## Chapter 2: "The Burning of Blackstone"

The flames danced in the darkness, engulfing the castle walls as Lucien stood before his son, a plan forming in his mind. The darkness crept over the estate like a living entity, shrouding the grounds and buildings in an impenetrable veil. "We need to know more about Amalia," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "She's not just any ordinary girl. She's Elias's daughter, and I have a feeling she's more than just a pretty face." James nodded, still reeling from the sudden revelation. He had never heard of Amalia, and yet, he felt drawn to her in a way he couldn't explain. The memory of her piercing light green eyes lingered in his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that their lives were about to become intertwined in ways they never could have imagined. The girl had a fierce spirit, and he was determined to learn more about her. As they stood in the grand hall, Lucien's mind worked overtime, piecing together the events of the previous night. He had underestimated Elias, but he wouldn't make the same mistake again. The key to unlocking the secrets of Blackstone Castle lay with Amalia, and Lucien was determined to get her. With a wave of his hand, James was dispatched to gather information about Amalia, while Lucien began to formulate a new plan, one that would crush Elias and his daughter once and for all. The plan was to burn the castle to the ground, to capture Amalia and use her as leverage against Elias. The days passed, and James found himself getting lost in Amalia's piercing gaze. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to her, something that drew him to her despite the animosity that seemed to emanate from her very being. As he dug deeper, he discovered that Amalia was intelligent, resourceful, and had a deep understanding of the workings of Blackstone Castle. She had been secretly working with Elias, gathering intelligence and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Lucien's plan was to wait until nightfall, then launch a surprise attack on the castle. He would burn it to the ground, capturing Amalia and using her as a pawn in his game of power and manipulation. The thought sent a shiver down James's spine, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. As night descended, Lucien gathered his men, and they set out to put his plan into action. The moon cast an eerie glow over the castle walls as they approached, their torches casting flickering shadows on the ground. The plan was simple: burn the castle, capture Amalia, and use her as leverage against Elias. The night air was heavy with tension as Lucien gave the signal, and his men moved stealthily through the shadows, setting fire to the castle walls. Flames erupted, casting a golden glow over the darkening landscape. The sound of screams and shouting filled the air as the inhabitants scrambled to escape the inferno. Amalia, however, was not one to be caught off guard. She had been expecting this, had been preparing for it in secret. As the flames engulfed the castle, she made her way through the hidden passages, gathering information and watching as Lucien's men closed in. James, positioned at the edge of the forest, watched as the castle burned, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that Amalia was inside, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was safe. The thought sent a pang of guilt through his chest, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. As the night wore on, Lucien's plan began to unfold. His men poured into the castle, setting fire to everything in their path. But Amalia was not one to be underestimated. She had been working behind the scenes, gathering intelligence and planning her counterattack. James, caught in the midst of the chaos, couldn't help but wonder what Amalia's plan was. Was she going to try and escape, or was she going to fight back? The uncertainty was palpable, and James found himself on edge, waiting for her next move. The darkness seemed to swallow everything in its path, and James knew that he had to act fast. He couldn't let Amalia slip through his fingers, not now. The game had just begun, and James was ready to play.