Morning came with rain . Soft at first — then insistent drumming against the stained glass of the East wing , turning the castle is corridors into veins of silver light and shadow .
Elira welcomed the quiet it brought . Rain drowned whispers .
She worked alone at her desk , transcribed sealed letters that had arrived from the Southern front , the scent of ink and parchments thick in the air . But her focus was fractured — ever since the note , every sound felt too sharp , every silence too deep .
The memory of Caelum is hand brushing hers refused to fade . Neither did his warning .
" This court devours its own ."
He had said it not as a man of power , but as one who had seen the bones .
A knock came . Twice — deliberate .
" Enter ," she said .
Commander Varek stepped inside , rain clinging to his cloak . His presence filled the small chamber , solid and reassuring .
" You are to attend the Prince in the war council at the tenth bell ," he said .
" Again ?"
He nodded . " The High Council demanded a review of your findings . Down claim your accusations were … politically motivated ."
She exhaled slowly . " Lady Solenne is hand ."
Varek is jaw tensed . " She is stirring old factions . The nobility never forgives a lowborn who outsmarts them ."
He paused , then added in a lower tone , " Elira … if you have angered her , be cautious . Solenne does not move openly — she moves through others ."
Elira met his eyes . " I am not afraid of her ."
He almost smiled . " You should be ."
The High Council chamber was a different kind of battlefield .
Marble walls gleamed with banners of silver and black . At the center stood a round table — symbolic equality , though everyone knew the crown still ruled its circle .
Elira entered behind Caelum , as was proper , keeping a careful distance . She could feel the noble is gazes sweep over her — the common — born scribe standing among them like a misplaced pawn .
Solenne sat opposite , poised , a faint smile painting her lips .
" Your Grace ," she said smoothly to Caelum , " we were merely discussing the curious accuracy of your scribe is deductions ."
" Accuracy should not be curious ." Caelum replied . " It should be expected ."
A murmur rippled through the table .
Solenne tilted her head . " Indeed . Yet , some wonder how one so recently introduced to court affairs could posses such insight . Unless , of course , her sources are not entirely … official ."
Caelum is tone cooled . " Are you implying espionage , Lady Solenne ?"
" Merely suggesting prudence , Highness . A Prince as wise as you must see the danger of placingg too much trust in untested hands ."
Elira said nothing — not yet . Her pulse was steady , her mind working .
Then Caelum looked at her . " Speak , Scribe Vane ."
Every eye turned .
Elira lifted her chin , voice calm . " If my loyalty is in question , I welcome the truth — binding oath ."
A ripple of surprise faltered . " That is unnecessary —"
" It is justice," Elira said , cutting her off — quietly , but with weight . " In Darethia , no falsehood survives the binding ."
Caelum is eyes flickered — approval , swiftly masked .
He drew a sigil in the air — a faint shimmer of gold forming between them . " So be it ."
The truth — ward ignited . The chamber hushed .
Caelum is voice was ritual — soft . " Elira Vane , do you serve the realm of Darethia and its crown ?"
" I do ."
" Have you spoken falsehoods Im your service ?"
" I have not ."
" Do you seek to deceive me or those i command ?"
Her gaze met his . " Never."
The magic pulsed — warm , alive — then faded .
The truth has accepted her words .
Caelum whispered through the hall . Solenne is hand tightened on her chair .
Caelum is tone was iron . " The matter is settled ."
After the council dispersed , Caelum lingered near the balcony , storm now breaking beyond the glass .
Elira joined him in silence
" You should not have done that ," he said quietly .
" What else could I do ?"
" You could have let me defend you ."
She looked at him , the faintest smile on her lips . " I did ."
For a moment , something unspoken passed between them — not defiance , but understanding . Trust , fragile and dangerous .
Rain streaked the glass behind them and he turned to face her fully .
" I cannot keep shielding you from them ," he said .
" I do not need shielding ."
" Yes , you do ." His voice softened . " You are too honest for this court , Elira . That will either save you … or destroy you ."
Her breath caught . " And which do you believe it will be ?"
He hesitated — long enough that it hurt .
" Botg ."
That night , she dreamt of fire .
A city burning . A crown melting into the stone . And Caelum — standing in the flames , I burned , eyes full of light that was not his own .
When she woke , her sheets were damp with rain seeping through the window shutters . Or perhaps it was sweat .
Outside , thunder still rolled across the mountains . Inside , a new message waited under her door .
No seal . Just a single line , written in crimson ink .
The truth has a price . Are you ready to pay it ?
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