Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 368. An Alliance, A Runaway Princess, and A Piece of His Past

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Fair point. So, this whole thing—is it just business, or is there something more to it?"

Angel's smirk faltered slightly, his expression shifting to something more contemplative. "All three," he said after a moment, his voice quieter but firm.

Rose raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the weight in his words. "Three? Alright, enlighten me."

He glanced around the room, ensuring no one was within earshot before he continued. "It's about the alliance, yes. Pontus's trade routes and resources would strengthen Euphorion. That's the business side of it. But it's also about Jyne."

Rose blinked at the mention of the princess. "Princess Jyne? The one who ran away and hid in Zephyrus?"

Angel nodded. "She's been in hiding for a reason. Whatever forced her to flee isn't something I can ignore, but it's not something I can openly discuss with Cassian right now. If she's hiding from Pontus's internal politics, mentioning her could complicate everything. But I need to understand the reason."

Rose frowned, her gaze steady on him. "And the third reason?"

Angel's eyes darkened slightly, his usual calm expression giving way to something more guarded. "The bracelet."

Rose felt her heart skip at his tone. She knew the bracelet—knew how it had come into Angel's possession and how it was tied to one of the strange visions he'd experienced. The vision had been hauntingly vivid, and Angel hadn't been able to shake the feeling that it was connected to his past—or to the dark power that lingered within him.

"The bracelet came from Pontus," Angel said, his voice low and controlled. "It's the only lead I have on the vision I saw. That woman… she might hold the answers to questions I've been asking for years. But I can't rush this. If I push too hard or say too much too soon, I could lose the chance to find her."

Rose studied him, her expression softening. "So you're juggling an alliance, a runaway princess, and a piece of your past all at once."

He let out a dry chuckle. "Pretty much."

She shook her head, a mix of admiration and exasperation in her voice. "And here I thought you'd take it easy tonight."

"There's no 'easy' when it comes to ruling," he said with a faint smirk, though his eyes remained serious. "But that's why I have to be careful. Jyne's hiding for a reason. If the duke suspects anything, it could complicate her situation."

Rose nodded, her arms crossed as she processed his words. "Hopefully, it's not about the fight for the throne," she said thoughtfully, her voice carrying a hint of doubt. "But if it was, that would explain why she fled."

Angel leaned slightly against the edge of the throne, his gaze distant. "It's a common problem for royals like us. I wouldn't be surprised by that," he said quietly.

Rose tilted her head, studying him. "Speaking from experience?" she teased him.

Angel chuckled dryly, the sound devoid of humor. "Yes. Also, I've seen it enough to recognize the signs. Most likely, it's about that. If not, there's no way a princess would willingly live in a small village in another kingdom. She doesn't even have a knight to protect her."

Rose frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. "But why would she run to Zephyrus of all places? There are safer kingdoms closer to Pontus."

"That's the question, isn't it?" Angel said, his tone sharpening. "She had a reason, and until we know what it is, we can't rule anything out. But I hope it's not a power struggle. Those tend to leave a trail of bodies."

Rose sighed, her expression softening. "You've been through enough of those."

"Yes," Angel exhaled a long breath. "But that's the nature of royal life. Everyone's fighting for something—power, survival, revenge. Sometimes all three,"he admitted, his voice quieter now.

Rose placed a hand on his arm, her touch gentle but grounding. "So what do you plan to do if the duke does bring it up? Or if he doesn't, and you have to dig for answers?"

Angel straightened, his sharp gaze returning. "If he brings it up, I'll listen. If he doesn't, I'll find a way to steer the conversation. Either way, I'll make it clear that I'm interested in Pontus—not just politically, but as a potential ally."

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