"Reborn as a Villainess

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The morning after the ball was unusually calm, but Amelia knew better than to trust the quiet. With Gregory and Marianne under house arrest, rumors were bound to spread, and the emissary's escape posed a lingering threat.

But her thoughts kept drifting back to Cedric—the warmth of his presence, the subtle shift in his gaze, the way his voice softened when he spoke to her. She couldn't afford distractions, but her traitorous heart refused to comply.

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A Confession in the Garden

Amelia was strolling through the estate gardens later that day when she noticed Cedric by the fountain, lost in thought. She hesitated before approaching, her heart beating faster than she liked.

"Cedric," she called softly.

He turned, his face lighting up briefly before settling into his usual guarded expression. "Seraphina. Shouldn't you be resting after last night's chaos?"

"I could say the same to you," she replied, offering a faint smile.

They walked side by side in silence for a while, the crisp morning air filled with the scent of blooming roses. Finally, Cedric spoke.

"You surprised me last night," he said. "Facing Gregory and Marianne like that—it was... brave."

"Bravery is just another word for desperation," Amelia said, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Cedric stopped walking, turning to face her. "No. It's strength. You've shown more of it than anyone I've ever known."

The intensity of his words caught her off guard. "Why are you saying this now, Cedric? What do you want from me?"

"I don't know," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But I can't stop thinking about you—how you've changed, how you've managed to hold everything together. I don't know who you were before, but the person you are now... she's extraordinary."

Amelia's breath hitched, her carefully built walls threatening to crumble. But before she could respond, a servant appeared, bowing deeply.

"My lady, Lilith has requested your presence. It's urgent."

Amelia nodded, grateful for the interruption even as her heart ached with unspoken words.

---

Lilith's Warning

In the study, Lilith was pacing, her usual confidence replaced by unease.

"We have a problem," she began as Amelia entered.

"What now?" Amelia asked, her voice sharp.

"The emissary wasn't working alone," Lilith explained. "I've intercepted a message—there's another player in this game, someone even higher up."

Amelia's stomach tightened. "Who?"

Lilith hesitated. "The message was cryptic, but it mentioned someone within the royal court."

Amelia's eyes narrowed. "So, this isn't just about the estate. It's about the kingdom."

"Exactly," Lilith said. "We're dealing with something much bigger than we realized. If this other player makes their move, we could all be in danger."

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The Fallout

Meanwhile, Gregory and Marianne were being interrogated in the dungeons. Despite the pressure, they refused to reveal much about their plans or their mysterious benefactor.

"I'll tell you this," Gregory sneered at Cedric during one session. "You're wasting your time. The one pulling the strings is far beyond your reach. And when they strike, you'll regret ever crossing me."

Cedric's patience snapped. He grabbed Gregory by the collar, his voice low and dangerous. "You should be more worried about surviving the next few days. If I find out you've lied, I'll personally see to your punishment."

Gregory smirked, but his bravado was starting to crack.

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Sparks in the Strategy Room

Later that evening, Amelia and Cedric convened with Lilith and Edwin in the strategy room. The air was heavy with tension as they mapped out their next steps.

"We need to root out this court connection," Lilith said. "But doing so will require delicate maneuvering. One wrong move, and we could alert them."

"I'll handle the court," Cedric said. "I have enough connections to dig without drawing too much attention."

Amelia frowned. "It's too risky. If they realize you're investigating, they'll come after you."

"Let them," Cedric said, his voice firm. "I can handle myself."

Amelia's eyes softened despite herself. "I know you can. But that doesn't mean I'm willing to lose you."

The room fell silent, her words hanging heavily in the air. Cedric's gaze met hers, and something unspoken passed between them.

Lilith coughed pointedly. "If you two are done making googly eyes at each other, we have work to do."

Amelia flushed, but she didn't deny it.

---

A Dangerous Invitation

As the meeting concluded, a messenger arrived with a sealed letter addressed to Amelia. She broke the wax seal, her eyes scanning the elegant script.

"It's an invitation," she said, her voice laced with suspicion.

"From whom?" Edwin asked.

"The royal court," Amelia replied. "They've requested my presence for a banquet in three days."

Lilith frowned. "This could be a trap."

"Or an opportunity," Amelia said.

Cedric stepped forward. "If you're going, I'm coming with you."

She met his gaze, her resolve firm. "Then we'd better prepare. If this is a trap, we're walking into it with our eyes wide open."

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With the royal court's shadow looming and emotions between Amelia and Cedric growing more complex, the stakes have never been higher. Will they uncover the traitor before it's too late, or will this new threat prove too much to handle?

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