Aria's POV
Late night. I'm reviewing contracts when I hear it.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
At my window. Third floor.
I walk slowly to the window. Pull back the curtain.
A man clings to the building. Dark clothes. Familiar face.
Nikolai Volkov. My former royal guard.
I open the window. He climbs inside silently.
Princess, he whispers.
Don't call me that. She's dead.
Not to me. Nikolai straightens. Five years have aged him. It's good to see you alive.
How did you find me?
I never stopped watching. He pulls out a file. I've been building a loyalist network. People who remember you. Who know the truth.
My throat tightens. How many?
Twenty guards inside the palace. Fifty servants. A dozen nobles. Hundreds outside.
That's not an army.
It's a start. He hands me the file. We're ready when you are.
I open it. Names. Positions. Resources. Years of work.
This is dangerous. If Celestia finds out
She won't. We've been careful. He glances at the door. What do you need?
Information. Everything on Lord Marcus. Financial records. Communications. Every dirty secret.
Nikolai nods. Marcus has offshore accounts. Millions hidden. Stolen from the kingdom.
Can you prove it?
Give me three days. Bank statements. Transaction records. Everything you need to bury him.
Good. I pace. If we prove he's stealing, embezzling
Celestia will turn on him. Then she's vulnerable.
Exactly.
Nikolai is quiet. What about Prince Kael?
My chest tightens. What about him?
He's asking questions. Staring. Can we trust him?
I don't know.
That's not an answer, Princess.
Don't call me that. I snap. Then softer, I don't know if we can trust him. He's engaged to Celestia.
He was forced. Threatened with war.
I stop pacing. How do you know?
I was there. In the council meeting. After you disappeared, Celestia threatened to invade his kingdom unless he married her. Nikolai's voice is gentle. He didn't choose her. He chose survival for his people.
My heart pounds. So he didn't choose her?
No. He's spent five years mourning you. I've seen him at your memorial. I've seen his sketches. He's not your enemy.
Tears burn. That doesn't mean I can trust him.
Maybe not. But you can use him.
How?
He's investigating you. Instead of hiding, give him what he needs. Let him discover the truth. But control when and how.
Too dangerous.
More dangerous than Celestia figuring it out first? Nikolai challenges. She's already asking questions about you.
I know. She confronted me.
Then you're running out of time. You need allies. Kael could be your most powerful one.
I sink into a chair. Not until I have enough evidence against Marcus and Celestia.
When will that be?
Soon. I look up. Investigate Marcus's finances. Every account. Every transaction. Enough to bury him ten times over.
Consider it done.
Nikolai? Be careful. If Marcus finds out
He won't. I've been dead to the world for five years. He moves to the window. I'm good at staying invisible.
He starts to climb out.
Wait. Thank you. For never giving up.
You're my princess. I'll never give up. He pauses. One more thing. Marcus has been digging into your background. Whatever identity you built, he's trying to tear it apart.
Let him try. Aria Winters is airtight.
Is she? Marcus is smart. Ruthless. If there's even one crack
There isn't.
For your sake, I hope you're right. I'll contact you in three days. Stay safe, Princess.
He disappears into the night.
I close the window and lean against it.
Three days. Then I'll have evidence against Marcus.
Then I can destroy Celestia's support system. Piece by piece.
But Nikolai's words echo.
What about Prince Kael?
I don't know. I honestly don't know.
Part of me wants to trust him. Wants to believe he's innocent.
But another part the part that's been burned and betrayed can't risk it.
Not yet.
I return to my desk. Open my laptop.
But I can't concentrate.
All I can think about is Kael. His storm gray eyes. The way he looks at me like I'm a ghost.
I thought she died. At least, I thought she did.
What did he mean? Does he suspect? Is he hoping?
I shake my head. Focus.
But my phone buzzes. Unknown number.
My blood runs cold.
I open it.
I know what you're planning. Meet me in the east garden. Midnight. Come alone. Or everyone learns the truth about Aria Winters.
No signature.
Could be Celestia. Marcus. Someone else.
A trap. Obviously a trap.
But I can't ignore it.
I check the time. 11:45 PM. Fifteen minutes.
I should tell Nikolai. Ask for backup.
But the message said come alone.
I grab my phone and head for the door.
Whatever's waiting in that garden, I'm about to find out.