Steel clashed against wood, the sound cracking across the empty training yard. Adrien's sword sliced through the air again, harder than before, striking the practice dummy with enough force to split the wood. Sweat ran down his temples, soaking through his shirt, but he didn't stop. He couldn't.
Every swing was a memory:
Lucien smiling calmly as if nothing ever touched him.
Seraphina's hand on his brother's arm, light and graceful.
Her poised smile at the feast — flawless, untouchable.
Adrien snarled, striking again until the dummy's head split, until splinters scattered at his feet. His breath tore through his chest, but still the fire roared inside him.
"You'll wear yourself into ruin."
The voice was quiet but steady. Adrien turned sharply, sword still raised. Evelyne stood at the edge of the yard, a flask of tonic in her hands. Her gown caught the torchlight, her expression calm, though her eyes softened at the sight of him.
"You," he said roughly.
"You forget to eat. To drink. To rest." Evelyne walked closer, holding out the flask. "If you burn too long, Adrien, there will be nothing left of you but ash."
He dropped the blade with a loud clang, breath ragged. For a long moment, he didn't move. Then, with a growl, he snatched the flask, drank deeply, and shoved it back into her hands.
"You think I need your warnings?" His voice cut sharper than the steel at his feet.
Evelyne didn't flinch. "I think you need someone."
Adrien's jaw clenched, his chest rising and falling. "I need no one."
Her voice lowered, gentle but unyielding. "That is a lie. Even flames need air to live."
He turned from her, running a hand through his damp hair. "You speak gently. Too gently. You don't know what it is to stand in your brother's shadow, to be praised only for your fire while he is called wise, steady, destined."
Evelyne's hands tightened on the flask. "I know envy, Adrien. I know longing. And I know love. All of them destroy when you feed them too much."
His head snapped toward her, eyes fierce. For a heartbeat, his fire faltered, raw and unguarded. But then he turned away again, pressing his fists into the wall. "You think to soothe me. But fire is not soothed, Evelyne. It is fed."
Her breath caught, her eyes bright with unshed words. "And if it consumes you?"
"Then let it," Adrien muttered, his voice hoarse. "At least I'll know I burned."
For a long moment, Evelyne stood frozen, staring at him. Hurt flickered in her gaze, but she smoothed it away, pressing her lips into calm.
"If you will not let me help you," she whispered, "then at least remember you are not alone."
Adrien didn't answer.
Her footsteps faded, leaving him in silence. He stood there, fists trembling, chest aching with fire and guilt both.
And then — the soft whisper of skirts.
"My prince."
Adrien spun. Seraphina stood in the archway, pale gown shimmering in lamplight, her poise flawless.
"You should not be here," he growled, his voice still raw.
"Neither should you," she answered softly, stepping into the yard. "And yet… here we are."
His breath came ragged. "Do you enjoy tormenting me?"
Her lips curved faintly, almost innocent. "Do I torment you?"
He strode toward her, stopping only when her perfume and breath tangled in the air between them. His voice dropped, fierce. "Every moment you smile at him. Every time you lean close. Every time you remind me he has you — and yet you burn when you look at me."
For the first time, her mask flickered. Her breath caught, quick and shallow. But her words were smooth. "You burn too easily, Adrien. Perhaps that is your curse."
"Or perhaps you are my curse," he whispered, his hand rising, trembling inches from her cheek.
Her eyes locked to his, unflinching, though her chest rose and fell faster. For a heartbeat, silence burned hotter than fire.
Then Seraphina stepped back, mask perfect once more. "Careful, Adrien. Some fires consume more than they warm."
She turned, her gown whispering as she left the yard.
Adrien stood frozen, fists curling, every muscle taut. Evelyne's soft plea still echoed in his ears, but Seraphina's scent, her voice, her nearness drowned it out.
And when the night fell silent again, Adrien knew the fire in him had only grown stronger — and that it would consume more than just himself.
---
✨ Now this chapter feels more human-length and layered:
Adrien's training scene expanded.
Adrien & Evelyne's conversation drawn out — she pleads, he rejects.
Evelyne's hurt shown clearly.
Adrien & Seraphina's forbidden exchange lengthened, with breath, closeness, and sharper tension.
Ends with Adrien torn apart — Evelyne's truth vs Seraphina's fire.