I was convinced—absolutely, wholeheartedly convinced, that I had succeeded.
Cassian hadn't spoken to Seraphina.
The tragic handkerchief scene was blocked.
No soft smiles. No destiny sparks. No flags activated.
If this were a game, I would've saved right there.
I even allowed myself a quiet moment of pride while standing near a side gallery, sipping something floral and expensive and pretending I belonged in a palace instead of emotionally trespassing through one.
Mission status: Successful.
Villainess interference: Flawless.
Future suffering of my bias: Postponed.
I was already planning my next move—three days of strategic disappearance, followed by light, tasteful stalking—when a maid leaned in and whispered, almost absentmindedly,
"Lady Valeria was summoned by Viscount Veldt."
The world… stopped.
I blinked once.
Then again.
My brain took a second to load, like an old computer facing an unexpected update.
"…Summoned," I repeated slowly.
The maid nodded. "Yes, my lady. Just now."
She left.
I stayed.
Frozen.
Summoned… WHO?
No.
No, no, no, no, no.
A cold realization slid down my spine.
Are you KIDDING ME?!
I slammed my empty cup onto a nearby table—the clatter making a pair of nobles glance over before quickly looking away.
I've been following him like a lovesick ghost for THREE DAYS straight! I memorized his patrol routes, his favorite tea blend, even the way he ties his boots—and he can't tell the difference between blonde and RAVEN BLACK hair?!
Does he have cataracts? Does he see in sepia tone?! Or worse… is my bias suffering from face blindness?!
And Valeria—
Wore the Noctyra crest openly.
Actually looked like the villainess everyone expected.
While I—
I looked like a suspicious crow with commitment issues.
My vision dimmed.
CONGRATS, ME.
YOU JUST YEETED THE WRONG VILLAINESS INTO A ROMANCE FLAG.
My mind exploded into worst-case scenarios.
Valeria snapping at him.
Cassian standing there, confused and polite.
Rumors blooming like mold in a damp cellar.
"Viscount Veldt summons Duke Noctyra's niece in private."
"Secret interest?"
"Scandal?"
"Engagement rumors?"
I physically gagged.
Okay. Think. Options.
Run to them?
No—too suspicious.
Hide?
Already doing that emotionally.
Faint?
Tempting, but dramatic fainting draws attention.
Time travel?
If only.
My knuckles ached as I squeezed the glass tight, moving silently and carefully toward the fountain corridor.
If I couldn't halt it, I'd at least see what was broken.
Valeria stood with her back straight, chin lifted, irritation radiating off her like heat.
Cassian faced her, posture perfect, expression calm—but something in his eyes was… off. Like a man trying to solve a puzzle that kept rearranging itself.
"A viscount summoning me privately," Valeria said coolly. "You're either bold or foolish."
Cassian bowed slightly. "My apologies, Lady Noctyra. There has been a misunderstanding."
Her brow arched. "Misunderstanding?"
He hesitated.
Just a fraction.
"I believed," he said carefully, "that I was speaking to someone else."
Silence fell.
Sharp. Dangerous.
Valeria's eyes narrowed. "Someone else."
Oh no.
She heard that.
She really heard that.
"So," she continued, voice smooth as a blade, "you summoned me under false pretenses?"
Cassian straightened. "That was not my intention."
"And yet here we are."
I pressed myself against a pillar, heart pounding so loudly I was sure it echoed.
This was worse than death.
This was a MISUNDERSTANDING arc.
Valeria's gaze flicked over Cassian, assessing, calculating.
"I see," she said finally. "And this… other woman. Who is she?"
Cassian paused.
And then—like an idiot.
A polite, honorable, green-flag idiot—
"She did nothing improper."
My soul left my body.
Valeria's lips curved into something cold.
"Oh," she said softly. "So you defend her."
Cassian looked faintly startled. "I merely state the truth."
Valeria turned away, clearly offended now—but also intrigued.
"I will take my leave," she said. "If you intend to summon noblewomen, Viscount, be certain you know who they are next time.
Her skirts swished past my spot like a taunt."
The second she was gone, I pushed off the pillar.
This wasn't how I planned it, I never wanted him to look away. I'd been trying to draw his eye, to make me the one he looked to—not that other woman who'd turn him down flat and leave him adrift.
Valeria knew full well I've got feelings for the viscount; she even told me not to hide.
Useless cousin—she probably thought I'd let her say I was the one he's defending. What a fool she is.
Fine then. I'll handle this my own way. Not here, not now, and certainly not where she can make a scene of it.
I was going to reveal myself, calmly, clearly, like a responsible adult—
When a familiar, infuriatingly smooth voice cut through the air.
"How interesting."
I froze.
"Even my cousin's shadows seem more entertaining than the banquet itself."
I turned.
Golden hair. Perfect posture. A smile sharpened by arrogance.
Crown Prince Adrian Solare.
Beside him stood Seraphina, glowing softly, unaware of the chaos orbiting her.
Adrian's gaze swept past Cassian… then landed exactly where I stood.
I swallowed.
Oh shit. The Pineapple Prince is here—with hair like overripe fruit and a face that thinks it's the whole harvest.
His smile widened—just a little.
Eww.. Cassian's way hotter than this walking golden melon.
"Tell me, Lady Liriel… are you always this entertaining when you think no one is watching?"
Seraphina blinked, confused.
Adrian's eyes stayed on me.
Cold.
Curious.
And realized—too late—
That the real danger tonight wasn't Cassian's curiosity.
It was the Crown Prince noticing me at all.
~🫶