It has been a week since Star arrived in the elven kingdom and the palace already felt like another beautiful cage.

The days blurred together with very extravagant routines as his new life now centered around one man. His task as a consort was simple. Attend to the prince, which was same as when he was a slave but this one carried the weight of presentation.

"I have to show you off in court tomorrow" the prince told him bluntly as they laid naked on his bed one night.

Star was somehow taken aback but he was now getting used to it. The princes provocative words.

"Okay" he simply replied.

This morning the attendants dressed him in fine silk, and Prince Lirien watched his every move with possessive eyes. The golden bracelet on his wrist remained a constant weight. It completely shut down his connection to his powers. No matter how hard he tried, there was only silence where Jezebel’s voice used to be.

Today was his first official appearance at court.

"You like the dress?" The prince asked, beaming proudly. Star rolled his eyes.

"I mean... it’s alright" he replied. But he infact didn’t like the outfit. To him it was invasive and trifling.

Prince Lirien had chosen his outfit personally. The white and silver silk that clung to his body, accentuating every soft curve while leaving his shoulders and collarbone exposed. Golden jewelry decorated his neck and wrists, sparkling under the light. Star looked in the mirror and felt nothing but tiredness. He was a decoration again. But he couldn’t say anything to him.

Elara waited for them outside the room. She wore a graceful gown in deep green, her silver-blonde hair pinned elegantly. She gave him a small, sly and understanding smile.

"You look good" she admitted as star stepped out. Star beamed at the compliment.

"You look good too" he replied, returning the complement . They both giggled and walked off with the prince trailing behind them.

The Court of Silver Leaves was magnificent. Crystal pillars rose toward a domed ceiling filled with floating enchanted lights that mimicked stars. Nobles in luxurious robes filled the hall, their conversations a constant wave of whispers. The moment Star entered beside Prince Lirien, the atmosphere shifted. All eyes turned to him.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

"Who is that?"

"The prince has acquired new toys"

Elara stayed close to Star’s side as they moved through the crowd. She had been formally reintroduced, later on as a returned member of the Vale bloodline, but the welcome was cold. Many nobles viewed her with suspicion and contempt.

"Are you all right?." he whispered to her and she nodded, mouthing back a "it’s fine".

Star kept his expression calm, but he felt the hostility like knives against his skin. A group of young noblewomen giggled behind their fans while shooting him poisonous looks. Older lords stared openly at his body with lustful interest.

When Prince Lirien called him forward to stand beside him on the raised dais, the whispers grew louder. Star endured it all in silence, scanning the room carefully, taking note of the gril faces and personalities present.

"I would like to introduce my royal consort, Star Denis" the prince announced wearing a very wide smile. Instantly, the mumurs rose to it’s peak as Star received uncomfortable flashbacks to the days during his auction. He freaked out and stepped out of the audience’s sight.

"Are you okay?" Elara asked handing him a glass of water.

"It’s okay" he heaved "i am fine"

During the mingling and party period, several nobles approached him. The first was a graceful elven lady with sharp emerald eyes.

"What an exotic addition to the royal court," she said, circling him slowly. "Tell me, human, what makes you think you deserve to stand beside Prince Lirien?"

Star offered a soft, polite smile. "I deserve nothing, my lady. I was bought. But beauty has a way of finding its place, does it not?"

She laughed, though her eyes stayed cold.

Then came Lord Vaelor, a tall, arrogant young elf with gold-embroidered robes who couldn’t stop being hostile to star. He looked Star up and down with open disdain.

"So this is the famous new consort?," Vaelor announced loudly, drawing attention.

"I will admit, you are quite the eye candy" A devious smile tore across his face.

"Tell me, boy, do you kneel as prettily as you stand?"

The words cut deep, but Star kept his voice gentle and steady. "I kneel when required by my princd, my lord. But even a purchased jewel can shine brighter than those born with tarnished crowns."

The smile of his instantly vanished. Star stifled a cackle. A few nearby nobles chuckled. Vaelor’s face flushed with anger, but Star continued calmly.

"Or perhaps my lord is simply upset that Prince Lirien values my beauty. I really can’t put my finger on it" he said.

"Tch!"

Vaelor stormed away, humiliated. Star felt a small sense of satisfaction, but it was short-lived. He was playing a dangerous game now.

Elara touched his arm. "Careful. You are making enemies quickly." And she was right.

After court ended, Prince Lirien pulled Star aside into a private garden around the throne room. Moonlight filtered through the glowing silver leaves. Lirien walked ahead before stopping near a crystal fountain.

"You handled yourself well," Lirien said, turning to face him. His silver eyes held that familiar mix of desire and envy. "But do not grow arrogant. Your presence here threatens many. Even me."

Star met his gaze. "Does my face trouble you that much, Prince?"

Lirien stepped closer. "You are too beautiful. The Nobles whisper that I bought you to hide my own shortcomings. Your existence makes them question my right to rule." He reached out and traced a finger along Star’s jaw. "Yet I cannot let you go. You are mine now."

Star softened his voice deliberately. "Then trust me more. Reduce the guards. Let me walk the palace freely. I can be useful to you beyond decoration... if you treat me as more than a prize."

Lirien studied him for a long moment. Tension crackled between them. Finally, he nodded slightly. "I will reduce the guards by two. But remember, Star. Betray me and the consequences will be severe."

It was a small opening. Star tucked it away carefully.

Later that night, Star met Elara in a quiet corner of the gardens. She waited on a stone bench, her face serious under the moonlight.

"You did good out there," she said as he sat beside her.

"You too, Elara" Star said and she chuckled.

"No I didn’t. I chickened out when i was meant to take my stand" she said as beads of tears rolled down her face, star was instantly confused.

"What’s wrong? Are you okay?" He panicked.

" you need to understand something important. This place is rotting from within."

Star looked at her. "What do you mean?"

Elara took a deep breath, her voice dropping to a whisper, the tears stopped coming.

"There is something i have to tell you"

"About what?"

"About everything " Star camped beside her with all listening ears.

"My parents were killed by the royal family five years ago" she said.

Star’s eyes widened. "Elara..."

"Before everything went to shit, i was meant to be the next in line, not that trashy prince lirien. That was how everything was planned. Not until that accusation came and though these people couldn’t find anything they still burned the house down with my parents in it." She heaved.

"I ran away when i saw that my life was in danger and that was when I got captured"

She continued, her voice trembling slightly. "I have been passed through many slave settlements since then. Used. Broken. Resold. My beauty became my curse, just like yours. And even now, I am a threat. As long as I live, I challenge Lirien’s claim. They will kill me someday. Quietly. When the time is right."

"No!" Star said sharply, grabbing her hand. "Don’t say something like that! I won’t let that happen."

Elara gave him a sad smile. "You are kind, Star. But kindness alone will not save us. There is a royal banquet in three months. The biggest event of the year. Many powerful figures will attend. If you want to escape this place, you must gain Prince Lirien’s complete trust before then. Make him see you as a friend, not just a possession. Make him remove that bracelet. Only then will you have any real chance."

"A real chance of what?" He asked her with tear trails in his eyes.

"A chance at wiping them out"

Star sat in silence, absorbing her words. The seed of rebellion planted itself firmly in his mind. He had been surviving. Enduring. But now he saw a path. Gain the Prince’s trust. Make him lower his guard. Remove the bracelet. And when the moment came... he would burn this beautiful cage to the ground if he had to.

"I understand," Star said quietly. "I will play the part. I will make him trust me completely."

Elara squeezed his hand. "We watch each other’s backs. Together."

That night, Star stood alone on the balcony of his chambers. The palace gardens stretched below, glowing softly under moonlight. The golden bracelet on his wrist felt heavier than ever.

He had come so far. From the lonely forest road to the horror of the auction to this palace of whispers and envy. His beauty had trapped him again and again. But now he had a plan.

He gripped the balcony railing tightly, Imagining the moment when he kills them all.