Chapter 5 (Five)

Author's POV

Months passed.

Time-oddly fast and painfully slow-since Laura Lockgreen woke up in Amanda Lavander's perfect, nightmarish life.

By now, she'd grown accustomed to the peculiar rhythms of Castellan Academy. The towering spires. The freezing hallways. The glittering chandeliers that mocked her with every flicker. She knew the names, the faces, the formalities. She had memorized Amanda's mannerisms, her schedule, even her clipped signature.

But still, deep inside, she was just Laura - a girl from the slums of Geriyo pretending not to flinch when someone called her "Your Grace."

And of course, there were the Seven Castellan Devils.

The elite.

The geniuses.

The beautiful nightmares who ruled the academy with charm and brilliance.

Ryan Castellan-the coldest of them all-never softened toward her. Not really. His gaze still sliced like glass, his words laced with venom. His frosty attitude never thawed-at best, it had gone from arctic to mildly chilly.

While the rest of the devils claimed Amanda had changed-that she'd matured, mellowed, perhaps even grown a conscience - Ryan was relentless in his doubt. He wasn't buying it.

"She's pretending," he declared in front of the entire training class one day, sword glinting in the sun. "Amanda is a manipulator. She pretends to deceive."

Master Herrick raised a brow, mildly amused. "If this is an act, it's the best performance I've ever seen."

But Laura wasn't acting. She was surviving. Every word, every glance, every graceful nod was a war against exposure. Against slipping up. Against being found out.

Either way, Laura was exhausted.

Every day in Amanda's skin was another day on a tightrope with no net.

And tonight? The tightrope got tighter.

Because tonight was Ryan Castellan's birthday.

~

Laura's POV

Kill me now.

Everyone in the academy was buzzing like bees on sugar. The palace-like halls were decorated with golden drapes and white roses-Ryan's favorite colors, apparently. Servants dashed around with trays of glittering pastries. Students were getting glam squads. Even the peacocks in the garden looked nervous.

Everyone was running around, decorating, gossiping, panicking-some were even picking outfits like their lives depended on it.

And me?

I sat cross-legged on Amanda's velvet bed as Lydia, my ever-loyal (and occasionally annoying) maid, shoved a rolling rack of gowns into the room like her life depended on it.

"All this for one party?" I groaned.

"I said I only needed one dress, Lydia!" I groaned dramatically.

She flopped beside me, panting. "Phew, I'm exhausted."

"You okay?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, miss. Just... trying to keep up." She paused, then bowed slightly.

"Miss," Lydia puffed, fanning herself. "You always try them all and pick the one that looks best. I brought your top favorites."

"Yeah, well, that Amanda must've had too much time on her hands."

Amanda is sure full of her self..

She blinked. "You're Amanda, miss."

"Right. Of course," I muttered. "Totally not an imposter living a borrowed life."

"What?"

"Nothing."

I dragged myself over to the rack, trailing my fingers across silks and chiffons. Red, emerald, gold... I paused at a royal blue gown. It shimmered like starlight under the chandelier.

It caught my eye-the royal blue gown. Elegant, clean lines, chiffon roses at the hem, and a diamond-accented belt.

"Wow," I whispered. "This is... beautiful."

"Yeah, it is," Lydia agreed, grinning.

She helped me change into it. The dress hugged Amanda's figure like a glove-cinched waist, diamond belt, the hem dusted with silver flowers.

The gown shimmered with silver accents that flowed from the back to the hem. I matched it with silver heels, a silver necklace studded with blue crystals, and delicate earrings to match. Lydia braided my hair, weaving in tiny ornaments that sparkled like stars. A bit of light makeup, a brush of lip gloss, and voilà.

"Perfect!" Lydia squealed, clapping her hands like a proud stylist on a makeover show.

I stared into the mirror.

My reflection looked like Amanda, yes-but something was off. Her usual sky-blue eyes had been replaced by my true ones-deep, hauntingly ocean-blue.

My heart froze.

My reflection....

Those weren't Amanda's sky-blue eyes. They were mine. Deep, stormy blue. The eyes of a Geriyo girl with soot-stained hands and a stolen life.

My stomach twisted.

Am I... stuck in this body forever?

"Miss Amanda?" Lydia called, pulling me back.

I blinked hard and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just... dizzy from all this glam."

I murmured, shaking off the creeping fear. "Nothing's gonna happen, Laura. Deep breaths."

"Have you prepared a gift for his highness?" she asked, kneeling to fix my heels.

"Gift?"

"For your fiancé," she teased, blushing.

Oh. Right. Ryan. That word-fiancé-always felt like a bitter joke.

"I got him... absolutely nothing," I said flatly.

Lydia gasped. "Nothing?! You never misses to give him a birthday gift"

"You always give him a gift every year on his birthdays"

I swallowed. Amanda must've been obsessed with Ryan. And he-judging by the emotional frostbite he gave off-couldn't care less.

"Maybe this time is different," I shrugged.

She didn't press further. Instead, she just stood and stepped back, looked me over and admired the look she'd helped create. "This dress was made for you."

I smiled. A small, fake one.

It wasn't my body.

It wasn't my life.

But the lies needed to look good.

~

The Grand Hall

The Castellan Ballroom sparkled like a fairytale dipped in gold and arrogance. Crystal chandeliers bathed the marble floor in soft light. Live violins played from the balcony. Floating candles illuminated the grand buffet. Nobles and donors from across the kingdom of Geriyo filled the room, dressed in fashion worth royalty. The students of Castellan Academy also dressed lavishly, chitchatting. The scent of lavender, wine, and politics lingered in the air.

As I stepped in, all head turned. Like, literally all.

A hush fell over the hall.

"Isn't that Amanda Lavander?"

"She looks... divine."

"A goddess..."

"She is more beautiful than before"

And more.....

I forced my chin up and walked with poise, heels clicking like clockwork.

My heels echoed as I walked past tables draped in velvet, where nobles and donors sat like royalty. Amanda's parents were among them, smiling and waving at me from the high table.

I waved back gently. They had no idea. No idea their precious daughter had been... replaced.

At the VIP section, the Castellan Devils sat together-gorgeous, effortless.

Each of them impossibly perfect and unnervingly intimidating.

I made my way to the table where the Castellan Devils sat.

Then, without warning, a strong arm snaked around my waist.

I gasped, spinning to confront the intruder-only for my palm to land flat against a broad, firm chest.

Ryan Castellan.

He was breathtaking up close. Tall, composed, dressed in a tuxedo

His amber eyes glinted like fire trapped in amber.

"My gift?" he asked, scanning me from head to toe.

My throat dried.

My breath caught. This was the closest I'd ever been to him-so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

Snap out of it, Laura. Get. A. Grip. And Focus!

"Gift?" I echoed dumbly.

"I said-"

"I heard you." I shoved him away gently. "No gift."

I walked past him, trying not to combust, and took my seat beside Charlotte.

He didn't resist, but his gaze lingered like a storm cloud waiting to break. Then he followed and sat beside me. Close. Too close.

Ryan followed... and sat right beside me.

Of course he did.

I scoffed, pretending not to notice.

What's wrong with him this night..

"Amanda!" Charlotte beamed, waving excitedly in her sunshine-yellow gown

"Hi," I smiled. "You look amazing."

"Aww, thanks! You look like an actual goddess," she said, making me laugh lightly.

I chuckled. "Must be the hair ornaments."

I greeted the others-Olivia looked radiant in her peach gown, Kiara in a glittering royal purple gown, Max wore a tan tux, Jasper brooding in all-black...

Then I noticed Amanda's mother beaming at me from the high table again.

If only she knew...

Suddenly, Ryan leaned in close. Too close.

"I wasn't expecting a gift from you," he said in that annoyingly calm voice.

"I wasn't planning on giving you one," I replied.

He leaned even closer, breath warm on my ear. "I don't need a gift... but you still owe me one."

Excuse me, what now?

Before I could respond, he stood and walked toward the podium with his father, leaving me stunned. That man was made of nerve.

Then something clicked.

His suit. Royal blue. With silver lining.

A silver bow tie.

The exact colors of my dress.

Was this some kind of twisted couple coordination?! I didn't know whether to be flattered or freaked out.

Lord Castellan-Ryan's father-stepped up to the podium. His voice, deep and charismatic, boomed through the enchanted acoustics. "Good evening, everyone."

The room fell silent in respect.

The chatter stopped .

"Good evening, nobles, sponsors, and esteemed students," he began. "Your unwavering support for Castellan Academy has shaped its legacy. Thank you for being here tonight to celebrate my son's birthday. Your presence is an honor."

Applause thundered through the room.

He gestured toward Ryan. "Now, I invite Ryan Castellan to say a few words."

Applause rang out.

The students screams filled the hall and I rolled my eyes good-naturedly.

Ryan walked back and-wait, what was he doing?

He took my hand.

Leaned in again. Close to me-his lips brushing my ear.

Whispered-voice like velvet and steel-

"My gift... is for you to stay beside me."

I froze.

Wait. What?

WHAT THE HECK?!

My eyes widened. My heart may or may not have done a backflip.