[Imperial Capital—Some Dessert Shop, Later That Chaotic Entrance of Seraphina]
Somewhere, a bell chimed.
Somewhere else, a pile of branded shopping bags whimpered under the weight of bankruptcy.
And inside the softly lit, dangerously aesthetic dessert shop known as "Crème & Crown," two women sat like warring kingdoms mid-duel.
Empress Elise: Regal. Icy. A velvet knife with a teacup.
Lady Seraphina: Sharp. Red-lipped. Eyes glowing with designer vengeance.
And in between them…
Lucien.
Curled in his velvet chair like a dainty squirrel at a royal tea party. One hand rested dramatically on his chest. The other lifted a macaron to his lips like it was his final meal before execution. His curls bounced. His eyes sparkled.
Was he scared?
Absolutely not.
Because in his heart… he felt like a dramatic female lead in a historical romance where two powerful rivals fought for his affection.
