Chapter 73
"Umm... I have a doubt," I said slowly, raising my hand slightly like a student about to ask a deeply concerning question during class.
Everyone stopped talking and looked at me. Again. I was beginning to notice a distinct pattern forming.
I glanced around the infirmary cautiously before lowering my voice - or at least attempting to lower it. Unfortunately, my definition of whispering and everyone else's definition of whispering were two entirely different concepts.
"Are open discussions about all this really okay?" I asked, gesturing vaguely toward the room around us. "I mean... this is still a public infirmary. There are people here."
I pointed toward the healer organizing potion vials near the shelves. "What if they're spies planted by the enemy?"
The moment the words left my mouth, the healer turned very slowly toward me.
Oh. Wonderful.
Based on his expressions, my "quiet whisper" had successfully reached every living organism inside the room, including the stone walls. Lucien coughed into his hand, very clearly trying not to laugh out loud. Traitor.
The room fell quiet for a second. The fact that nobody immediately dismissed my concern only encouraged me further.
"Like seriously," I continued, folding my arms with growing confidence. "Isn't this basic logic? Important kingdom secrets should be discussed inside soundproof chambers or hidden underground rooms with dramatic lighting and maps on the walls. Maybe a giant round table, too."
Rhaevan blinked once. Lysenne looked mildly exhausted already.
Theo, however, adjusted the glasses slipping slightly down his nose and spoke first. "Cassiane," he said calmly, in the exact tone professors use before explaining why your concern is technically valid but also mildly ridiculous, "I appreciate your caution."
Which meant I was at least partially correct. Victory.
"But," Theo continued smoothly, "we are merely informing Lucien about information already known within the Tower. The mages and healers here are aware of the situation involving Varynthar and the Veiled Thorn. The Tower serves as a primary magical stronghold across kingdoms,
which means those working here are regularly informed about potential threats so they may prepare accordingly."
Oh. That... actually made sense. Unfortunately.
"And as for spies," Theo added, looking at me from above his glasses with the smallest hint of amusement in his eyes, "nobody inside this Tower falls outside my awareness. This is my domain. No one enters or leaves without my knowledge, and I intend to keep it that way."
He offered a small, terrifyingly confident smile.
Ah. Right. Noted.
I folded my arms tighter immediately. "Well," I muttered defensively, "good for you."
Lucien was visibly enjoying this conversation far too much.
"Honestly," I continued before my survival instincts could properly intervene, "that already sounds significantly more secure than the palace."
Lysenne blinked.
Oops.
"Any random idiot could cross those walls, apparently," I scoffed, immediately remembering all the times I had snuck out, the night Rhaevan found me, and the fact that I had literally been kidnapped during a royal ball hosted inside said palace. Even anthills had better security.
Lysenne cleared her throat softly. Only then did my brain reconnect important social details. Right. She handled palace affairs.
I turned toward her slowly, offering a deeply apologetic smile. "...That may have sounded harsher out loud."
Lysenne sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose like someone carrying the weight of an entire kingdom and a migraine simultaneously. "You're not wrong," she admitted tiredly. "The palace security needs severe improvement."
"See?" I said immediately, pointing toward her triumphantly. "Someone sensible!"
Before I could continue my highly constructive criticism of royal infrastructure, the healer approached Theo carrying a stack of scrolls. The look he gave me made it very clear he had heard every word I said and had added me personally to his list of enemies.
"Master Theo," the healer said professionally, choosing to ignore my existence for the sake of his peace. "Prince Lucien can be shifted from the infirmary today."
Lucien straightened up immediately, hope returning to his face so fast it was almost emotional.
"He is healing exceptionally well, we have removed the traces of dark magic" the healer continued. "We will continue monitoring him regularly, but he may gradually resume light activities."
The moment he finished speaking, Lucien visibly relaxed. Meanwhile, I squeaked - actually squeaked - then gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up from across the room. Lucien laughed softly, winking back at me. Alive, annoying, and fully functioning. Excellent.
"Well," Theo said with a nod. "That is good news."
"It truly is," Lysenne agreed softly.
Theo turned toward Lucien again. "I will inform your father personally that your condition has improved. Viremont has been requesting updates constantly."
Lucien sighed dramatically. "Wonderful. I survived an assassination attempt only to receive political concern."
"You should feel honored," Theo replied dryly.
"I don't."
Theo ignored that completely. "I shall take my leave then," he said calmly, gathering his scrolls before walking toward the arched doors.
And somehow, despite the constant threat of war, secret cults, corrupted magic, kidnappings, and my increasingly disastrous interactions with Rhaevan - for the first time in days - the room felt lighter.