I WILL PLAY WITH HER FEELINGS

The grand ballroom was drenched in light and music, a thousand candles reflecting off diamond chandeliers. Nobles from across the kingdom gathered to witness the debut of Princess Ellie of Aldara—the girl who refused a crown, yet still managed to shine brighter than it.

My dress shimmered with silver thread and tiny moonstones. I could barely recognize myself in the mirror. Everyone kept whispering "enchanting," but all I could think about was how fast my heart was beating.

And then I heard the voice I missed the most.

"Did we miss the party?"

I turned—and there they were.

Liam and Noyal.

I ran to them, crashing into their arms without care for royal posture. "You're late."

"Technically we're exactly on time," Noyal smirked.

"Still dramatic as ever," Liam muttered.

"I missed you both," I said.

"You'll miss me more when you hear Father's letters," Noyal said with a sigh. "He made us think you'd married a troll by now."

"Golden troll," Liam added under his breath.

We laughed. And then the music began.

"Your first dance," the announcer called.

I looked to Noyal, who held out his hand, grinning. "You promised."

I took it, and together we stepped into the center of the ballroom. The orchestra played a soft waltz as we spun across the polished floor. I was nervous at first, but dancing with Noyal felt like coming home.

When the song ended, a wave of applause followed.

Then came Liam.

Then—to everyone's shock—Father himself took my hand, bowing low.

"I'm only doing this because your mother is forcing me," he muttered. "Don't step on my feet."

"You're the one who taught me," I said, smiling.

"You're welcome, now focus."

And then came the rarest of all—Queen Selene.

A murmur ran through the hall as she approached. Women rarely partnered women during formal events. But Selene was not just anyone.

"Shall we shock a few nobles tonight?" she whispered.

"With pleasure," I grinned.

We danced gracefully, and for a moment, I felt untouchable.

Until he walked in.

William.

People paused. The "golden boy" of the court—daring, brilliant, and uninvited to the princess's dance list—was approaching.

"Your Highness," he said, extending a hand.

The crowd stilled. Even my father was staring from the shadows.

I hesitated.

Then I placed my hand in his.

We danced. His grip was warm, firm. The way he looked at me—soft and sure—made my chest flutter.

But from across the room, I saw the Saintess.

She was smiling.

The ballroom shimmered with music, laughter, and light.

But my eyes… they never left her.

The Saintess. Always watching, always smiling—but it never reached her eyes.

And then, she was gone.

A chill settled in my chest. I couldn't explain it, but something inside me screamed to follow. My steps led me through the palace corridors, through the garden, to the old chapel draped in moonlight and silence.

That's when I heard them.

"I'll make her fall in love with me,"

"Then I'll break her heart into pieces. Just like they shattered my pride. First Liam—always ahead of me, always better. And then her—Elysha. That arrogant little girl humiliated me at the hunting competition. A woman, outshining me. She won't forget it."

His voice.

William.

My breath hitched.

"Yes," the Saintess cooed, "and once her heart is shattered, I'll take her to the Holy Land. Let her grieve in our arms. They'll beg for us to help her. It's the perfect path to control."

My ears rang.

I staggered back a step. My throat went dry. My hands trembled.

No.

Not William. Not him.

I laughed with you. I trained beside you. I trusted you.

I… I loved you. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TRUST YOU.

Something inside me snapped.

The ground cracked beneath me, vines tore from the soil like angry serpents, and the air became thick—heavy—with golden fire.

William staggered back, shielding his eyes from the blinding light pouring from mine.

"What—what is this?!" he shouted.

"You don't get to ask questions," I growled, voice layered—not just mine, but something ancient and thunderous beneath it.

The wind obeyed me.

Lightning arced across the sky, striking dangerously close.

The entire palace shook.

Far away, glass shattered. Walls cracked.

In the ballroom, chandeliers fell. Guests screamed.

Selene's voice cut through the chaos. "She's awakened—Theo!"

He was already moving.

"She has to burn through it," Theo said, eyes never leaving the chaos outside. "No one touches her."

Back at the chapel—

The Saintess stepped forward, hands glowing with divine light. "Let me purify her!"

I laughed.

The sound was sharp. Wrong. Deadly.

"Your power?" I sneered, my voice layered—like a thousand furious voices behind mine. "is NOTHING to me"

She stumbled back.

But my focus was on him.

William."You used me," I said, rising slowly, golden embers crackling around me. My eyes locked onto William, and the world around him seemed to tremble. "You laughed with me while planning to break me."

"Elysha, please—"

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO SAY MY NAME!"

A shockwave rippled from my scream, blasting both of them back into the chapel wall.

It cracked.

Blood ran down William's temple.

I walked forward, unblinking, unmerciful.

"You thought I was weak. Easy. An innocent girl to be toyed with." My golden aura surged higher, spiraling into the sky like a beacon. "Let me show you what happens when you betray a daughter of the Empire."

I raised my hand.

A golden spear of light formed above me.

"Did you ever care?" I whispered. "Did you ever feel anything real?"

I reached out. My magic snatched him by the throat, dragging him midair.

His eyes bulged, gasping. "Please—Ellie—"

"Don't ," I spat.

I saw everything in his mind—every twisted intention, every moment of pretense. There wasn't a single memory of love. Not one.

It broke me all over again.

With a scream, I hurled him across the clearing.

He smashed into the side of the palace. Stone collapsed around him.

Liam and Noyal ran toward me.

"Should we—" Liam began, breathless.

"Let her," Theo said, jaw tight. "Let her finish."

"He deserves it anyway," Noyal muttered as he knew something, but didn't look away.

I turned toward the Saintess, golden light sparking in my palms.

But the coward was gone—she'd already fled.

"Come back…" I whispered. "I'm not finished…"

The light around me began to flicker.

The world spun.

The adrenaline faded—and the heartbreak came back like a wave.

I was falling.

And before I hit the ground—

Strong arms caught me.

The scent of leather and cedar. The steady thump of a racing heart.

"Shhh…" my father whispered, holding me like I was made of glass. "I've got you, sweetheart."

And then—

Darkness.