The Fire Beneath The Crown

The cold air lingered long after Leonard left my side.

I stayed on the balcony for a while, wrapped in silence. The stars above North Silvestia were dim tonight,clouded as though the heavens themselves anticipated something. I didn't know what, but I could feel it humming through the walls of the castle.

When I finally returned to bed, my mind refused to rest. The whispers, the secrets, the power I felt inside me,it was all too much. And Leonard... he had changed again. Guarded. Distant.

But even then, he was the only one who had shown me any form of protection.

⸻

Morning came with tension threading the halls.

I was awakened by Lydia pulling the drapes open with a sharp flick. The light stung my eyes. "Mi lady," she said gently, "the Viscount Council is arriving today. They've requested presence in the court... and the prince wants you prepared."

I blinked. "Me?"

"Yes," Peace added from the side, brushing out my cloak. "They may not address you directly, but your presence beside His Highness will be required."

I sat up, unease prickling my spine. "Why the sudden council?"

Lydia and Peace exchanged a look before Lydia whispered, "There was a body found at the edge of the northern wall last night. A traitor. Burned beyond recognition."

I swallowed hard. "Was it...?"

Peace only nodded. "They say a witch."

So Leonard hadn't stopped. He'd gone out again last night... and killed.

He didn't even tell me.

⸻

The court was alive that afternoon, filled with voices, silk gowns, and the sharp glint of noble jealousy. I had not seen this part of the castle before. Red carpets trailed across marble floors; chandeliers hung like skeletal flowers above.

Eyes turned as I entered beside Leonard, who said nothing to me since morning. His face was unreadable. Stoic. Regal.

I stood at his side, slightly behind his tall figure. Every noble in that room,every lady and every man watched him with silent fear. And then they looked at me.

Whispers began almost immediately.

"Is that the girl?"

"She's his wife."

"Does she even speak?"

"Must be from some minor family—"

"She's pretty. But I give it three months."

Jealousy dripped from the words, but I stayed quiet. I wasn't here to please them. And yet, I couldn't deny the burn in my chest.

Across the court, seated on one of the stone benches, was a woman in emerald. Her long lashes blinked slowly as she stared at me. Delicate. Deadly. Her smile wasn't kind,it was victorious, as if she was waiting for something to fall apart.

"That's Lady Verona," Kate whispered behind me. "Daughter of the High Chancellor. She was supposed to marry His Highness."

Of course.

⸻

The meeting began with formalities, followed by reports on suspected witch activity.

A guard brought forward a hooded prisoner,the fainted girl from the night before, now chained and pale. She looked barely alive. The witches had left something inside her. Poison, perhaps. Or magic.

Leonard stepped forward, but I noticed he didn't do it alone.

A man emerged from behind one of the pillars,tall, lean, dressed in black leather armor and a faint red scarf.

He moved like smoke.

The court straightened as he entered. Some flinched. Even the nobles shut up.

He walked beside Leonard without bowing, and that said enough.

Leonard didn't stop him.

"Who's that?" I asked Lydia, voice low.

"That's Caelum," she whispered, barely breathing. "They say he was raised with Leonard. He's the only one who can stand beside him without dying."

A friend. A trusted one.

Leonard glanced at Caelum, and with just one nod, Caelum turned to the chained girl. He whispered something too low for me to catch and suddenly,

the girl screamed.

The court gasped. Some stood.

"She's possessed," Caelum said calmly. "But weak."

Leonard's voice was ice. "What does it know?"

"Not much. She was a pawn. But she's seen the cave."

Leonard's jaw tightened. "Burn her. Let the court see what witches leave behind."

The guards hesitated.

Caelum drew a black dagger, carved with strange symbols, and the moment he placed it on her chest, her body erupted into blue fire.

Screams echoed through the chamber.

Several noblewomen fainted. Lady Verona turned away in horror. I stood frozen, unable to look away.

Leonard didn't flinch.

I did.

And still... I didn't hate him.

That was the terrifying part.

⸻

Later that evening, after the court had scattered and the halls quieted, I found myself alone in the garden behind the west wing.

The flowers were wilted.

I bent to touch one, when a voice cut through the silence.

"You didn't scream."

I turned.

Caelum stood a few paces away, eyes as red as Leonard's but colder.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Most noble ladies scream. Faint. Curse Leonard behind his back. You... stood there."

I swallowed. "Because I've seen worse."

He tilted his head. "Interesting."

We stared at each other for a while before he finally said, "Leonard trusts you. Or wants to."

"He doesn't trust anyone?"

"No one who breathes."

He turned to walk away, but paused.

"If you hurt him... I'll kill you. Even if he spares you."

Then he vanished into the shadows.

⸻

When I returned to our chamber, Leonard was by the window, his black coat off, sleeves rolled up, hands stained faintly with ash.

I stood there, unsure of what to say.

"You shouldn't have watched that," he said, not turning.

"You didn't stop me."

He turned then, slowly, his face unreadable. "I wanted you to see it."

"Why?"

"Because this is my world. And you married me."

I moved closer, anger bubbling quietly. "You burned a girl alive."

"She was already gone," he said. "Witches don't leave the soul behind."

"And what if they come for me again?"

"They will," he answered simply. "And I'll keep killing until they stop."

"You say that like it doesn't break you."

He looked at me finally, truly looked at me and something cracked in his expression.

"It does," he said. "But not enough."

He turned away again, hands gripping the window frame. "Go to bed, Lisa. You'll need your strength. A feast is being held tomorrow night. More nobles. More threats."

"And Lady Verona?"

"She's nothing," he said coldly. "But she's also dangerous."

I walked to the bed, pulling the covers back. "Do you love her?"

Silence.

Then—

"I don't love anyone."

Not yet.