Sudden knock.
"Young Duke, the Duke is looking for you," Alwin announced from the doorway.
"Yes…" Abigel stood and offered Aria a gentle smile before heading out, his footsteps light as ever.
Aria watched the door close behind him, letting out a small sigh. Her feet ached less thanks to him, but her thoughts were still a swirling mess.
"My lady, do you need something?" Alwin asked with a respectful smile.
"No, Alwin. I'm fine. I'm just going to sit for a while."
He bowed and stepped back, leaving the room quiet again — or so she thought.
SLAM.
"Ariaaa!" Lilly burst through the doors like a whirlwind, her golden curls bouncing as she threw herself into Aria's arms. "You're so mean! You didn't even bother to look for me!"
"Are you mad at me, Lilly?" Aria asked with a soft chuckle, returning the hug.
"A little bit… but it's okay," Lilly said, puffing her cheeks. Then her eyes sparkled mischievously. "But who was that guy who just left?"
"That's Abigel," Aria replied smoothly. "You'll know more about him… when the time is right."
"Ohhh, he's handsome. Does he train a lot?" Lilly asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes, he does," Aria said, her mind flashing back to their silent training sessions—his controlled grace, how his shadow moved like an extension of his will, how he always made sure she never got hurt.
"Sooo… when are you coming back?" Lilly pouted, tugging on Aria's sleeve. "I miss you already."
"I don't think it'll be soon," Aria admitted, stroking Lilly's hair. "But I'll write to you. Every week."
"Alright…" Lilly slumped with dramatic flair. Then her tone turned sly. "But what's going on between you and Icarus? He couldn't take his eyes off you at the banquet. He looked like he was ready to throw PRINCE off a balcony."
Aria turned pink instantly. "Uhh…"
Before she could answer, the door opened again.
This time, it wasn't a soft knock or a loud bang. It was a quiet, precise motion — controlled.
The air changed. Both girls turned.
Khalid stepped in, tall and confident, his royal coat still draped over one shoulder, a glass of untouched wine in his hand.
"There you are," he said, his voice smooth with a hint of sultry amusement. "I've been looking everywhere for you, Princess Aria."
Lilly blinked. "Oh—oh no. I should go."
"Lilly," Aria said quickly, but her friend was already halfway out the door.
"I'll let you two… talk," Lilly grinned and shut the door behind her with suspicious speed.
Aria tilted her head, cautious but calm. "You weren't invited to my room."
"True. But I've never been one to wait for permission." His voice dropped as he leaned in. "Tell me… why do I feel like you're more dangerous now than when you were a knight?"
She smiled slowly. "Because I am."
Khalid's lips curled. "Good. I hate fragile things."
And somewhere in the ceiling's edge, where the light didn't reach, Abigel sat perched like a raven in wait, silent, unreadable—but listening to every word.
"I think it's better you leave my room before my parents see you," Aria warned, her voice cool but sharp.
"Of course," Khalid chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I have no desire to be killed by the Duchess or the Duke. Though I imagine being hunted by your mother might be an interesting death."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "But… I just want to say it clearly—I like you already. And I won't give up so easily."
Aria's eyes narrowed. She pushed him back firmly and stood tall. "Prince, you know nothing about me. And I'd very much like to keep it that way."
She turned, heels clicking as she made her way toward the door. But just as her hand touched the knob—
"At least the kiss was a warm welcome," Khalid said with a smirk, his voice dripping with playful mischief.
Aria spun around, fury flashing in her eyes. In a swift move, she stormed up to him and slapped her hand over his mouth.
"It. Was. An accident," she hissed. "Don't you dare tell anyone."
Khalid raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, his breath warm against her palm. "Mmhmm," he mumbled into her skin.
Then—without warning—he licked her palm, slowly, deliberately.
Aria froze, her heart lurching at the intimate contact. Her hand trembled slightly before she yanked it back, eyes wide. For a fleeting second, she didn't breathe.
Khalid just smiled, unbothered and far too pleased with himself. "So... how about going out with me tomorrow?"
"No," Aria said immediately, her voice steel.
Khalid blinked, caught off guard. So even blackmail doesn't work on her?
She didn't give him time to respond. Without another word, she turned and swept out of the room, her ruby necklace catching the light like a warning flame.
Behind her, Khalid sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair.
"She'll be trouble," he muttered. Then he smiled to himself. "My favourite kind."
Abigel stood quietly in the corridor, half-shadowed by a column as Aria's door creaked open and she stepped out. Her expression was unreadable—but he saw the subtle tension in her fingers, the way her breath caught for just a second.
Then Khalid's voice followed after, too smug, too loud.
"At least the kiss was a warm welcome."
Abigel's world stopped for a second.
Kiss?
His blood ran cold. He wasn't sure what hurt more—the idea of her lips on someone else's, or the fact that he had to hear it like this.
He didn't move. Didn't even blink.
Aria's muffled voice followed—stern, maybe angry—but he couldn't hear the words. He didn't need to.
The damage was done.
His fingers curled slightly at his sides, knuckles pale. But his face stayed calm—unreadable to anyone who might glance his way. That was his curse, wasn't it? Loyal, quiet Abigel.
But she kissed him.
He turned away, back pressed to the cold wall. His heartbeat too loudly in his chest. Was it jealousy? Disappointment? No. It was something worse.
Fear.
Because Abigel didn't fear losing her to Khalid.
He feared he never had a place in her heart to begin with.
The air in the grand hall felt a little too tight.
Selene and Aria hadn't spoken once the entire evening. Not even a word. Just distant stares that lasted a breath too long.
It was the kind of silence that made people nervous.
And maybe that was why Count Farcrest decided to open his mouth.
"Your Grace," he said, with far too much confidence for someone so easily crushed, "forgive me, but… isn't it time the Princess is engaged? She's come of age, after all."
Someone needed to teach him to read a room.
Selene didn't even blink. "She will be," she said coolly, "when she wants to be."
A murmur passed through the noble crowd. Another tried his luck. "But wouldn't it be wiser to secure a match now, before someone… less appropriate wins her heart without permission?"
He said it like it was a joke. But no one laughed.
Selene turned her head slightly—just enough to make the man flinch.
"If Aria chooses to marry," she said, her voice low and sharp, "it will be her choice. Not mine. And certainly not yours."
She looked at the entire hall then, calm and unflinching.
"I don't recall inviting you to speak about my daughter like she's a negotiation."
Silence followed. Even the musicians stopped.
That was enough to remind everyone who held the true power in this Empire—and why even the boldest nobles feared crossing the Duchess of the South.
The night had grown quiet, and the laughter from the banquet was dying down. Aria leaned heavily on the cold marble balcony rail, the stars above her spinning slightly from the wine.
"System," she whispered, voice slurred but desperate, "is there any curse nearby?"
It was the hundredth time she'd asked tonight. The same question over and over—like maybe this time, the answer would change.
{System: No. Turning off due to overwork. Goodbye.}And just like that, the flickering text vanished from her vision.
Aria stared blankly, then let out a breathless chuckle. "Even the system's tired of me," she murmured.
"You're talking to yourself again," came a voice behind her.
She turned—slowly—and smiled when she saw Icarus. "Or maybe I'm talking to a god," she said.
"You're drunk," he said gently.
"I'm scared," she replied instead, wrapping her arms around his torso. He froze, but then carefully returned the embrace, holding her close.
"You don't have to be," Icarus said, voice a soft vow against her hair. "We'll figure it out. Together."
She closed her eyes, breathing in the calm, clean scent of him. It grounded her.
"What if I go back?" Her voice cracked.