Setting: Velaris – Garden of Silent Stars | Midnight
The garden shimmered under the silver light of the twin moons. Flowers glowed faintly blue and white, their petals trembling under the breath of a cold breeze. Fountains whispered ancient lullabies in the background. The Garden of Silent Stars was one of Velaris' hidden gems — a place only royals, nobles, and the deeply connected were allowed.
Lyra sat alone on the edge of a marble bench, her hand resting near a silver flame-lantern. Her eyes were distant. The events of the past week clawed at her thoughts — the forged letter, Kaelrin's defense, Revian's return. It all felt like a dream, a tangle of past and future colliding into chaos.
> "You shouldn't be here alone,"
came a voice from the shadows.
She didn't even turn. "Kaelrin."
He stepped forward slowly. The moonlight caught his silhouette — tall, sharp, dangerous. A royal blue cloak flowed behind him like water over stone.
> "The stars look colder tonight,"
Kaelrin murmured, settling beside her.
> "Because something darker's watching,"
Lyra replied, then turned to face him. "Why are you here?"
> "To ask you something."
She arched an eyebrow. "Then ask."
Kaelrin hesitated. Not out of fear — but calculation. He wasn't used to this. Vulnerability.
> "Who forged the letter?"
Lyra blinked. "You think I know?"
> "You're clever. Intuitive. If anyone can trace lies, it's you."
She looked away. The glow from the lanterns danced over her features.
> "There are too many suspects. Revian. Even Alina."
> "You suspect your own sister?"
> "Sometimes," Lyra said bitterly, "we wear matching faces and walk opposite roads."
Kaelrin leaned forward. "Lyra..."
But his words trailed off. Her eyes were glassy. Unreadable. And yet, everything screamed within them — betrayal, pain, rage.
> "You called me hollow,"
she said, voice cracking only slightly. "Maybe you were right. Maybe this whole world is hollow. We smile, we bow, we bleed behind veils."
A pause.
Then Kaelrin took her hand.
> "But you... are not hollow. You are fire dressed in frost."
Their eyes locked. Something pulsed between them — not heat, not light, but gravity.
> "I don't want to fall for you,"
Lyra whispered.
> "Then don't," he replied, leaning closer. "Just walk beside me. For now."
---
Scene Shift — House Norwyn, Alina's Room
Alina stood before her mirror, brushing her silver-blonde hair. A knock.
> "Enter," she said softly.
Revian stepped in.
> "You've made progress. She's distracted."
Alina turned, frowning. "Don't act like I'm working for you. I have my reasons."
> "Ah, yes. To protect your sister."
> "And to protect myself, Revian. Don't forget that."
He moved closer. "If Kaelrin falls for her, he'll never see your worth. Not the way I did."
Alina looked away.
> "You never saw my worth. You just saw her shadow in me."
---
Scene — Flashback: Two Years Ago – Spring Masquerade
Velaris bloomed in gold and pink that night.
Lyra stood at the balcony of the Grand Court Ball, masked in silver and violet. Revian found her there. Their eyes met.
> "Dance with me, Lady Norwyn."
> "No."
> "Afraid you'll fall in love?"
> "Afraid I already have."
Their first kiss had tasted like stolen wine — sweet, reckless, fleeting.
But Revian was already promised elsewhere. Their romance was a secret. A game. A weapon.
And when the truth came out, he chose his duty over her heart.
---
Back to Present – Garden of Silent Stars
Lyra stood now, breathing in the cold night.
Kaelrin had left an hour ago, but his presence still lingered.
She didn't hear Revian until it was too late.
> "Still chasing the stars, Lyra?"
> "No," she said, spine straight. "Now I chase the truth."
> "Truth is cruel."
> "So am I."
He stepped closer.
> "I missed you."
> "I didn't."
> "Liar."
He grabbed her wrist — gently, but with intent.
> "Don't confuse your guilt with my forgiveness, Revian. You threw me away."
> "Because I thought I was saving you."
> "You weren't. You were saving yourself."
Then — footsteps.
Kaelrin emerged again.
> "Let her go."
Revian froze. "Jealous, Kaelrin?"
> "No. Protective."
> "Then you should know — she breaks hearts for sport."
> "And you break spirits for power."
The men stared each other down. Lyra pulled her hand away, stepping between them.
> "This is my battle. Not yours."
Kaelrin stepped back.
Revian smirked. "You'll have to choose eventually, Lyra."
> "No," she said. "I'll let truth choose for me."
—
To Be Continued