Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 51 ==Summer Ball==

"Rumor has it that the Northern King plans to make her his Queen."

"Well, it suits Lady Alyssa, doesn't it? She was the former crown princess. She knows how to lead."

"Queen Alyssa Glaze Silverton-Stirlingshire. Sounds just right, doesn't it?"

I heard all the whispers, the giggles, the barely-hidden excitement fluttering around the grand palace ballroom. Of course, Kian had gone ahead and leaked the news of the King's supposed proposal. Typical.

I walked through the wide, glittering ballroom, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor. This was the final ball before the royal guests returned to their kingdoms and empires. The air was thick with perfume, music, and gossip.

And soon... it would be my birthday.

Seventeen. It had almost been a year since I became Alyssa. A new name, a new fate, and a destiny I hadn't exactly asked for—but I had accepted anyway.

I glanced over to where my sister and Princess Arabella stood, huddled together and giggling. They were, unsurprisingly, whispering about me—probably trying to stir up more rumors about me becoming the Northern Queen.

Not that I cared. But honestly? They were doing me a favor. Let the rumors spread. It made my plan easier.

I had to do this. It was my duty. Even if I believed this story could end in happiness... that ending wouldn't be for me. It would be for the world after Alyssa was gone.

Because as long as I lived as her, death would keep chasing me. And Kahli's seal—if broken—would mean the end of everything.

Virgo once told me they sealed Kahli beneath one of the northern mountains. So if Queen Lilith was her subordinate, it made sense why she'd seduce the late Northern King—to stay close to the seal.

I was lost in thought when a voice brought me back to the present.

"My lady, may I have the honor of this dance?"

I turned and found Marquis Letricia offering his hand, his expression polite but warm. I caught Princess Arabella shooting daggers at me from across the room. Her glare could melt glass.

I didn't care about the Marquis, not really. But when I glanced at the King—who was laughing and chatting with the Southern King—I realized... this might be the perfect moment to make him jealous.

And if it also meant Princess Arabella hated me even more... well, she already hated me.

"I would be delighted, Marquis," I replied sweetly, accepting his hand. Together, we stepped onto the dance floor as the music changed to a soft waltz.

We bowed to each other, then began to dance, our movements smooth and practiced. I could feel the eyes of the ballroom on us—some admiring, some judging.

Some even whispered that I was collecting the most eligible bachelors in the kingdom.

It wasn't untrue, technically.

Even though the Marquis was wealthy and powerful, I knew Father would prefer the King. I mean, why settle for a Marquis when you could marry a King? You get it, right?

Because of all this attention, I somehow became the inspiration for several romance novels. And guess who the authors were?

Cancer and Capricorn.

Yes, the actual celestial signs. They had way too much fun making up love triangles—and quadrangles—for me. They even threw Kian into the mix, no matter how many times I told them we were just friends.