheer idiocy."
Cassius choked on his drink.
Seraphina glared.
Evelina smiled sweetly.
Across the room, Adrian Everhart watched the exchange with undisguised delight.
---
The Queen's arrival sent a ripple through the ballroom.
Her presence was not announced. It did not need to be.
The moment she stepped into the room, draped in deep blue silks, the entire court shifted.
A bow. A curtsy. A quiet acknowledgment of power.
Evelina lowered her head briefly before straightening.
Queen Ophelia's gaze swept the room. Paused.
Then, with a flicker of amusement, landed on Evelina and Seraphina.
Evelina resisted the urge to sigh.
The Queen was enjoying this.
Seraphina's posture stiffened slightly. She was not used to being toyed with.
Evelina leaned slightly toward her. "Smile."
Seraphina scowled.
Evelina did not fight the smirk that curled on her lips.
---
The dancing began soon after.
Evelina avoided the dance floor for as long as she could, but she should have known better.
Adrian Everhart found her before she could escape.
He extended a gloved hand. "Shall we?"
Evelina lifted a brow.
"Why?"
Adrian's smirk widened. "Because it will be entertaining."
That was not a good reason.
But the court was watching.
And unfortunately, Evelina knew what was expected.
So, with a very long-suffering sigh, she placed her hand in his.
The orchestra swelled.
And the game continued.
---
Adrian was a ridiculously good dancer.
It was infuriating.
"You're enjoying this too much," Evelina muttered as they wove through the steps.
Adrian grinned. "Absolutely."
She huffed.
"You keep looking at Seraphina."
Evelina did not react.
Because reacting meant acknowledging it.
Adrian's smirk deepened.
"You do know what they're saying, don't you?"
Evelina exhaled. "I don't care."
Adrian leaned closer.
"They're saying you and Seraphina are working together. That you've formed a secret alliance."
Evelina did not roll her eyes.
That would be unseemly.
Instead, she smiled.
"And?"
Adrian chuckled.
"And they're terrified."
Now that was interesting.
Evelina hummed. "As they should be."
Adrian spun her gracefully, the movement almost too smooth.
"Don't let Seraphina hear you say that," he teased.
Evelina chuckled. "Oh, I intend to tell her directly."
Adrian laughed. "And that, my dear, is why I like you."
Evelina sighed. "Flattery will get you nowhere."
Adrian smirked.
"Are you sure?"
---
By the time the dancing ended, Evelina was thoroughly done with the evening.
Seraphina was sulking.
Cassius was brooding.
Adrian was far too amused.
And the Queen?
The Queen was watching.
Evelina met her gaze.
Held it.
The Queen lifted her wine glass.
A silent acknowledgment.
A reminder.
The game was not over.
Not yet.
Evelina exhaled.
It never was.
---