Chapter 4

Celeste fell silent in an instant, her hand on the doorknob digging fiercely into her palm.

And just like that, the intimate atmosphere between Madron and me was shattered.

Madron's gaze darkened. He tossed the package at Celeste's feet. "Explain."

Perhaps it was the first time she had ever seen Madron look so cold.

Startled, Celeste's eyes instantly reddened.

"Madron, you've misunderstood," she said, picking up the package and walking toward me.

"I bought it using Luna's name. I didn't mean any harm, I just didn't want you two to fight because of me."

Tears slid down her cheeks as she spoke, "Amara, it was all my fault for being so thoughtless, I..."

"Amara?" My gaze was utterly cold. "Does the name 'Luna' burn your tongue?"

Celeste's face stiffened, and her eyes flickered for a moment before she quickly spoke.

"Yes, Luna. It's all my fault. Please don't misunderstand Madron."

"Misunderstand?" I looked down at her from my high heels. "Celeste, drop your cheap little tricks in front of me, and you'd better tuck your tail in."

The atmosphere froze. Madron stepped forward at just the right moment, taking the box and subtly blocking the piercing glare I was shooting at Celeste.

"Alright, now that everything's been cleared up, Amara doesn't blame you. You can go now."

Celeste looked wounded. "I understand," she replied, then covered her mouth and rushed out of the room.

Madron looked at me. "The misunderstanding is cleared up now. Don't be angry, Amara."

I dropped my gaze to the object in his hands and, surprisingly, found the situation somewhat amusing.

I looked at him, my expression dead serious. "Madron, do you know what I hate more than anything?"

He faltered, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. "What?"

"Betrayal." My gaze drifted to the white clouds outside the window, my eyes filled with hatred. "You know about my family's scandal. My mother had a complete breakdown because of my father's infidelity."

"So," I turned back to him, my voice devoid of all warmth, "if you dare to betray me, I will never let you get away with it."

At my words, a nearly imperceptible flicker of panic hid deep within Madron's eyes.

"I won't."

That night, Celeste was sent to one of the corporation's hotels.

The peace between Madron and me was restored.

The next evening, I was considering whether to have the elder withdraw the ritual application, when Madron appeared before me, holding Celeste who was covered in blood and sobbing uncontrollably.