Chapter 43
"I'll be departing for Viremont today," Lucien said, closing the distance between us as I sat on the low stone wall.
I looked up from where I was aggressively scratching Cookie behind the ears. "So soon?"
He offered a quiet, fleeting smile. "Official royal business. My father summoned me back to court."
"Ah," I said, nodding with mock solemnity. "Matters of state. Sounds terribly inconvenient."
His smile widened, and he tilted his head, watching me. "You aren't even going to see me off to my carriage, Cass?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "I know what you're doing right now."
"And what, precisely, am I doing?"
"Using guilt to force me into acting like a proper friend."
"Is it working?"
I stared at his insufferably handsome face for a second. Unfortunately, yes.
"Regrettably," I grumbled.
He chuckled, extending a hand. "Come along, then."
I let out a long, theatrical sigh, but took his hand anyway, letting him lead me down the grand stone steps toward the main courtyard.
And that was precisely when my momentary peace shattered. Standing at the entrance, speaking in low, measured tones, were Lysenne and Rhaevan.
Ah. The main leads. The golden couple.
I stole a side-glance at Rhaevan. The man looked completely, utterly composed for someone who had been shouting at me in a corridor less than a day ago. Not a single flicker of awkwardness or lingering temper.
Must be nice, I thought bitterly. I've spent the last few hours spiraling like an idiot, and he looks like he just stepped out of a portrait.
"There is our missing prince," Lysenne said as we approached, her voice smooth and melodic.
Lucien placed a hand over his heart. "I am always flattered to be missed, Your Highness."
"You have delayed your carriage twice already," she noted, a quiet glimmer of amusement in her eyes.
"I was attending to proper farewells." Lysenne's gaze turned toward me, softening instantly. "Cassiane... I am glad you came out of last night unhurt. What you did at the festival was exceptionally brave."
I blinked, taking a half-step back. That was definitely not the reaction I had prepared for.
Out of habit, I searched her face for hidden snide remarks or diplomatic politeness. There was none. She was agonizingly, genuinely sincere.
Curse the female lead aura. Damn it!!!
"Thank you," I muttered, staring intently at the ground.
Lucien clapped his hands together softly. "Well, then! I had best depart before my duties catch up with me." He turned toward his silver-crested carriage, then paused, looking back at me. "I shall write to you, Cass."
My brain stalled. "...You will?"
"Naturally."
"I suppose... I'll read it?"
He burst into a laugh. "I will take that as an encouragement."
I simply nodded, as my vocabulary had officially abandoned me.
He reached out, his fingers brushing the fine silver bracelet on my wrist. A smirk touched his lips. "The bracelet suits you, Cass. I clearly possess flawless taste in gifts."
"You are far too pleased with yourself."
"I simply recognize perfection when I see it."
"Highly debatable."
He gave a slight wink - unrepentant flirt.
Turning to the others, he bowed slightly. "Farewell, Princess. Rhaevan." A moment later, he stepped into the carriage. The heavy wooden door clicked shut, and the horses moved out. I gave a small wave as the carriage rolled past the gates.
The courtyard immediately felt far too quiet.
Lysenne watched the dust settle before turning back to us. "I shall be remaining at the Tower tonight. There is still damage to assess in the lower district tomorrow, and I intend to accompany Rhaevan to oversee the guards."
"Yeah, yeah. Suit yourself."
The words spilled out of my mouth before my brain could stop them.
Instantly, both Lysenne and Rhaevan looked at me.
I cleared my throat, attempting a swift recovery. "I mean... that sounds entirely logical and proper."
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air. Brilliant work, Cassiane.
I clutched Cookie against my chest like a shield. "Well," I said, taking a strategic step backward. "I must take my leave. Cookie and I have... urgent matters to handle."
On cue, Cookie let out a massive, nose-crinkling yawn.
"Extremely urgent," I repeated. Without waiting for a response, I sprinted to my room.
By evening, I was sitting in the main garden. Cookie lay sprawled across the stone bench beside me, fast asleep and blissfully unaware of the social trainwreck called human existence.
I stared up at the night sky. "Everything is completely fine," I whispered to the rustling leaves. "I am totally fine."
Cookie didn't even twitch an ear. I let out a miserable sigh.
"Speaking to the trees again?"
I snapped my head up. Theo stood behind me, looking utterly unbothered by the dark.
Does everyone in this castle have a tracking spell on me?
"When did you return?" I asked, shifting over slightly.
"An hour ago." He sat down beside me with effortless grace. "I heard of the incident at the festival."
I winced, my posture stiffening. "Yes. A complete success, as you can tell."
"Rhaevan and Lysenne are riding into the lower district tomorrow," Theo said, his sharp eyes lingering on my face. "You should accompany them."
"Absolutely not."
"A remarkably fast answer."
"I've had many hours to consider it, Theo."
"Correction: you have had many hours to avoid considering it."
I glared at him, but he merely offered a calm, knowing smile.
"You did a good thing yesterday, Cassiane."
I blinked, caught off guard. "I nearly got crushed by an enraged beast. And... my magic tore loose in front of the entire square."
"You saved a child's life," Theo said quietly, his tone lacking any of Rhaevan's sharp judgment. "You acted when terror would have kept anyone else frozen. That matters. And as for your magic-it has been managed. No harm came of it."
I looked away toward the garden fountain. Nobody had framed it like that. Rhaevan had made me feel as though I were a walking catastrophe waiting to erase the kingdom.
"Go tomorrow," Theo urged gently. "Do not let pride or fear trap you in these walls. Just go."
I chewed on my lip, wrestling with the thought, before letting out a defeated exhale. "Fine. I will think on it."
"Good." Theo paused, leaning back. "Is there something else troubling you?"
I peeked at him sideways. "I think I need a different mentor, Theo. Things are... difficult between Rhaevan and me after last night."
Theo looked quietly amused.
"Or perhaps you simply need to speak with him honestly."
I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. "I don't want to speak with him."
"Which is precisely why it is necessary."
Ugh. Why must old mages always sound so insufferably wise?
"Fine," I grumbled, scooping Cookie up under my arm as I stood. "I'll go find him."
"May the gods grant you patience," Theo murmured smoothly.
I marched through the dimly lit corridors, tracing the path toward Rhaevan's study, but found the doors heavy and closed. I walked further down the east wing until the cool night breeze led me toward the open high balconies.
I stopped near the archway shadow.
Standing out on the balcony were Rhaevan and Lysenne. He was leaning casually against the stone railing, looking out, while Lysenne stood beside him, speaking in a soft, melodic tone.
She said something I couldn't hear, and then she laughed.
A moment later, Rhaevan turned his head toward her- and smiled.
It wasn't his stiff, strained mentor smile. It wasn't the cold, guarded expression he wore when measuring my power. It was easy. Unforced. Unburdened.
He was, looking lighter than I had ever seen him.
Because around her, he doesn't have to worry about a dangerous variable breaking his world.
I stopped in my tracks.
I watched them for a single heartbeat longer before stepping backward into the deep shadows of the corridor.
What were you honestly expecting, Cassiane?
I turned around quietly, my chest tight and cold, and walked back toward my room alone.