Whispers of pain

Meanwhile while they were having lunch, Aurelia's chambers:The echoes of last night refused to fade.

Aurelia lay curled in her bed, the silken sheets tangled around her legs, her body wracked with shivers. Every time she closed her eyes, the same images came rushing back—the cold gleam of Lysara's blade, the sound of flesh being torn apart, the sickening wetness of blood splattering against her skin. She pressed a pillow over her head as if the fabric could smother the memories, but it was useless. No matter how much she tried to suppress them, they clawed their way back to the surface.

Her stomach twisted again, and with a groan, she lurched from the bed and staggered toward the wash basin, gripping its edge as she retched. The nausea was relentless, waves of sickness crashing over her as the horrors of the night replayed in her mind. It wasn't just the brutality she had witnessed—it was Lysara herself. The Lysara who had always carried an air of quiet indifference, the one who teased her with sharp wit and smirks, had become something else entirely. A force of unrelenting carnage. A being so detached from the act of killing that it left Aurelia uncertain, afraid.

But what frightened her most of all wasn't the blood or the violence.

It was the thought that Lysara had lived like this her whole life.

A choked sob escaped her as she wiped her mouth, her fingers trembling. She sat against the bedframe, her breath ragged, staring blankly at the opposite wall. The Lysara she had come to know, the one who made her heart race with amusement and intrigue, had another side—one carved out of battle, of necessity, of survival. How many times had she done this? How many had she killed before last night?

A knock at the door made her stiffen. Before she could collect herself, her brother's voice filtered through the wood.

"Aurelia?" Laurien called, concern thick in his tone. "One of the maids told me you haven't left your room all morning."

She swallowed, trying to compose herself. "I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine."

She remained silent, gripping the edge of her sheets as if they could anchor her. The door creaked open, and Laurien stepped inside. His golden eyes, so much like their mother's, softened the moment he saw her curled in bed. He crossed the room in quick strides, kneeling beside her.

"Aurelia, talk to me," he said gently, reaching out to brush a damp strand of hair from her face. "What's wrong?"

For a moment, she considered telling him everything. He would listen. He would believe her. He would demand answers from Lysara and hold her accountable. But then she remembered the promise. The deal they had made. The understanding between them. Lysara had saved her life. And despite everything, Aurelia still didn't want to betray her.

She forced a weak smile. "It's nothing serious. Just a stomach bug."

Laurien's brows knitted together, unconvinced. "A stomach bug?"

"Yes." She averted her gaze. "It'll pass soon."

His frown deepened, but he didn't press further. Instead, he sighed, ruffling her hair with a tenderness only he was capable of. "I'll have the best medicine brought to you. And if you need anything, you tell me."

Aurelia nodded, though she doubted any medicine would cure what ailed her.

"Should I send for Lysara?" Laurien asked suddenly. "Maybe she—"

"No."

The word came out too quickly. Too forcefully. Laurien's eyes flickered with suspicion, but Aurelia quickly forced a small laugh, shaking her head. "She's busy. I wouldn't want to bother her."

He exhaled through his nose, clearly still concerned but willing to let it go for now. "Fine. But don't shut yourself in here all day. I'll check on you later."

As he stood and walked toward the door, Aurelia turned on her side, pulling the covers up to her chin. She waited until she was sure he had left before letting out another choked sob.

Meanwhile, Lysara and Evelyne exited the King's court, exhaustion weighing on their shoulders. The conversation with their father had been nothing short of draining, and Lysara was eager to return to the solitude of her chambers. However, before they could part ways, an all-too-familiar voice called out to them.

"Ah, what perfect timing."

Lysara sighed audibly before even turning around.

Caelum stood there, his usual arrogant smirk plastered across his face, golden eyes gleaming with mischief. His posture was relaxed, confident, as if he owned the very ground they walked on.

Evelyne, ever the diplomat, gave him a polite nod. Lysara, on the other hand, simply crossed her arms and arched a brow. "Caelum."

He chuckled. "No need to sound so thrilled to see me."

"What do you want?" she asked flatly.

Caelum held out a small, ornate box, flipping it open with a flick of his wrist. Inside, nestled against silk, was a delicate bracelet embedded with rare gemstones that shimmered with an unnatural glow.

Lysara barely had time to process what was happening before he reached forward and clasped it around her wrist. "A token of goodwill," he said smoothly.

Her immediate reaction was to yank it off. "I don't need gifts from you."

He tsked. "Come now, Lysara. If I am to win over your dear sister, it only makes sense that I earn your favor as well."

Lysara shot Evelyne a deadpan look. "You're allowing this?"

Evelyne sighed, looking mildly apologetic but unsurprised by Caelum's antics. "I suppose it's harmless."

Lysara scoffed. "Hardly."

With a swift motion, she pulled the bracelet off and placed it back into Caelum's hand. "I'm not for sale."

Caelum blinked, his smirk faltering ever so slightly. It was rare for him to be caught off guard, and the sight of it brought Lysara a sliver of satisfaction.

She gave him a shallow bow, her expression unreadable. "I appreciate the sentiment. But no."

And with that, she turned and walked away without another word.

Evelyne hesitated before following, casting Caelum an apologetic look. "She's not one for gifts."

He chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Lysara disappear down the corridor. "No, she certainly isn't."

But as he closed the box and tucked it away, his smirk returned. Because to him, that only made her all the more interesting, another to be conquered another to his merit. He just would come to know how wrong he was." Well, we better go to our date I have prepared good things," he beckoned to Evelyne who with a heavy sigh nodded and followed.