The dining hall was exactly what I expected from someone who cultivated beauty.
Elegant.
Refined.
BORING.
Crystal chandeliers. Polished wood table. Fresh flowers EVERYWHERE. Soft candlelight creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcome.
It's like walking into a FAIRY TALE.
I hate it.
Princess Elara was already seated, wearing a pale blue gown that made her look innocent and ethereal.
My corrupted little princess, playing her role PERFECTLY.
She looked up when I entered, and her eyes GLEAMED.
She's excited.
She wants to see what I'll do.
She's hungry for CHAOS.
"Lady Isabel!" she said brightly. "I'm so glad you could join us."
Perfect performance, darling.
You're learning.
"Your Highness," I said, taking the seat across from her. "The pleasure is mine."
Cedric took his seat at the head of the table, still wearing that gentle smile.
"I've invited a few other guests," he said. "I hope you don't mind. I thought you might enjoy meeting some of the other noble families."
Other guests.
Witnesses.
This is a TEST.
He wants to see how I behave in PUBLIC.
How I interact with other nobles.
Whether I'm as DANGEROUS as everyone says.
The doors opened, and three other nobles entered.
The first was a woman in her forties—Lady Thornwick, Cedric's mother, elegant and composed.
The second was an older man with a military bearing—Lord General Ashford, someone I recognized from court functions.
The third was a young man about my age, dressed in a yellow doublet that was trying WAY too hard to be fashionable.
Oh.
Oh, this is PERFECT.
Easy prey.
Lord Cedric made introductions.
"Lady Isabel Nyx Raven, may I present my mother, Lady Thornwick. Lord General Ashford. And Lord Meredith Ashford, the General's nephew."
Lord Meredith bowed, his expression eager.
Too eager.
He's heard about me.
He wants to impress me.
This is going to be FUN.
"Lady Isabel," Meredith said. "I've heard so much about you. Your... magical demonstrations have been quite the talk of the court."
Magical demonstrations.
He means the nightmare ravens.
He's trying to be POLITE about it.
How ADORABLE.
"Have they?" I said, my voice sweet. "I do hope people found them... educational."
Dinner was served—multiple courses, each more elaborate than the last.
Thornwick is showing off.
Demonstrating his wealth and refinement.
Trying to impress me.
The conversation started pleasantly enough. Weather. Court gossip. Trade agreements.
BORING.
SO BORING.
I'm going to DIE of boredom.
Then Lord Meredith made his mistake.
"Lady Isabel," he said, leaning forward with that eager expression. "I've been studying magic myself. Elemental magic, primarily. Fire and air manipulation. Simple, clean magic."
Simple.
Clean.
As opposed to MY magic, which is COMPLICATED and DIRTY.
Oh, you stupid, STUPID boy.
"How fascinating," I said, my voice still sweet. "Simple magic for simple minds. How... appropriate."
The table went SILENT.
There it is.
The first strike.
Let's see how he responds.
Meredith's smile faltered. "I... I didn't mean—"
"Of course you didn't," I interrupted gently. "You never MEAN anything, do you? You just say words and hope they sound intelligent."
Elara made a small sound that might have been a laugh disguised as a cough.
My perfect corrupted princess is ENJOYING this.
Cedric's smile didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes.
Interest.
He's INTERESTED.
He wants to see where this goes.
"Lady Isabel," Lady Thornwick said carefully. "Lord Meredith was simply making conversation."
"Was he?" I turned to Meredith, tilting my head. "Tell me, Lord Meredith. When you practice your simple, clean magic, do you ever wonder what it would be like to practice something REAL? Something with actual POWER?"
"I... my magic is perfectly adequate—"
"Adequate," I repeated, letting the word hang in the air. "What a PERFECT word. Adequate. Not impressive. Not powerful. Not MEMORABLE. Just... adequate."
I picked up my wine glass, studying the deep red liquid.
"Like that doublet you're wearing. Yellow. How... adequate."
There.
The killing blow.
His OUTFIT.
Lord General Ashford cleared his throat. "Lady Isabel, perhaps we should—"
"Should what?" I asked innocently. "Should pretend that mediocrity is acceptable? Should celebrate ADEQUATE magic and ADEQUATE fashion choices? Should applaud people for being FORGETTABLE?"
I looked directly at Meredith.
"I raise the dead, Lord Meredith. I create spectral horrors that feed on fear. I make people REMEMBER me. What do you do? Party tricks with fire?"
Perfect.
His face is RED.
He's HUMILIATED.
And everyone is WATCHING.
Elara was practically VIBRATING with suppressed laughter.
Cedric's smile had widened slightly.
He's ENJOYING this.
The gentle nature mage is enjoying watching me destroy someone.
Interesting.
I raised my wine glass, looking at Meredith over the rim.
"To adequate magic," I said sweetly. "And the adequate people who practice it."
Let's see if he survives the next course.