Magic obeyed confidence. The duchess stayed perfect.
Far from the ballroom, Cassian Moreau paced in the cliffside estate where Erika had hidden him.
She had not hurt him.
She had shown him documents — ledgers, harbor permits, and orders bearing his father's seal.
"You pretend to be a duchess," Cassian said shakily, "but you speak like someone who wants change."
Erika removed the necklace for a moment. Her face softened.
"I speak as someone who knows what your contracts cost," she said
She did not need magic to tell the truth. She only needed magic to be heard.
Back at the balcony, Prince Julian joined her.
"You seem to belong to neither world," he said.
"Perhaps," she answered, "I belong to both."
Below, a lantern flickered out. Julian watched the dark stretch.
"I was taught expansion protects the crown," he said.
"And I was taught," Erika replied, fingers brushing the necklace, "that protection without care becomes harm."
He studied her.
"You are unlike any duchess I have met."
Because I am not one, she thought.
"Titles are often costumes, Your Highness," she said aloud.
The words felt heavier than she intended. Did he suspect?
The necklace pulsed — a warning. Magic could hide her face. It could not hide her destiny.
Zoe stepped closer across the balcony.
"You're bold," she said calmly.
"You're conflicted," Elara replied just as calmly.
Zoe narrowed her eyes. "Do you think my family built this island carelessly?"
"I think they built it efficiently," Erika said.
A quiet pause followed.
Below, a child relit a lantern. Its glow reflected faintly in the necklace.
For a moment, Erika saw not the duchess — but herself. The girl who once walked dockside streets. The girl whose family lost everything. The girl who learned magic not for power, but to survive.
Zoe looked down too.
"My father says growth requires sacrifice," she murmured.
Erika's voice softened. "Then maybe it's time the powerful volunteered."
For the first time, Zoe said nothing. She simply watched the lower district glow dimly under the castle lights.
Lord Marcellus observed them carefully.
Something was changing. Not chaos. Not rebellion. Awareness. Awareness was more dangerous than anger. Anger could be crushed. Awareness spread.
Music rose to a final crescendo.
Golden light spilled across marble floors. Nobles twirled. The castle glittered.
On the highest balcony stood a duchess made by magic, yet guided by truth.
Erika touched her necklace.
The spell would not last forever. Illusions faded. But her impact remained.
She had entered Royal Novelty Island disguised in silk and myth.
She had moved investors like pieces on a chessboard.
She had made a prince question his crown.
She had unsettled the heiress of the island's wealth.
And she had sparked a conversation no chandelier could outshine.
Below, a small lantern in the lower district burned
steadier now. Not brighter than the castle, but visible.
And visibility was the beginning.
Power had built the castle.
Privilege had kept it.
But change? Change had arrived through the gates disguised as a duchess.
Her true name was Erika.
And the game had only just begun.