One month into the operation and Star was already attending private dinners. This one however, was held in the palace’s flower gardens and it was between Uralis ; the rival human kingdom and the Elven Kingdom of Silverveil.

Two Kingdoms that have been at war for a very very long time.

The garden was breathtaking under the moonlight. Crystal lanterns floated lazily between blooming nightshade lilies and glowing moon orchids, casting a soft, ethereal glow over everything. A long marble table had been set with the finest elven delicacies ..crystal wine glasses, platters of honey-glazed fruits, roasted silverfish, and delicate pastries shaped like blooming flowers. Representatives from both kingdoms sat across from each other in an atmosphere thick with political tension masked by false civility.

Prince Lirien sat at the head of the table like a king on his throne, his long moonlight hair cascading down his back. Star was positioned gracefully at his right side as his official consort, dressed in layers of midnight blue silk that clung to his every curve. The fabric shimmered with silver threading, leaving his shoulders bare and his waist accentuated by a delicate golden belt. The golden restriction bracelet remained hidden beneath a matching silk cuff.

Star kept his posture perfect, playing the role he had carefully crafted over the past month. Attentive. Beautiful. Supportive. He poured more wine into Lirien’s cup when it ran low, his fingers brushing lightly against the prince’s hand. He offered soft, thoughtful comments when asked, and smiled gently whenever eyes turned his way. Every movement was calculated, every gesture was planned out as usual. He was becoming exactly what Lirien wanted.

The Uralis delegation was clearly captivated, by him. It was expected as usual.

Their lead diplomat, Lord Harlan, a middle-aged man with a sharp rust coloured beard, a bald head and calculating eyes, kept stealing glances at Star throughout the meal.

The political discussion flowed around trade routes and border disputes, but the man’s attention rarely stayed on the topic for long.

Star could notice that lingering glare from the onset and it wierded him out. He couldn’t help but think about that one man from the auction. Star couldn’t remember his name.

Finally, during a lull in conversation, Lord Harlan leaned forward with a greedy smile.

"Prince Lirien, if I may be so bold... your consort is extraordinary. I have never seen such otherworldly beauty in all my travels. That silver hair, those delicate features, the way he moves. Truly a masterpiece."

Ewww! Star was not pleased by his compliment.

The table grew quieter. Star felt the weight of several stares but kept his expression serene.

Lord Harlan continued, undeterred. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Tell me what would it take for the Kingdom of Uralis to acquire him? Fourteen million gold coins. Paid in full tonight. We could even sweeten the deal with significant trade concessions on the eastern border. Surely such a sum would be tempting even for the great Silverveil."

A heavy silence fell over the garden, it really was tempting. They were ordering double the price of what he was bought for.

Lirien’s hand tightened around his wine glass for a brief moment, his knuckles turning white. Then he turned to Star, violet eyes gleaming with possessive pride. Without saying a word, he reached out, pulled Star close by the waist, and kissed him passionately in front of everyone. It was deep, claiming, and deliberately showy ...his tongue brushing against Star’s lips, one hand possessively cradling the back of his neck. When he finally pulled back, Star’s lips were slightly swollen, his cheeks flushed with heat.

What was that??

Star exhaled, catching his breath from the suffocating kiss.

Lirien’s voice was cold and final as he stared down the Uralis delegation. "He is not for sale. Not at any price. Star belongs to me."

Lord Harlan laughed nervously but pressed on, unwilling to let go of the prize. "Come now, Prince. Everything has a price in this world. Fourteen million is an outrageous offer. Think of what your kingdom could gain—" Lord Harlan was cut off.

"Say, Lirien," another Uralis noble interrupted with a mocking grin, his eyes flicking toward Star. "Would your pretty attendant come with me if I defeat you in a battle? I wonder how loud he moans when—"

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Before Lirien could respond, chaos erupted.

Hidden among the Uralis delegation, several assassins moved at once. Poisoned darts whistled through the air, targeting Lirien and key elven officials. Blades flashed under the lantern light as disguised killers lunged forward from their seats, throwing off their formal robes to reveal dark armor underneath.

Star saw a dart rushing towards Lirien and reacted on pure instinct without any real reason to.

What am i doing? , why am I shielding him? He should die...

He threw himself in front of Lirien, shielding the prince with his own body. The poisoned dart struck him in the side with a sharp sting, and a blade grazed his shoulder deeply, cutting through silk and flesh. Pain exploded through him like fire as he crumpled against Lirien’s chest.

It hurts! It hurts so fucking much!

"Star!" Lirien roared, catching him before he could hit the ground.

The garden descended into pandemonium. Elven guards set into motion and clashed violently with the assassins. Screams and the sound of steel filled the air. Flowers were trampled underfoot as magic flared and blood spilled across the glowing petals. There were spells being casted as there was the clings of steel against steel.

"Is that a poison dart?"

Lirien’s eyes turned feral with rage. He gently laid Star down on the soft grass, his hands trembling as he saw the blood spreading from the wound. "Stay with me," he whispered fiercely, pressing a hand to the injury. Then he stood, drawing his sword with a deadly ring of steel.

He moved like a storm unleashed.

Lirien waded into the fight with terrifying speed, slicing through the first assassin who dared to approach. His blade flashed, severing limbs and spilling blood across the beautiful garden. When one assassin tried to attack from the shadows, Lirien grabbed him by the throat before he could strike and slammed him against a crystal pillar with bone-crushing force.

"Where is the antidote?!" Lirien snarled, pressing the blade to the man’s neck until blood trickled down. "Tell me or I will cut you apart piece by piece while you scream!"

The assassin laughed weakly through bloodied teeth. "The poison... it’s slow. You’ll watch him suffer for days before the end. The antidote is a glowing rose... only found at the peak of the Red Mountain. Good luck, elf. The slope is crawling with ancient monsters that haven’t tasted elven blood in centuries."

Lirien slit his throat without hesitation. The man’s body dropped lifelessly to the ground.

He turned back to Star, who was already paling rapidly, cold sweat breaking across his forehead. Blood seeped steadily from the wound, and a dark, unnatural tint was beginning to spread beneath his skin.

Help me! It hurts. Is this how i am going to die again? Saving someone i hate.

Elara came running through the garden path, her gown torn at the hem.

"I hearda lot of brickering from the eastern wing!" she cried, dropping to her knees beside Star. "What happened?!"

"He has been hit by a..."

"Poison dart!" She shrieked after she saw the pin of transfer laid on the floor.

She placed her hands on Star’s chest without waiting further. A soft silver light began to glow from her palms. "I offer my life force. Eternal Bloom Transfer!"

A warm, pulsing energy flowed from Elara into Star’s body. The spreading poison slowed, and some color returned to his face. "This will keep him stable for a limited timr," she said breathlessly, sweat forming on her brow, she exhaled, and caught herself. .

"But the antidote must be found soon, it’s our only hope."

Lirien’s face twisted with a mixture of guilt and uncontrollable fury. He looked down at Star’s weakening form, his hands still covered in blood. For a moment, the proud prince looked truly broken.

"I will bring the antidote," he whispered, pressing a desperate kiss to Star’s forehead. "Hold on for me. Please... do not leave me."

Star managed a weak, pained smile. "Don’t... die for me, you idiot." he said and Star truly meant it.

Lirien rose to his full height, sword still dripping. His voice rang out across the garden like thunder. "Prepare the march! We leave for the Red Mountain at dawn. Burn everything in our path if you have to. I want that glowing rose in my hands within the week!"

Elara’s eyes widened

"The red mountain..." She whispered to herself, her brows creasing further as worry filled her face..

As guards rushed to obey, Lirien knelt beside Star one final time, his hand gently cupping his cheek. "I was supposed to protect you... and I failed tonight. But I will fix this. I swear it."

Star’s vision was already blurring as the poison fought against Elara’s borrowed life force. The golden bracelet on his wrist felt colder than ever. In the distance, he could hear Lirien shouting orders, his voice raw with rage and fear.

As Star’s consciousness began to fade, the world around him blurred into soft, glowing colors. The pain from the poisoned dart and the blade wound throbbed like fire in his veins, spreading slowly but relentlessly.

"Tch... I’m going to die again, aren’t I?" he thought bitterly, a weak, resigned smile tugging at his lips. "I just hope in my next life... I would be poison resistant or something..."

The darkness closed in.

Then—

[DING!]

A sharp, crystalline sound echoed directly inside his fading mind, cutting through the silence like a blade.

[Jezebel System Emergency Protocol Activated.]

[Warning: Host Vital Signs Critical. Poison classified as "Eternal Decay" – Terminal in 6 days, 14 hours.]

[Divine Glamour Core has detected life-threatening resonance with Host’s Wish.]

[Hidden Evolution Path Unlocked: "Crimson Bloom Rebirth"]

[Condition for Activation: Host must reach the brink of true death while maintaining a pure desire to survive and transcend.]

[Current Status: 0.3% away from triggering...]

Jezebel’s voice finally returned, elegant and laced with dark amusement, but strained — as if fighting against the suppression bracelet.

[Oh my... you really do love tempting fate, don’t you, darling?]

[Don’t you dare die on me now. Not when we’re so close to something... delicious.]

The notification flickered once more, growing fainter as Star’s vision blackened completely.

[Evolution Threshold: 0.1%...]

Then everything went silent

Star’s last conscious thought was a single, desperate whisper in the void:

"...Jezebel?"

The system did not answer.

Only darkness remained.