The Welton estate's east wing was unusually quiet, save for the occasional scurrying of servants. Inside Velvet's chamber, the scent of rose bath oils still lingered in the air as a thin trail of steam escaped from the half-open door to the bath. Velvet stood in front of her wardrobe in a fluffy burgundy robe, toweling her damp hair as she examined herself in the mirror.
Her hand brushed against a silver chain resting on her collarbone—a chain from her late mother. It held no pendant now, just a loop where something once hung. She often wore it out of habit. Today, it would complete her disguise.
"I suppose tonight's the night," Velvet muttered, her reflection staring back with a mix of nerves and thrill. "Let's see how well I've learned to act."
Moments later, dressed in a modest maid's outfit, she stepped into the room where her actual maid, Lira, waited with wide eyes.
"Are you sure this will work, milady?" Lira asked nervously, clutching her skirts. Her dark eyes were full of concern.
Velvet, now transformed magically to mirror Lira's face, gave an assuring smile. "It'll work. I've been practicing transformation magic every night. As long as I don't run into someone who knows you too well, no one will suspect a thing."
Lira wrung her hands. "What if the Duke finds out?"
"Then I'll say I was conducting a loyalty test." Velvet winked. "Relax. This is important. I can't let others figure out the true worth of those mines—not until I'm ready."
Lira hesitated before handing her a pouch of prepared supplies. "Please be careful. And... thank you for trusting me."
Velvet smiled warmly and slipped a few small gems into Lira's hand. "You're the only one I can trust."
---
By late evening, Velvet—her appearance magically altered—slipped out of the estate with practiced ease, her cloak wrapped tightly around her. Her path led her to the quiet outskirts of the family's neglected mines.
Two sleepy guards stood outside. She showed the ownership scrolls and said in a low, confident voice, "I'm here on the lady's orders to inspect the mine. No questions."
They nodded and let her in.
Inside, the mine was damp and cool. Her footsteps echoed as she delved deeper she started to feel proud of herself because in the original novel guardian of the South, Duke Noxridge's brother had found this mine and had a fortune. At the untouched veins of dull grey stone, she crouched and placed a hand on one of them.
"Might as well try," she whispered.
A soft glow surrounded her palm, and within seconds, the stone sparkled with subtle rainbow hues.
She picked a few and tucked them into her satchel. "Just enough to start. The rest… they'll wait."
---
The next evening, Velvet walked into a dim tavern in the merchant's quarter, her features once again masked by illusion.
She took a seat at the bar and said calmly, "One cocktail with a hint of regret, please."
The tavern quieted.
The bartender raised a brow and exchanged glances with the staff. Silently, he poured a glass of crimson wine and placed it before her.
Velvet took the glass, sniffed it, then theatrically poured it onto the floor.
"Tastes like yesterday's shoes dipped in poop."
The silence broke into muffled laughter. One of the waiters nodded and led her through a hidden door behind the tavern.
She entered a lavish room glowing with candlelight. A floating crystal orb shimmered at its center.
From the shadows stepped a tall man, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I must say, Lady Velvet, you certainly know how to make an entrance."
"You saw that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Every moment. I nearly choked on my tea." He said, now barely able to hold his laughter.
Velvet's cheeks flushed red and she said, "Try laughing after seeing this." She opened her satchel and dropped twenty shimmering stones onto the velvet-covered table.
He froze mid-laughter.
"Mana-infused…" he whispered, picking up one. "These are premium-grade. Where—"
Velvet raised a hand. "Trade secret. I need you to help me set up a trading guild. Licenses, protection, routes, everything. In exchange, you'll get twenty of these monthly until I'm established."
He studied her face for a moment, then extended his hand. "You've got yourself a deal."
"But if anyone finds out about the source, the deal is off."
"Understood, Lady Shadow."
She smiled faintly. That nickname might stick.
---
Back at the estate, Lira paced the room nervously. The door creaked open, and Velvet stepped in, untransformed and tired.
"Did everything go well?" Lira asked.
"Better than expected," Velvet said, tossing her empty satchel onto the bed. "We just took our first step."
"You're amazing," Lira said, eyes sparkling.
"Flattery after bath, please," Velvet teased. "I'm exhausted. Prepare the bathwater."
---
Later that night, soaking in warm scented water, Velvet leaned back and closed her eyes. Her fingers absently touched the empty chain around her neck.
Her thoughts drifted. "In the original novel, the second male lead—the brother of the Duke of the South—got rich using a magical artifact to define those mana stones. The artifact was found in the Imperial Palace… But the artifact never chose him. That's why the potions he made were only twenty percent effective."
She opened her eyes, an idea forming.
"But if the artifact really has a fairy inside… and if I offer her dragon fruit, her favorite… maybe she'll choose me instead."
A grin tugged at her lips. "Time to visit the palace."
---
The next morning, she slipped out of the estate, dodging the First Prince's awkward, cringy poetic attempts to win her over.
While crossing the garden path behind the Imperial Palace—known as a hideout for romantic nobles—she bumped into someone. He had raven-black hair and sharp black eyes. Her breath hitched.
The second prince.
But something felt off.
In the original novel, he had red eyes.
Velvet stared at him, confusion flickering through her mind. He looked back, calm and curious.
"Is there something on my face?" he asked.
"No no—I just thought you looked familiar," Velvet replied quickly, realizing she had stared too long.
He tilted his head. "Strange."
"Your Highness, I apologize for my discourtesy." She performed a quick formal bow and excused herself to leave.
He nodded politely, and Velvet quickly walked away, heart pounding. "He wasn't supposed to look like that… something's changed."
After searching through the hedges and flowerbeds in the back garden, she finally spotted it: a delicate silver ring resting in a patch of wildflowers, faintly glowing.
Velvet picked it up. The moment her fingers closed around it, a soft burst of light erupted, and a tiny winged fairy appeared.
The fairy blinked at her. "Another one?"
Velvet held up the dragon fruit. "I come bearing gifts."
The fairy stared, then took a bite. Her wings fluttered faster. "Mmm… this is my favorite!"
Velvet waited until the fairy finished, then said gently, "My name is Velvet Welton. I want to form a contract and craft potions that actually work. Will you consider it?"
The fairy tilted her head and muttered, "You're different from him."
"What?"
"Nothing," the fairy quickly said, smiling. "I'd love to form a contract with you—if you keep the fruit coming."
Velvet laughed and extended her hand. "Then it's a deal."
The ring pulsed, and a small sigil shimmered over her palm.
---
As the sigil faded into her skin, Velvet felt a faint warmth bloom across her chest—right where the chain looped around her neck. The ring, now glowing softly, clicked itself into place on the silver chain as if it had always belonged there.
The fairy hovered above her shoulder, licking her fingers. "You should know," she said between bites, "a contract like this… will change your fate."
Velvet raised an eyebrow. "I'm used to risks."
"I'm not talking about risks," the fairy whispered, her voice suddenly low. "I'm talking about fate. The kind that bleeds and burns."
Before Velvet could ask what she meant, the sky above the garden darkened unnaturally, clouds rolling in without warning.
From within the palace, a distant bell rang—three sharp chimes, followed by silence.
The fairy froze. "That bell… it shouldn't ring unless…"
Footsteps echoed down the marble path behind her.
Velvet turned slowly.
Standing at the edge of the garden was the second prince again—but this time, his eyes were no longer black.
They were red.
---
To be continued… 😈