Adrian's POV
Cassandra's hand felt cold in mine.
The entire ballroom stared at us as I led her to the dance floor. I could feel hundreds of eyes burning into my back. Whispers erupted like wildfire.
"Is he insane?"
"The useless prince and the traitor's daughter?"
"This is social suicide!"
Good. Let them talk. In my old life, I learned that chaos was the best cover for making moves.
The music started—a slow waltz. I placed my hand on Cassandra's waist, and we began to move. My legs trembled with the effort. This weak body could barely dance, but I forced myself to keep going.
Cassandra stared at me with sharp green eyes full of suspicion. "What game are you playing, Prince Adrian?"
"No game," I whispered, keeping my voice low so only she could hear. "I'm making you an offer."
"An offer?" She laughed bitterly. "What could you possibly offer me? You're the weakest prince in the kingdom. Everyone knows it."
Her words stung, but she was right. At least, she was right about Adrian. She didn't know about Marco.
"Your father was framed for poisoning the late Queen," I said quietly. "You know it. I know it. And I can prove it."
Cassandra's steps faltered. Her eyes went wide. "What?"
"Keep dancing," I warned. "Everyone's watching."
She recovered, moving with me again, but her breathing had changed. Faster. Nervous.
"You're lying," she whispered. "If you had proof, you would have used it already."
"I just got the proof yesterday," I lied smoothly. "Hidden documents. Names. Evidence that shows who really killed my mother."
That part was actually true, sort of. Adrian's memories held pieces of truth he'd been too scared to put together. The poison that killed the late Queen was the same poison being used on Adrian now. The Royal Physician who examined the Queen was the same one who kept giving Adrian his "medicine." And Queen Seraphine had insisted on both.
"Why tell me this?" Cassandra asked, her voice shaking. "Why help me?"
"Because I need help too," I said honestly. "In six months, the Succession Trials begin. I'm going to compete. And I'm going to win."
She actually laughed out loud. Several nobles turned to stare.
"You? Win the Trials?" Cassandra shook her head. "Prince Adrian, I don't know what's wrong with you tonight, but you can barely stand up. Your brothers will destroy you in the first challenge."
"Not if I have the right allies," I countered. "Not if I have someone smart enough to help me play the game."
"What game?"
"Politics. Strategy. Survival." I met her eyes. "You're brilliant at all three. I've heard the rumors—you've been studying poisons, trying to find a way to assassinate Queen Seraphine."
Cassandra's face went pale. "How did you—"
"Because I pay attention. Because I see things others miss." I leaned closer. "Your plan won't work. Seraphine has three food tasters and takes antidotes daily. You'll fail and die. But if you work with me, I'll give you something better than revenge."
"What?"
"Justice. Your family's name restored. Your father declared innocent. Your younger brother freed from the debts that keep him prisoner." I paused. "And Queen Seraphine kneeling before you, admitting what she did."
Cassandra's breathing stopped. For a moment, we just danced in silence.
"Why?" she finally asked. "Why would you do all this?"
"Because I need a queen," I said simply. "Marry me. Help me win the throne. And I'll give you back everything they stole from you."
The music ended. We stood there on the dance floor, her hand still in mine.
"You're insane," she whispered.
"Maybe," I agreed. "But I'm also your only chance. Say yes, or go back to your suicide mission against Seraphine. Your choice."
Cassandra stared at me for a long moment. I could see her mind working, weighing options, calculating risks. She was smart. Really smart.
Finally, she spoke. "If I agree, I want proof. Show me this evidence about my father."
"Tomorrow. Meet me in the East Garden at dawn. Come alone."
"How do I know you won't betray me?"
"You don't," I said honestly. "But you know for certain that everyone else already has. At least I'm offering you a chance."
Before she could respond, a voice cut through the crowd like a knife.
"How touching."
Queen Seraphine glided toward us, her smile cold and beautiful. She wore a purple dress and a crown that caught the light. Everyone bowed as she passed. I bowed too, hating every second of it.
"Prince Adrian," she said sweetly. "I wasn't aware you knew Lady Cassandra."
"We've just met, Your Majesty," I said, keeping my voice weak and respectful like Adrian always did.
"How... interesting." Seraphine's violet eyes studied me like a snake studying a mouse. "You look tired, stepson. Perhaps you should retire early. I'll have the servants bring your evening medicine."
There it was. The poison. She was going to increase the dose tonight because I'd done something unexpected.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said. "You're too kind."
Her smile widened. "I only want what's best for you, dear Adrian. After all, you have such a delicate constitution. We must take extra care."
She turned to Cassandra. "As for you, Lady Nyx, I'm surprised you had the courage to show your face here. Your father's crimes have not been forgotten."
"My father was innocent," Cassandra said firmly.
"Of course you'd believe that." Seraphine's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Daughters always want to think the best of their fathers. Even murderous ones."
I saw Cassandra's hand twitch toward her dress again. Toward that hidden knife.
"Lady Cassandra is my guest," I said quickly, stepping between them. "I invited her."
The ballroom went completely silent. Even the musicians stopped playing.
Seraphine's smile froze. "You... invited her?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." I kept my voice steady even though my heart pounded. "Is there a problem?"
For just a second, I saw something dark flash in Seraphine's eyes. Anger. Confusion. Maybe even fear.
The weak prince never defied her. Never questioned her. Never did anything unexpected.
But tonight, I'd asked the traitor's daughter to dance. I'd defended her publicly. I'd challenged the Queen's authority.
Adrian would never do these things.
Seraphine's calculating mind was working. She suspected something had changed but didn't know what.
"No problem at all," she said finally, her voice sugar-sweet again. "I simply worry about your reputation, stepson. Association with certain people can be... damaging."
"I appreciate your concern," I said. "But I'm old enough to choose my own friends."
Another shocked gasp from the nobles. I'd just basically told the Queen to mind her own business.
Seraphine's smile became razor-sharp. "Indeed. How mature of you." She glanced at a servant near the wall. "Make sure Prince Adrian's medicine is prepared exactly as the Royal Physician prescribed. Double strength tonight. We want him to sleep well."
Double strength. She was going to try to kill me tonight.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said calmly. "I'm sure it will help me feel much better."
Seraphine studied me one more time, her eyes full of suspicion. Then she turned and walked away, her dress sweeping across the floor.
The moment she left, I felt Cassandra's hand grip my arm.
"She's going to kill you tonight," Cassandra whispered urgently. "That medicine—"
"I know," I said quietly. "I've known for a while."
"Then why—"
"Because I'm not going to drink it." I looked at her. "East Garden. Dawn. If I survive tonight, we make our deal. If I don't show up, run. Get out of the capital and never come back."
"Adrian—"
"Do we have a deal or not?"
Cassandra searched my face. Whatever she saw there made her decide.
"East Garden. Dawn," she agreed. "Don't die before then."
"I'll try my best."
She walked away, disappearing into the crowd. I stood there alone on the dance floor, every noble in the kingdom staring at me.
I'd just painted a target on my back. Queen Seraphine knew something was wrong. She'd try to kill me tonight.
But I'd survived assassination attempts before. In my old life, I'd had twelve people try to kill me. All twelve failed.
Of course, back then I wasn't trapped in a weak seventeen-year-old body that could barely walk up stairs without getting winded.
I made my way back to my chambers. Servants led me through the corridors, their faces carefully blank. When we reached my door, they bowed and left.
I went inside and locked the door behind me.
The room looked the same as before. Huge bed. Expensive furniture. And on the table beside my bed, a crystal glass filled with dark red wine.
My "medicine."
I walked over and picked up the glass. Held it up to the light. Beautiful color. Probably tasted good.
And definitely poisoned.
I was about to pour it out when I heard something that made my blood run cold.
A soft scraping sound. Coming from behind the wall.
Someone was in the secret passage.
Someone was coming to make sure I drank the poison.
And if I didn't drink it, they'd know I'd figured out their plan.
The scraping got louder. Closer.
I stared at the poisoned wine in my hand.
If I didn't drink it, they'd kill me another way. Tonight. While I was alone.
If I did drink it, the poison would kill me. Maybe not immediately, but soon.
The wall panel started to slide open.
I had three seconds to decide.
Live or die.
I raised the glass to my lips.