Lucien's POV
I kept flying faster, but they were gaining.
Shit.
My wings cut through the sky like blades, but every gust behind me was heavier — louder. I could hear them now. The fall of their wings. The sparks of charged magic in the air.
Why now?
When everything was finally aligning. When Clara was right where I needed her. When Heaven was almost within reach.
Then I heard it — the ripple of power, sharp and sudden. I turned just in time.
Lightning.
"Shit!" I hissed, swerving hard.
The bolt missed me by inches, slamming into a mountain below. I heard the crack before I saw the top collapse — rock shattering like glass.
They were trying to kill me.
Not stop me. Not capture.
Eliminate.
Fine.
Let them try.
But if I died now — after centuries of scheming, after bleeding and crawling through the filth of the underworld — then I'd never get back. I'd never prove to them I was more than a fallen. More than a mistake.
I'd never rise again.
And worse…
They'd get to her first.
Clara.
The weapon that shouldn't exist. Ciel's precious creation, born from the core of a demon king — and she didn't even know what she was. How beautifully naïve. How... perfect.
All that magic, all that raw celestial energy, just waiting to be shaped.
I didn't shape her.
But I could still be the one to use her. To turn her power into mine.
She was the key. My key.
And they wanted to take that from me.
No.
I don't lose.
I flew harder, magic building in my hands like molten steel. I just needed to get back to the castle. Back to the banquet. Before they moved. Before anyone saw.
Before Clara slipped through my fingers.
Not because I cared.
Because she was mine to use — and no one steals from me and lives.
Clara's POV
I'd been wandering for what felt like hours. Or maybe getting lost was more accurate.
The afternoon sun slanted through the windows, casting golden streaks across the endless halls. Still, I hadn't found anything — no secret papers, no strange rooms, no clue about whatever Ciel was hiding.
Ugh. This mansion is a maze.
At least I had the bell with me. I could always ring it and let Lila come rescue me like a lost child.
I was just about to give up when I turned a corner… and stopped.
Two guards stood in front of a heavy iron door. Their posture was stiff, their expressions unreadable.
I frowned. This place is guarded?
Something told me I'd stumbled onto something important.
I stepped forward. "Hello."
They both stiffened and bowed slightly. "Good afternoon, Your Majesty."
"I'm a little lost," I said, trying to sound casual. "What's this place?"
One of them straightened. "This area is restricted, Your Majesty. Only His Majesty is allowed beyond this point. But I can escort you back to your chambers, if you'd like."
Restricted?
Wait.
Wasn't this the room Lila mentioned — the one Ciel always went to alone?
My heartbeat kicked up. This had to be it.
I took a small breath and forced a gentle smile. "But I'm the queen, aren't I?" I asked softly. "Doesn't that mean I'm allowed to go wherever I want?"
They exchanged a nervous glance.
"I mean," I added with a slightly firmer tone, "Ciel wouldn't want his wife kept out of something important… would he?"
More hesitation. They shifted awkwardly, one of them clearing his throat.
"We understand, Your Majesty, but… His Majesty gave strict orders. No one is allowed in. Not even staff. Not even us."
That made my heart drop.
No one? Not even them?
They were definitely hiding something in there.
But if I pushed too hard now — if I demanded to go in — they might report it. He might find out I was getting curious. And that's the last thing I wanted.
Ciel was good at pretending. But so was I.
I smiled again, this time with a touch of innocence. "Ah, I see. No need to make things difficult, then. I was just curious. Don't worry about it."
"Would you like me to escort you back, Your Majesty?" one asked.
I nodded. "Yes, please."
As we walked back to my chambers, I kept my expression calm. Soft.
But inside, I was already plotting.
I'd find a way into that room.
Even if I had to tear this palace apart brick by brick.
I spent hours pacing my room, lost in thought, my mind spinning with every possibility.
There has to be a way to get into that room.
I could steal the keys again. Maybe sneak in late at night. But what about the guards? They weren't ordinary—they were sharp, always alert. One wrong move and Ciel would know.
I clenched my fists. I needed a real plan. Something subtle. Something he wouldn't see coming.
A knock on the door shattered my thoughts. I turned quickly as the door creaked open and Lila stepped in, her usual smile in place.
"I'm here to prepare you for the banquet, Your Majesty."
The banquet.
Right.
I glanced out the window—the sky was already tinged with orange and violet, the sun slowly dipping beneath the horizon.
It's already evening?
I hadn't even noticed how much time had passed.
"Okay," I murmured, pushing the thoughts away for now.
Lila helped me out of my clothes, guiding me to a warm, luxurious bath. The water felt like silk on my skin, scented with rose and spice. Afterward, she dressed me in a stunning gown—deep red and gold-plated, shimmering with every breath I took.
By the time she finished styling my hair in intricate waves, night had already fallen.
I stood in front of the mirror, speechless.
Was that really me?
I looked like a queen. Regal. Beautiful. Untouchable.
But beneath all that… I was still a prisoner.
Lila led me out of the room, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor as we descended the long staircase.
Then I heard it—laughter, murmurs, the sound of music and clinking glasses. The Grand Hall opened before me like a scene from a dream.
Gold drapes hung from the ceilings, silver chandeliers sparkled like stars, and every inch of the hall was filled with demons dressed in the most lavish gowns and robes I'd ever seen. They stood around with glasses in hand, chatting, smiling, laughing.
At the far end of the room sat a grand throne of gold and silver—and Ciel, seated like the ruler he was. Another throne sat beside him, empty.
Mine.
The moment they saw me, the room quieted.
Every eye turned in my direction.
Every face turned to smile.
But none of those smiles felt kind.
I swallowed hard. I didn't feel welcome. I felt exposed.
Like prey.
Their eyes—gleaming, hungry—made my skin crawl. I could still hear Lucien's voice in my head from that first night:
"Demons can't be trusted."
Ciel rose from the throne and walked toward me, his expression soft but unreadable.
"All welcome back the queen," he said, his voice echoing through the hall.
Polite claps followed. Too polite. Too perfect.
He reached me and offered his hand, smiling like everything was fine. Like this was all some grand fairytale.
I took it, because I had no choice.
But inside, I wanted to run.
Far away.
I didn't belong here. I didn't know these people. I didn't trust a single one of them.
And as I smiled and stepped into the hall beside Ciel, I had no idea…
That before the night ended,
I'd leave this castle.
Not to go home—
But to somewhere far worse than this beautiful prison.