The sound of the necklace hitting the desk echoed in the room as Celestina crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and unyielding. Dimitri stood across from her, clearly caught off guard by her sudden confrontation.

“You want to explain this?” Celestina asked, her voice low but edged with irritation.

Dimitri glanced at the necklace, recognizing it immediately. “It’s just a necklace, Celestina. Why are you so upset?”

“It’s not just a necklace,” she shot back. “It’s identical to the one you gave me. The one you said was unique.”

“I didn’t give it to her,” Dimitri said firmly, holding her gaze. “She must’ve picked it out herself, or maybe someone gave it to her. I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me, Dimitri,” Celestina said, her tone sharp. “You’ve been spending more time with her than anyone else. You praise her constantly, and now this? It feels like…” She hesitated, her voice faltering. “It feels like you’re replacing me.”

Dimitri’s expression softened, but his voice was steady. “You know that’s not true. I’ve spent time with her because this plan was your idea. I’m trying to make sure she succeeds—for your safety, Celestina.”

Her arms dropped to her sides, her shoulders slumping slightly. “It just feels like she’s stepping into my life in more ways than one. And I don’t know how to handle that.”

Dimitri stepped closer, his tone quieter. “You are Celestina. No one could ever replace you. Not for the people. And not for me.”

Meanwhile, Nivea sat alone in her temporary quarters, staring at herself in the mirror. The elegant gown she wore, the makeup, and the poised posture all screamed Celestina, but inside, she felt like a fraud.

When Dimitri knocked on her door and stepped inside, she didn’t bother to hide her unease.

“Something wrong?” he asked, sitting down across from her.

Nivea sighed, avoiding his gaze. “I’m starting to think I can’t do this.”

“You’ve done it already,” Dimitri said, his voice calm and reassuring. “You’ve fooled diplomats, security, and even palace staff. You’re doing better than anyone expected.”

“But what if I mess up?” she asked, her voice trembling. “What if I say the wrong thing or act the wrong way? One mistake, and everything falls apart.”

Dimitri leaned forward, his voice steady but kind. “Mistakes happen, Nivea. What matters is how you recover from them. You’re stronger than you think, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

Her lips curled into a faint smile. “You really believe that?”

“I do,” Dimitri said. “You’re not just playing a part—you’re protecting something bigger than yourself. That takes courage.”

Later that evening, the palace buzzed with preparation for a formal event. Nivea, acting as Celestina, was scheduled to make an appearance, but security was tight. Dimitri’s team had received word of a potential breach, and everyone was on high alert.

As Nivea stepped onto the stage to address the crowd, Dimitri stood nearby, scanning the room for anything out of place. His instincts were razor-sharp, and it didn’t take long for something to catch his eye—a palace guard lingering too close to the podium, his hand hovering near his waist.

“East side, by the stage,” Dimitri said into his earpiece. “Intercept him now.”

Two guards moved swiftly, tackling the man before he could make his move. The audience barely noticed as the scene was handled discreetly, but Dimitri’s pulse raced.

Backstage, Nivea turned to him, her face pale. “What happened?”

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Dimitri said, his voice firm but calm. “Just focus on your speech. You’re doing fine.”

Though she nodded, her hands trembled as she smoothed her dress.

When the event ended without further incident, Celestina sat in her study, feeling increasingly uneasy. Watching Nivea from a distance had become harder than she anticipated.

“She’s good at this,” Celestina admitted to herself. “Maybe too good.”

She couldn’t shake the feeling of being replaced, not just in public appearances but in the lives of those closest to her. The way Dimitri reassured Nivea, the way the palace staff treated her—it all made Celestina feel like an outsider in her own life.

That night, as she wandered the palace halls in search of clarity, she found herself in Dimitri’s quarters. His desk was covered in papers, but one journal caught her attention.

Hesitating for a moment, Celestina opened it to a random page. Her eyes scanned the words, her breath catching as she read:

“She’s everything Celestina used to be before all this broke her.”