Night fell heavily over Mooncrest Palace.
The beauty of the decorations faded into shadows, leaving behind something colder… something tense.
Lilac stood alone in the corridor, her thoughts restless, her chest tight. The palace felt quieter tonight but not peaceful.
Like something was about to break.
"Lilac."
She turned sharply.
Riven stepped out from the darkness.
No hesitation this time. No soft expression.
Only urgency.
"It's time," he said.
Her heart began to race. "Riven"
"No more waiting," he cut in. "Everything is ready. We leave now."
He reached for her hand.
Lilac didn't take it.
"I can't," she said.
Riven froze.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
"What do you mean you can't?" His voice dropped, sharper now.
"I won't run," she said, forcing the words out. "Not like this."
His jaw tightened. "They're forcing you into a life you don't want."
"I know!"
Her voice cracked but she didn't step forward.
"I know… but running won't fix it."
Riven stared at her, disbelief turning slowly into anger.
"So you're choosing this?" he asked.
Lilac shook her head. "I'm choosing to face it."
Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
Riven let out a short, bitter breath, running a hand through his hair.
"You're making a mistake."
"Maybe," she whispered.
A slow clap echoed softly through the corridor.
Both of them turned.
Rael stepped out from the shadows.
Watching.
Unmoved.
"Disappointing," he said calmly.
Riven's expression darkened instantly. "You've been listening."
"I don't need to listen," Rael replied. "You're not subtle."
The air shifted.
Danger crept in.
Riven stepped forward slightly, placing himself between Lilac and Rael.
"You should stay out of this."
Rael's gaze flicked briefly to the movement… then back to Riven.
"She's my responsibility."
"She's not an object," Riven snapped.
Rael's expression didn't change. "And yet you were trying to take her."
Riven's eyes burned. "I was trying to save her."
"From what?" Rael asked.
"From you."
Silence dropped like a blade.
Lilac's breath caught.
For the first time, Rael's eyes sharpened not in anger, but something colder.
"Careful," he said quietly.
Riven didn't back down. "Or what?"
The tension snapped.
Steel flashed.
Riven's sword was out in an instant.
Guards nearby stirred, sensing the shift but neither of them paid attention.
Rael didn't draw his weapon immediately.
He just looked at him.
Unimpressed.
"You're reckless," Rael said.
"And you're heartless," Riven shot back.
That was enough.
Rael moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Their blades clashed, the sound sharp against the stone walls. Sparks flickered as metal met metal, the force pushing Riven back a step.
Lilac gasped. "Stop!"
Neither of them listened.
Riven attacked again fierce, driven, emotional.
Rael blocked with ease.
Controlled. Precise. Detached.
It wasn't just a fight.
It was a difference in power.
"Is this all?" Rael muttered.
Riven's grip tightened. "I'm not losing to you."
He lunged
And Rael disarmed him in a single motion.
The sword hit the ground with a sharp clang.
Silence followed.
Riven stood frozen.
Rael stepped closer, his voice low.
"You're out of your depth."
Lilac rushed forward. "Stop this!"
Rael didn't look at her.
His eyes stayed on Riven.
"If you try something like this again," he said quietly, "I won't be this patient."
The threat was clear.
Cold. Final.
Riven's chest rose and fell, anger and helplessness mixing in his expression.
But he didn't move.
Couldn't.
Rael finally stepped back.
Then his gaze shifted.
To Lilac.
For a brief moment, something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"…Get some rest," he said.
Like nothing had happened.
Like everything had already been decided.
Riven picked up his sword slowly.
His silver eyes burned but this time, not just with anger.
With defeat.
"This isn't over," he muttered.
Rael didn't respond.
He had already turned away.
Lilac stood in the middle of it all.
Shaken.
Trapped.
And tomorrow…
Everything would change.