The Reborn Swan

I was the fiancee of Lucian Veris, the celebrated Swan Prince, who had offered up the principal role in exchange for my hand.

On stage, he was proud and untouchable, yet he surrendered completely to the choreography I created for "Eternal Crown."

When I came back after three years in Valmont, I discovered that the understudy who mirrored me had already claimed our private rehearsal hall.

At the company's welcome gala, Lucian abandoned a room full of sponsors just to chase after the crying understudy.

From behind the velvet curtain, I overheard words he had never spoken to me.

"Elara, I chose you only because you reminded me of her. I was looking for a replacement. But you were different. Your choreography captivated me—more than she ever could. Just make sure she never finds out until the closing night of 'Eternal Crown.'"

Then came the muffled sounds of their entanglement, followed by his whispered vow. "I'll give you the principal's place."

Right there, in that same room, he had once held my hand and sworn that I, Astraea Lynelle, would be his only soulmate in this lifetime.

I turned and walked away, the sharp echo of my pointe shoes striking with finality.

Back in the dressing room, I dialed his greatest rival, Caelan Thorne.

"Mr. Thorne," I said evenly, "I accept your offer to join your company. And one more thing—prepare a gift for me. I intend to turn Lucian's grand finale into the most spectacular downfall the art world has ever seen."

The Shattered Crown

I had just hung up the phone with Caelan Thorne when the door burst open with a violent kick.

Lucian stormed into my dressing room, his face ashen, with Elara Grace trailing behind him.

Her eyes were rimmed with red, yet there was no mistaking the smugness flickering beneath her tears.

"Astraea!" Lucian's voice was cold as ice. "Do you even realize what you've just done?"

I turned toward the man who once swore to walk through life by my side, only to see him now standing against me for another woman's sake. Bitterness rose in my chest.

"What exactly did I do?"

"You walked out just like that! You embarrassed the sponsors and humiliated the entire team!"

Lucian stepped closer, his eyes brimming with disappointment. "Are you even the same Astraea Lynelle I used to know?"

Behind him, Elara sniffled softly. "Ms. Lynelle, I know you don't like me, but on an occasion this important—"

"Enough." Lucian cut her off, his gaze turning on me with a chilling edge. "Astraea, when did you become so narrow-minded? Since when can you not make room for a newcomer?"

Ten years of love, and all he saw in me was narrow-mindedness.

"You think I'm narrow-minded?"

"Just look at yourself!" His voice sharpened. "Seething with resentment, lashing out at the innocent ones. Is this how a principal choreographer is supposed to behave?"

Out in the hallway, several dancers had gathered, whispering and pointing toward the door.

"I knew it. Astraea's jealous…"

"Elara's so talented, and she just can't stand it…"

And in that moment, I heard the sound of my own heart breaking.

Not because of their whispers, but because of the man standing before me—the one who once vowed he would protect me for life.

"Astraea." Lucian's voice grew even colder. "With the state you're in right now, you're no longer fit to direct the closing performance of 'Eternal Crown.'"

"Eternal Crown" was my masterpiece. The work I had poured every ounce of my imagination into for this team. And he dared to say that to me?

"To ensure good quality," he went on, "Elara and I will be taking over your job together."

The dressing room fell into a suffocating silence.

Elara looked at me with a feigned shock. "Ms. Lynelle, I know you've misunderstood me, but 'Eternal Crown' is Lucian's life's work, and it's the team's signature production. I only want to help take some of the weight off his shoulders and make the performance even more perfect."

Her voice dripped with softness, the kind that pretended to be innocent, as if she truly had the company's best interest at heart.

And just like that, my creation became his life's work in their mouths.

"There's one more thing." Lucian's tone hardened. "Studio One will now serve as Elara's and my main rehearsal space. Astraea, move your things to the spare room next to the storage closet."

The spare room.

That tiny, windowless cell.

Right on cue, Elara chimed in, her smile as sweet as sugar. "Ms. Lynelle, we'll need to borrow your choreography notes and drafts while Lucian and I study 'Eternal Crown.'"

Her eyes glittered as she added, almost playfully, "After all, we're the ones in charge now."