Chapter 1189: Not a Disaster Star [Part 3]

Aurelia stared at his outstretched hand.

It was such a simple gesture. An invitation that should have been easy to refuse, especially from a stranger who had appeared inside her dead sister’s bedroom and somehow knew everything about the tragedy.

But the longer she looked at his hand, the more tempting his offer became.

For the first time in her life, the servants had smiled at her. Her father had asked whether she was feeling well. Nobody had accused her of anything, nobody had called her cursed, and nobody had looked at her as though her existence were an unfortunate mistake.

She’d experienced that happiness for less than an hour. And already, she was terrified of losing it.

"Will... will they really love me?" she whispered.

Kaelmor tilted his head. "My dear, they already do."

"But they love Celestine."

"Then be Celestine." His answer was so effortless that Aurelia almost believed the problem had never existed.

She hesitated a little longer before slowly placing her trembling hand in his.

Kaelmor’s fingers closed around hers. "Very good."

His grin widened. Something cold slipped beneath her skin.

Aurelia gasped as darkness spread from their joined hands, curling around Kaelmor’s body like black silk. His silhouette distorted, his shoulders narrowed, and his handsome features softened into a familiar feminine face.

Within moments, the king disappeared.

Standing before Aurelia was another young woman. Her face. Her eyes. Her voice. Even the dark-blue dress she had worn earlier.

Kaelmor examined his borrowed appearance in the mirror and smirked. "How delightful. I must say, you have rather lovely features."

Aurelia stumbled backward. "You..."

He turned toward her, wearing her own face with an expression she had never made. "From this moment onward, I shall live as Aurelia." He approached and gently lifted her chin. "And you, my dear..." His smile became almost affectionate. "...shall live as Celestine."

Aurelia stared at him in horror.

It was wrong.

Everything about it was wrong.

Her sister was dead. Her father was being deceived. And the person standing before her was something she didn’t understand.

Yet when she glanced toward the luxurious bed, the beautiful dresses, and the jewelry glittering beneath the candlelight, her resolve weakened.

She had only just tasted happiness.

Was she really supposed to surrender it?

After everything Celestine had done to her?

After years of being blamed, humiliated, and forced to live beneath her sister’s shadow?

Just a little longer.

She could enjoy this life for a while.

Perhaps until she found somewhere safe to go.

Perhaps until she finally gathered enough courage to confess.

Aurelia lowered her eyes. And Kaelmor smiled, knowing he’d already won.

The memory shifted. Days became weeks. Weeks became months. Life continued. Beautifully. At least, that was how it appeared.

Aurelia woke every morning in Celestine’s magnificent bedroom. Servants brought her breakfast, arranged her hair, and helped her select dresses worth more than everything she’d owned in her previous life. Her father embraced her. Nobles praised her. Young gentlemen competed for the privilege of dancing with her. Whenever she entered a room, people smiled.

The Lucky Star had become the jewel of House Valessa. And Aurelia discovered something terrible about happiness. Once she’d experienced it, she wanted more.

She wanted to be praised for choosing a beautiful dress. She wanted her father to kiss her forehead. She wanted people to remember her birthday, offer her flowers, and invite her to celebrations.

Such ordinary things. Things Celestine had enjoyed without ever appreciating them. But happiness came with a price. Every time someone called her Celestine, Aurelia felt a sharp pain in her chest. Every time her father embraced her, she remembered the sister buried beneath the mountain. And whenever the false Aurelia entered the room, smiling sweetly with Kaelmor’s borrowed face, she felt as though someone had placed a knife against her throat.

He never threatened her openly.

He didn’t need to. Sometimes he merely smiled. Sometimes he whispered her real name when nobody else could hear. Sometimes he reminded her how easily everything could disappear.

Aurelia began sleeping poorly. She feared mirrors. She feared questions about their childhood. Most of all, she feared the day someone would finally discover the truth. And Kaelmor seemed to enjoy watching that fear grow. Then another memory surfaced.

Lord Valessa’s birthday.

The mansion was bustling with preparations. Servants carried flowers into the ballroom, musicians rehearsed, and the kitchens filled with the aroma of roasted meat and freshly baked pastries.

Aurelia stood inside her bedroom, wearing a magnificent white-and-gold gown.

For once, she looked genuinely excited. Her father had specifically requested that both daughters accompany him during the celebration.

It would be their first grand appearance together since the supposed reconciliation between the sisters.

Then Kaelmor entered. Still wearing Aurelia’s face. "I need to go."

Aurelia turned. "Go? Where?"

"Back to my own affairs, naturally."

He adjusted the cuffs of his dark-blue dress with obvious irritation.

Aurelia blinked. "But... what about the banquet?"

"What about it?"

"It’s Father’s birthday! We promised we’d appear together!"

Kaelmor sighed. "My dear, did you genuinely believe I intended to play your miserable little sister forever?"

Aurelia went pale. "You can’t leave now!"

"Can’t I?"

"Everyone knows Aurelia is here! They’ll look for you! Father will ask questions, and if they discover—"

Kaelmor smiled. "That sounds like your problem, not mine."

Aurelia hurried toward him. "Please!"

He stopped.

She grabbed his sleeve. "Please stay. Just tonight. After the banquet, we can discuss everything."

Kaelmor looked down at her hand. Then at her frightened face. "How amusing."

"Please..."

"Very well."

Relief flooded Aurelia’s expression.

But Kaelmor raised one finger. "However, I shall require payment."

Aurelia froze. "Payment?"

"Surely you didn’t imagine my generosity was limitless?"

"What do you want?"

He smiled. "I’ll collect it afterward."

Aurelia hesitated. There was something deeply unsettling about that answer. But downstairs, the musicians were beginning to play. Her father was waiting. The guests were arriving. And her beautiful, fragile happiness was already slipping through her fingers. So she nodded. "All right."

Kaelmor’s smile widened. "Excellent."

The memory changed again.

The banquet began.

Golden chandeliers illuminated the ballroom. Nobles raised their glasses, musicians played cheerful melodies, and Lord Valessa stood proudly between his two daughters.

Aurelia smiled.

She danced.

She accepted compliments.

For several precious hours, she almost forgot her fear. Then Kaelmor raised his glass. "Everyone! May I have your attention?"

The music stopped.

Lord Valessa chuckled. "Aurelia? Do you wish to make a toast?"

Kaelmor smiled. "Oh, something considerably more entertaining."

Aurelia’s stomach tightened.

He stepped into the center of the ballroom. "You see, everyone, I have a confession." His eyes found hers. "I am not Aurelia."

The ballroom fell silent.

Aurelia felt the blood drain from her face.

Kaelmor laughed softly. "In fact, I’m not even human." A dark aura erupted around him.

The guests recoiled.

Lord Valessa stepped forward. "What is the meaning of this?!"

Kaelmor spread his arms. "I am a devil. A rather expensive one, actually." He pointed directly at Aurelia. "And your precious Lucky Star hired me."

Aurelia shook her head desperately. "No!"

Kaelmor continued smiling. "She summoned me to murder everyone attending this lovely celebration."

Screams erupted.

Lord Valessa turned toward his supposed daughter. "Celestine...?"

"Father, please! He’s lying!"

But Kaelmor snapped his fingers.

The ballroom doors slammed shut.

Darkness swallowed the windows. Then the killing began. Black spikes erupted from the marble floor, impaling nobles and guards before they could escape. Chandeliers crashed onto banquet tables, scattering shattered glass and burning candles across the floor.

Aurelia screamed. "STOP!"

Kaelmor merely laughed.

Guests fled toward the locked doors. Some begged. Some prayed. Others turned toward Aurelia with expressions of absolute horror.

"Monster!"

"She brought that thing here!"

"The Lucky Star betrayed us!"

Aurelia stumbled through the chaos, desperately searching for her father. She found him beside the ruined banquet table. Wounded. Dying. She dropped to her knees.

"Father!"

He looked at her.

For one brief moment, she thought he might reach toward her. Instead, he recoiled. "Why...?"

The question struck harder than any blade.

Aurelia sobbed. "I didn’t! Father, I swear!"

But his eyes closed. And he never answered her again.

The ballroom became silent. Bodies lay scattered across the marble. Blood stained the beautiful decorations.

The birthday celebration had become a massacre.

Aurelia remained kneeling beside her father, unable to move. Then footsteps approached. Slow. Unhurried.

Kaelmor stepped over the wreckage, his borrowed face smiling pleasantly. "Well. That was delightful."

Aurelia looked up. Her expression was empty. "Why...?"

Kaelmor crouched before her. "Because, my dear, you agreed to pay."

"You killed them..."

"Indeed."

"You promised..."

"I promised to stay for the banquet. And I did." He gently brushed a tear from her cheek. "Now, about my payment."

Aurelia tried to crawl backward.

Kaelmor caught her chin. His smile vanished. "I want you."

She froze.

"Your power. Your dreams. Every beautiful little blessing hidden inside that miserable soul of yours."

Darkness spread beneath her knees.

Aurelia screamed as black chains wrapped around her wrists.

Kaelmor leaned closer. "You wanted to live as Celestine forever, didn’t you?"

The ruined ballroom began repairing itself. Blood disappeared. Bodies vanished. The chandeliers returned to the ceiling. Music filled the air once more.

Aurelia stared in horror as the dead guests reappeared, laughing and dancing as though nothing had happened. Her father stood beside the banquet table. Alive. Smiling.

"Then I’ll grant your wish."