A Dance of Daggers

The moon hung like a silver coin above the empire, Casting its cold glow over the grand Valtara estate, now transformed into a dream of opulence and shadows. Velvet banners billowed. Crystal chandeliers gleamed.

My gown shimmered like sin.

Black as night, with threads of crimson that flickered like fire when I moved. The corset hugged my waist, stitched with delicate patterns resembling thorns and blooming roses. A reminder of what beauty can do when it's armed. A sweeping train pooled behind me like a spilled shadow. The mask I held in my hand was carved from onyx, its edges gilded and sharp enough to cut.

I stood before the mirror in my chambers, watching the woman I had become. My gown was like liquid night, stitched with obsidian thread and kissed with hints of crimson. It hugged my figure like it knew the game I was about to play. I hid just enough, but not too much. Let them stare. Let them guess.

"Are you sure, my lady?" Sophie asked, adjusting the fall of my hair. "This dress... it'll make a statement."

"That's the point," I said, meeting her eyes through the mirror. "Let them remember who they tried to bury."

Her lips parted, like she wanted to say more, but thought better of it. She only nodded and fastened the final clasp at my shoulder.

"You know what you have to do, right?" I asked.

"Yes, my lady. You won't be disappointed," she responded as she adjusted the ribbon at my back.

Ever since I got the advice of the hooded man that night, I kept Sophie close. Earned her trust. Bought her loyalty. All it took was paying for the best hospital in the kingdom to treat her mother, and now? She'd burn the empire with me if I asked.

I slipped on the mask, and with it, the last vestige of who I used to be fell away.

Tonight, I wasn't the betrayed fiancée. I wasn't the pitiful, Cast aside noblewoman.

I was the storm they never saw coming.

Tonight, I would dance. Smile. Sip poisoned wine with the same grace I'd use to ruin reputations. I didn't need swords or armies. Just whispers, glances, and a well placed rumor.

And I had already started.

Kael's little affair with Sylenne Varnhart. My dearest cousin and my so called "Best friend" was about to become the worst kept secret of the season. I'd fed Sophie lines to spill among the servant girls, and I knew how fast the right whispers could slither up gilded walls.

Laughter echoed like lies through the marbled halls as nobles filed in, each face hidden behind jeweled masks, each secret heavier than gold.

As I descended the staircase, the crowd parted like the sea before a storm. I felt their eyes. Some curious. Some envious. Some… afraid. Good. Let them be.

Kael found me first.

"My lady," he said, stepping close. His mask was navy and gold, but I could see his unease behind it. He hadn't expected me to shine. To command attention. To glow like fury dressed in silk.

"My beloved fiancé," I replied with a snarky tone, voice laced with ice. "Enjoying the party?"

He blinked. "Of course. You… look radiant."

"Do I?" I smiled. "How lovely. Shame Sylenne isn't here to see it right now. I was hoping she'd admire my dress. I heard she has a very similar one in a size bigger."

His lips parted slightly. Shock. Denial. Panic? Good.

Before he could recover, another noble approached, offering his hand.

"May I have the honor of this dance?" he asked, his voice oily.

I accepted with a nod, glancing sideways to catch Kael's clenched jaw.

Let the games begin.

The noble's hand rested too low on my waist. His steps too close. His breath too hot. I kept smiling, pretending not to notice, but his fingers tightened.

Then...

"Unhand her."

The voice was soft but carved from steel.

Lucien.

Tall, unbothered, elegance wrapped in danger. His mask was Coal black, simple and sharp, but it did nothing to hide the cold fury in his eyes.

The noble stammered and retreated. Lucien didn't spare him a glance. He turned to me, bowing slightly.

"Lady Katerina. May I?"

I placed my hand in his without hesitation. "Please."

He pulled me into the next dance just as the orchestra shifted to a slower, darker melody. His arm wrapped firmly around my waist. His gloved fingers brushed mine.

"You're quite the star tonight," he murmured.

"Are you surprised?" I said, tilting my head. "I thought you knew everything."

He chuckled, low and quiet. "Ah. So it was you who planted the rumors about Kael."

I didn't deny it. I didn't need to.

"How do you know?" I asked, voice cool.

Lucien looked down at me, gaze unreadable. "I make it my business to know when the tides turn. You've stirred the water, Katerina. Beautifully."

I held his gaze. "Will you tell anyone?"

"No," he said simply. "I'm enjoying this far too much."

There it was. That tug of war between us. He knew what I was doing. And I knew he knew. No need to lie. He'd catch it. And if he betrayed me? So be it. But Lucien wasn't a man who exposed chaos. He fed it, quietly, carefully, like a collector savoring his rarest piece.

"I must admit," he continued, voice dipping lower, "I didn't expect you to move this quickly."

"Time isn't a luxury I can afford."

His smirk curved slowly. "I was right. You're colder now. And far more dangerous."

"I've learned my lessons well."

Across the ballroom, Kael stood stiff as a statue, watching us. Rage simmered beneath his mask. His fiancée, His property, Dancing with a Duke, the Emperor's right hand, the shadow he could never control.

I smiled.

Let him burn.

Lucien twirled me dramatically, and I landed in his arms, chest to chest, our masks nearly touching.

He leaned in and said loud enough for Kael to hear:

"He never deserved to touch you."

Then he smirked right at Kael.

Public humiliation.

Kael was frozen mid step, Mask cracking, pride bleeding.

He didn't understand.

He was supposed to be the sun I revolved around.

But now?

I was my own damn galaxy.

Let the confusion eat him alive.

As the dance spun us near the banquet table, I noticed her.

Sylenne.

She stood frozen, holding a glass of wine she hadn't touched. Her dress was nearly identical to mine. On purpose, no doubt. But the comparison wasn't kind to her. I offered her a polite smile. Empty, cold, untouchable.

Let her wonder what changed.

Let her squirm with all the whispers around her.

Then she saw the note tucked beneath the napkin. Her fingers trembled as she read it. Pale. Trembling. Afraid.

The words I had written still echoed in my mind:

"Does Kael still call you "His little dove" when you sneak into his chambers? Or has he moved on to sweeter lies? Don't worry, I remember everything. Even the bruises you asked him to hide. I know what you did. Enjoy the night. Before it becomes your last."

Subtle. Scary. Perfect.

Lucien's fingers flexed against mine.

"Cruel," he whispered in amusement.

"She deserves worse," I replied.

"And Kael?"

I glanced toward him. He was storming toward Sylenne now, hissing in her ear as she tried to hold back tears. A few nobles were already whispering.

"I'll let him destroy himself," I said.

Lucien spun me one last time, then dipped me low, his lips near my ear.

"I knew I'd enjoy watching you rise," he whispered. "But I never thought I'd enjoy it this much."

When the dance ended, he released me with a slight bow.

"I'll be watching, Katerina."

"I know," I murmured.

Then the music screeched to a halt.

Every head turned.

The ballroom doors burst open, And in walked a woman, Dripping in pearls and fury.

Kael's other mistress.

The second one.

She tossed the crumpled letter at Sylenne's feet. "So you were the one sneaking into his rooms!"

Gasps. Whispers. Heads turned like swivels.

Sylenne turned white, then red. "That's ridiculous—!"

Kael stepped forward, trying to intervene. "Let's not do this here—"

Too late.

Sophie had already whispered the right words to the right ears.

Rumors spread like wildfire: Embezzled funds. Secret trysts. Bribes.

Kael's composure cracked. He raised his voice, trying to shout over the crowd. "This is slander! A setup!"

His voice wavered.

Lucien leaned close to me, his voice low.

"Your move, Lady Katerina."

I stepped forward, Mask in place, voice calm.

"If you are innocent, then you have nothing to fear. But if you're guilty…"

Her voice sliced the air.

"…you'll be audited. And tried."

More murmurs. Nobles pulling away from him like he reeked of rot.

Kael looked at me, Betrayed, Confused, Desperate.

And I tilted my head.

Let him panic.

Let him fall apart.

Kael's gaze snapped to me again. He was unraveling. I could see it.

But I? I was just getting started.