Episode: THE COURT SEES HER

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The throne room had never been this full.

Nobles in silk. Generals in medals. Priests in white.

All of them whispering. All of them staring at the doors.

_“The Emperor is marrying a waitress.”_

_“The girl who caused the blackout.”_

_“Richard Hart’s daughter. The one he abandoned.”_

Lisa stood between two royal guards in a dress that wasn’t hers.

Blue. Heavy. Too tight in the chest. Someone had done her hair fast. It still felt like a costume.

She hated it.

Across the room, *Arnold Valerius* stood on the dais.

No crown. Just the black shirt from last night and the gold circlet.

He looked like he hadn’t slept. Because he hadn’t.

His eyes found her the second she stepped in.

He didn’t smile. He just... exhaled. Like he’d been holding his breath.

The doors closed.

“Presenting,” the herald shouted, “Lisa Hart. Future Empress of Valerius.”

The room went silent.

Lisa walked. Every step echoed.

She didn’t look at anyone. Not Satin. Not Eva.

Especially not the man in the back in an old guard coat.

*Richard Hart.*

Her father.

He was here.

His eyes were locked on her hand. On the black ring.

Lisa’s stomach dropped.

She stopped in front of the dais.

Arnold Valerius came down two steps. He didn’t take her hand. Not yet.

But he stood close enough that she could feel the heat off him.

“The court will now witness the engagement contract,” the priest said.

Lisa signed her name. Lisa Hart.

The ink was still wet when murmurs started.

“Is that the girl?”

“From the café?”

“I heard her sister’s wrist is still burned.”

Eva.

Lisa finally looked.

*Eva* sat in the front row next to *Satin*.

Wrist wrapped in white bandages. Face pale.

And Satin... Satin wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Eva stood up.

“Your Majesty,” she said. Loud. “May I speak?”

Arnold Valerius didn’t move. “No.”

“Please.” Eva’s voice shook. “She’s dangerous. You saw what she did. The lights, the fire—”

“Enough.” Arnold’s voice cut through the room. Emperor voice.

“Lisa Hart is under imperial protection. As of tonight, she is my fiancée.

Anyone who touches her answers to me.”

His fire flickered at his fingertips. Just for a second.

A warning.

Eva sat down, shaking.

The priest cleared his throat. “Then let it be witnessed.”

He placed a second ring on the table. Gold. Valerius crest.

Arnold picked it up.

Lisa held out her hand. The black ring was still there. Under her sleeve.

Arnold slid the gold ring over it.

The room gasped.

Because the black ring _moved_.

It shifted, like it was making room.

And for half a second, both rings glowed.

Arnold saw it. His hand froze.

Lisa felt it. The hum. Low. Deep.

Then it stopped.

Arnold pulled his hand back like he’d been burned.

“It’s done,” he said quickly. “The engagement is sealed.”

Applause. Stiff. Confused.

“Court is dismissed,” he said. “Except Richard Hart.”

The room froze.

Richard stepped forward. Older. Tired. Eyes exactly like Lisa’s.

“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing low. “I only wish to speak with my daughter.”

Arnold looked at Lisa.

Lisa looked at the floor.

“Five minutes,” Arnold said. “In my study. With guards.”

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The study was small. Books. A fireplace. No windows.

Richard paced. Lisa stood by the door.

“You look like her,” he said finally.

Lisa didn’t answer.

“I didn’t want to leave you,” Richard said. “After your mom— Serena— died. I couldn’t look at you. You had her eyes.”

Lisa’s jaw clenched. “You didn’t call.”

“I know.” He ran a hand over his face. “I heard about the café. The blackout.”

He glanced at the guards. Lowered his voice.

“Lisa. What are you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Liar.” He stepped closer. “You’re just like her. The storms. The lights.

If they find out— if the Emperor finds out what you really are—”

“Then what?” Lisa snapped. “What am I, Dad?”

Richard flinched at the word.

“I don’t know,” he whispered. “Your mom never told me. Just that you had to be hidden. That your blood—”

The door opened.

Arnold Valerius.

“Time’s up,” he said. He wasn’t looking at Richard. He was looking at Lisa.

At her hand. At the two rings.

Richard bowed and left fast.

Silence.

“Did he hurt you?” Arnold asked.

“No.”

“Did he tell you anything?”

Lisa shook her head. Lie.

Arnold walked to her. Took her hand. Looked at the rings.

The black one was dull again. Dead.

“Three days,” he said. “Then the wedding. Then you’re safe.”

“Safe from what?”

Arnold didn’t answer.

He just squeezed her hand once, then let go.

“Get some rest, Lisa Hart.

Tomorrow the whole kingdom will know your name.”

Lisa nodded.

But as she walked out, she felt it.

The ring was warm.

And far above the palace, the clouds were gathering again.

*END EP 3*

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