The bells of Bellflower rang faintly in the distance, signaling twilight's fall over the kingdom. In the high tower of the western wing, Lisa sat quietly by the hearth, the fire crackling softly, its warmth barely reaching the chill that had taken root inside her.
Since the night of the court trial, something had changed in her. It wasn't just the haunting image of the girl burning—possessed or not,it was the cold resolve in Leonard's voice, the fire in his hands, and the terrifying stillness in his eyes.
Lisa knew now more than ever: he was dangerous.
But what frightened her most... was that she didn't want to run.
She reminisced back to her weird dream she wanted to ignore so bad yet couldn't shaken the feeling off.
⸻
Elsewhere in the castle, Leonard stood before a grand mirror in his private chamber, letting Caelum pour him a glass of darkwine.
"You were too harsh," Caelum said without looking up.
Leonard didn't respond immediately. He was adjusting the cuffs of his shirt, blood still faintly staining the leather of his sleeves from an earlier execution in the dungeons.
"She needed to see what I am," he finally said.
Caelum raised a brow. "You don't want her to see everything."
"She'll find out eventually. What I've done. What I'll continue to do." He downed the wine in one movement. "This isn't a fairy tale."
Caelum looked toward the window, the darkened cityscape of Bellflower stretching far below. "Even monsters fall in love."
Leonard's jaw flexed. "I'm not in love."
"Good," Caelum replied. "Because the witches haven't stopped. And love makes you careless."
He pulled out a parchment from his coat, unfolding it slowly.
"We intercepted this from the eastern border. A coded message sent through the old crow-paths. It's addressed to someone inside the court."
Leonard took the parchment, eyes narrowing as he read the cryptic, blood-marked script. "They've already infiltrated this deep?"
"Someone's feeding them information. Someone close."
⸻
That evening, the castle prepared for a private banquet. Unlike the grand court event, this one was limited to a select few: key noble families, military heads, and a handful of outsiders whose names Lisa had never even heard before.
Lydia helped her into a silver gown with crystal stitching along the sleeves. The corset was tight, meant to intimidate more than flatter. Lisa didn't feel beautiful. She felt like armor was being strapped to her body.
"Mi lady, you must be cautious tonight," Lydia whispered as she adjusted her ribbon. "Some of the guests tonight...they aren't from Bellflower."
"What do you mean?"
"There are envoys from the southern reaches. And from the council of Avedon. They rarely come here unless war brews or alliances are being questioned."
Lisa's heart beat faster.
Rhys was waiting at the entrance to the ballroom. He wore a deep crimson coat and a smirk that didn't reach his eyes.
"You look like you're ready to assassinate someone," he quipped, offering her his arm.
"Depends on who talks first."
"Lady Verona will be here."
Lisa sighed. "Of course she will."
"And Caelum is keeping an eye on the Chancellor's advisor. They think he's one of the names tied to that coded letter."
They entered the hall together.
The ballroom shimmered with golden light and a haunting orchestral tune. Long tables were set with glass goblets and food from across the five territories. Nobles laughed too loudly. Some watched her like she was a strange bird in a cage.
Leonard was already at the high table, flanked by Caelum on one side, and an empty seat on the other.
Lisa took her place beside him, and at once the room seemed to hush.
Across the hall, Lady Verona raised her goblet and smiled as if she were still queen.
⸻
Midway through the feast, a glass shattered. A servant girl had collapsed, her face pale, eyes wide in terror. She screamed something incoherent before falling completely still.
A commotion followed, guests rising in alarm.
Leonard was on his feet instantly, signaling guards.
"Poison?" Lisa whispered.
"No," Caelum said, already at the girl's side. "Something else. She's been...charmed."
Gasps echoed through the hall. Some guests backed away. Others whispered prayers.
Lisa stood slowly, heart pounding.
The girl began muttering.
Words foreign and guttural.
Then, her mouth bled. Her hands twisted unnaturally.
Leonard's command rang like steel. "Clear the hall!"
Nobles scurried like mice. Rhys held Lisa back from going closer.
But Leonard didn't flinch. He stepped forward, knelt by the girl, and whispered something in a language no one else seemed to understand.
She froze.
And then collapsed, truly unconscious.
He stood. "She's not one of them. But they used her. To send a message."
"What message?" Lisa asked quietly.
He turned to her, and for once, his expression was not made of ice but steel.
"They're not hiding anymore."
⸻
Later that night, in the old war room where candlelight cast long shadows, Leonard, Caelum, Rhys, and Hadley gathered.
Lisa wasn't invited.
She stood outside the room's arched door, hearing faint bits of their conversation.
"They've named her," Hadley said. "They know who Lisa is."
"She's not ready," Caelum added. "She doesn't even know the full truth."
"She can't," Leonard said coldly. "Not yet."
Rhys sighed. "You're delaying the inevitable."
Silence.
Then Leonard's voice again.
"If they come for her, they'll meet something worse."
⸻
Back in her chamber, Lisa sat at the window, the stars above Bellflower finally piercing the clouds.
The wind whispered through the stone arches.
And somewhere deep inside her...
The power stirred again.
But this time, it didn't wait to be summoned.
It came.
And with it, a vision—
Of fire.
Of war.
Of a crown made of ash.
And a voice she didn't recognize whispering...
"The key must bleed."