The guards banged on Bianca's door, forcing it open just in time to stop her trembling hands from doing the unthinkable. Her mother rushed in, wrapping her in a desperate embrace.
"You shouldn't be doing this to yourself, Bianca!" she cried, her voice cracking. "Your father is gone, and I can't lose you too. Please… don't leave me in this house with only your shadow."
Tears rolled freely down Bianca's cheeks as she clung to her mother. "It hurts, Mama. Prince Stepan didn't just ignore me—he chose Rosaline. He danced with her. In front of everyone."
Her voice broke, thick with years of longing and unspoken love. From the moment they met, she'd been his confidante, his closest friend—his safe harbor. She believed, foolishly perhaps, that one day he'd see her as more than that. But now? That dream had shattered before her eyes.
Her mother gently wiped her tears, then brought her a tray of warm food. "You must not weep," she said quietly, feeding her a spoonful. "You must fight. For him. For yourself."
Later that evening, Maya and Brittany sat beside Bianca, trying to lift her spirits.
"What happened at the ball doesn't mean he's replacing Katherine with Rosaline," Maya said firmly. "You've always been his anchor. If he opens his heart again, it will be to you."
Bianca didn't respond. Her gaze was locked on a newspaper in her hand, her fingers trembling as she pointed to a grainy image. "Look at her face," she murmured. "Rosaline… she looks exactly like Katherine."they never thought of that.
Brittany leaned in closer, a chill running down her spine. "I noticed it too, but I didn't want to say anything. Maybe that's why the prince danced with her. Maybe he thought… maybe he felt something."
Maya frowned. "She does resemble her. But… she looks more captivating now. I never really liked that face.she really look like Katherine "
Bianca shook her head, her voice low. "No. That can't be it. Rosaline wore a mask. If she truly resembled Katherine, none of us would have recognized her—not even me. It wasn't until her grandmother pointed her out that anyone realized who she was. Which means… the prince danced with her for another reason."
The room fell silent. Cold. Unsettled.
"After Katherine died," Maya whispered, "there were women who claimed to look like her. But they weren't her. We saw her die. We all saw it."
They nodded—but the doubt lingered, curling through the air like smoke.
Meanwhile, in the royal chambers, a maid bowed before Prince Stephan.
"My Prince, Kavin asked me to clean here. May I?"
Stephan nodded absently, his eyes already fixed on a painting that hung above the fireplace—a scene of a serene island,isle of Elaris")
"That island…" he whispered. "So many memories are buried there."
Later, Kavin found the prince still staring at the painting, his expression unreadable.
"You're here again," Kavin said softly.
Stephan didn't look away. "Some places never let you go."
At that moment, Kaelion stormed down the hallway. He froze when he saw a maid quietly slip out of Katherine's old chambers.
"Where are you coming from?" he demanded.
She bowed quickly. "From Lady Katherine's room, your highness Kavin sent me to clean it."
His eyes darkened. Moments later, he decided to barge into the nearby room, only to overhear Kavin speaking to Prince Stephan.
"How do you expect her to fall in love with you again?" Kavin asked, hopefully.
Before Stephan could respond, he emerged from behind the bed, holding one of Katherine's old portraits. He walked to the wall and began to hang it in a different spot.
He noticed Kaelion leaning by the doorway. "Why listen in the shadows when you can just come in?" he said coldly. "Or are you spying on us now?"
Kaelion stepped inside, his gaze fierce. "Why were you in her room?"
Stephan smirked bitterly, adjusting the portrait. "Is it a crime to remember someone I once loved?"
Kaelion's voice exploded. "You shouldn't even speak her name!"
"I'll do more than that," Stephan said flatly. "I'll bring her back. If not in flesh… then in memory."
Kaelion stormed out, seething. Outside, he spoke to his loyal servant Jack.
"Everyone's whispering about Katherine again," Jack noted.
Kaelion nodded grimly. "I overheard Kavin asking the prince how to make her fall in love with him again. He hasn't been close to anyone since her. Except… Rosaline."
"Rosaline?" Jack blinked. "The girl he danced with at the ball?"
"Yes. Her grandmother called out to her in public. And the prince… the way he looked at her, touched her... like she meant something. I want you to find out who she really is."
Jack hesitated. "But my prince… Katherine is dead."
Kaelion's eyes narrowed. "She is. I watched her die. But something doesn't feel right. Stephan isn't grieving—he's searching. And it all began after he met Rosaline."
Elsewhere, Vincent lounged with Charlotte, celebrating with wine and arrogance.
"She's foolish to fall for me now," he sneered. "She'd sacrifice everything for love."
"Poor Rosaline," Charlotte giggled. "So naïve."
They clinked glasses, already plotting their next move—to visit the Guru.
Meanwhile, Rosaline sat with her friends, unaware of the storm swirling around her.
"You're running again? Because of Vincent?" Margaux asked, shocked.
Casse giggled. "Let her go. Love makes people crazy."
Margaux sighed, almost wistfully. "Lovers always give everything… even when it costs them everything."
But none of them truly knew.
Rosaline wasn't just a girl in love.
She was a ticking time bomb—one heartbeat away from detonating the truth.
And soon…
The mask would shatter.