ILLUSIONS

**6:49 𝐏𝐌**

**𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐍**

**|THIRD PERSON'S POV**

Adeline walked through the front gate of Eden, the massive iron doors sliding open automatically as if the place itself recognized her presence. The moment she stepped inside, she inhaled deeply, letting the crisp, untainted air of the place fill her lungs. It help her stay calm, but that wouldn't last for long.

She took a few more steps before coming to a sudden halt, something feeling off. Her hands remained tucked in the pockets of her pants as she turned on her heel, eyes narrowing as she glanced back toward the entrance.

There, standing just beside the gate, was a man she didn’t recognize.

She retraced her steps slowly, her heel barely making a sound against the sands and stones. When she was close enough, she tilted her head, studying him with a sharp gaze. He looked… ordinary. Too ordinary. Just a standard security uniform, a neutral stance, hands clasped in front of him. Nothing that should have stood out. And yet, something about him didn’t sit right.

“Who the hell are you?” she asked, in a stance that showed that she was ready to end him if he doesn't provide a good and plausible answer.

The man didn’t even flinch. He simply gave a short nod of acknowledgment before answering, “I was hired by Lady Evangeline yesterday.”

Adeline’s frown deepened.

Yesterday?

Her fingers twitched in her pocket before she pulled her right hand free, raising it slightly in front of her. With a slow, deliberate motion, she swayed her fingers through the air, and in response, a soft, bioluminescent blue light trailed after them. It shimmered, liquid-like, as though she were stirring water instead of air.

Fucking illusion.

She does the same motion and the air rippled.

Adeline sighed, exhaling through her nose as she tucked her hand back into her pocket.

She barely made it past the security post when she noticed something that made her stop in her tracks again.

There were people walking around, humans, too many humans.

Her brows pulled together as she scanned ths grounds, watching as figures moved through the dimly lit environment. Some were carrying trays, others had bags slung over their shoulders, some shopping bags, and a few were in deep conversation, completely at ease like this was a normal thing.

This was definitely not a normal thing.

She turned to the nearest person, a young woman balancing a stack of neatly folded towels in her arms.

“Where the hell did all of you come from?” Adeline asked, eyes darting around suspiciously. It was a question she already knew the answer to, but she's gotta ask to make sure it was all in her head.

But it wasn't.

The woman blinked at her, hesitating for only a second before offering a polite but vague, “We’ve been here. Are you okay?”

Adeline narrowed her eyes. “That's a good question”

With a sigh, she took a very very excruciating long walk to Hera Castle, and made her way toward the entrance, her boots clicking against the polished floors as she stepped inside the west wing, where she was lights.

The sight that greeted her was even more baffling.

A group of women—at least half a dozen—were gathered in the spacious kitchen, working in an assembly line-like fashion. Some were preparing food, swiftly packing meals into neat containers. Others were setting drinks into trays, efficiently handing them off to another set of women, who then carried them upstairs like it was some kind of well-organized operation.

Adeline stood there for a moment, just watching the whole thing unfold.

Then, biting her lips, she raised a hand to rub her temple. “Evangeline is really living her dream of being a host, and she's going to die because if it.”

she stepped further into the chaos of the kitchen, watching as trays of food and drinks were efficiently passed around.

She caught the arm of the nearest woman carrying a tray and asked, “Where’s Evangeline?”

The woman barely looked up as she nodded toward the stairs. “Upstairs.”

Adeline gave a curt nod and released her, making her way toward the grand staircase. Her fingers trailed along the smooth railing as she climbed, her eyes flicking to the neat nameplates on each door she passed.

She scoffed under her breath.

Her sister had really gone all out.

The west wing had been completely transformed to accommodate the students, the nameplates adding an unsettlingly personal touch. It made Adeline wonder how much power her sister had used to keep everything steady and perfect—to maintain this illusion of a perfect castle when it's nothing close to it.

Reaching the second floor, Adeline made her way to the study, pushing open the heavy wooden door.

It was empty.

She frowned, stepping back into the hallway, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she moved.

She climbed the stairs to the third floor, exhaling slightly as she reached the top. The atmosphere shifted the moment she stepped into the hallway. Unlike the second floor, there were no nameplates on the doors here. No unnecessary decorations or embellishments.

She didn’t bother knocking as she opened the first door, relief washing over her when she spotted Evangeline lying on the bed.

Adeline stepped inside, flicking on the chandelier with a casual flick of her wrist. The bright light filled the room instantly.

Evangeline groaned, shifting under the sheets as she squinted against the sudden brightness.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she snapped exhaustingly.

Adeline leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching as her sister slowly pushed herself upright.

“I need you wide awake when I say this,” she said smoothly, her tone void of sympathy.

Adeline smiled, slowly. “Tide ran his mouth. So Masters are coming back tonight.”

There was a beat of silence.

Until Evangeline finished processing what she heard.

“What?!” her eyes flew open, the last traces of sleep vanishing instantly.

Adeline let out a mockingly sweet sigh, her expression one of exaggerated satisfaction. “Best day of my life,” she mused before turning on her heel and walking out, leaving the door wide open behind her.