Chapter 132: Perfect Act [II]

Starlight was constantly finding ways to escape situations designed to trap her, turning disadvantages into opportunities and using other people’s assumptions against them. The Crown Twins had thought the corrective conduct program would give them the upper hand, allowing them to keep her close while making her follow their rules. Instead, she had found a way to turn their own arrangement against them within minutes. It was infuriating, yet the thought of her outsmarting them only deepened Mikhail’s fascination. What had begun as a calculated interest was becoming something far more consuming, an obsession that grew stronger every time she demonstrated that she would never be as easy to control as they had imagined.

Beside Eden, Elle slowly turned her head toward him. He looked back at precisely the same moment, and their eyes met in silent disbelief. Neither needed to speak to communicate the question running through their minds.

What on earth was wrong with Starlight?

Elle could hardly reconcile the woman now trembling beside Okami with the same Starlight who had just delivered a merciless verbal takedown of Beatrice without batting an eyelid. She had watched Starlight challenge every wolf they had encountered, question their authority, and even attempt to expose the Crown Twins’ hold over her in front of the sub-royals. Now, she was behaving as though a few harsh words from Beatrice had frightened her into silence. Elle’s gaze drifted toward Starlight again, suspicion slowly replacing her initial shock.

What in the world are you cooking up now, Starlight? she wondered, already certain that whatever it was, it would not end quietly.

Sera, on the other hand, had a much better idea of what was happening. She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress the smile threatening to spread across her face. Starlight was clearly attempting to use the situation to her advantage, turning the Crown Twins’ reluctance to discuss the program into an opportunity to seek outside help. It was an audacious move, and watching the princes struggle to contain the situation was far more entertaining than Sera cared to admit.

Still, her amusement did not mean she would refuse to help. Her mother had already instructed her to do everything possible to maintain a good relationship with Starlight, and Sera had no intention of disobeying her clan head when the opportunity to earn the girl’s trust presented itself so conveniently. Besides, if the Crown Twins were putting Starlight through something she genuinely disliked, Sera saw no reason why she should remain silent simply because they happened to be royalty.

Leaning forward, she turned toward Starlight with a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, Starlight. You don’t need to be afraid. We’re here for you."

Her gaze briefly swept over the Crown Twins before returning to the young woman beside Okami. "I understand that it can be intimidating when the people involved are the future heirs of the empire, and you have every right to feel uncomfortable if you believe they’re treating you unfairly. But being imperial princes doesn’t give them the right to force you into anything you don’t want or make you feel as though you have no choice. If there’s something they’re doing that you don’t agree with, you should tell us. We’ll listen, and you don’t have to be afraid of speaking honestly in front of us."

Sera paused, allowing her words to settle before adding, "And if things get out of hand, my mother can help us secure an audience with the Emperor himself. I’m sure His Imperial Majesty would be interested to hear that his heirs are making a young human woman feel bullied and intimidated. So please, Starlight, don’t hesitate to tell us what’s happening. You don’t have to handle this alone."

Nikolai’s head snapped toward Sera, his glare sharp enough to make his displeasure unmistakable. The suggestion that she might involve the Emperor was the last thing he wanted to hear, particularly when the entire gathering was already growing curious about the program. Sera, however, did not spare him so much as a glance. She remained focused on Starlight, her expression warm and encouraging, as though the prince’s anger were nothing more than an insignificant distraction.

Mikhail’s jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the exchange. They had underestimated Starlight. Worse, they had assumed that putting her in a position where she had to deal with them directly would make her easier to manage. Instead, she was turning the people around them into potential allies, and the more they tried to shut her down, the more suspicious they appeared. If she succeeded in making the Elite Circle believe that they were bullying her, explaining the program would become the least of their problems.

Starlight slowly lifted her head, allowing her gaze to move from Sera to Mikhail and then to Nikolai. For a moment, she appeared uncertain, as though she were struggling to decide whether she could truly trust the people offering to help her. Then she looked back at Sera, her expression softening into cautious hope. "Really?" she asked quietly. "You think nothing bad will happen to me if I tell you what they’ve been making me do? I mean, they’re the Crown Twins. If I say something they don’t like, won’t they make things even more difficult for me afterward?" Her eyes flickered toward the princes before she quickly lowered them again, her fingers twisting nervously into the fabric of her gown. "I don’t want to get into more trouble than I’m already in."

Kage nearly groaned in exasperation.

Oh, for the Goddess’s sake, will this girl stop it already? He had no idea how she managed to keep a straight face while putting on such an elaborate performance, but he was beginning to suspect that watching her manipulate the situation was going to become a regular source of frustration for him.

Beatrice, meanwhile, wanted nothing more than to expose Starlight’s ridiculous act and wipe that innocent expression off her face. She had seen the girl’s audacity firsthand and refused to believe that someone who had challenged her so boldly on several occasions could suddenly become so timid. Yet with everyone watching, calling Starlight out again would only make Beatrice appear cruel and petty, especially when the girl was already being offered sympathy and protection. Her fingers curled against her gown as she struggled to contain her irritation, silently cursing Starlight for turning the entire gathering against anyone who dared question her.

Okami, on the other hand, seemed to be the only person who didn’t see through Starlight’s act. He had to resist the urge to gather her into his arms and assure her that she had nothing to worry about. He wanted to shield her from the Crown Twins’ displeasure and make it clear that she would not have to face them alone. However, he was reluctant to risk the little goodwill he had managed to earn from her. If he pulled her into his arms without her permission, he might ruin the progress he had made, so he settled for remaining close beside her, his protective presence speaking for him as he silently wished he could offer her more comfort.

Sera, on the other hand, was fighting hard not to laugh out loud. She had to summon every ounce of self-control she possessed to keep her amusement from showing in her eyes. Starlight’s performance was becoming increasingly ridiculous, and the Crown Twins’ grim expressions only made it harder for her to maintain her composure. Still, she had promised to help, and she intended to see the act through to its conclusion. "Yes, Starlight. I guarantee that you won’t be left to deal with this alone. So please, tell us what the Crown Twins have been putting you through." She glanced briefly at Mikhail and Nikolai, whose expressions had grown increasingly grim, before turning her attention back to Starlight. "You can speak freely. We’re listening."