Chapter 5: A deal in the shadows

After the Emperor's grand announcement, the night continued with music, laughter, and clinking glasses — but Selena had no intention of celebrating.

Her mind worked like a spinning wheel, weaving threads of her plan together.

Under the sparkling chandeliers, Selena’s sharp eyes caught Lady Miya once again, smiling shyly among the crowd.

Now was the time.

Without hesitation, Selena moved through the crowd and gently took Lady Miya's hand, startling the girl slightly.

“Lady Miya," Selena said warmly, "would you accompany me for a moment? There’s something I would like to discuss privately."

Miya, unsure but unable to refuse the daughter of a Duke, nodded politely.

Selena led her swiftly out of the bustling ballroom and down a quiet corridor, finally slipping into a small drawing room where only silence and flickering candlelight awaited them.

When the door closed behind them with a soft click, Selena turned to face Miya — her expression serious.

"I’ll be direct with you," Selena began, her voice calm but firm.

"Can you please do me a favour."

Miya’s eyes widened slightly, her cheeks tinged pink.

"Favour? I can't refuse, so sure lady Selena" said Lady Miya with a smile

Miya shifted uncomfortably, caught between propriety and truth.

Selena smiled gently. "I want you to marry Raven in my place."

"But..." Miya started to say, confusion crossing her features, "isn’t he... your fiancé now? The engagement was just announced."

Selena's smile deepened, a sly glint in her eyes.

"For now, yes. But soon there will be a royal marriage decree — a contract that officially binds the bride and groom before the wedding. It requires signatures."

She paused, letting her next words land carefully.

"And when that time comes... I intend to put your name, not mine, on that contract."

Miya stared at her in disbelief, her hands clenching the fabric of her dress.

"I-I don’t understand," Miya stammered. "That’s against the rules... It’s the royal decree. It’s not something we can just change."

Selena chuckled lightly, stepping closer.

"You think too highly of the rules. In this world, it’s the ones who dare to act that change fate. I don’t want to marry Raven. Plus I think you are more suitable than me to marry Lord Raven"

Miya hesitated, her heart torn between hope and fear.

"but..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Miya looked down, wrestling with her emotions.

"But if something goes wrong..." she murmured, "what if people find out?"

Selena’s eyes burned with determination.

"If anything happens," she said firmly, "I will take full responsibility. I swear it on my name, Selena Valkrian."

There was a long, heavy silence.

Miya's heart pounded. She had always been taught to obey, to walk the proper paths society paved for her.

But this offer — this chance to marry the Grand Duke's eldest son, it was really hard to resist.

Finally, slowly, she lifted her head, her blue eyes meeting Selena's.

"...Alright," Miya whispered. "I’ll trust you."

Selena’s smile was one of quiet triumph.

"Good," she said, reaching out to squeeze Miya’s hand reassuringly.

"Stick close to me. I’ll guide you through the rest."

As the two girls exited the drawing room and returned to the glittering world of the ballroom, neither noticed the figure hidden deeper in the shadows —

watching, listening, with an unreadable look in his eyes.

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