7: An Unexpected Midnight Encounter

That night, after the guests had retired, Alina found herself unable to sleep. The oppressive atmosphere of the castle weighed heavily on her, and she needed air. She slipped out of her chambers, careful not to alert the guards, and made her way to the palace gardens.

The cold night air was a welcome relief as she wandered through the moonlit paths. But as she rounded a corner, she came face to face with King Kael, who stood beneath a gnarled oak tree, his dark silhouette blending into the shadows.

"Couldn't sleep, Princess?" he asked, his tone almost casual.

Alina's pulse quickened, but she kept her composure. "It seems the same could be said for you, Your Majesty," she replied. "Do the ghosts of your past keep you awake?"

Kael's smile was sharp, like a knife's edge. "Perhaps," he said, taking a step closer. "Or perhaps I simply enjoy the company of those who do not fear me."

"I am not foolish enough to be fearless," Alina countered, holding his gaze. "But I am wise enough not to be cowed."

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the tension crackling between them like a storm about to break. Then, with a curt nod, Kael turned and walked away, leaving Alina standing alone in the cold, her heart racing.

What had just transpired? Was it a threat, or something more? As she watched his retreating figure, she realized that in this game of shadows and secrets, she would need to play her part carefully if she was to survive.