Amara was heading to her tent when she saw someone familiar. "Ethan?" she called out.
Ethan noticed her, and although Amara smiled at him, he didn't smile back. Instead, he looked as if he had been caught off guard. She sensed his discomfort yet continued to wave at him. With every step she took, Ethan grew more anxious.
When she finally reached him, Amara asked, "Is something wrong?"
Just then, she overheard Maxwell's voice coming from inside their tent.
"Amara," Ethan said cautiously.
"Shush " Amara replied, putting a finger to her lips.
"You're going to marry that wench!" Sianna's voice erupted from within. "My love, my darling, how could you betray me like this?"
"Sianna, leave this place," Maxwell said firmly.
"No, I can't! I know I made a mistake, and I accept that, but please, don't ruin your life by marrying her. She's nothing, not even pretty! You're doing this to punish me. Everyone knows you love me and only proposed to her to get back at me." Sianna clung to him, but Maxwell didn't embrace her, nor did he push her away.
"Sianna, that's enough. You need to leave," he said, his expression unreadable.
"Am I ugly to you now? Is that why you hate me?" Sianna asked, searching his eyes.
Maxwell remained silent but touched her gently. "You are beautiful. I'm not doing this..."
Amara felt tears welling up as she overheard those words. Overcome, she turned to leave, unnoticed.
"Amara, wait," Ethan called softly.
She paused and forced a smile. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice filled with regret.
"Why?" she asked.
"I should have told you she was here. I didn't know..."
Amara interrupted him. "I know he doesn't love me, and I know he won't."
"Amara, this is a cycle with no end. You will break and break..." Ethan said, concern etched on his face.
"Then I will shut my eyes and ears to be unnoticed. I don't have much choice," she replied, her voice steady.
Ethan tried to read her expression. He couldn't tell if she was crying; her voice was neat and clear, but her face was wet—perhaps from the snow.
"Amara, why do you want this marriage?" he asked, his tone heavy with emotion. She was his childhood friend, and he had warned her many times about marrying Maxwell, but now all he could do was listen in silence.
"I don't know," Amara thought but didn't voice it.
"Ethan, do you have the key?" she suddenly asked.
"What key?" he replied, confused.
"The key to the cage," Amara clarified.
"Yes, but Amara, I can't give it to you."
"Max told me to kill her tomorrow. It won't make a difference if I do it now, will it?" Amara said.
Ethan hesitated. He didn't want to give her the key, but right now, he felt guilt.
"Here," he said reluctantly, handing her the key.
"Thank you," Amara replied.