The soft, rhythmic ticking of a nearby clock marked the late hour, but Princess Alara Celeste lay wide awake. A sharp knock at her door startled her from her thoughts. Rubbing her eyes, she rose, curiosity outweighing caution.

As she cracked the door open, a sudden force shoved her back, and before she could react, rough hands thrust her into a burlap sack. Her muffled protests were ignored as her captors whisked her away into the night. Bound and disoriented, Alara could only discern snippets of conversation. The harsh, sneering voice of one of Ellias’s former bullies cut through the haze.

"Let’s see how brave you are, Princess," he spat, his tone dripping with malice.

They brought her to an abandoned safehouse far from the Academy’s prying eyes. Tossed onto the cold floor, Alara groaned as the sack was yanked off her head. Standing above her was the bully, his smirk a twisted mockery of triumph.

"You think you’re untouchable because of your title," he jeered. "Let’s see how the mighty princess fares without her guards."

Alara’s emerald eyes burned with defiance despite the ropes binding her hands. "You’ll regret this," she said, her voice steady.

The bully’s laugh was cruel. "Bravado won’t save you now."

The first slap stung her cheek, but Alara’s resolve only hardened. As the bully continued his tirade of kicks and punches, he failed to notice her nimble fingers working at the ropes. When her hands finally slipped free, she made her move. With a swift motion, she dodged an incoming blow and retaliated, delivering a sharp elbow to one man’s jaw.

The room erupted into chaos. Though outnumbered, Alara fought with the tenacity of a seasoned warrior. Her father’s rigorous training had prepared her for moments like this. One by one, her captors fell, clutching bruised limbs and broken pride.

Just as victory seemed within reach, the bully lunged at her from behind, a glint of steel in his hand. Pain flared as the blade grazed her back, drawing a line of crimson. Alara’s body stiffened, but she refused to fall. With a fierce determination, she disarmed him and delivered a decisive blow, leaving him crumpled on the floor.

Moments later, the safehouse door burst open. Dominique and Carlysle stormed in, their eyes wide with terror at the sight of Alara standing amidst the wreckage, blood staining her gown.

"Alara!" Dominique’s voice cracked as he rushed to her side, his hands trembling. Carlysle’s expression darkened as he took in the defeated men.

"Who did this?" Carlysle demanded, his voice a dangerous growl.

Alara managed a weak smile. "I’m fine," she murmured, swaying slightly before collapsing into Dominique’s arms.

The twins exchanged a look of fury and heartbreak. Without hesitation, they carried her to the infirmary. The bully and his accomplices were left to face the wrath of the twins’ vengeance.

Alara woke in the infirmary to find the twins at her bedside. Their eyes were red, not just from exhaustion but from the tears they had shed.

"You scared us," Dominique said softly, his heterochromatic eyes filled with guilt.

"You scared us a lot," Carlysle added, his usual humor absent.

Alara reached out, squeezing their hands. "I’m okay. Really."

Dominique’s jaw tightened. "This happened because of Ellias. If it weren’t for his enemies—"

"It wasn’t his fault," Alara interrupted her voice firm despite her weariness. "He didn’t ask for this."

The twins exchanged wary glances, but neither pushed further. Still, a silent resolve formed between them: they would keep a closer watch on both Ellias and Alara from now on. No one would ever hurt their princess again.

The next morning, Emperor Alaric himself issued swift and severe punishments. The bully’s family lost their title and wealth, and their once-respected name was reduced to infamy. Their kingdom faced heavy sanctions, a reminder that no one could harm the imperial family without consequence. There was chaos in Alara's kingdom for Empress Erika almost declared war against the kingdom the bully belongs to. This made the bully's kingdom afraid for they knew how powerful their army is compared to them. The bully and their family were severely punished too and they were never to be seen again.

The morning sun spilled over the academy grounds, casting long shadows that mirrored the tense atmosphere. Carlysle, his face a mixture of rage and purpose, stormed toward Ellias, who stood by the fountain with his usual calm demeanor. Without hesitation, Carlysle grabbed Ellias by the collar and glared into his piercing gray eyes.

“It was you,” Carlysle accused, his voice sharp. “You alerted us about Alara, didn’t you? You knew about the kidnapping, didn't you?”

Ellias’s expression remained lifeless, his tone indifferent. “So, what if it was me?”

The casual response ignited Carlysle’s fury. “So, what if it was you?” he repeated mockingly, tightening his grip. “If anything like this happens to Alara again, I won’t hesitate to kill you.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Do you hear me?”

Ellias’s lack of reaction only further angered Carlysle, who released him with a shove before storming off, his anger barely contained. Ellias adjusted his collar, unfazed, when another figure approached.

Dominique—calm, composed, and with an air of quiet authority—stepped closer. He watched Carlysle’s retreating figure before turning his mismatched eyes on Ellias.

“You know,” Dominique began, his voice light but laced with meaning, “I’m not like my twin. I don’t resort to violence. But I have to admit, seeing that spectacle was… satisfying.”

Ellias raised an eyebrow and chuckled dryly. “So, what are you going to do to me? Threaten me like your brother?”

Dominique’s smile widened, his expression almost amused. “No, that’s Carlysle’s domain. My methods are more… strategic. For example, I could send an anonymous report to Yvenne about their little prince planning something big under their noses.”

The mention of Yvenne froze Ellias in place. His expression darkened as he realized the weight of Dominique’s words.

“What did you say?” Ellias’s voice was low and dangerous.

Dominique shrugged nonchalantly, but his mismatched eyes gleamed with calculated intent. “You heard me. I know more than you think, Coeverden. I make it my business to gather intel on nobles and other kingdoms. My father’s rather proud of that particular skill. And you? You’re not as invisible as you think. Those posts where your armies are, they're easy to find if you ask me.”

Ellias’s calm facade cracked. In one swift motion, he grabbed Dominique’s collar, his grip as tight as Carlysle’s had been moments earlier. “Don’t you dare,” he snarled, his voice filled with venom. “Don’t think you can intimidate me, mismatched eye freak.”

Dominique, however, remained unfazed. His calm demeanor only served to provoke Ellias further. “Careful, Coeverden,” Dominique said, his voice steady. “You’re showing your hand. And that’s the last thing someone like you can afford to do.”

For a moment, their gazes locked, a silent battle of wills. Finally, Ellias released Dominique and stepped back, his mind racing. He hadn’t expected the twins to be more than spoiled nobles, yet they were proving to be far more formidable—and far more dangerous. And Alara… she wasn’t just a naive princess. With allies like Dominique and Carlysle by her side, she had the potential to be unstoppable.

Ellias turned and walked away without another word, his expression unreadable. But as he left, a cynical plan began to form in his mind. If Alara and her allies were obstacles, then he would have to neutralize them—one way or another.