Rebirth of the Phantom Empress

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Chapter 16 – A Game Of Shadows

The silence that followed Lady Mirva's departure was deafening. Selene sat motionless in the darkness, her cheek still stinging from the slap, her fingers curling into the fabric of her skirt. The faint scent of burnt wax lingered in the air, a reminder of the candle Mirva had extinguished in her fury. But Selene's mind was far from the sting of the blow or the oppressive darkness of her quarters. Her thoughts were sharp, focused, and unyielding.

Mirva's desperation was palpable. Her outburst, her accusations, her violence—they were all signs of a woman who felt her grip on power slipping. Selene had seen it in her eyes, in the way her hands trembled with barely contained rage. Mirva was unravelling, and Selene intended to pull the threads until there was nothing left.

But patience was still required. The game was far from over.

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Fractured Control

The next morning, Selene rose before dawn, as she always did. The estate was cloaked in a heavy, predawn stillness, the kind of quiet that felt almost unnatural. She moved through the halls with practised ease, her steps light and deliberate. The floors gleamed under the faint light of the rising sun, a testament to her meticulous work. But Selene's mind was elsewhere.

She had spent the night planning her next move. Mirva's outburst had confirmed what Selene already suspected: her stepmother was growing increasingly paranoid, her control slipping with each passing day. But paranoia alone was not enough. Selene needed to push her further, to force her into making mistakes.

As she worked, she caught sight of Riven lingering near the kitchen, his face pale and drawn. He glanced at her nervously, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his tunic. Selene approached him quietly, her expression calm but her eyes sharp.

"You look like you haven't slept," she murmured, her voice low enough that only he could hear.

Riven swallowed hard. "She's been watching me," he whispered. "I think she suspects something."

Selene's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good."

Riven blinked, confusion flickering across his face. "Good?"

"If she's watching you, it means she's distracted," Selene explained. "And if she's distracted, she's not paying attention to what really matters."

Riven's brow furrowed. "What are you planning?"

Selene's gaze drifted toward the grand hall, where Mirva's portrait hung in all its opulent glory.

"I'm going to remind her of what she's forgotten."

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Shadows in the Market

The marketplace was bustling with activity, the air filled with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares and the chatter of townsfolk. Selene moved through the crowd with purpose, her eyes scanning the stalls for a specific face. She found him near the edge of the square, his tall frame draped in a dark cloak that seemed to blend seamlessly with the shadows.

Lord Kael Draven.

He stood with his back to her, his attention focused on a merchant's display of finely crafted daggers. Selene hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She had avoided him until now, unsure of his intentions, but she could no longer afford to ignore him. Whoever he was, he was a piece of the puzzle—one she needed to understand.

She stepped forward, her voice steady despite the tension coiled in her chest. "You've been watching me."

Kael turned slowly, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. His expression was unreadable, his features sharp and angular, framed by dark hair that fell just above his shoulders. For a moment, he said nothing, his silence more unnerving than any words could have been.

"And you've been avoiding me," he replied at last, his voice low and smooth, like the edge of a blade.

Selene tilted her head, her gaze never wavering. "I don't make a habit of trusting strangers."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Wise. But perhaps it's time to reconsider."

Selene's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

The man stepped closer, his presence commanding the space between them.

"A friend," he said simply. "One who has been waiting for you to take the next step."

Selene's pulse quickened, but she refused to let her composure falter. "And what step would that be?"

Kael's smirk widened a glint of something dangerous in his eyes.

"The one that will bring Lady Mirva to her knees."

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Cracks in the Façade

By the time Selene returned to the estate, the sun was high in the sky, its golden light casting long shadows across the courtyard. She moved with purpose, her mind racing with the implications of her encounter. Kael's words lingered in her thoughts, a tantalizing promise of what was to come.

But she had no time to dwell on it. Mirva's paranoia was reaching a boiling point, and Selene intended to exploit it.

She found her stepmother in the grand hall, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. Mirva's face was pale, her eyes bloodshot, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She turned sharply as Selene entered, her gaze narrowing with suspicion.

"Where have you been?" Mirva demanded, her voice sharp and accusatory.

Selene met her gaze without flinching. "Running errands, my lady. As you requested."

Mirva's lips curled into a sneer. "Liar. You've been conspiring against me. I know it."

Selene's expression remained calm, her voice steady. "I don't know what you mean, my lady."

Mirva's eyes flashed with fury, and she took a step forward, her hand raised as if to strike. But before she could, a commotion erupted in the courtyard. The sound of raised voices and hurried footsteps echoed through the hall, drawing Mirva's attention.

"What is the meaning of this?" she snapped, turning toward the door.

A servant rushed in, his face pale and his breath coming in short gasps. "My lady, there's a man at the gates. He demands to speak with you."

Mirva's brow furrowed. "Who is he?"

The servant hesitated, his eyes darting nervously toward Selene. "He… he says he's here on behalf of Lord Kael Draven."

Mirva's face drained of colour for the first time, and Selene saw genuine fear in her eyes.

Selene's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.

The storm had arrived.

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The Tipping Point

As Mirva hurried toward the gates, Selene lingered in the grand hall, her gaze fixed on the portrait of her father. Kael had been right. It was time to take the next step.

And as the sound of Mirva's frantic voice echoed through the estate, Selene knew one thing for certain.

The game was about to change.