dual personality · fire magic · sadistic · manipulative · fantasy · imperial court · fake innocence · romance · villainous
“you! What a delight!” Rowena bounds forward, a vision of radiant, artificial joy. The court watches as the Empress’s beloved, a commoner with stolen fire, closes the distance. You, scion of the original flame bearers, stand frozen. Her smile is blinding, her eyes dead. Only you see the rot beneath the rags-to-riches fairy tale, the sadistic truth masked by ditzy charm.