Aurora paced back and forth in the grand hallway, her mind racing. Every step she took was part of her plan, and now it was time to take the next step, even if it meant stirring up trouble. She knew she had to get close to Damian, even if it meant pretending to want to be his mistress. Her only goal was to gain his trust and find a way to free Luna.
Just then, she spotted Lily walking toward her with a look of pure irritation. Lily’s eyes were cold, filled with jealousy and anger. It was clear she had noticed Aurora’s recent attention from Damian, and she wasn’t happy about it.
“So,” Lily sneered, crossing her arms as she stopped in front of Aurora. “You really think you’re special now, don’t you? Just because the master is giving you some attention?”
Aurora kept her face calm, even though her heart was pounding. “Maybe he sees something in me that you could never be,” she replied coolly.
Lily’s face twisted with anger. “You’re nothing but a foolish girl playing a dangerous game. Damian only keeps you around for his amusement. You’ll be gone the moment he’s tired of you.”
Aurora took a deep breath, steadying herself. This was her chance to push Lily even further. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Maybe he’s realized I’m the kind of mistress he needs-someone who isn’t scared of him, someone who isn’t weak.”
Lily’s eyes flared with rage. “You? His mistress? Don’t make me laugh. You could never be what I am to him.”
A small crowd had begun to gather in the hallway, drawn by the tension between them. Miss Catherine, the head maid, stood nearby, watching with wide eyes. The servants whispered to each other, their expressions filled with shock. This kind of confrontation was unheard of in Damian’s household.
Aurora didn’t back down. She knew this was exactly what she needed to do to play her part. “Maybe he’s tired of you, Lily. Maybe he wants someone with a bit of fire, someone who isn’t just here to flatter him.”
Lily stepped closer, her voice low and full of venom. “You’re nothing but a distraction. You don’t know the first thing about being his mistress.”
Aurora smiled, a hint of confidence in her eyes. “Oh, I know enough. I know he needs someone who can stand by his side without fear. And that someone isn’t you.”
Lily’s face turned red with fury. She looked like she was ready to slap Aurora, but Miss Catherine quickly stepped between them, her face pale with shock.
“Enough, both of you!” Miss Catherine’s voice was firm, though she looked deeply unsettled by the argument. “This kind of behavior is unacceptable. The master would not be pleased.”
But Aurora knew better. She knew Damian would be pleased with her boldness, with her newfound “interest” in him. This was all part of her plan, and she needed Damian to believe it.
“I’m not afraid of him,” Aurora said, raising her voice so everyone could hear. “And maybe that’s why he’s finally paying attention to me.”
The crowd gasped, and Miss Catherine’s eyes widened in disbelief. The servants exchanged glances, shocked by Aurora’s sudden confidence and her claim to become Damian’s mistress.
Lily’s face twisted with a mix of shock and rage. “You really think you’re so important, don’t you?” she spat, her voice barely more than a whisper. “You’re nothing but a foolish girl who doesn’t understand her place.”
Aurora met her glare, her own voice cold. “And maybe my place is right next to Damian. Maybe that’s where I’m meant to be, and not you.”
Miss Catherine tried to regain control of the situation, looking between the two women with an anxious expression. “Both of you need to stop this at once. This is not the time or place.”
But Aurora knew she had already done what she needed. She had planted the idea in everyone’s minds that she was aiming for Damian’s attention, that she wanted to be his mistress. She could already feel the weight of the rumors forming around her, the whispers that would reach Damian soon enough.
That evening, Aurora found herself alone in her room, her heart still racing from the confrontation with Lily. She knew it had been risky, but it was all part of her plan. She needed Damian to trust her, to think that she wanted him-that she was willing to fight for his attention. Only then would she have the chance to get close enough to him to find a way to help Luna.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it to find Damian standing there, a satisfied smile on his face. He looked almost amused, as if he had been expecting this all along.
“I heard you had quite the argument with Lily today,” he said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. “It seems you’ve developed quite an interest in me.”
Aurora forced herself to meet his gaze, keeping her expression calm. “Maybe I’ve realized that being by your side has its benefits.”
Damian chuckled, his eyes gleaming with approval. “I must admit, I didn’t expect this from you. You’ve surprised me, Aurora.
She forced a smile, knowing that this was exactly what she wanted. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.”
He took a step closer, his gaze intense. “Perhaps I don’t. But I’m curious to find out more.”
Aurora felt a chill run down her spine, but she didn’t let it show. She knew this was her chance to gain his trust, to make him believe in her loyalty. She needed him to think that she was serious about wanting to be by his side.
“I’m not afraid of you, Damian,” she said quietly, her voice steady. “And maybe that’s why I’m the right person to stand next to you.”
He seemed pleased by her boldness, a small smile curving his lips. “Then prove it to me. Show me that you’re truly committed.”
Aurora swallowed, forcing herself to keep up the act. “I will,” she said, her voice firm. “Just give me the chance.”
Damian’s smile widened, and he gave a small nod. “Very well. I’ll be watching closely, Aurora.”
He turned and left, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Aurora took a deep breath, feeling both relief and anxiety. She had managed to convince him, at least for now. But she knew she would have to be careful, to play this game perfectly if she wanted to save Luna and escape Damian’s grasp.
The next morning, Aurora walked through the halls, noticing the whispers and glances that followed her. It was clear that word of her argument with Lily had spread, and the servants looked at her with a mix of shock and curiosity. She could feel the rumors swirling around her, the stories of her sudden ambition and her boldness in challenging Lily.
Miss Catherine approached her, her expression a mix of concern and disapproval. “Aurora, a word, please.”
Aurora nodded, following Miss Catherine to a quiet corner. The head maid looked at her carefully, her eyes searching for answers.
“What has gotten into you, child?” Miss Catherine asked softly. “This isn’t like you. Why would you provoke Lily like that?”
Aurora met her gaze, keeping her expression calm. “Maybe I’ve realized what I want, Miss Catherine. Maybe it’s time for me to stop being afraid and start thinking about my own future.”
Miss Catherine sighed, clearly troubled. “Be careful, Aurora. You’re playing with fire, and you may not be prepared for the consequences.”
But Aurora knew what she was doing. She had to take risks if she wanted to achieve her goal, to save Luna and break free from Damian’s control. And if that meant pretending to want something she despised, then so be it.
As she walked away, she felt a strange mix of satisfaction and determination. She was getting closer to her goal, step by step, even if it meant walking a dangerous path.