Seraphina didn't sleep.
Not because she couldn't because she shouldn't. Sleep was for people who could afford to close their eyes. She wasn't one of them anymore.
By 6:00 a.m., she was already dressed in black slacks, a silk blouse, and her signature red lip more war paint than makeup. Her father always said, "Control the narrative, control the crowd."
But the crowd was changing.
By the time she walked onto campus, the whisper network was already working overtime.
"She left the gala early.""Someone threatened her, I swear.""Wasn't her family connected to that girl who died what's her name? Lila?"
Her heels clicked against the stone path like gunshots. She didn't flinch. If they smelled fear, she was done for.
Her first class was Political Theory, but she never made it.
She was called to the Headmaster's Office.
"Take a seat, Miss Vale," said Headmaster Graye, his voice like ice over glass. The room was dim, the blinds closed tight. Her file sat open on his desk, pages marked in red.
"I assume you received a... concerning message last night," he said calmly.
"I did."
"I also assume you're smart enough not to speak of it to anyone."
Seraphina crossed her legs and leaned forward. "That depends. Are you smart enough to tell me what happened to Lila Carter?"
A long pause.
Graye closed the folder. "Drop it, Vale. You have everything looks, status, privilege. Don't trade that for a ghost."
"But I'm not a queen, am I?" she said softly. "Only everyone's favorite doll."
His eyes flicked up, sharp. "You're one of the few girls in this school who understands how dangerous truth is. I suggest you remember it."
She left the office furious and ran straight into Levi.
He didn't even try to look innocent. "Let me guess. Graye offered you a warning wrapped in a threat?"
"I don't take orders."
"Neither did Lila."
Seraphina stared at him. "You knew her."
"Everyone knew her. Just no one cared enough to listen until she vanished."
She swallowed. "Tell me what you know."
He hesitated. Then, "She was digging. Exposing things. Someone made her disappear."
"Who?"
He looked at her with something almost like pity. "The same people who crowned you princess."
Later that night, Seraphina found herself standing on the roof of the west tower, the city lights twinkling below like stars pretending to be something more.
She heard footsteps. Expected Levi.
But it was Kai.
"You skipped our study meeting," he said, hands in his pockets, eyes stormy.
"I had bigger problems than test prep."
"You could've told me." His voice was softer now. Almost hurt.
"Would you have listened?"
"You don't trust me anymore."
She turned away. "I don't know who I can trust."
He stepped forward, slowly. "Sera… I don't want you unraveling. I want you safe. With me."
"And if I don't want to be kept?" she whispered.
He was quiet. Then: "Then I'll fight harder."
Her phone buzzed again.
"48 hours. Tick tock."