As dawn broke over the eerie skyline of Noir Citadel, whispers of betrayal echoed in the marble halls like ghosts. Overnight, three royal banners had been replaced with sigils dripping red wax: the House of Umbra, the Phantom Court, and the long-thought extinct Mireblood Dynasty.
Inside the Council chambers, a new presence made every breath harder to take.
Lady Ravana Mireblood, 27, dark-skinned and ethereal, wore a serpentine emerald gown. Her piercing violet eyes — one real, one synthetic from ancient tech — glimmered with madness. Born in exile, she was both royalty and renegade, known across kingdoms as The Widowmaker.
> "This Citadel is nothing but a stage," Ravana whispered, sipping bloodwine. "And I'm here for the lead role."
---
With chaos brewing, Ochieng was offered an alliance by a beauty with a dagger for a tongue.
Velora Skye, 24, fashion heiress turned deadly negotiator, had curves like a poem and a mind that sliced deeper than steel. Her red lipstick matched her intentions.
> "Join me," she whispered at the rooftop garden party that night. "Together, we can bankrupt the kingdoms and buy loyalty before the war begins."
Ochieng studied her.
"Tempting," he said. "But I don't sleep with devils until I know which one I am."
They kissed.
But Maggy saw.
And walked away silently.
---
The Citadel Promenade Gala was underway — silk, diamonds, masks, and secrets. Beneath chandeliers of soulstone, billionaires and kings laughed with killers and traitors. The elite universities sent their "chosen" — rich kids trained in manipulation, charm, and seduction.
Among them:
Milan Romero, 22, golden-haired son of a trillionaire tech tycoon.
Zia Fontaine, 23, seductive academic prodigy with a fake engagement ring and five sugar daddies.
Becca Kade, 25, exiled duchess who arrived with a wolf on a diamond leash.
Seth Mbeki, 26, the infamous "Black Lion" of the Cape, in a glowing obsidian tux.
Ochieng's entrance with Velora Skye turned heads — and started wars.
Maggy stood alone in a crimson dress. Her heartbreak masked behind a smile.
Jayden watched from the shadows.
Tielen and Jeff prowled the halls, hunting whispers.
And then…
---
The music stopped.
Becca Kade's wolf howled.
A masked figure collapsed — choking on black petals.
Milan Romero — dead. Poisoned.
Panic erupted.
The masked assassin pulled off their hood — it was Wendy, eyes glowing blue.
"She was hypnotized!" Linet shouted.
"It's begun," Jeff muttered.
Ochieng pushed Velora behind him.
Ravana Mireblood smiled from her throne of roses.
"Round one," she said. "Now we see who bleeds truth and who bleeds treason."
---
A black card floated into Ochieng's hand — no name, no symbol. Just three blood drops.
He looked to the veiled woman from the Council.
She was gone.
In her place stood Elira — beautiful, dangerous, and finally revealing her role.
> "Welcome to the Crimson Gamble," she purred. "Win... or watch everyone you love marry your enemies, betray you, or die trying."
Behind her, the thrones began to crumble.
And from the sky above, flaming letters etched across the horizon:
> A new monarch will rise. But not without massacre.
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