Chapter 27
I walked for a while.
I had no destination in mind and certainly no plan. I simply kept moving, hoping my feet knew something I didn't.
I passed corridors that all looked exactly the same, a few maids who lowered their gazes a second too late, and several knights who were trying very hard not to stare.
I paid none of them any attention.
I was far too busy being preoccupied with my own thoughts and my complete lack of direction.
Eventually, I stopped.
Then I looked around.
Once.
Then twice.
And finally came to a realization.
I had absolutely no idea where I was.
Again.
"Excellent," I muttered, dragging a hand down my face. "Emotionally unstable and geographically lost. This is going very well."
I exhaled slowly, turning in a slow circle as if the walls might suddenly offer guidance.
"I should make a note," I continued, "to stop storming out of rooms when I am emotionally compromised. Clearly my already questionable sense of direction deteriorates further under stress, and that is not a skill I can afford to lose."
I paused, eyeing two identical corridors with equal distrust.
"Why am I even here?" I muttered.
"Banana girl?"
I froze at the sound of my least favorite nickname.
There was only one person reckless enough to use it.
I turned around.
And there he was.
"His Highness Crown Prince Lucien Viremont," I said, forcing a smile that was polite in structure and entirely unwilling in spirit. "What are you doing here?"
Because apparently, today had been declared an International Convention People I Did Not Expect to Meet.
"Don't you have a kingdom to attend to?" I added, folding my arms. "Or do you make it a habit to appear exactly where I am when I am already having a bad day?"
"Hey," he said, mildly offended. "I do have a kingdom. And I am here because I care about it."
I faltered.
What in the name of all confused hedgehogs was he talking about?
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Cassie, there you are."
Rhaevan's voice cut in.
I didn't need to turn to know he was there, but I did anyway, because apparently this situation still had room to get worse.
"Cassie?" Lucien repeated, glancing between us with interest that was entirely too visible. "That's your name?"
"It's Cassiane Valerith Ardentia," I said immediately. "For you."
He looked at me.
Then smirked.
"Oh," he said lightly, turning to Rhaevan. "Cassie is cute. I like it."
Before I could respond, he gently took my hand.
Then, with entirely too much confidence, he pressed a light kiss to the back of it.
I blinked.
Once.
Then again.
My thoughts attempted to organize themselves.
They failed.
"It was lovely meeting you again, Cassie," he said, sounding entirely too pleased with himself. "I have a feeling we'll keep running into each other."
I simply stared at him.
He smiled.
Then winked.
"Until next time."
And with that, he turned and walked away as though he hadn't just thrown my brain into complete disarray.
I stood there, staring at the space he had occupied, my brain still catching up to what had just happened.
"Did that just-"
My view was suddenly blocked.
I looked up to find Rhaevan standing before me.
He looked calm, but there was something unreadable in his expression.
"How do you know him?" he asked.
The question caught me off guard.
I frowned.
"How is that any of your business?"
A brief silence followed.
"Cassie," he said quietly, "I didn't realize you and Prince Lucien had become so familiar."
I let out a short, humorless laugh.
"Do not call me that! And who are you to question who I spend my time with? You forfeited that right the day you betrayed me."
Something flickered across his face.
"I didn't betray you."
"You did," I said, my voice rising despite myself. "You are no different from him-from my father."
The words were harsher than I expected, even for me.
"Will you two please stop?"
Lysenne's voice cut through the tension, calm but firm.
She stepped forward and placed a hand lightly on Rhaevan's shoulder.
I noticed.
I did not appreciate that I noticed.
"Rey, that's enough," she said gently.
He exhaled and stepped back.
I folded my arms tighter, because apparently that had become my default response to everything.
She turned to me.
"Please, Lady Cassiane," she said softly, "come with me. The Archmage is here. He wishes to meet both of you."
I didn't argue.
Not because I agreed, but because resistance felt inefficient at this point.
-
We were led to a garden pavilion, open and quiet, the sort of place built for important discussions and decisions that usually ended with someone being inconvenienced.
A man was already seated there.
He wore dark robes embroidered with silver and sat with the sort of effortless ease that suggested he belonged exactly where he was and everyone else was merely visiting.
There was nothing particularly intimidating about him at first glance, yet there was a certain stillness about him that made speaking too loudly feel like a bad idea.
I had a strong suspicion this was the Archmage.
Unfortunately, he was not alone.
Seated beside him, looking perfectly at home, was Lucien.
Again.
At this point, I was beginning to suspect the man simply materialized whenever my life became complicated.
"Master," Rhaevan said, bowing.
Lysenne followed.
I did not. At this point, manners felt optional.
The Archmage looked up, adjusting his spectacles slightly as his gaze settled on us.
"Ah," he said, his expression brightening, "my favorite disciple, Rey. Princess Lysenne. And-"
His eyes shifted to me.
Observant.
Amused.
"You must be Lady Cassiane Valerith Ardentia."
He smiled.
"Archmage Theodore Alric Veylan," he said. "But you may call me Theo."
I blinked.
"...That feels informal."
"Sit," he added.
Everyone else did immediately.
I hesitated for half a second before sitting as well, because standing would only make me look unnecessarily dramatic.
He slid a plate of cookies towards me.
The cookies were perfectly baked, and I did not appreciate the way they tempted me.
"The palace has excellent cookies," he said casually. "I make it a point to visit for them."
I eyed the plate of cookies and then looked up at him.
"...You're trying to manipulate me."
"Yes," he said calmly.
Well.
I appreciated the honesty.
I picked up a cookie.
Principles were important, but so was food.
I took a bite and immediately regretted having standards.
It was excellent.
Warm, buttery, and somehow managing to melt in my mouth before I could properly object to it.
For one brief, shameful moment, I was prepared to forgive a great many things in exchange for another cookie.
Then I remembered that I was in the middle of holding a grudge and reluctantly returned to my senses.
Focus, Cassiane.
I straightened slightly, returning to my guarded expression, though the cookie had already compromised my defenses.
Theo watched me with quiet amusement.
"You," he said lightly, "are a very stubborn girl."
I didn't deny it.
Because accuracy deserved acknowledgment.
"The reason I called you here," he continued, his tone shifting, "is because we need to discuss something important."
There it was.
"Princess Lysenne must have informed you that the kingdom is in danger."
I glanced at her.
Then back at him.
"The neighboring kingdom of Varynthar has aligned itself with dark magic," he said. "They have already taken control of several territories and are now targeting stronger kingdoms-Eryndor and Viremont."
I glanced at Lucien.
That explained his presence.
Viremont was known for military strength and strategic warfare.
Eryndor for its powerful mages and magic.
Which meant this was not a coincidence.
This was cooperation.
"Our mages have managed to contain the situation for now," Theo continued, "but containment is temporary. If we want to end this, we need to confront the source of that power."
I leaned back slightly.
"And this concerns me... how?" I asked.
He looked at me directly.
Steady.
Certain.
"Because," he said, "we believe your magic can help us."
I blinked.
Once.
"...My what?"
He nodded.
"Your magic, Lady Cassiane Valerith Ardentia."
Silence followed.
My mind stopped.
The secret I had carefully concealed for years had somehow gone from strictly confidential to apparently everyone knows.
"Oh, this is bad."
Rhaevan, what have you done?