Max nervously stood at the end of the hallway. Lavinia was standing on the balcony of the royal theatre, watching the play with concentration. The blue gown she wore was full-sleeved, almost covering her hands. She wore minimal jewelry, her straight black hair unbound. 

She hadn’t noticed him, nor could she. He was half-hidden in the darkness of the unlit hall. His brothers were downstairs, at the center balcony right below them. Val’s recovery celebrations continued after Lavinia woke up. Though Lavinia had skipped a few of the celebrations, she had chosen to attend today.

She had scared all the courtiers away now. They had barely greeted her before running off somewhere else. Since there was no one else to keep her company now, save for Neala, him, and his brothers. 

Max had to gather up all his courage to walk up to her. Lavinia turned to look at her, having heard his footsteps. She smiled at him, “Max.”

“Lavinia.” Her name was sweet, it made his heart flutter. He had never expected to hear her true name, but now he had. 

She laughed, “I think I prefer Fantasy more.”

“I’ll call you whatever you want.” Max stood beside her. “I am ashamed to admit that I am happy because you’re staying.”

She shook her head. “Don’t be so. I wanted to stay, I just couldn’t find a way to ask Tarquin.”

He glanced at her. Lavinia continued to watch the play below. “Really? You could have just said so. I would have convinced Tarquin. Me and Val both would have.” Max looked away when she turned to him. “Why did you want to stay though?”

“I have nothing else, but this.” She waved her hand. “This has consumed me. Back then, I thought it was a curse when I first arrived here. I thought it was a curse because of what happened to Val.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” Max quietly replied. 

Lavinia just continued smiling at him. “I’ve realized that this is a blessing instead. I get to stay here forever now. You know I wrote all of this to help me find a reason to live again.” She laughed again, but Max saw the tears. “And I have.”

Max didn’t know what to say, he was surprised. Before, she had never clearly said that this was something she loved so dearly. That they were people she loved so dearly. “I didn’t know.”

“How could anyone? My only regret is that this story, in my world at least, will never be completed. It will be forever lost.” She sighed, “But I have a chance at life again. I will make the most of it this time.”

------

Lavinia sat, exhausted and frustrated. For the last hour, she had tried to understand whatever powers she had. Yet nothing happened. Tonight she would dine with the Auberjonis brothers. Lavinia knew that they were expecting some form of an explanation. 

She angrily laid down on her bed. She shouldn’t have an explanation. It wasn’t her fault, to begin with. She wondered what role she would play now. Her job was done, Val was healed. She had to make herself useful in some way. She didn’t just want to exist in this story. She wanted to be a part of it.

Whatever happened next, didn’t really matter. One thing was certain, she knew Cythia. Cythia would get her revenge, regardless of how hard it could be. Cythia had never had anyone of equal power stand up to her, much less someone like Lavinia. But now, Lavinia had stood up to her and she would do so. Again and again. 

She wasn’t afraid of Cythia. Cythia’s power was that she had never been challenged properly. She was sneaky when it came to her power. She had the power of corruption. She corrupted her opponent’s power so it would hurt them instead of her. But her power was fragile, it was an illusion. Lavinia would shatter it. Cythia couldn’t do anything to her, she wasn’t afraid. 

Her thoughts were interrupted when Neala ran into her room, red-faced. “What’s wrong, Neala?” Lavinia asked the girl gently. She looked shaken, she was pale and sweating. 

“My lady, you must come.” She grabbed Lavinia’s arm and dragged her to one of the open courtyards. It was in the common area of the castle, where anyone could come into. People had gathered around the courtyard, all the Auberjonis present too. 

“What?” She walked beside Silas before anyone could stop her. 

There was a beautiful man standing in the courtyard. He wore the Dracos coat of arms. Lavinia didn’t see anything other than his face at first glance. But then she noticed how his face at red splatters on it. When she looked farther down, she realized why.

The man was standing on Geoff’s decapitated head. While all of this felt like forever to her, it couldn’t have been more than mere seconds. Silas instantly pulled her behind him and snarled at the beautiful and bloody stranger.

“Is that the human who hurt Cythia?” The stranger asked, his voice very cheerful. But Lavinia felt the underlying threat lining his voice. She didn’t know who this was. He wasn’t in the story. 

“Go away, Felix. I’ll warn you only once.” Tarquin commanded. 

“What’s wrong, my king? Won’t you hunt this traitor down?” The man, Felix, slapped his chest. “Won’t even punish me for this insolence?”

“I only let you live because you have the Starlight’s blessings, or else, I would have long parted your head from your shoulders. Ease up that burden.” Tarquin said. 

“Why not? You didn’t hesitate before.” Felix laughed. “I’ll take my leave then.” He turned around and paused. “You.” He pointed at Lavinia. “Princess Cythia told me that she wanted your head stuffed as a decoration, and I never disobey my princess.” He laughed once again. “But that is for another time.” And with that, he disappeared.