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.

The farce ended with a sharp rebuke from the Don. His stern gaze swept over Seraphina and Julian. Seraphina flinched and hid behind Julian. Finally, he gave me a reassuring look.

Alistair slowly ascended the dais, his voice echoing through the hall. "Today, there is an important announcement to be made. As per the agreement made years ago, Elara will choose her husband. Her choice will also influence my decision on who will be the next Don."

All eyes turned to me.

"As a member of this family," Alistair continued, "Elara will receive the status and power she is owed."

He paused, looking around the hall. "From this night on, control of the North Docks, a thirty percent stake in the Moonglow Syndicate, and the casinos in the East will be her dowry."

The hall erupted in gasps.

Alistair valued me more than any of them had imagined.

The value of those assets was beyond comprehension for most family members. The North Docks controlled a third of the city's goods. The Moonglow Syndicate was one of the family's most critical sources of income.

A flash of greed and triumph crossed Julian's face. He straightened his collar, ready to walk to the altar.

Everyone assumed he was the one.

"Now," Alistair's voice rang out, "will the two parties to this union please come forward."

Julian took the first step, a confident smirk on his face.

"Damien," Alistair's voice announced, clear and firm.

Julian froze mid-step.

Everyone was stunned.

"What?" someone gasped.

Alistair continued, "After careful consideration, Elara has chosen Damien as her husband. This is her free choice, and it is the will of the family."

The hall exploded with shocked chatter.

"How is that possible..."

"The sixth son? The..."

"Is she insane?"

Julian's face went from pale to crimson. He whirled around, his eyes burning with a furious fire.

"No! This is impossible!" he strode towards me, his voice losing control. "Elara, what kind of joke is this? How could you choose him?"

He pointed a shaking finger at Damien, his voice laced with disbelief. "He's a waste of space! A broken, damaged thing! Why would you choose him?"

All eyes darted between me, Julian, and Damien.

I looked at Damien. He was just standing there, calm. No surprise, no elation. He just watched me.

"Elara!" Julian grabbed my arm, his voice trembling. "Tell them! Tell them it's a mistake! You can't possibly choose him!"

I gently pulled my arm free and looked at his frantic, furious face.

In that moment, I remembered all the humiliation of my past life, his betrayal, and the memory of Damien going mad for my sake.

"I choose Damien," my voice was clear and steady, carrying across the entire hall.

Julian looked like he'd been struck by lightning. He staggered back.

"You... you..." he stammered, pointing at me, unable to form a complete sentence.

To stop Julian from disrupting the ceremony further, the Don gave a subtle nod. Two men quickly moved in and escorted a struggling Julian away.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

The advisor approached me with a signed contract in hand—the official document for the transfer of Blackwood assets.

"Miss Elara," the advisor said respectfully. "A small token from the Don. Please accept it."

I took the file, feeling its weight. This wasn't just paper; it was a symbol of power and status.

From this night on, I would no longer be a pawn in someone else's game.

I would have my own strength, my own choices.

And it all started with my choice of Damien.