weakness of queens - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

The atmosphere at Blackwood University had shifted, thick with an unspoken tension. Minho's downfall had sent shockwaves through the student body, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. While many bowed their heads in respect-or fear-there were always those who couldn't accept a new order. And that was what made things dangerous.
I had spent the last few nights keeping a close eye on Lisa, Jisoo, and Seulgi. Their transformations were rapid, almost unnatural. It wasn't just about gaining confidence; it was about understanding the weight of power. Once you tasted it, once you embraced it, there was no going back.
And Lisa, in particular, was beginning to crave it.
The night air was cool against my skin as I stood on the rooftop of our penthouse, overlooking the city. It was past midnight, and the streets below were alive with movement. Blackwood was filled with more than just students-it was a playground for criminals, a hub for underground deals, and a battleground for power.
I lit a cigarette, watching as the embers glowed in the darkness. Footsteps approached from behind, and I didn't have to turn to know who it was.
"You're thinking too much again," Rosé's voice was soft, but her presence was unwavering.
I exhaled a slow stream of smoke. "Minho might be gone, but the game isn't over."
Irene joined us, her expression unreadable. "It never is."
I turned to face them. "Lisa is changing."
Rosé sighed, brushing her fingers through her hair. "And that scares you?"
"It concerns me," I admitted. "She's enjoying this too much."
Irene folded her arms. "We all did, once."
I didn't deny it. We had been young too-once innocent, before we became the queens we were today. Lisa, Jisoo, and Seulgi were just getting their first taste of the world we ruled. But the difference was, we knew the cost. We knew the price we had paid to sit on our thrones.
Lisa didn't.
Yet.
The next day at Blackwood University, the usual buzz of conversation seemed forced, hushed as if people were afraid to speak too loudly.
Lisa walked beside Jisoo and Seulgi, her confidence nearly radiating from her. Students parted as they passed, treating them the way they once treated us. I saw the way Lisa smirked at their reactions, how Jisoo held her head a little higher, and how Seulgi's once hesitant steps had turned firm and unwavering.
I wasn't sure if I should be proud or concerned.
"Looks like they're getting comfortable," Irene murmured beside me as we watched from a distance.
I hummed in response, my gaze never leaving them. "Too comfortable."
Just as we were about to step forward, I caught sight of a familiar figure. My muscles tensed instantly.
Jinwoo.
He wasn't just some thug like Minho. He was worse.
Jinwoo came from a family that held real power-not just in Blackwood, but beyond. His family was involved in politics, the underground, and even the police. Unlike Minho, who relied on brute force, Jinwoo played the long game.
And he was watching Lisa.
Irene must have noticed too, because her grip on her glass tightened slightly. "He's interested in her."
"Or he's looking for a weakness," I muttered. "Either way, we have a problem."
That evening, I found Lisa alone in the training room, her knuckles bruised from hitting the punching bag repeatedly. Her breathing was steady, but there was something in her eyes-a hunger, a need to prove something.
I leaned against the doorframe. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
Lisa didn't stop. "Not hard enough."
I walked in, stopping just a few feet away from her. "Minho is gone. There's no one left to challenge you."
She paused, looking at me. "There's always someone else."
Her response was immediate, without hesitation.
I studied her for a moment. "Jinwoo was watching you today."
Lisa wiped the sweat from her forehead, raising an eyebrow. "And?"
"And he's dangerous. More dangerous than Minho ever was. He doesn't just want power-he plays for keeps."
Lisa smirked. "Then I'll just have to be better than him."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "This isn't a game, Lisa. You're standing at a crossroad. You either control your power, or it will control you."
She held my gaze for a long moment before finally speaking. "And how did you choose?"
I felt the memory of my past creeping in, but I pushed it back. "I didn't get to choose. The choice was made for me."
Lisa exhaled, looking away. "Then maybe I want to make my own choice."
I watched as she picked up her water bottle and walked past me without another word.
As the door closed behind her, I sighed.
Lisa wasn't just stepping into our world.
She was running toward it.
Later that night, I received another message from an unknown number.
You think you're untouchable, Queen? Think again.
I stared at the screen, my grip tightening.
The war wasn't just beginning anymore.
It was already here.