The Art of War & Seduction

Power. Control. Blood. Desire.

It was all a game. And Beren was finally learning how to play it.

The grand hall was bathed in gold and shadows, the chandeliers above flickering like stars about to collapse. Beren stood at the center of it all—untouchable, unreadable, undeniable.

But Emir?

Emir was chaos wrapped in silk and steel.

Dressed in an all-black suit, he lounged on the velvet throne like a king who had just conquered an empire. One hand rested on the armrest, the other? Holding a glass of wine he hadn't even sipped—because his real addiction sat across from him.

Beren.

She wore black tonight. A dress that clung to every inch of her like sin, like temptation designed for destruction. And Emir was already falling.

But it wasn't just about beauty.

Tonight, Beren wasn't just the girl who had once been delicate.

She was powerful. Ruthless. His equal.

And that? That drove Emir insane.

Ece stood at the far end of the room, her face pale, her confidence cracking. She had walked in believing she still held a place here, believing she could manipulate, deceive, play her games.

But what she saw now?

She was nothing compared to the woman standing beside Emir.

Beren didn't even look at her. Her attention was solely on Emir.

And Emir? He was enjoying every second of it.

He smirked, tilting his head as he watched her. "You're not afraid anymore, Butterfly."

Beren lifted her chin, her brown eyes sharp like a blade. "Fear is for the weak. And I refuse to be weak."

A slow, dangerous chuckle left Emir's lips. He leaned forward, placing the untouched glass down. "Good."

In one swift motion, he was in front of her.

The world blurred.

One second, she was standing tall—unshaken.

The next? Her back was pressed against the cold marble pillar, and Emir was in her space, completely, utterly, mercilessly.

His fingers brushed against her jaw, tilting her face up. "Say it again."

Beren's breath hitched. "I refuse to be weak."

Emir exhaled slowly, his thumb grazing her bottom lip. "That's my girl."

Ece shifted uncomfortably in the background, but neither of them acknowledged her anymore.

Because in this moment?

The world belonged to Emir and Beren alone.

And everyone else? They were simply waiting for destruction to begin.