Chapter 11 – Broken Oaths

Sunlight sliced through the curtains.

Alexander stirred first. He blinked, confused, then turned—and saw her.

Melodie lay beside him, hair fanned out, eyes closed.

Then it all came back.

The garden. The kiss. The truth.

The child.

His body stiffened.

---

Melodie’s eyes opened slowly. “You’re already regretting it.”

“I...” He sat up. “Last night was real. But this morning...”

Her voice was steady. “You want me to pretend it never happened.”

“I have a Luna-elect,” he said. “The court—”

“And what am I?” she cut in. “The maid you tortured? The girl you kissed in secret?”

“Don’t twist it.”

“I don’t have to,” she said bitterly. “It’s already broken.”

---

He stood, running a hand through his hair. “If this gets out, it’ll destroy everything.”

Melodie pulled the sheet tighter around her. “So you’ll bury me again?”

“No,” he said quickly. “Just... not yet.”

She laughed once, sharp. “You want me quiet. Again.”