Chapter 24
The entrance bell rang sharply, cutting through the tension between us.
Rhaevan and I both turned towards the front of the inn.
My stomach dropped as a quiet dread settled in my chest, warning me that whatever stood beyond that door was about to ruin my life again.
Miss Ann reached the entrance first and pulled the door open.
The first thing I noticed was armor-royal armor, polished silver with the palace crest engraved across the chest.
Behind them stood a carriage, expensive, official, and deeply unwelcome.
Of course. Nothing in my life ever arrived quietly.
The few villagers still inside the inn fell silent. Conversations died mid-sentence, chairs scraped against the floor, and every eye shifted toward the entrance.
One knight stepped forward. He was clearly of higher rank than the others, his posture straight and composed in a way that was almost irritating. A sealed scroll rested in one hand.
Miss Ann crossed her arms. "Yes?"
The knight barely acknowledged her. Instead, his gaze moved past her-toward us, toward Rhaevan.
Then, to my complete confusion, he lowered himself onto one knee.
My brain stalled.
The knight bowed his head and spoke clearly. "Greetings, High Arcanist Rhaevan Aetheris."
Silence swallowed the inn whole.
My thoughts stopped working.
High Arcanist.
...Excuse me?
I slowly turned toward Rhaevan.
When he said he was associated with the Magic Tower, I had assumed something minor-an apprentice, a junior mage, someone moderately important.
Not this.
The Magic Tower hierarchy was very clear.
At the top stood the Archmage, the absolute authority over magical affairs in the kingdom.
Below that was the Tower Commander, responsible for military enforcement and strategic operations.
Beneath them were the High Arcanists-elite mages, recognized authorities, powerful enough to command squads and advise the crown directly.
Dangerous in every possible sense.
Which meant Rhaevan was not merely involved.
He was important.
Very important.
I stared at him as a horrifying realization hit me.
I had made him run errands, sort potatoes, and chop carrots.
Did I make a High Arcanist mop the floor last week?
Yes.
Yes, I absolutely did.
In my defense, he had done a very good job.
The knight rose smoothly. "We are here under royal command to escort you and Lady Cassiane Valerith Ardentia back to the royal palace."
I froze.
No.
Absolutely not.
I turned to the knight. "You can take him," I said calmly. "I won't be coming."
The knight looked at me properly for the first time. He studied me, blinked once, and then recognition dawned as he inclined his head.
"Ah, greetings, my lady. I apologize for not recognizing you."
I opened my mouth. "Well, I-"
Then stopped.
I stared at him before mentally smacking my own forehead.
Wonderful.
Brilliant.
I had exposed myself-personally, voluntarily, and without any external assistance.
I truly was my own greatest enemy.
"I am afraid," the knight continued in the same infuriatingly calm tone, "we have been ordered to return with both of you, come what may."
Of course.
Why would anything in my life be optional?
"No," I said flatly. "I am not going."
"That is not possible, my lady."
Naturally.
I turned slowly toward Rhaevan.
He met my gaze, and in that moment, everything inside me went cold.
There it was-guilt, hesitation, something heavy in his expression that I had never seen before.
And somehow, that was worse.
Much worse.
Miss Ann cleared her throat. "Cassiane. Kitchen. Now."
I followed her mechanically, my thoughts racing too fast to form anything coherent.
The moment we entered, she turned toward me. "You need to leave."
I blinked. "...What?"
She crossed her arms. "You heard me."
"That is a very abrupt transition."
"I run an inn, not a battleground."
I stared at her as she continued with complete practicality. "The royal army standing outside my establishment is bad for business. Whatever trouble is following you, I want no part of it."
No comfort. No softness.
Just Miss Ann, practical as ever.
"You leave now."
I looked at her.
Four years.
Four full years here, and this was how it ended.
No dramatic goodbye, no emotional speech-just logistics.
Somehow, that hurt more.
She had already turned back to the counter, the conversation clearly over.
I stood there for a few seconds before nodding once. "Right."
I packed quickly and efficiently, knowing that lingering would only make things worse.
When I stepped outside again, my gaze found Rhaevan immediately.
He had not moved.
The knight opened the carriage door. "My lady."
I climbed in and sat in the corner. Rhaevan entered after me, taking the seat opposite.
Fluff settled comfortably in his lap as if this were an ordinary evening.
Traitor.
The carriage door shut, and the wheels began to move.
Silence filled the space between us, heavy and suffocating.
I looked at him-really looked at him. At his calm posture, his controlled expression, and the guilt he was trying, and failing, to hide.
And suddenly, everything aligned.
The disappearances. The evasive answers. The timing of his arrival. The palace. The tower.
Everything.
Something sharp settled in my chest as I leaned back slowly.
One thought surfaced with perfect clarity.
Absolute bastard.