Chapter 1: No More Secrecy

“The moon only blesses the worthy.”Lady Seraphine’s voice had haunted Kaelith for years, always delivered with that cold smile that made every insult sound graceful. Whenever their paths crossed inside Blackthorne Keep, those words followed her like a curse.Tonight, they echoed louder than ever.Rainwater dripped steadily from the towering stone arches overhead as Kaelith hurried across the inner courtyard, clutching the edges of her worn cloak tightly against the freezing wind. The storm sweeping through the fortress carried the scent of wet earth, pine smoke, and blooming night lilies from the eastern gardens, but none of it could calm the restless excitement twisting inside her chest.Tomorrow was the Ascension Rite.By this time tomorrow night, every noble heir across the kingdom of Varethis would stand beneath the sacred moon altar to awaken the beast hidden within their bloodlines. It was the most important ceremony in the empire, the moment that separated ordinary nobles from

Chapter 2: Alone

Cassian exhaled impatiently.“You understand how noble politics work.”“No.” Tears burned her eyes. “You want me to become your secret.”Behind him, Seraphine laughed softly.“A concubine suits her far better than the Luna title.”Humiliation crashed through Kaelith so violently she could barely breathe.Before she could move away, Cassian grabbed her arm tightly.“Kaelith, calm down.”His grip tightened painfully.“You’re embarrassing yourself.”That was the moment something inside her snapped.Rage exploded through her chest with terrifying force.She shoved him backward with everything she had.Cassian stumbled several steps in visible shock.And for one impossible second, silver sparks flashed across Kaelith’s fingertips.Tiny flashes.Bright as moonlight.They came and was gone instantly.Nobody noticed except her.Kaelith stared at her trembling hand in confusion, her breath catching sharply.What… was that?But Seraphine’s furious voice shattered the moment.“You ungrateful lit

Chapter 3: That one friend

“Don’t move.”Lyra’s voice echoed through the tiny apartment as Kaelith stood stiffly beside the cracked window, rainwater still dripping from the ends of her dark hair onto the wooden floorboards.The apartment above the candle shop was so small it barely held enough space for two people to breathe comfortably. Shelves crowded every wall, stacked with wax jars, bundles of dried herbs, and half-melted candles that filled the room with the comforting scent of cinnamon smoke and lavender.Normally, Kaelith loved this place.Tonight, however, everything felt distant and unreal, as though the world she knew had shattered hours ago and left her standing inside the ruins.Lyra kicked the door shut behind her before tossing a bundle of clothes onto the bed.“You look like death crawled out of a river,” she announced bluntly. “We’re fixing that first.”Kaelith wrapped her arms around herself weakly, still feeling hollow from everything that had happened.“I shouldn’t even be here.”“Correct.”

Chapter 4: Dance With Me

Untouchable.For the first time in years, Kaelith didn’t see weakness reflected in her own eyes.She saw possibility.And deep beneath her ribs, that strange silver warmth flickered again.Stronger this time.Kaelith pressed a hand lightly against her stomach as the sensation spread briefly through her body before vanishing.Lyra frowned immediately.“What?”Kaelith shook her head quickly. “Nothing.”But it wasn’t nothing.Something was changing inside her.She could feel it.And somehow, that frightened her even more than the betrayal.An hour later, the streets of Varethis blazed with gold.Massive lanterns lined the royal district, casting warm light across crowded roads overflowing with noble carriages, mounted guards, and masked guests heading toward the palace heights. Music drifted through the cold night air from somewhere beyond the towering walls.Kaelith stared through the carriage window in disbelief.“I still think this is a terrible idea.”Lyra calmly adjusted her crimson

Chapter 5: Child of The Unknown

The vomiting started again before sunrise.Kaelith barely reached the wash basin before her knees slammed painfully against the wooden floor. Her stomach twisted violently, sending another wave of nausea crashing through her body until bitter water burned the back of her throat.Nothing else came up.Only pain.She gripped the edge of the basin hard enough for her knuckles to turn white while uneven breaths shook her chest.Behind her, Lyra groaned sleepily from the bed.“That better not be death,” she muttered into her pillow. “Because I am far too tired to bury anyone this early.”Kaelith leaned her forehead against the cold metal basin and groaned weakly.“I hate you.”“No, you don’t.”Another painful spasm bent Kaelith forward instantly.Lyra sat upright at once.“Okay,” she said more seriously, pushing tangled red braids away from her face. “That one sounded real.”Kaelith stayed crouched there for several long moments, breathing unevenly until the nausea finally eased enough for

Chapter 6: I am Pregnant

Lyra cursed under her breath because unfortunately, they both knew she was right.By the time they reached House Ravaryn’s estate, evening shadows stretched across the massive stone walls.Kaelith stared silently at the manor.Nothing about it had changed.Yet somehow, it looked colder now.Crueler.As though the building itself rejected her existence.Lyra stepped beside her.“Want me to punch someone?”Kaelith almost smiled.“Maybe later.”They entered through the front doors together.The moment a servant spotted Kaelith, panic spread through the manor like wildfire.“She came back—”“After a month?”“Does Lord Ravaryn know?”“He’s furious—”The grand hall doors burst open.Lord Ravaryn already stood near the staircase, his face red with rage.Lady Mirelle stood beside him dressed in dark silk, looking as elegant and cold as ever.The moment Lord Ravaryn saw Kaelith, fury exploded across his features.“Where have you been?”The roar echoed through the massive hall.Kaelith forced h