The Ashcroft mansion was in chaos.
Servants hurried through the halls, silk rustling, jewelry clinking, voices overlapping in nervous excitement. Someone was calling for pins, someone else for perfume, and someone nearly tripped over a gown spread across the floor.
At the center of it all sat Iris Ashcroft.
She was ready—but her heart wasn't.
Sehrain moved around her swiftly, adjusting the folds of the royal silk-blue gown. The fabric flowed like water, heavy yet graceful, embroidered with golden flowers stitched so finely they looked alive. Tiny diamonds were sewn into the petals, catching the light with every breath Iris took.
The pink ruby jewelry set rested against her skin—a grand necklace with a deep rose-colored ruby at its center, surrounded by diamonds like frozen sparks,matching earrings that brushed her neck softly,and a delicate ruby bracelet that wrapped her wrist with quiet authority.
On the floor waited her shoes—glass-effect heels, shimmering in gradients of soft pink and royal blue, as if made from stained crystal. They looked beautiful.
They also looked like chains.
Iris stared at her reflection.
If I fail this game…I lose my second life.I lose my family again.And I lose my chance for revenge.
She clenched her fists.
I can't lose.This second life was earned.And it will not be wasted.
The doors opened.
Duke William Ashcroft and Duchess Lily Ashcroft stepped inside.
The moment her mother saw Iris, her eyes filled with tears.
"My girl…" William whispered. "From today, you'll belong to someone else. Our rights over you will become less."
Lily walked forward and pulled Iris into a tight embrace.
The scent.The warmth.The voice.
Exactly the same.
Iris broke.
She clutched her mother and cried out loud, sobs shaking her shoulders.
Lily frowned gently. "William, don't say such things. You'll make her cry."
Lily stroked Iris's hair. "Even if you become someone's wife, we will always love you."
Iris pulled back, tears streaming.
"I don't want to marry him," she cried. "He doesn't love me."
Silence fell.
Lily turned sharply to William. "See? Just because of your words, she thinks she's losing us."
Iris shook her head desperately. "Please—"
William stepped forward and wrapped Iris in his arms.
"No matter what happens," he said firmly, "I will always protect you. You are my daughter before anything else."
Iris closed her eyes.
They won't believe me, she thought bitterly.Because the real Iris loved him madly.
She inhaled.
Then I'll do something at the engagement.Something that forces him to annul it.
Her gaze flicked to Eena, sitting calmly on the table.
Her mother noticed.
"Oh?" Lily smiled softly. "Who is this cute little cat?"
Iris hesitated… then told her everything—the same story she had told Sehrain.
Lily laughed lightly. "She's adorable. Let her come with us."
William shook his head. "It's a royal gathering."
Iris nodded. "Okay. Just give me two minutes. Sehrain, you too."
Everyone stepped outside.
The door closed.
Iris exhaled. "Eena… what do I do?"
Eena stretched lazily.
"No problem. I'll switch forms."
She shimmered—and transformed into a delicate ruby bracelet, warm against Iris's wrist.
"No one will notice me," Eena said inside her mind. "We can talk through thoughts. I'm technically a non-living object now."
Iris smiled faintly. "That's… actually smart."
"Of course it is," Eena replied. "I'm cute, not useless."
They stepped out.
Lily smiled at Sehrain. "Stay close to my daughter."
"Yes, Duchess," Sehrain replied.
Carriages rolled toward the royal palace.
Inside the ballroom, light exploded.
Crystal chandeliers. Golden pillars. Music flowing like silk.
And there—stood Crown Prince Ashley Grantham.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Impeccably dressed in black and gold ceremonial attire, the royal crest embroidered across his chest. His hair was neatly tied, his face sharp and handsome—but his eyes were cold.
When he looked at Iris, there was no warmth.
Only obligation.
Eena's voice echoed softly in Iris's mind.
"Well," she said cheerfully,"welcome back to the cage. Try not to break anything important—like destiny."
Iris lifted her chin.
This time, she thought,I break it on purpose.
The music swelled.
And the engagement night began.
To be continued…