Wicked Reign

Burning Greed

Lucia Louvnier sat in front of her ornate mirror, her fingers digging into the polished wood of her vanity table. The candlelight flickered, casting long shadows across her face, her expression twisted with rage. The humiliation of the past evening still burned in her veins like venom.

Emperor Corean had dismissed her as if she were nothing—like a mere speck of dust in the grand scheme of his empire. And worst of all, it had been in front of Queen Victoria, the woman who had everything Lucia had ever dreamed of. She was standing up there, looking down on her!

Victoria Rozenreff.

That name was a curse to her ears.

Lucia had spent years perfecting herself, learning court etiquette, dressing in the finest silks, ensuring that her golden hair and soft blue eyes matched the emperor's rumored preferences. She had been patient, enduring whispers, waiting for the moment to rise. And yet, when the opportunity had finally presented itself, she had been cast aside like a foolish girl playing pretend.

The Queen had laughed.

That sound echoed in Lucia's mind like a sharp bell tolling her failure.

How dare she?

How dare Victoria hold all the power, all the beauty, all the adoration? What had she done to deserve it, other than being lucky enough to be born into her position as a Duke's daughter?

Lucia's nails curled into her palm until they nearly broke the skin.

The door creaked open, and a steady pair of footsteps echoed through the dimly lit room.

Baron Louvnier, her father, entered with his usual calm demeanor. He was a man of sharp wit and quiet manipulation, a noble who had survived court politics despite being of lesser influence.

His eyes, however, gleamed with unspoken ambitions.

"You're angry," he observed, his voice smooth, betraying no emotion.

Lucia turned, forcing herself to breathe evenly. "Should I not be? The emperor embarrassed me. He humiliated me before the entire court."

Baron Louvnier stepped forward, his gloved hands clasped behind his back. He examined his daughter with an air of scrutiny, as if weighing her worth.

"Do you think anger alone will elevate you, Lucia?"

Her lips parted, but no words came. She knew better than to argue with him. Her father had always been pragmatic—cunning, even. He never wasted time with unnecessary emotions.

"I have spent years raising you, ensuring you are more than just a pretty doll," he continued, circling her like a predator. "And yet, here you are, sulking as if that will change your fate."

Lucia's throat tightened. "What else can I do? Emperor Corean favors the queen beyond reason."

"Favor is fleeting," Baron Louvnier murmured, stopping beside her. He reached out, lifting a strand of her golden hair between his fingers. "Do you know why I allowed you to chase this ambition of yours?"

She frowned. "Because you believed I could succeed."

A small chuckle escaped him, though there was no warmth in it. "No, my dear. I allowed it because I saw the hunger in your eyes. Because I knew that if you wanted something badly enough, you would do whatever it takes."

Lucia swallowed, feeling the weight of his words settle into her chest.

"You think Victoria Rozenreff is untouchable?" he asked, his voice lowering. "You believe that because she wears a crown, she is invincible?"