The sun hung lazily in the afternoon sky, casting warm amber light through the tall stained-glass windows of Gianne's private study. Her fingers traced the rim of a crystal glass filled with deep red wine as she lounged in a high-backed velvet chair, legs crossed, a spellbook open in her lap—but she wasn't reading. Not really.
She was thinking. Remembering.
Her quill hovered above parchment, unmoving, when the door creaked open slightly.
"My lady?" came a voice. It was Mira, one of her housemaids, peeking nervously inside.
Gianne didn't look up. "Yes?"
"A letter arrived. From the palace."
That got her attention.
Gianne set the wine glass down and gestured. Mira rushed forward and handed over the sealed envelope with the royal crest gleaming gold.
Gianne broke it open with a flick of her nail and scanned the contents. Her expression unreadable.
"They're hosting an examination," Mira said softly. "The palace is searching for a new Palace Witch."
Gianne leaned back in her chair, folding the letter. "What happened to the old one?
"They say she died," Mira replied. Then, almost in a whisper, "Some whisper the prince had something to do with it."
A quiet moment passed.
Gianne smirked. "Of course he did."
"There will be three challenges," Mira continued. "All qualified magic bearers are invited. The winner will serve beside the royal family. The final challenge…" she hesitated.
"What about it?" Gianne's tone sharpened.
"They say it involves the prince."
Gianne's eyes darkened with interest. "Of course it does."
She rose, the spellbook sliding off her lap and closing with a soft thud. Her long dark robe shimmered slightly as she moved across the study, thinking, calculating.
So this was how fate wanted to play.
…She turned to Mira. "Have the tailor prepare a black velvet gown. And call the spellwright—I want something laced with old magic. Something that reminds them who they're dealing with."
"Yes, my lady."
"Oh, and Mira," Gianne added, already turning back toward her desk, "have the carriage prepared."
Mira blinked. "My lady?"
"I leave for the palace tomorrow."
The maid bowed quickly. "Right away, my lady."
As Mira disappeared, Gianne walked to the window and looked out at the city in the distance. People would fight for the crown's favor… but she wasn't just anyone.
*She was the villainess. And villains always played to win.*
*Let the challenges come.*