Knowing, Taunting

Nora stood in the palace gardens for longer than she intended, the crisp night air cooling the heat in her face and the fire in her chest. Her fingers curled against the fabric of her gown as she tried to steady herself, but Lucien's words clung to her like a shadow.

"You should keep a better eye on your medicines, Duchess."

A warning? A threat?

Whatever it was, Lucien Draco knew things he shouldn't. He knew about her isolation, about her health, about Lacey. And worse, he had made it clear that he wasn't interested in whatever she wanted from him.

But what did she want from him?

Nora let out a slow breath, tilting her head to look up at the star-streaked sky.

Revenge?

The thought curled at the edges of her mind like smoke. The woman in the book—her—had been written as the villain. The woman who schemed and plotted, the woman Caspian had forsaken for his true love. But standing here, breathing in the cool air, feeling, hurting, fearing, she knew that had been wrong.

She wasn't the villain.

If the book had gotten that part wrong, what else had it twisted? Had it also been wrong about Caspian's heart? About his choice?

Didn't he still love her?

Somewhere, deep inside, she believed he did.

Even now, despite everything, she wanted to believe it. Needed to believe it.

Nora swallowed hard, pushing away the tangled mess of emotions in her chest. She had to return to the ballroom before Caspian started worrying. Straightening her shoulders, she turned on her heel and stepped back inside.

The warmth of the palace swept over her, the scent of wine and candle wax heavy in the air. The music had changed to something livelier, couples twirling and laughing as the grand hall buzzed with conversation.

Nora ignored them all, weaving through the crowd, searching for her husband's familiar figure.

She moved past nobles locked in quiet gossip, past fluttering fans and clinking glasses, scanning every corner of the room. Where is he?

A cold knot began to form in her stomach.

She stepped toward a passing servant, placing a hand lightly on their arm. "Excuse me," she said, keeping her voice composed. "Have you seen my husband?"

The servant blinked, hesitant, before lowering their voice. "The Duke left a short while ago, Your Grace. I believe he thought you had gone ahead."

Nora's breath caught.

He left?

That wasn't right. Caspian had never left without her before. No matter how ill she had felt in the past, he had always made sure she was by his side when they departed. For him to suddenly assume she had gone ahead on her own—

Her fingers tightened against the fabric of her gown.

A slow, creeping unease spread through her.

This wasn't just an oversight.

This was intentional.

A prickling sensation ran down her spine, and she looked up across the ballroom.

Lucien was watching her.

He leaned against one of the ornate pillars, a wine glass dangling carelessly from his fingers. When their eyes met, he smirked.

A knowing, taunting smirk.

As if he already knew exactly why she was standing there, staring at an empty space where her husband should have been.

Nora felt her heart hammer in her chest.

Her thoughts raced back to the book—the chapters she could remember. She had read this part. The night of the ball, when Caspian had snuck Lacey and the child out into the city, disguising himself as a commoner so they could experience the world outside the manor.

She had wanted to believe it wouldn't happen.

That he wouldn't betray her like that.

But now, she wasn't so sure.

With a deep breath, she turned away, forcing her legs to move as she walked toward the exit. She had to go home.

She had to know the truth.

The carriage ride back to the estate was silent, but her mind was anything but.

Each thought warred with the next—maybe it's nothing, maybe he truly thought I left before him.

But doubt gnawed at her like a relentless beast.

What if it's true?

What if Caspian was right now preparing to leave? What if he was gathering Lacey and the child, just as he had in the book?

Would he have gone if she had never read that cursed novel? Would things have been different?

Her hands clenched into fists in her lap.

The moment the carriage slowed to a stop in front of the manor, she was already moving. The servants barely had time to open the doors before she stepped out, her gown swishing around her as she strode forward.

The estate was quiet, the dim glow of lanterns illuminating the halls as she entered. Most of the staff had retired for the evening.

But not Caspian.

She could hear him.

His voice carried through the stillness, coming from his study.

Nora exhaled sharply, relief sparking in her chest. He's here. He's home.

Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe she had overreacted.

She stepped forward, lifting her hand to knock—

And then she heard her.

Lacey's voice.

Soft. Amused. Familiar.

"Is the Duke really going to pretend to be a commoner and go out on the town with us?"

The world seemed to tilt.

The floor beneath her feet felt unsteady, her heartbeat roaring in her ears.

Her hand, still raised, trembled slightly.

She wanted—needed—to believe that she had heard wrong.

But she knew she hadn't.

A hollow, twisting ache settled deep in her stomach.

Caspian had planned to leave.

He was going to take them out.

Just like in the book.

Just like he always had.

The breath left her lungs in a quiet, shuddering exhale.

She should have known.

She had known.

And yet, it still hurt.

More than she wanted to admit.

Slowly, carefully, she lowered her hand.

She turned away, her feet carrying her back down the hall in measured, deliberate steps.

She wouldn't cry.

Not here.

Not now.

Lucien's smirk from earlier flashed through her mind. He had known.

He had known, and he had watched her walk blindly into this moment anyway.

Anger bubbled up beneath the ache in her chest, simmering just beneath the surface.

This wasn't over.

She wouldn't let it be over.

One way or another, she would make sure of it.