Chapter 34:

The halls are dimly lit, the soft glow of the lanterns casting elongated shadows against the stone walls as I make my way to the kitchen. 

It's been a month since I learned the truth about my parents, a month of carrying the unbearable weight of that knowledge alone. 

Each passing day has been a reminder of the rage festering inside me, the need to do something about it, to find the proof I need. 

But planning and acting are two very different things, and right now, all I have is a desperate plan.

I have to return to Moonhaven.

The only way to uncover the truth is to go back, to dig through the past, to search for whatever evidence I can find. 

But I haven't told Cassidy yet and I don't think I will until I've gone through with it. If I did, she'd try to stop me. She'd say it's too dangerous, that it's not my fight, but she'd be wrong.

This is my fight.

I take a shortcut through the hallway that overlooks the garden, intending to get to the kitchen faster, but something makes me pause. 

Through the large windows, I catch sight of Cassidy standing beneath the oak tree, her golden hair catching the evening light. She's not alone.

Ethan leans against the trunk, one arm resting above Cassidy's head, his other hand tucked into his pocket. 

He's watching her, listening intently, his usually hardened features softer than I've ever seen them. 

She's smiling at him, that small, knowing smile that says you don't fool me, and I don't need to hear their conversation to know what's happening between them.

Something warm spreads through my chest.

I turn away, resuming my walk. Cassidy deserves someone good, someone steady. 

And despite his cold demeanor, Ethan is steady, even if he refuses to admit it. They make sense in a way that doesn't need explanation.

It makes me think about Caspian.

And that is something I shouldn't be thinking about.

I continue walking, my mind racing as I make my way to the kitchen. When I arrive, Priscilla is there, fixing the dinner tray for Caspian. 

She's humming softly to herself, her hands moving deftly as she arranges the food.

"Busy night?" I ask, leaning against the counter.

She glances up, her bright eyes crinkling in a smile. "Oh, just the usual. The prince's appetite seems to have grown lately. I'm not complaining, though. Keeps me on my toes."

I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral. "He's been occupied with the rogue rebellion. I guess it's draining him."

She buys it without question, nodding sympathetically. "Poor thing. He's been working so hard. It's no wonder he's always so hungry."

I smile internally. If any of the staff should catch wind of the fact that I'm the reason why the Prince's portion has increased, it'll be a hot topic forever.

An omega eating with the Prince in his room? Everyone would definitely give it a new meaning and Eden would drag me through the entire estate this time. 

Or maybe she'll feed me to the rogues. Who knows?

I force out a smile, my stomach twisting with guilt. "Yeah. No wonder."

She finishes arranging the tray and hands it to me. "Here you go. Make sure he eats every bite."

"I will," I promise, taking the tray and heading out of the kitchen.

As I walk down the hallway, I spot Eden coming from the opposite direction. She's in a deep purple knee length dress, her hair pulled up into a tight ponytail and I assume she's going to dinner with Caspian's parents. She seems to be heading down to the royal dining room.

Her eyes narrow the moment she sees me, her lips curling into a sneer. She doesn't say anything, but the look she gives me is enough to make my skin crawl. I keep my head high, refusing to let her intimidate me.

The king and queen still haven't officially announced her as Caspian's mate, though he's made it clear that it's their wish. 

He's never spoken against it, never hinted that he doesn't like her or the idea. As it stands, he might just follow through with it. 

The thought sends a spark of mild pain through me, and I quickly push it aside. I've been catching little feelings for him over the past month, and it's dangerous. 

He's not as menacing as he first appeared, and though our conversations are mostly about my plans to expose my uncle and the rogue attacks, he's been... friendly. 

Still cold, but in a way that feels almost comforting.

I reach his room and give a single knock before pushing the door open. He's lounged on the couch, a document in his hands, his expression focused. 

Without looking up, he asks, "When will you be ready to go to Moonhaven?"

I set the tray down on the table and glance at him. "Anytime you're ready to send me off."

That gets his attention. He looks up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies me. Then, a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. "We're leaving after dinner."

I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. "We?"

He sets the document aside and stands, stretching lazily before walking over to the table. "You didn't think I'd let you go alone, did you? You'd get killed before you step out of our borders."

I blink, caught off guard. "I... I didn't think you'd come with me."

He picks up a piece of bread, tearing off a chunk and popping it into his mouth. "You're not exactly subtle. If you go back to Moonhaven on your own, your uncle will know something's up. But if I'm with you, it'll look like a diplomatic visit. Less suspicious."

"And who will handle matter with the rogues?"

"There are tons of enforcers here. I trust them to do a good job."

"What would your father say to you being absent for a few days?"

"I already told him I found a lead in one of the packs. He won't miss me too much."

"Also because you won't be able to have breakfast in bed without me around, huh?" I tease to which he raises a brow at me.

"What exactly do you think we'll find?"

I hesitate a little.

"I don't know," I admit. "But we need to go there ourselves."

He nods and takes another pieces of bread.

I sit down at the table and start eating. It would have been weird to just pop in after the whole conversation I had with Theo, now that I think about it. 

So Caspian tagging along is a good idea. We could pose as just coming to check the borders and all that...that makes more sense.

Plus, being with him would mean no one gets to treat me like trash...how cool would that be?

"You've been quiet," Caspian's voice breaks me out of my thoughts. "What's on your mind?"

I didn't even realise it's been a while since anyone had said anything.

I glance up, meeting his gaze. "A lot. Mostly... what happens if we don't find anything? What if we can't prove it?"

He leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Then we keep looking. We don't stop until we have the truth."

I nod, though the weight of it all feels overwhelming. "And if he finds out what we're doing?"

His eyes darken, his voice low and firm. "He won't. And even if he does, he won't touch you. Not while I'm around."

"Be careful," I warn with a small smile. "Your confidence is beginning to rub off on me."

He rolls his eyes and continues with his food, and there's a hint of a smile on his lips.

He's beautiful when he's not grumpy, but of course he's always beautiful. The mind just had a way of perceiving people when they let their guard down, even if it's by a little.