The night of the Vladimir Gala arrived. This was the biggest event of the year in Neo-Veridia. Every rich family, every powerful CEO, and every gossip reporter would be there.
In the past, when I went to events with Julian, he would make me wear plain black dresses.
"Don't stand out," he would say.
"You're just there to look polite." He wanted me to be a shadow so that he could shine.
But tonight, I was not a shadow.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror in Caspian's penthouse. I was wearing the midnight-blue gown we bought at the mall. It was covered in tiny crystals that looked like stars. My hair was swept up, exposing my neck, where a diamond necklace worth millions sat. I didn't look like the tired, sad wife Julian had kicked out. I looked like a queen.
"Are you ready?"
I turned around. Caspian was standing at the door. He was wearing a black tuxedo that fit him perfectly. He looked so handsome it almost hurt to look at him.
"I'm nervous," I admitted, my voice small.
"My parents will be there. Julian will be there. They think I'm a disgrace."
Caspian walked over and took my hand. He leaned down and kissed my knuckles. "Let them think that. When we walk through those doors, they won't see a disgrace. They will see the woman who holds the power to ruin them."
We got into his private limousine. As we drove toward the grand hotel where the gala was held, Caspian told me about the "Vladimir System."
"Tonight, everyone is ranked by their wealth and status," he explained.
"Your father is a Bronze rank. Julian is a Silver rank. But you, Elara... tonight, you are with me. You are at the top."
When the car pulled up to the red carpet, the flashes from the cameras were like lightning.
The doorman opened the door, and Caspian stepped out first. He reached back and helped me out.
The crowd went silent for a second. Then, the reporters started screaming.
"Who is she?"
"Is that the Belrose daughter?"
"Why is she with Caspian Valerius?"
We walked into the ballroom. The music was soft, and the smell of expensive lilies was everywhere. Immediately, I saw them.
My father, Silas, was standing near the bar with Julian. They were laughing with some other businessmen. My mother and Seraphina were nearby, showing off their jewelry.
We walked straight toward them.
Julian was the first to see me. He was holding a glass of champagne, and he nearly dropped it. His eyes went wide, and his face turned a strange shade of gray.
"Elara?" he choked out.
My father turned around, his face already turning red with anger. "You! How dare you come here! And dressed like a—"
He stopped mid-sentence when he realized who was holding my hand. His eyes moved from me to Caspian. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
"Mr. Belrose," Caspian said, his voice smooth but dangerous.
"I heard you were looking for your daughter. Here she is."
"Caspian... Mr. Valerius..." my father stammered. He tried to force a smile, but it looked like a mask.
"There must be a mistake. Elara is... she is Julian's wife. She's had a bit of a mental breakdown lately."
Julian stepped forward, trying to look brave.
"Elara, stop this game. I don't know how you tricked Mr. Valerius into helping you, but you belong at home. Come here right now."
He reached out to grab my arm, just like he always did when he wanted to pull me away.
But before he could touch me, Caspian stepped in front of me. He didn't even raise his hand, but his presence was so scary that Julian jumped back.
"Don't touch her," Caspian said. The room went very quiet. Everyone was watching now.
"Elara is no longer a Thorne. And as of today, she is no longer a Belrose."
"What do you mean?" Seraphina asked, pushing her way to the front. She looked at my diamonds with pure jealousy.
"She's our sister! She's a disgrace to our name!"
Caspian pulled a small, gold-embossed card from his pocket and tossed it onto the table in front of them. It was a marriage license.
"Elara and I were married this afternoon," Caspian announced to the whole room.
"From now on, she is Elara Valerius. If any of you speak to her, look at her, or try to touch her, you are dealing with me."
The room erupted into whispers. My mother looked like she was going to faint. My father looked like he was having a heart attack.
Julian was shaking. "That's impossible! She was just my wife two days ago!"
"And you threw her out in the rain," I said, finally speaking up. My voice was loud and clear.
"You told me I was nothing, Julian. You told me I would be a beggar. Well, look at me now."
I took a sip of champagne from a passing waiter's tray and smiled at him. It was the best feeling in the world.
"Mr. Thorne," Caspian said, leaning in close to Julian.
"I checked your company's books today. You owe a lot of money to the banks. It would be a shame if those banks decided to call in those loans tomorrow morning, wouldn't it?"
Julian's face went white. "You wouldn't..."
"Try me," Caspian said.
He turned to me and offered his arm. "Shall we dance, Mrs. Valerius?"
"I would love to," I said.
As we walked to the dance floor, I could feel my family's eyes burning into my back. They were terrified.
For the first time in my life, I wasn't the one who was afraid.
The music started, and Caspian pulled me close. As we spun around the room, he whispered in my ear, "That was just the beginning, Elara. Tomorrow, we start taking their companies."
I looked into his eyes and knew he meant it. I wasn't just a hidden queen anymore. I was a queen with an army.