CHAPTER 21:AN OLD ALLY

I didn't sleep.

Not because of the pain in my ankle, but because of the sentence that had carved itself into my mind.

You have your mother's eyes.

---

By dawn, I'd made a decision.

If I didn't seek answers, they would find me first.

The palace halls were quiet at sunrise. I moved like a shadow, uniform pressed, sword at my hip, steps measured — just a royal guard on her usual rotation.

Only I wasn't going to the barracks.

I found Ambassador Alric in the garden wing, watching koi swim through the marble water channels.

He didn't look surprised to see me.

"Your Highness," he said, softly enough that only the birds could've heard. "Or do they call you Sera here?"

I kept my face still. "Why didn't you tell them?"

He didn't answer right away.

Instead, he turned to face me fully. "I once stood beside your mother as she spoke before kings. I held your father's shoulder on the night he signed peace with my homeland. I knew your family. I owed them everything."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"But loyalty to the dead is not enough to keep the living safe."

---

I didn't know what to say to that.

"You're saying I'm in danger."

"I'm saying," he said, voice like steel beneath silk, "you are already surrounded."

---

Before I could ask more, a palace courier approached, winded.

"Prince Valen… Lady Kael… and Guard Sera — you've been assigned to a diplomatic escort. A two-day mission. His Majesty requests you leave within the hour."

The messenger turned to Alric and bowed. "And, Ambassador Alric… you will accompany them."

---

My stomach dropped.

This wasn't coincidence.

Alric's eyes met mine again.

There was something in them now — not warmth, not recognition.

Warning.

"Not all who remember your family," he said quietly, "wish to see you alive, Princess."

He walked past me, cloak trailing behind like a shadow.

---

I stood there, heart pounding.

And for the first time in a long time…

I wondered if knowing the truth might be more dangerous than hiding it.