Part I: The Assembly of the Thirteen
The marble hall gleamed beneath the golden chandeliers, yet the atmosphere was ice. Houses: Velona, Björn, Snova, Böhme, Ghali—pillars of the community—sat rigidly in their seats, measuring every word, every glance.
Varek Golmish of Ruanda ruled the room from the central seat, his violet eyes locked on the faces of the lesser leaders. He knew exactly what his presence represented: Power. Authority. Control.
The High Counselor, a man with a face lined by age and experience, raised his voice to quell the restless murmurs.—"Today, we present Varek Golmish as the majority shareholder and interim leader of this community. In addition, we welcome the new heirs who will represent their houses in the next leadership cycle."
Whispers spread like a wave across the chamber.
Then, Darío Monra rose.—"I have an objection."
His voice echoed, catching everyone's attention.—"Doctor Darían stole a vital artifact from this community. His betrayal is known. What punishment will be imposed?"
The Counselor remained impassive.—"Dr. Darían's case is still under investigation. I ask for your patience."
Darío gave a dry, sarcastic laugh.—"Patience? We all know Darían has powerful allies. Are we a community that punishes traitors… or protects them?"
Before the debate could erupt, Varek's voice cut through the air like a blade.—"I assure you, Darío, no one is above the law. Not even Darían."
Silence fell like a gavel.—"Proceed," Björn said plainly.
Just then, the doors flew open.
Skiller Snova entered with his usual mocking grin, strolling in as if the council held no weight over him.—"Did I make it just in time?"
Glares of disapproval—or fascination—fixed on him.Darío scanned him from head to toe and clicked his tongue in disdain.—"Seems like everyone was invited today."
Unbothered, Skiller replied,—"If you want, I can pose for the cameras."
A few tense faces cracked with restrained annoyance.
But when the doors opened again, the air changed completely.
Sanathiel Golmish entered.And with him—Aisha.
The room fell silent.
The white wolf's golden gaze swept the hall with calm authority, while Aisha held her head high, her posture steady, as if daring every leader present to challenge her presence.
The Counselor's smile was cold.—"Sanathiel and his betrothed, Aisha, will formalize their union before this community. As part of Project OOZ."
Darío scoffed openly.—"Are we certain the white wolf won't tear everything down in the process?"
Sanathiel didn't even turn toward him.—"We will sign the agreement. We'll do our part."
Then Varek spoke, his tone edged with command.—"Under one condition: before the wedding, they'll stay in a residence under my supervision. Their loyalties must be evaluated."
Sanathiel clenched his jaw—but did not object.
Part II: The Confrontation
When the meeting ended, attendees began to file out, but Varek remained seated, watching Sanathiel and Aisha disappear through the doors.
His fist clenched.The sound of a pencil snapping in his hand echoed through the empty chamber.
He exhaled deeply, holding in the fury bubbling inside him.—"Aisha…" he muttered under his breath. "It won't be that easy. You'll come back to me."
Before he could collect himself, footsteps approached.He turned, surprised—Aisha stood at the threshold.
Her expression held no anger.It was worse.Disappointment.
—"You destroyed an entire city for a whim, Varek?"Her voice was low, yet unwavering.
He stepped closer, his face tightening.—"Everything I did was for us. You wouldn't understand."
Aisha didn't blink and slapped him square in the face.
"You had no right."
The temperature seemed to drop.—"Life isn't a game where you erase those who don't serve your purpose."
Varek's jaw clenched.For a moment, silence suffocated them both.
Aisha stepped back, ready to leave.But before she could move, Varek pulled her into an embrace from behind.
His grip wasn't possessive—it was desperate.
—"You were once my light, Aisha," he whispered against her neck. "Now, there's nothing left of that."
Time stilled.Aisha closed her eyes, feeling the tremble in his body, the weight of what they once were.
Then, Varek let go.As if releasing her was the hardest thing he'd ever done.
Aisha walked out without looking back.But inside, a piece of her mourned who Varek had been… and what he had become.
Varek sat alone in the empty hall, his own words echoing in his mind:
"Our promise dies here.""But love… that still lives in ruins."And in those ruins, he sat—king of the empire he'd destroyed with his own hands.
The Garden:
The castle gardens glowed with an almost unreal beauty. The celebration continued, but beneath the golden lanterns, a far more dangerous game was underway.
Sanathiel conversed with Dimitri, who lazily twirled his glass in hand, his smile laced with venom.—"Accusing someone, Sanathiel? Maybe talk to Skiller directly if you have doubts."
Sanathiel didn't take the bait. His expression remained unreadable, though his golden eyes gleamed with quiet danger.
Before he could answer, Skiller strode in, his usual arrogance slicing through the tension.—"Tomorrow, we formalize an alliance with the Ghali family. It'll be crucial for us, wolf."
Sanathiel nodded, never looking away from Dimitri.—"Just give me the key to the lake house, Skiller."—"I'll guide you. After all, we're family."
Dimitri, eavesdropping with interest, turned with casual indifference—but his gaze was sharp as a blade.—"Strange. Talking about secrets as if no one's listening."
At that moment, Aisha rejoined them.
Dimitri sneered at the sight of her.—"Finished shedding your burdens, Aisha?"
Aisha tilted her head slightly, her calm icy.—"Of course," she replied, spinning the ring on her finger with a smile that never reached her eyes.
Her voice was so sharp, the very air seemed to chill.—"Beautiful… and dangerous," Dimitri added with a crooked smile.—"But Ishana… Ishana would be my choice."
Sanathiel stepped forward. His shadow partially consumed Dimitri's, shifting the weight in the air.
Before he could reply, Skiller stepped between them, smiling with razor-edged charm.—"Careful who you're speaking to, Dimitri. That's the Lady of Ruanda. Keep pushing, and I'll stop being nice."
Dimitri scoffed—but something in his eyes tightened.He stepped back, adjusting his coat with exaggerated calm.—"Don't play with fire unless you're ready to burn," he muttered before disappearing into the crowd.
The silence he left behind weighed like a warning.
Sanathiel exhaled slowly, jaw still tight.Skiller turned to Aisha with a smirk.—"Well, darling. Looks like Dimitri's already afraid of you."
Aisha didn't answer.
But the way her gaze drifted beyond the garden, as if seeing something none of them could…spoke of battles yet to come.