The moon was high in the sky, and the grand hall of the Blackwood estate was blazing with light.

I stood alone at the edge of the ballroom, watching the lavish scene. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow as members and allies of the Blackwood family mingled, glasses in hand, each wearing a perfect, practiced smile.

I was in a simple yet elegant deep blue velvet gown, a stark contrast to the glittering gowns around me. As a few of the family's young women passed by, they whispered amongst themselves.

"Elara's standing there all alone..."

"Hasn't Julian arrived yet?"

"I heard they're getting engaged soon..."

I emotionlessly raised my champagne flute and took a small sip. In my past life, I would have been nervously smoothing my dress, anxiously watching the entrance for Julian.

But now, I was simply waiting.

Julian finally walked in, dressed in a black tuxedo that made him look more handsome than ever.

But only I knew what a rotten heart beat beneath that perfect suit.

Seraphina was clinging to his arm, wearing a flamboyant, blood-red evening gown.

They really do make a pair, I thought, taking another sip of my drink.

A low murmur went through the crowd. Tradition dictated that Julian should have entered with his fiancée—me.

"Oh, Elara's over there," Seraphina said, as if she'd just noticed me, an innocent look on her face. "Julian, shouldn't you go keep her company?"

Julian glanced in my direction, a flicker of something in his eyes, before saying dismissively, "She's fine on her own. Elara has always been independent."

A few young men let out quiet laughs.

I remained where I was, my face a blank canvas. This seemed to annoy Julian, as his brow furrowed slightly.

The music started again, and Julian led Seraphina to the center of the dance floor. They moved with a natural grace, as if born to dance together. The crowd parted for them, all eyes on the couple.

"Elara, aren't you angry?"

I turned to see Vivian, the family's second daughter. She was in a purple dress, her face practically glowing with the promise of drama.

"Why would I be?" I asked.

"Your fiancé is dancing with another woman, and he was so late..." Vivian was fishing for a reaction. "Everyone is staring."

"Then let them stare," I said calmly.

Vivian, clearly not expecting such a response, walked away in disappointment.

When the song ended, Julian and Seraphina approached. Julian had a playful smirk on his face.

"You seem very calm, Elara," he said, stopping in front of me. "I thought you'd be furious."

"Why would I be?"

My composure was clearly getting under his skin. A flash of anger crossed his eyes.

"You're right. After all, you'll soon be part of the Blackwood family," he said, pulling a small, exquisite box from his pocket. "This is for you."

Inside lay an old, blood-red pendant that gave off an eerie glow.

"This is..."

"A family tradition," Julian said, his voice rising to draw the attention of those nearby. "This pendant is a gift for the future lady of the Blackwood family. The style is a bit dated, but I'm sure you'll like it."

I stared at the pendant. In my past life, Julian had given me the same thing, and I had been moved to tears. I only learned later it was one of the cheapest trinkets from the family vault.

"Wow, it's beautiful!" Seraphina suddenly exclaimed, reaching out. "That pendant is so special. The red is... it's as beautiful as blood!"

Her fingers caressed the pendant, her eyes filled with desire.

"You like it?" Julian asked Seraphina, his voice softening.

"I... of course I do, but it's for Elara..." Seraphina bit her lip, playing the part of someone tragically wanting something she couldn't have.

Julian looked at me, then back at Seraphina, and suddenly smiled.

"Well, if Seraphina likes it so much..." He reached in and took the pendant. "Then it's yours."

He fastened the pendant around Seraphina's neck himself.

Whispers erupted around us.

"Julian just gave his fiancée's gift to someone else..."

"Look at Elara's face..."

"That's going too far..."

Memories of my past life flooded back. Back then, I had burst into tears and run out of the ballroom, becoming the laughingstock of the family.

But now, I just watched it all unfold in silence.

"Elara, aren't you going to say something?" Julian asked, his eyes challenging me.

"It suits her," I said.

Julian’s expression froze. This was not the reaction he'd been hoping for.

"I'm a little tired. I'll be leaving now," I said, turning to go.

"Stop," Julian's voice was suddenly ice. "You're just going to walk away?"

I stopped and turned back to him.

"What else?"

"Do you have any idea how disrespectful you're being?" he said, stalking toward me, his face dark. "You should be grateful I'm willing to marry you, not giving me this attitude."

"Grateful?" I laughed. "For what?"

"For giving you the chance to marry into the Blackwood family!" Julian's voice rose. "Who else do you think would have you?"

The crowd fell silent, all eyes on the confrontation.

"You think any of those other suitors were real?" Julian continued. "Marcus? He just wants your family's assets. William? He wouldn't look twice at you. And as for the others..."

He paused, a vicious glint in his eye.

"Like my useless brother, Damien. You're not naive enough to think he's an option, are you?" Julian sneered. "A cripple who can barely stand. Damaged goods. The man could drop dead any second. You want to marry him just to be a widow before the ink is dry?"

The hall was dead silent.

Everyone was waiting to see how I would react.

Just as Julian finished speaking, the great hall doors opened again.

A figure walked in slowly. A black cloak, a silver-tipped cane, each step heavy and deliberate. When he lowered his hood, I saw a face as pale as paper.

Damien.

His arrival made the whispers in the hall grow louder.

"Look, the useless sixth son is here."

"I heard he can barely even walk now..."

"Such a disgrace to the family."

Damien seemed to hear them, but his expression didn't change. His deep-set eyes scanned the crowd, finally landing on me.

Just then, I remembered Alistair's words: "Timing is everything, child. Don't show your hand until the time is right."

I took a deep breath, suppressing the impulse to act.

"You're right, Julian," I said, my voice terrifyingly calm. "Really, what other choice do I have but you?"

My words stunned everyone in the room, including Julian.

But I saw a flicker of disappointment in Damien's eyes. He turned, about to leave.

"Wait," I called out. "Damien. Aren't you going to join the party?"

He turned back, his eyes holding an emotion I couldn't read.

"I was just passing through," he said softly. "I apologize for the interruption."

With that, he turned and left the hall.

I watched his back disappear, an indescribable feeling welling up inside me.

"Well, the drama is over," Julian's voice broke my train of thought. "Shall we continue our dance?"

He extended his hand to Seraphina, who accepted with a coy blush.

I watched them for a moment, then turned and left the hall myself.

On the ride home, Seraphina sat across from me, her fingers constantly stroking the blood-red pendant.

"Sister Elara, you really don't mind?" she asked, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "This pendant is so beautiful. Julian said it's a Blackwood family tradition..."

"It suits you," I said flatly.

"You're not angry?" Seraphina asked, surprised.

"Why would I be?" I said, looking out at the passing night. "You and Julian are a perfect match."

"We... we're just friends..." she said, feigning shyness.

"Are you?" I turned to look at her. "Well then, I hope your 'friendship' lasts forever."

Seraphina froze. This was clearly not the reaction she was expecting.

The rest of the ride was silent.

Three days later, on the night of the autumn equinox.

It was one of the Blackwood family's most important rituals. The day the Don would announce major family decisions—including the official announcement of my engagement.

I stood beside the grand dais in an elegant white gown. As the supposed fiancée of the future Blackwood heir, I had the right to be part of this sacred ceremony.

Torches burned around the hall, adding a mystical air to the ritual.

Don Alistair stood at the center of the dais. He raised his cup and began his speech. "I have gathered the members of the Blackwood family here today..."

The ceremony proceeded smoothly until Seraphina appeared.

She was also wearing a white gown, the blood-red pendant at her chest glittering in the firelight. She walked over to me, a sweet smile on her face.

"Sister Elara, this ceremony is so solemn," she whispered.

"It is," I replied, my focus on the Don's speech.

"Look, the pendant is even more beautiful in the firelight," Seraphina said, deliberately stroking it. "Julian has such good taste."

I didn't respond.

"Actually..." Seraphina leaned closer. "Julian told me he's always preferred me. If it weren't for the family arrangement..."

"Seraphina," I finally turned to look at her. "The ceremony is in progress."

"I know, I just wanted to tell you..." her voice dropped even lower, "you don't have to force yourself. If you really don't want to marry Julian, I could..."

"You could what?"

"I could take your place," she said, a flash of triumph in her eyes. "After all, we both know who he really loves."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she made a show of stumbling backward, losing her balance and falling toward the torches at the edge of the dais.

"Ah!"

Her scream cut through the ceremony. Everyone turned to look.

"Elara pushed me!" Seraphina cried from the floor, her face a mask of terror. "She tried to push me into the fire!"

I stood my ground, not having moved an inch.

"I didn't touch her," I said calmly.

But Seraphina was already sobbing. "I just wanted to talk to her, and she... she pushed me! If I hadn't reacted so quickly..."

"You're lying," my voice was cold.

"Elara!"

Julian's voice boomed from the crowd. He rushed forward, and the moment he saw Seraphina on the ground, his eyes blazed with fury.

"How could you do this?!"

"I didn't—" I started to explain.

A hard shove sent me stumbling backward. I landed hard on the stone floor. Pain shot up my arm, and a grunt escaped my lips before I could stop it.

"I won't let you hurt her!" Julian stood over Seraphina, his eyes burning with rage as he glared at me. "Never!"

The hall fell silent.

The family members stared, shocked at the chaos that had erupted during the sacred equinox ritual.

I used a stone pillar to pull myself up, pain radiating through my body. The memories of my past life rushed back—the same accusations, the same rage, the same disbelief.

But this time, I wouldn't cry.

I leaned against the stone pillar, my arm throbbing. The family members around me started whispering and pointing.

"What a disgrace..."

"During such an important ritual..."

"To attack her own sister..."

Julian helped Seraphina to her feet. She nestled against his chest, tears still streaming down her face.

"Elara." Julian turned to me, his voice hard as steel. "Apologize to Seraphina."

I wiped a trickle of blood from my lip and looked him straight in the eye. "I did nothing wrong."

"You're still denying it?!" Julian's voice grew louder with rage. "Everyone saw you!"

"Saw what? Saw her fall on her own and then blame me?"

A new wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. A few of Julian's followers stepped forward.

"Miss Elara, please watch your words," one of the young men said. "Miss Seraphina is gentle and kind, she would never..."

"Exactly. You're just jealous that she has Lord Julian's favor," another chimed in.

"So petty."

"What do you expect from a minor family..."

The taunts brought back the humiliation of my past life. But this time, I wouldn't take it.

"Enough," I said coldly.

"Enough?" Julian sneered. "Elara, I think you need a reminder of your place. Don't think this engagement gives you the right to act out in front of me."

"You should be grateful I'm willing to marry you," he continued, his voice dripping with superiority. "Who else would want a vicious, worthless girl like you? You depend on me. Remember that."

In his arms, Seraphina gave a faint, triumphant smile.

I was about to speak my truth when the crowd parted.

Alistair's advisor walked forward, followed by a familiar figure.

Damien.

He was still in his black cloak, his silver-tipped cane tapping softly on the floor. His steps were slow, but they carried an undeniable authority.

"What happened here?" the advisor asked.

Julian spoke immediately. "Elara pushed Seraphina during the ritual. She almost fell into the sacred fire."

Damien ignored Julian and walked straight to me.

As he got closer, I saw the concern in his eyes. His deep-set gaze studied me, finally resting on my trembling arm.

A memory from my past life surfaced—

After being betrayed by the man I loved and my own sister, I was a ghost of myself.

It was Damien who appeared, silently encouraging me. He even saved me when I tried to end my own life.

I had just found the courage to live again when Julian and Seraphina came for me.

They poisoned me together, making me die in agony.

Maybe because my death was so unjust, my spirit lingered for a while.

I saw Damien, driving his car like a madman, trying to crash into Julian—

He failed. Julian used it against him, captured him, and had him locked away.

"She's your future sister-in-law, Damien," Julian's voice cut through my thoughts. "You don't need to worry about her. I'll handle her."

Julian was clearly annoyed that Damien was getting closer to me. His words were a clear claim of ownership, as if I were his property.

Damien glanced at Julian, then his eyes returned to me.

He leaned in, his voice a low whisper only I could hear.

"You okay?"

Those two simple words were warmer than any grand speech. No doubt, no blame, just pure concern.

I looked at his pale but sincere face, and a warmth spread through my chest.

"I'm fine."

This time, I thought, I'm going to be the one protecting you.