No soul does nothing for free. Be it a mortal or immortal each flick of finger one takes in the name of another comes at a cost. That's a lesson Sea learned early in life. Yet, if anyone had ever managed to sway her steadfast resolve, it would be Auden Emette Romersai, with his deep ocean eyes and sunshine smile.

Despite his status as her lord, he had never wielded his authority over her staff. To him, the people who tended to his chambers was family, and Auden treated them as such.

Auden's genuine concern for others, his unwavering loyalty, and his infectious laughter thawed the barriers that Sea had erected to protect herself. Sea found her stone heart slowly softening, like a stubborn iceberg yielding to the warmth of the sun. His compassion knew no bounds, and his ability to see the beauty in the world, even in its darkest corners, inspired her to view life with new eyes.

His kindness was a gentle breeze that gradually wore down the walls she had built around herself. It wasn't long before Sea realised that a gentle feeling, something beyond respect or admiration had found its way into her heart, blossoming like a delicate flower in the cracks of her once-impenetrable fortress. And she knew she was in trouble.

Born into disgrace and burdened by her mother's mistakes, Sea had endured a lifetime of loss and hardship. Despite being a moonborn with the potential for great power, she had never been given the chance to discover her true abilities.

Branded an outcast from birth, she was constantly reminded of the misfortune that had befallen her family. In the sanctum, she was treated as a pariah, a shadow cast by Ada's radiant presence. They pitied her, whispered about her, and never let her forget her tainted lineage.

"Did you send a messenger to Gan?" Sea's voice shattered the tranquil night, her question slicing through the silence like a blade.

She stood on the balcony of one of the towers within the Sanctum, her gaze fixed on the open hall below. From her vantage point, she could observe Ada, Devereaux, and Hanna seated around a tea table, engaged in conversation.

Despite the distance separating them, Sea's sharp eyes caught every detail and she watched with keen interest, her mind swirling with thoughts and plans.

It was no surprise that Sea felt a sense of delight, even triumph, when Ada finally departed. Yet, the moment was marred when she saw Auden's tear-streaked face. It pierced Sea's heart like a blade.

He had lost the person who had been both his mother and father. He had shouldered immense responsibilities at a young age, and now, faced with even greater burdens, she feared for his well-being.

As if summoned by her inquiry, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the spotlight of the moonlight beside her.

The newcomer exuded an aura of mystery, their features obscured by the cloak of darkness. Yet, there was an undeniable air of authority about him, a sense of power that commanded attention.

The man stood tall and resolute, his presence a stark contrast to the serenity of the night. A scar adorned his left cheek, a rugged testament to battles fought and hardships endured.

"Yes," he replied in a deep, raspy voice that seemed to echo through the night, akin to sandpaper rubbing against stone.

The pain of witnessing Auden's sorrow was unbearable. Sea couldn't stand to see him suffer alone, thrust into a position he was ill-prepared for. She knew that to root out the source of their anguish, she had to confront the darkness head-on, no matter the cost. Desperate to alleviate his pain, she turned to drastic measures, striking a deal with the Dagasha Monarch, despite the risks involved.

To Sea, Gan was not just a figure of power; he was a saviour, a beacon of light in the darkness. He understood the plight of the downtrodden, the pain of the wronged, for he had experienced it firsthand. Like her, he had been cast aside by those above and below, yet he rose above his own suffering to become a champion for all who had been forsaken.

Gan's promise of a better future resonated deeply with Sea. She believed in his vision of justice and redemption, of a world where the oppressed could find salvation. In pledging her allegiance to him, she felt a sense of purpose and determination to stand up against the injustices that plagued their world.

With Gan's guidance, Sea was confident that she could help save Auden and herself from the darkness that threatened to consume them. She placed her faith in him, knowing that he alone had the power to lead them to a brighter future.

Below them Ada's figure stood out against the backdrop of the hall, a suspiciously eye catchy ebony symbol etched prominently on her milky skin. The tendrils of the intricate design seemed to pulse with a mysterious energy, drawing Sea's attention.

A smirk tugged at her soft peach lips as she noticed an identical pattern peeking through the sleeve of Devereaux's attire. It was a subtle yet undeniable connection between them, a bond forged by fate or perhaps something more.

Her companions brown eyes remained fixed on the scene unfolding below, his expression unreadable. "Why did you agree to let Ada take the lead?"

Sea didn't respond immediately. Instead, she watched as Hanna poured tea into the cups of the former heiress and the shapeshifting demon. "What do you mean, Duvan? She is the heiress, and I am not to interfere in her affairs."

Duvan scoffed from behind, his frustration evident in his tone. "The heiress, huh? You are the true heiress. You are the most qualified one. After all this time, they've finally acknowledged it. How insolent of you to step aside now!" His voice rose in pitch, his agitation palpable.

Sea observed Duvan's agitation with a calm demeanour. She understood his impatience, his fear that all his father's efforts, paid for with the currency of life, would be in vain.

It was understandable that he had doubts, especially now that Hanna had reinstated Ada to her position-a position she had once failed to protect. She had been granted a second chance-an unlikely occurrence in the sanctum.

She had known it from the beginning that she was merely a backup-a fact that rankled her deeply. There was a time her younger self was ready to get satisfied with even that much-when she was assigned to hard labour that even grown men couldn't carry out alone, fed little to nothing and left to starve for days for minor mistakes her petty person had committed.

Sea understood the tumultuous state of Romersai's hierarchy well enough, how it had faltered so severely that they were turning to her, a mere backup, to fill the void left by Elixir's untimely demise. Romersai's leadership was floundering, grasping at straws in their desperation and she was nothing more than a stopgap measure, a temporary solution to a much larger problem.

She was frustrated, tempted to take matters into her own hands and solve the problems herself. She believed she could do better, that she could lead with strength and clarity, without being swayed by emotion or external influences. Like Ada once had. And her apparent infatuation with Devereaux now only added to Sea's frustration.

Yet, she couldn't afford to make hasty, ill-considered moves. Because chess was a game of strategy, not impulse. She had sworn to herself not to end up like Erixir-no harsh decisions would bring her where she wanted to go. She most definitely would not end up like her mother-the heroine who everyone forgot. She needed to bide her time, wait for the perfect moment to make her move, and then strike with precision and finesse. That was how Auden had taught her.

She could still remember the first day she defeated Auden. Or at least she came closer to that. It was a warm summer evening, and the two of them had spent hours engrossed in a game of chess. Auden, ever the patient teacher, had guided her through the intricacies of the game, imparting his knowledge with a gentle hand.

But that night, victory was within Sea's grasp. She could see it in Auden's eyes as he surveyed the board, his brows furrowed in concentration. Sea had finally made a move that sealed Auden's fate. Honestly it hadn't been that hard fro her. For some reason her Lord had been so preoccupied tonight. He had been quite restless, walking about the spacious balcony between moves and drumming his fingers against his thigh, off beat, whenever the game forced him to stay seated.

The realization dawned on his face, followed by a playful smirk. "You've got me cornered, Sea," he admitted, his tone laced with mock defeat. From his standing position behind the chair Sea sat at Auden leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. "How about we call it a draw?" he murmured, his lips grazing her cheek.

Sea couldn't help but laugh at his attempt to divert her attention. "Nice try, My Lord," she teased, leaning back to meet his gaze. "But I think I'll take the victory this time."

With a playful pout, Auden conceded defeat and sighed dramatically. "You win, Sea," he conceded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I suppose a consolation prize wouldn't hurt, would it?" And with that, he leaned in for a kiss.

Ever since every game they had played had ended that way. Sea had never made it to make the last victorious move cause every time Auden would find a way to distract her and Pieces would be knocked aside in their fervor---the arrangement lost in the chaos of their desire.

But now in her mind's eye, she saw the pieces falling into place. She was the queen, moving effortlessly across the board, orchestrating the chaos with precision and finesse. She had calculated every move meticulously, positioning herself strategically to emerge victorious in the end. She'd use Ada as her shield, a pawn in her elaborate game.

It was a dangerous game she played, but one she was willing to risk for the ultimate prize. Each move was carefully calculated, each piece on the board positioned for maximum impact. She envisioned the chaos that would ensue, the clash of two opposing forces tearing each other apart.

"Just trust me. I know what I'm doing."

A/N: What the actual F am I doing here? I have exams coming up!