The moon hung high like a silver spectator, veiled behind clouds that refused to blink. Kael'Tun's grand botanical conservatory-Lady Serava's favored dueling stage, naturally-was silent, save for the click of heels and the rustle of rage.
Lavender stood beneath a flowering arch, totem dangling from her neck, violet eyes glinting with mischief.
"Darling Serava," she said with a lilting purr, "what an absolutely dramatic place for a conversation. How very you."
Serava strode forward, wrapped in black velvet and fury. "You've made a mockery of my city."
"Oh no, dear." Lavender tilted her head. "I've made a museum of it. But it seems your exhibit is... no longer on display."
Serava's lips curled. "You think you're clever. A collector playing queen in a world she barely understands."
"Ah, but I don't need to understand it, petal. I only need to own it."
The two women circled, eyes locked like wolves with lipstick.
"You've endangered lives," Serava hissed. "You've stirred old wars. Freed prisoners meant to stay forgotten."
Lavender chuckled, flicking a speck of invisible dust from her sleeve. "Don't be silly. I didn't free them out of kindness. I freed them because they're interesting. You, on the other hand... are starting to bore me."
That did it.
Serava lunged-dagger drawn, teeth bared.
But Lavender was faster.
With a twist of her wrist, the Mad Collector's ring transformed into a blade of translucent crystal, humming with energy not of this world. The clash rang through the conservatory like a bell announcing doom.
They danced through vines and stone statues, trading strikes and biting words.
"You're just a spoiled noble with daddy issues," Lavender said cheerfully as their blades locked.
"And you're a lunatic with delusions of grandeur!" Serava spat, pushing back.
"Well, darling," Lavender purred, sliding out of reach with maddening grace, "you'll find delusions and grandeur often go hand in hand."
With a flick, she slashed Serava's arm. Blood bloomed like a red flower on her sleeve.
Serava staggered.
Lavender walked toward her with slow, deliberate steps, eyes gleaming with something old and wild. "This is the part where you beg," she said, voice velvet and venom.
But before her final strike could land-
A crack shattered the air.
A golden blur crashed between them, shoving Serava back and standing over her protectively.
Lavender froze.
The newcomer rose to his full height-elegant, commanding, terrifying. Golden armor shimmered under moonlight, and sharp amber eyes met Lavender's with the weight of judgment.
"Well, well," she murmured. "The big brother finally crawled out of his burrow."
"Enough," he said coldly. "You've done more than your share of damage, Collector."
Lavender didn't flinch. "You're shielding her? After all her delightful crimes?"
He scoffed. "She is a Seradine. Her mistakes are ours to correct. Not yours to exploit."
"She tried to kill me."
"And you nearly succeeded in returning the favor." His voice dropped, laced with warning. "But know this, Mad Collector-you've crossed a line you will pay for."
He gathered Serava in his arms, who clutched her bleeding side with a glare of hate and humiliation.
Lavender stepped aside with a gracious bow. "I look forward to your invoice."
---
The next morning, Kael'Tun buzzed with subtle panic and abrupt silences.
The Seradine siblings vanished with no farewell. Serava's name was stripped from records, her banners taken down overnight. The conservatory, once bearing her family's sigil, now flew the crest of the Empire's central bloodline.
The town council was replaced. City guards were reassigned. Kael'Tun was under new management.
Vashir said nothing as he watched it unfold. But he stood closer to Lavender now, as though something ancient in him stirred at her madness.
Lavender simply sipped her tea on a balcony, legs swinging over the edge like a carefree child.
"She didn't even thank me for the lesson," she said with a pout. "Some people are just so ungrateful."