Kali stood upon the grand stage in the ballroom as the people of Yermoth and distant countries bustled in, their arrival announced one by one by the usher. With each announcement, the guests turned their attention to her, Elliot, and her father, bowing to show their graces. In return, the royal family responded with practiced nods, measured and gracious. Unless of course, the usher declared a foreign royal's arrival. Then the guest would be escorted to the stage for a more formal exchange, often punctuated by polite, politically charged conversations.

    As each woman stepped through the grand oak doors, Kal's gaze instinctively flicked to Elliot, searching for any sign of interest or ease. More often than not, she found neither. His darting eyes betrayed his composure, scanning the crowd even as he greeted each guest with flawless etiquette. His hands, clasped neatly in front of his waist, betrayed their tension in whitening knuckles. The shy, almost apologetic smile he sent back in her direction made her heart ache.

    How selfish of her to hope that, even just for tonight, he might forget the threats looming over them all. How ridiculously naive to believe that her birthday celebration could overshadow the presence of danger that had sent him to hide in a sunless, lonely saferoom. The same room he'd inevitably return to at the end of the night.

    Eventually, her gaze shifted away from her brother to the eye-catching displays, as though to lose herself in the extravagance of the celebration. While she took quiet pride in the parts she'd planned, much of the splendor was owed to the efforts of the staff. She would not forget to thank them all later.

    The ballroom gleamed, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers whose dazzling reflection bounced off the freshly polished marble floors. Yermoth's national colors of burnt orange and silver adorned every ribbon and bouquet, from the entrance to the lavish buffet tables piled with delicately plated appetizers, decadent sweets, and handcrafted drinks. The glitter of countless gowns filled the room, each one seeming to catch the light in a different way, adding to the brilliance of the scene.

But the centerpiece of the evening had been a complete surprise. Unveiled just moments before the doors opened to the guests, a tremendous ice sculpture of Princess Kalevala herself commanded the room. Crafted with breathtaking intricacy, the sculpture doubled as a fountain, water cascading from her outstretched hands to mimic her fiery power.

As impressive as it was, and whoever's idea it had been, she fought hard to keep her composure. She resisted the urge to hide her face behind her hands when it was revealed, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Despite the trials- or perhaps because of them- it felt excessive, to be celebrated so much, given that she had done very little to ease her family's suffering. Worse, it stood as a reminder of her recent failures, even as her people looked on in awe.

Nonetheless, the fountain remained, its sparkling streams a centerpiece for the evening. As Kali watched the guests marvel at the grandeur of the ballroom, she couldn't help but wonder how much of their admiration was truly for her.

Her mind wandered back to the dungeon, to TImbetts' cryptic words and Death's growing unease.

Every choice you make now reflects how you'll respond to what's coming.

She had racked her brain for countless hours, searching for meaning. But no matter how she grasped for answers, none came. It was maddening how everyone seemed to know what lay ahead- except for her.

And so, the only thing she could do was look forward. She inhaled deeply, grounding herself as the usher's voice rose above the music and conversation.

"Our final guest," he announced, his tone reverent, "Her Highness, Princess Neera Fontaine of Lorvil."

A polite rumble of applause swept through the ballroom as heads turned toward the grand oak doors in anticipation. Kali straightened instinctively, her gaze locking onto the entrance as their final guest of the night arrived.

The princess entered with the measured elegance of someone who had mastered the art of commanding a room. Her ebony-black hair cascaded down her back like silk, glistening in the brilliant hue of the chandeliers. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes swept across the room with a calculated intensity, taking in every detail.

Her gown, a deep shade of blue, rippled like water down her slender frame before flaring out just above her knees. With every step, the fabric seemed to come alive, as if it were an ocean current under the night sky.

What struck Kali most, however, was her skin- smooth, glassy, and seemingly untouched by imperfection. It was almost unnatural, the way it caught and reflected light, giving her an ethereal glow.

There was something about Princess Neera that Kali couldn't quite point out, as though the air around her was charged. Even as she drew closer, it wasn't just her beauty or gracefulness- there was a faint hum of energy that seemed to ripple in her wake. Kali's eyes lingered on her longer than she intended, and before she knew it, the princess was ascending the stage before her.

Neera flashed a perfectly timed smile that was equal parts warm and regal. "Your Majesty," she said, bowing deeply to the king before turning to Elliot and then Kali, "Your Highnesses. I wanted to thank you for your gracious invitation. It's an honor to stand in such a company."

Her voice was rich and smooth, carrying a subtle weight that held attention effortlessly. As she turned slightly, her eyes caught the faint glimmer of the fountain at the center of the room. For a moment, Kali swore she saw a small ripple in the stream of water, almost as if jumping to meet the princess's attention.

"Welcome to Yermoth, Princess Neera," Elliot said, his voice softer than usual. He bent forward in a slight bow, and Kali noticed a subtle shift in his expression- curiosity mixed with something she couldn't quite place. "The pleasure is ours."

Neera's lips curved into a brilliant smile. "Thank you, Prince Elliot." She allowed herself to glance around the ballroom once again. "I've heard many tales of Yermoth's splendor, but this..." she gestured to the glittering space behind her, "is far beyond even my imagination."
Kali was beginning to wonder if her mind was playing tricks on her. When the princess's gaze had flickered to her, there was something in the look- something silent but sharp- that sent a shiver down her spine. Almost like a warning.

Elliot's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Thank you, but none of this would have been possible without my sister," he said, turning to Kali with a questioning look. "She's the one behind the magic of everything you'll see this week."

The princess let out a soft laugh. "Yes, well, I've heard many tales of you as well, Princess Kalevala."

Kali blinked, not sure how she should have taken the statement. "All of honor and nobility, of course." Neera added quickly, waving a delicate hand as if to sweep away any unintended offense.

Kali forced a polite smile. "I do my best," she said humbly, though her confidence felt feeble compared to the other woman's. "It's lovely to have you here, Princess Neera. Do enjoy your stay in our kingdom."

Neera inclined her head gracefully, stepping from the stage to join the bustling crowd.

As Kali watched her leave, disappearing into the sea of fine chiffon and satin, a strange dryness clawed at her throat. She lifted a hand to her mouth to clear it with a quiet cough.

Elliot turned to her, his brows furrowed and his voice laced with concern. "Are you alright?"

She waved him off as she regained her composure. "Yes, sorry. I think going to the dungeon must have left me feeling a little off," She offered him a reassuring smile, not wanting to ruin the evening with her conspiracies. "Should we grab some drinks?"

Elliot's worried expression was quickly replaced with a smile, holding out his arm for her to take as they made their way off the stage, though her thoughts remained with Princess Neera, and she found herself checking over her shoulder at an attempt to place her- the magnetic hum of her presence still ringing in her ears.

The twinkling lights of the ballroom danced across the polished marble floors as Kali and Elliot wove through the swaying crowd. Laughter and conversation hummed around them, interspersed with nods and exclamations of admiration from the guests. Kali returned each greeting with an appreciative smile and an occasional few words of gratitude, but her attention wavered.

She couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her, that something was out of place. A prickle of awareness nagged at the back of her neck, though she couldn't pinpoint why.

They reached the drink table, and Elliot handed her a glass before picking one up for himself, he gestured to the vibrant scene before them.
"It really is turning out to be a beautiful evening," he said, his voice bright with excitement. "You've got a knack for these things like I've never seen."

His encouraging words tugged her from her thoughts. "Please, I think that's just the safehouse boredom talking,"

Elliot chuckled along with her, giving her a playful nudge with his free hand. "Alright, you got me there." His expression softened. "Speaking of... how have things been with me gone? Are you learning to control your power?"

He paused, glancing over her face before adding, "I mean... no offense, but... you look exhausted. And kind of on edge."

Kali's smile faltered momentarily.

"I mean, you look great!" He blurted, clearly flustered. "It's just- I see you almost every day, so I notice these things. I doubt anyone else has picked up on it.".

Kali let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "No, no you're right." She sighed, taking a sip of her drink and letting the liquid cool the stagnant heat in her chest. "I'm exhausted- mentally and physically. This has been much harder than I expected, and..."

She paused. She wanted to speak of the weight of her training and Death's increasing expectations pressing down on her. But how could she complain, knowing the burdens Elliot has carried?

She shook her head, forcing a brighter smile. "But enough of that. Let's just enjoy the party!" She raised her glass to Elliot. "This is one of the very few weeks we get to relax. Maybe even find love?" Kali wiggled her brows, grinning as she caught the bashful look on Elliot's face.

"Oh come on," she teased. "I saw the way you looked at Princess Neera."

Elliot's cheeks flushed pink as he raised his glass to clink them together, "She is stunning, but..."

Kali waited for him to finish, her curiosity heightened. Did he sense something about Neera that he couldn't quite explain? Did he feel the same nagging feeling she did?

But Elliot left the sentence unfinished, his gaze drifting back to the princess. She followed his line of sight and froze. Neera was already looking at her, her deep onyx eyes were boring into her with unnerving intensity.

"Don't you think there's something... different about her?" Kali asked, lowering her voice as a group of guests walked by.

Elliot took a sip of his drink, raising an eyebrow. "Well, of course she's different. She's a foreign royal- that's kind of the point of inviting them. To promote peace and alliance with our neighboring countries."

"I know, but..." she frowned, "wasn't Lorvil overthrown a few years ago during their war with the Lyssan Empire? They couldn't possibly have recovered and formed a new monarchy already."

Elliot tilted his head, considering her words. "Are you saying she's not who she says she is? Because she looks like royalty to me."
As if to prove his point, Elliot continued to watch the princess, who had let out a melodic laugh captivating the guests around her. Kali's stomach tightened as she noticed the contents of Neera's glass bubble gently with each note of laughter.

"No... I don't know," Kali murmured. She forced herself to look away and back to Elliot. "Why don't you go talk to her? If Lorvil is trying to rebuild, this would be a perfect time to strengthen ties."

Elliot shifted uncomfortably, taking another sip of his drink. "Well I- I was going to. I just... didn't want to interrupt. I don't want to put all the attention on me, you know."

Kali rolled her eyes. "Please, you're the heir to the throne, Elliot. And you're single," She added with a smirk, nudging his shoulder. "These people might be here for my birthday, but they're all here to see you."

Elliot glanced between her and Neera before slumping his shoulders in defeat. "Alright, alright," he said, his voice tinged with anxiousness.

She watched as he weaved through the crowd, making his way toward Neera. A grin crept onto her face as she saw him steal the princess away from the group of guests. Turning back to the rest of the ballroom, her gaze made another sweep of the room- until it halted on a familiar figure.

At the edge of the ballroom, partially cloaked in the shadow of a column, stood Death. His presence was a familiar anchor amidst the oddities of the evening, and for a fleeting moment, her anxieties diminished.

Kali made her way to him along the outskirts of the crowd.

He only merely sent a glance in her direction before returning to the crowd almost immediately. "Enjoying the festivities?" He asked, his tone more rhetorical than genuine.

Kali moved to stand beside him, following his line of sight, but the bustling crowd made it hard to pinpoint what had caught his attention. "So far, yes. I think it turned out quite well. But I must say, I'm surprised you made an appearance." She studied his posture, noting that his arms were crossed tightly over his chest as he leaned against the column, and his jaw was clenched as he sucked on his right cheek in thought.

The air around him was unnervingly cold, a stark contrast to the warmth of the rest of the room. Goosebumps prickled down her arms as she tried to lighten the tension. "This doesn't really seem like your type of scene."

"It's not," he said flatly, his tone laced with irritation. "It's all a distraction, set perfectly around the very issue you're meant to see."

Kali frowned, mirroring his annoyance in her expression. "Well, no one asked you to be here." She crossed her arms, her voice sharper now. "What's the big deal, anyway? And what are you looking at?"

She followed his gaze again, her heart stuttering as she realized his attention was fixed on the foreign princess. Turning back to Death, hopeful she would finally get her answer, she caught a flash of that same look she had seen before- something she still couldn't place.

"I don't need to be asked. I'm always here, Princess." His voice was cold and weary. His eyes flickered back to Neera. "She shouldn't be here."

Kali's breath caught in her throat. "Neera?" She whispered, "I knew there was something off about her." She averted her eyes, her thoughts racing as she quietly gasped. "Wait- how do you know who she is" she stepped closer, her tone demanding as if she could drag the answer from him.

Death fully turned to her now, his eyes like a stormy sky, burning with warning. "Nevermind." He clipped. "But you'd do well to pass the warning to your brother. Neither of you understand what-"

His words were cut off as a sudden piercing crack cut through the room. They snapped their heads around toward the source of the sound just in time to see the grand ice sculpture- the brilliant centerpiece of the evening- shatter before them. Shrieks rippled through the crows as shards of ice exploded outward and the glittering frozen daggers in the light struck some of the nearby guests. The sound of ice crashing onto the marble floor echoed in eerie silence that followed.

Kali's breath became shallow as she stared at the sculpture's remains, her pulse hammering against her chest. She turned instinctively to gauge Death's reaction.

He was gone.

Her eyes darted around the room, catching only the tail of his coat whipping around a corner into one of the grand halls flanking the ballroom.

She hesitated, taking one last sweep over the murmuring guests and the scrambling staff desperately working to clean up the chaos. But the pull to follow him- to find out the answers- was too strong. Without another thought, she sped after him, her pulse quickening with each step.