The Royal Palace greenhouse shimmered under moonlight, its glass panes fogged with warmth and the faint perfume of exotic blossoms. What should have been enchanting felt suffocating.

Evelyn’s breath hitched as Kayden’s warning resurfaced in her mind: “That’s not all I see…”

Her vision blurred, her body weakening. A sweet, sickly heat coursed through her veins. The drink… it’s been laced.

Panic threatened to choke her, but Evelyn had prepared for moments like this. With trembling fingers, she reached beneath her gown and drove the hidden hairpin into her thigh, binding it tightly against her leg. Pain seared through her nerves, sharp enough to jolt her mind awake.

She stifled a gasp.

“My lady! Here, let me—” The Crown Prince stepped forward, hand outstretched, golden eyes gleaming in false concern.

Evelyn rose abruptly, swaying but forcing herself to stand tall. Her lips curved into a controlled smile. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I would like to use the powder room. May I be excused?”

The Crown Prince blinked, caught off guard. “S-sure,” he stammered, not accustomed to being denied.

She didn’t wait for a second dismissal. Skirts gathered in her hands, Evelyn fled the greenhouse, the throbbing wound in her leg slowing her but not stopping her. Each step was a desperate prayer.

Stay awake. Just a little further.

Her strength faltered. Darkness pressed in.

Thud.

When Evelyn awoke, the palace’s gilded corridors were gone. Instead, she found herself in a plain, dimly lit room that smelled faintly of herbs. A shadow loomed above her.

“Eek!” She jolted upright, only for a sharp pain to remind her of her wound.

“You should be careful,” the young man said, turning calmly with a glass of water in hand. “The bandages are fresh.”

Evelyn blinked at him. His features were unremarkable, his clothes almost shabby—but there was something unmistakably noble in the tilt of his head.

“Who… are you?” she demanded.

He smiled faintly. “Ah, forgive me. Where are my manners? Edward. Third in line. Half-brother of the Crown… menace.”

Evelyn stared. “Prince… Edward? This shabby-looking man is the Third Prince?”

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said wryly, brushing his blonde hair back. “Yes, the color gives me away. A royal, at least in blood. But don’t be deceived—I’m nothing more than a ghost in the palace. My duties involve dusty treaties, quiet corners, and pretending I don’t exist. Practically worthless. A prince only in name.”

“…Oh.” Evelyn tried to mask her surprise.

She bowed her head slightly. “I am Evelyn Brighton. Thank you for… tending to me.” Her cheeks burned. How humiliating. All because that dog of a prince tried to sully me…

Edward waved it off lightly. “So, you’re the infamous Middlemist’s Red? The girl who made half the nobility weep at her debutante ball?”

“Ha…ha… it was only three,” she muttered.

“Three is enough for a legend,” Edward teased, then leaned closer, lowering his voice. “You know, you can speak freely here.”

Evelyn stiffened. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“I heard you cursed the Crown Prince during your debut,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“You what!?” Evelyn slapped her hand over her mouth, mortified.

Edward burst out laughing. “Ah, it’s been a long time since I laughed like this. You’re… interesting.”

But the humor faded when Evelyn spoke again. “Actually, I was here to see your brother…” Gods, if he finds out about this…

Edward’s face dimmed. “Of course you were.” His tone was flat.

Evelyn frowned, catching the way his shoulders tensed. “You don’t seem very fond of him either.”

Edward’s eyes darkened. “Fond? No. Trust? Even less.”

Her pulse quickened. “Why?”

He hesitated. Then, voice dropping so low it barely carried, he said, “Because he’s building something. Quietly. Ruthlessly. And you, Lady Evelyn… are the final piece on his board.”

Evelyn’s breath caught. The words struck her with icy dread. Final piece? What could that mean?

Meanwhile at the same time,

“Where is she?!”

The Crown Prince’s voice cracked like a whip through the palace corridors, rage echoing off marble and gold. Servants flinched, bowing low, too terrified to answer.

He stalked forward, golden eyes blazing. I had planned to keep her here tonight. One night locked in the palace and her reputation would shatter beyond repair. By morning, she would have had no choice but to cling to me. But she slipped away…

His lips curled into a predatory smile. Clever girl. Smarter than I gave her credit for. But no matter. Let her run. Every path leads back to me.

On tbe other hand , at the Brighton estate, the Duke paced like a man possessed.

“Evelyn hasn’t returned yet?” he asked, voice sharp with worry.

“She hasn’t, Your Grace,” the butler replied softly.

The Duke raked a hand through his hair. “It’s too late… I told her she shouldn’t have gone. Should I send guards? Or… no, that might make matters worse. Damn it!”

Outside the chamber, Kayden paused mid-step, overhearing the exchange. His chest tightened. Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and raced for the stables.

Mounting his horse, he whispered into the night as the beast surged forward, hooves striking sparks against stone.

“Please… be all right.”

The wind swallowed his words as he vanished into the darkness, riding hard for the palace.