The Delacroix estate was unusually quiet as the moon climbed high into the sky. While the soldiers rested and the council prepared strategies for upcoming negotiations, Natalia felt uneasy. She sat at her desk, skimming through old records and letters left behind by her predecessor—the former Natalia Vivienne Delacroix. Every document revealed new pieces of her past, but no matter how much she read, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.
"Anak ng... Where are the clues?" Natalia muttered under her breath, tossing a parchment onto the growing pile of useless notes. How did the old Natalia really die?
She knew that the story about being abandoned by her family didn’t add up entirely. And if the Ashbournes had been involved from the start, why hadn’t anyone suspected foul play sooner?
---
A soft knock broke her thoughts.
"Natalia?" It was Lucian’s voice, light and smooth as always. "Mind if I come in?"
She sighed, pushing the papers aside. "Come in, Lucian."
Lucian entered with his usual charm, dressed casually yet impeccably, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "You’ve been holed up in here for hours. Are you planning to disappear into these books forever?"
"Maybe," she replied dryly, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile.
Lucian leaned against the desk, scanning the mess of papers with a curious glint in his eye. "What exactly are you looking for?"
"Answers," Natalia muttered. "There’s something about the old Natalia’s death that doesn’t sit right. I just feel like… there’s more to it."
Lucian’s expression darkened slightly, but he masked it with a lazy grin. "You always did overthink things."
"Lucian," Natalia said firmly, narrowing her eyes. "Do you know something?"
For a moment, his playful demeanor faltered, and Natalia caught a glimpse of something—guilt, hesitation.
Then, he leaned in closer and whispered, "Meet me in the west wing, by the old armory. Midnight."
---
Natalia’s heart pounded as she crept through the dim hallways of the estate. The flickering torches cast long shadows on the stone walls, and the silence felt heavier with every step she took.
When she reached the armory, Lucian was already waiting, lounging casually against the wall.
"You made it," he said with a smirk.
"Stop playing games, Lucian," Natalia snapped, folding her arms. "What do you know?"
Lucian sighed, his playful mask slipping entirely. "Fine. I wasn’t going to tell you, but I guess you deserve the truth."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Natalia... the Ashbournes weren’t the only ones responsible for your death."
Natalia’s eyes widened. "What are you saying?"
"I’m saying," Lucian continued, his tone grim, "that someone inside this house—our house—was involved."
---
The words hit her like a slap to the face. Natalia staggered back, struggling to process what Lucian had just revealed.
"Who?" she demanded. "Who betrayed me?"
Lucian hesitated, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. "I don’t know exactly. But I overheard a conversation between Father and Alaric... They mentioned making 'sacrifices' to protect the family."
Natalia felt a chill run down her spine. "Sacrifices?"
Lucian gave a bitter laugh. "It’s always about the family, isn’t it? But sometimes, family doesn’t mean what it should."
Natalia clenched her fists. So they abandoned the old Natalia... willingly. Anger and sorrow swirled inside her.
"Why are you telling me this now?" she asked, her voice low.
Lucian shrugged. "Because you’re not the same girl they left behind. And maybe... I want to see what you’ll do with the truth."
Natalia locked eyes with him, her purple gaze filled with steely resolve. "I’ll find out who betrayed me, Lucian. And when I do, they’ll regret it."
Lucian smiled, but there was no joy in it—only a glimmer of shared bitterness. "I wouldn’t expect anything less from you."
---
When Natalia returned to her room, her mind was racing. The betrayal ran deeper than she’d imagined, and the knowledge made her feel more alone than ever. Was there anyone she could truly trust?
She knew one thing for certain: If Magnus and Alaric were involved in the old Natalia’s death, they would pay. But she needed more information, and she needed it fast.
A soft knock on her window startled her. Natalia whipped around, her heart in her throat—until she saw Maximilian’s familiar silhouette standing on the balcony outside.
She opened the window, and he stepped inside with a smooth, practiced ease.
"Maximilian," she breathed. "What are you doing here?"
He gave her a small, knowing smile. "I had a feeling you might need me tonight."
Natalia’s resolve faltered for just a moment, and she allowed herself to lean against him. "There’s so much I still don’t know," she whispered. "But I’m going to find out everything—even if it tears this family apart."
Maximilian wrapped his arms around her, his voice a quiet promise. "Whatever you discover, Natalia, you won’t have to face it alone."
---
As the moonlight bathed them in silver, Natalia felt a new sense of clarity. There were still shadows to uncover and betrayals to unmask—but with Maximilian by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.
Her journey was far from over, and the storm that loomed on the horizon would test her more than ever before. But she had something the old Natalia never had:
Strength. Allies. And the will to fight back—no matter the cost.