I swear I didn't even sleep properly last night. My head was full of those stupid words Kael said— "You were never meant to stand beside him."It kept ringing in my ears like someone tapping a spoon inside a metal bowl.
Anyway, morning came, and honestly? I didn't feel like stepping outside at all. My face was still kinda swollen from crying yesterday, so I dragged my dupatta over half my face and went out only because the kitchen maid kept knocking like she wanted to break the door.
The palace courtyard was weirdly quiet. Normally the knights would be training or someone would be shouting about some royal order, but today? Nothing. Just this weird cold air like the whole place was holding its breath.
I was walking past the main hall when I heard two guards whispering. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but they were being loud and honestly my ears just picked up the words automatically.
"Is it true?""Yeah. They're preparing an investigation.""About the Princess' death?""Not just that… apparently the Prince was seen meeting Madam Helene late last night."
My heart legit dropped.Helene. Again.
Why was her name always mixed into trouble like she was a walking disaster factory?
I didn't stay to listen to more. My stomach already felt like it flipped upside down, so I walked off faster than usual. I went to the lake because it's the one place nobody bothers me. I sat on the edge and started throwing pebbles like some depressed anime protagonist.
I kept thinking about everything that's been happening. Every single time I think it can't get worse, something else hits me out of nowhere. I'm tired but I also can't walk away because it feels like the moment I do, the real truth will disappear again.
While I was deep in my own thoughts, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. Slow, hesitating ones.I didn't even turn around, assuming it was a servant or someone coming to call me back.
But then a voice spoke.A voice I would've recognized even in a crowd.
"Why are you sitting here alone?"
My whole body stiffened because it was him.Aeron.
I didn't answer at first. I didn't trust my voice not to crack.He walked closer and sat beside me, keeping a little distance like he was scared of scaring me.
"I looked for you," he said quietly.
I wanted to say Why? When you never listened anyway?But the words didn't come out.
He looked exhausted. Like he hadn't slept either. His hair was messy, his shirt a little wrinkled, and he wasn't wearing any royal brooch or anything. Just… Aeron, the man I used to know.
"What do you want?"I finally asked, staring straight at the water.
He exhaled, something between a sigh and something he was too scared to admit.
"I want to explain."
Of course he did.They always do when things start slipping out of their control.
"I don't want excuses," I said sharply. "Just tell me one thing. Are you involved with Helene or not?"
His jaw clenched instantly.
"No."
"No?" I looked at him properly now. "Or not anymore?"
"I was never—" He stopped, frustration flashing across his face. "It isn't what people think. She came to me last night, yes, but I didn't call for her."
I narrowed my eyes. "Then why was she in your chambers?"
Aeron looked away like he didn't want to show the expression on his face.For a second, he actually looked… ashamed.
"She told me someone was trying to frame you," he said finally. "She insisted she had proof, so I listened. Nothing more."
"She lied, Aeron," I snapped. "She's been lying since the beginning."
"I know that now."
He said it so quietly I almost didn't hear it.
And then he added something even more shocking:
"The Council wants to question you. About the Princess' death."
My stomach dropped again."What? Why me? I wasn't even near—"
"I know!" he cut me off. "I know you didn't do anything. But someone is dragging your name into this deliberately."
For the first time, he actually sounded panicked.
"They're saying the Princess ordered your exile… and that you held a grudge."
I laughed.Like full-on laughed because the accusation was so insane.
"Aeron, your sister hated me so much she wouldn't even share the same hallway. Why would I ever go near her, let alone—"
"I know," he whispered.
There was silence again.The wind blew.The water rippled.
Then Aeron suddenly looked straight at me, seriousness all over his face.
"I don't care what they say. I'm not letting them take you."
I froze.Not because of the words, but because of the way he said them.Firm. Unshakeable. Like he meant every single syllable.
"Aeron… why now? Why are you suddenly acting like—"
"Because I was stupid," he interrupted. "Because I believed the wrong people. Because I let things fall apart when I should've stood beside you."
For a moment, his voice actually cracked.
"I don't want to lose you again."
My chest tightened.
But before I could say anything back, a loud horn echoed from the palace.A signal.
Aeron shot to his feet instantly.
"They've called a meeting," he said. "The Council is deciding your fate today."
I stood up too—even though my knees were literally shaking.
"So what do I do?""Stay behind me," he said. "No matter what happens."
He grabbed my wrist, and for the first time in weeks, I didn't pull away.
We walked back toward the palace together, both of us tense, the sunlight hitting the white walls harshly.
Something was waiting for us inside.Something big.Something that would either clear my name…
…or destroy what little I had left.
And deep down, I felt it—
Today wasn't going to end normally.Today was the day the truth would finally break open.