Secrets in the Shadows

The next day at school, Rosaline arrived to find her friends, Cassie and Margaux, practically glowing with excitement. Their arms were loaded with gifts from the recent clubhouse event, their laughter echoing through the hallway like music.

Rosaline's heart tightened in her chest. She tried to walk past them unnoticed, but they caught up to her quickly, still buzzing with joy.

"Is everything okay?" Cassie asked gently, concern flickering in her eyes.

Rosaline hesitated before pulling them both into a hug, her voice trembling. "I'm just… I'm really jealous of how freely you both live your lives."

They sat quietly on a bench nearby, their laughter fading into supportive silence. After a moment, Rosaline opened up.

"I argued with my grandmother last night. She won't let me go anywhere or do anything. She's always talking about vampires and danger, but… it's starting to sound like nonsense."

"Don't you think she's being a little too harsh?" Margaux frowned. "What is she protecting you from? If she won't let you live… then why were your legs made .

Cassie nodded. "Exactly! I mean, come on—we've lived here all our lives. We've never even seen a vampire. What if it's all just stories?"

Rosaline let out a long, tired sigh. "Maybe. But something tells me she's hiding something. Something big. And the more I think about it, the more I want to find out the truth. It all feels so… fishy."

Just then, across the schoolyard, Rosaline spotted a familiar figure—one of the quiet girls who, like her, always wore black. But today, the girl wore a light pastel dress. It caught the sunlight like a whispered secret.

Their eyes met.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" the girl called out.

"I thought you were like me , Charllote" Rosaline replied softly.

"I had my reasons for wearing black," Charllote said. "But today… those reasons end." She turned and walked away, leaving Rosaline stunned and full of questions.

Meanwhile, in the warmth of a kitchen, Grandma Elira sat with her lifelong friends. Her fingers trembled around a teacup.

"She asked me why I'm so strict," she whispered. "And I couldn't give her a convincing answer."

Mrs. Nora's face darkened. "If she starts digging into the past… she'll find things you've spent your whole life trying to protect her from. And when she does, she may never forgive you."

"I just hope," Elira said with a weary sigh, "that it's not too late."

Back at school, Rosaline tried to distract herself with a book, but Cassie's voice pulled her back.

"What's this?" she asked, pointing to the silver crescent moon necklace resting on Rosaline's collarbone.

"Oh, this?" Rosaline shrugged. "Grandma said it's for protection."

Then her eyes lit up. "Wait… if this necklace protects me, then that means I'm safe, right? Safe from whatever she's been warning me about!"

Margaux raised a brow. "Rosaline, what are you thinking?"

A grin slowly spread across Rosaline's face. "I'm going to the clubhouse tonight."

Cassie's jaw dropped. "You're serious? Rosaline, your grandma will freak out!"

"I know," Rosaline said. "But I'm not asking for permission."

After school, the girls stopped by Elira's restaurant. A waiter approached with a steaming cup of tea for Rosaline. Just as she lifted it to her lips, a blur of movement shattered the moment.

A stranger appeared and slapped the cup from her hands. It crashed to the floor—and the liquid sizzled like oil hitting fire.

"What the hell?!" Cassie yelled. "Are you insane?!"

Rosaline jumped to her feet, furious. "Who even are you?! I don't know you, so why—"

"You should be thanking me," the stranger said coolly. "That tea was laced with acid."

Silence fell.

Everyone stared at the burning liquid, horror-struck. Rosaline's breath caught in her throat. "I… I didn't even say thank you," she whispered.

Cassie leaned in close. "Do you know who he is? He doesn't look like a random guy. He smells like… wealth."

Margaux nodded slowly. "Definitely not ordinary. He gives off serious elite vibes."

Rosaline couldn't stop thinking about him. Later, when she told her grandmother what happened, Elira froze.

"A waiter?" Elira repeated. "I only work with two assistants. No one else."

Her face went pale. "Rosaline, you must be careful. There are forces out there—forces against you. Even the trees… even the sand."

Rosaline rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Grandma? Now nature is plotting against me?"

Her friends laughed, and Margaux nudged her. "Maybe it's just old age talking."

But deep inside, Rosaline knew something wasn't right.

She asked around about the mysterious guy, but no one knew his name. All anyone said was: "He shows up at Bianca's clubhouse sometimes."

"And he's insanely hot," Margaux added with a dreamy sigh. "Like a walking fantasy."

That night, dressed in a shimmering rose gold crop top and flowing white skirt, Rosaline stepped into a world she'd only heard about. Cassie was radiant in sapphire blue; Margaux, bold in red. Their laughter mixed with music and moonlight.

Rosaline's heart thundered as she entered the grand club. The crowd turned. Conversations died. All eyes were on her.

And then—there he was.

The mysterious stranger.

Leaning against the balcony, a drink in his hand… his eyes locked on hers.

He smiled.

As if he'd been waiting for her.

Elsewhere, in the royal chambers…

Prince Stefan stood by his desk with Kavin, finalizing details for the upcoming ceremony, when a knock interrupted their conversation.

To his surprise, it was Charlotte—the same girl Rosaline had seen in black earlier.

"My prince," she began shakily, "why didn't you accept me to work here? I… I just wanted to be by your side."

Stefan rolled his eyes. "I've told you already. Nothing you do will make me love you. My heart belongs to someone else."

Charlotte's fists clenched. "It's her, isn't it? Rosaline."

His expression shifted. "How do you know that name?"

Charlotte's voice trembled. "I found out. I investigated. And now… I want to kill her."

Before she could speak another word, Stefan slammed her against the wall, his hand tightening around her neck.

"Say her name again," he growled, "and you'll forget how close we used to be. Anyone who dares harm her… dies by my hand."

Tears streamed down Charlotte's face. "So if I did try to kill her today, would you still kill your loyal servant?"

He released her without a word.

"I tried everything," she hissed. "Even changed the way I dressed… hoping you'd notice me. But it was all in vain."

She wiped her eyes with shaking hands. "I hope she hates you instead of loving you."

She stormed out, pain twisting her features.

Meanwhile, in Bianca's quarters…

A servant rushed in. "Mistress, Charlotte visited the prince again."

Bianca's eyes darkened. She threw her book aside. "Bring her to me. Now."

Moments later, Charlotte stood before her.

Slap.

Slap.

Slap.

Bianca's palm struck three times before Charlotte could react.

"I told you to stay away from him!" Bianca hissed.

Charlotte wiped the blood from her lip. "It wasn't me. It was my heart. You really think he'll love you? After Katherine's death? You're delusional. He'll never love you."

Bianca raised her hand for another slap—but Charlotte caught it.

"I let you hit me three times. But I won't let you do it again."

She turned to leave.

"You took my money," Bianca snarled. "You promised never to see him again."

"I know exactly who I'm dealing with," Charlotte replied over her shoulder, "and I'm not afraid anymore."

She vanished into the night, leaving Bianca seething.

And somewhere beneath the surface, fate stirred.

Secrets were unraveling.

And danger was closer than ever.