Maria did not slow down when the doors of the king's chamber slammed behind her. The guards at the corridor straightened at once, but none dared speak. Her steps were sharp, uneven, almost like she was outrunning something that followed too closely behind.
By the time she crossed the courtyard and stepped out of the castle, the air hit her face cold and hard. It did nothing to calm her.
Then she saw her.
Friya stood ahead, dressed in silk, calm as ever, like nothing in the world could shake her. Her eyes narrowed the moment she spotted Maria.
"I heard you were in the King's chamber," Friya said, her tone smooth, almost curious. "What took you there?"
Maria stopped.
Slowly, she lifted her head.
Her eyes were red. Not from tears alone, but from something deeper, something burning beneath the surface. "You can have your shameless man," Maria roared.
The words did not just come out. They struck. She moved forward, closing the distance between them in a few long strides. Friya's body reacted before her mind did. She stepped back without meaning to.
Maria did not stop. Her presence pressed in, heavy, suffocating. "This should be the last time you stand on my path," Maria said, her voice low now, dangerous. "The next time it happens."
She leaned in slightly, her gaze locking onto Friya's. "I will break you into pieces."
For a second, even the wind seemed to hold its breath. Maria straightened, her jaw tightening. "Now get off my path."
Friya moved.
Not slowly. Not with pride. She shifted aside at once, her heart pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears.
Maria brushed past her and kept walking, not looking back.
Friya remained where she was, frozen, watching her disappear into the distance. Something about that exchange lingered. It wasn't just anger. It was final.
"What has come over her?" Friya whispered to herself. "Why is she acting like this?"
Her brows furrowed. "What did they discuss?" She did not wait for an answer. She turned and walked back into the castle, her steps quicker now.
When she reached Drexo's chamber, she pushed the door open without knocking. She never knocked.
The door slammed against the wall.
Inside, Drexo turned sharply. His face was tense, his eyes strained, like he had been holding himself together by force alone.
"When will you learn to knock?" he snapped.
Friya did not respond to that. Her eyes scanned his face, taking in the redness around his eyes, the tightness in his jaw.
Something had broken. "What did you discuss with Maria?" she asked.
Drexo's fists clenched at his sides. "What you have always wanted," he said, his voice flat. "I ended things with her." The words hung in the air.
For a moment, Friya simply stared at him. Then a smile began to form. Slow at first. Then wider.
Relief, qnd victory. She stepped forward, her arms opening. "Oh my dear!"
"Get out. Now!" Drexo roar. The roar cut through her like a blade.
Friya froze mid-step. Her body jerked slightly, her breath catching. The warmth in her face vanished. Without another word, she turned sharply and walked out.
The door remained open behind her. For a second, Drexo stood still. Then he moved.
He shut the door violently, the sound echoing through the chamber. His strength left him all at once. He sank to the floor, his back hitting the wood as he slid down.
His hands came to his face. And then he broke. No guards. No council. No crown. Just a man, sitting on the floor, crying like he had lost something he could never replace.
Outside the castle, Maria did not stop walking. Her steps carried her straight to her residence. The warriors stationed there rose immediately at the sight of her.
Helen stepped forward. "Are you alright?" Maria stopped in front of them. For a second, she said nothing. Then, "Prepare the ships. We are leaving."
The words landed heavily.
The girls exchanged glances, confusion spreading across their faces. "To where?" Helen asked carefully. "We cannot be seen anywhere close to the North."
Maria nodded once. "Yes."
Her voice was steady, but something beneath it trembled. "We can go to Dorne. Or Westmoor. Even Bravos."
She paused. "But we cannot remain here."
"Why?" Helen pressed. Maria's eyes flickered for a moment. She looked away. "It is an order," she said sharply. "Not a debate."
Helen straightened immediately. "Yes, Commander."
Maria turned and walked away. Behind her, the girls remained still for a moment, their eyes meeting, questions passing silently between them.
Evelyn had heard everything. She was already in the room when Maria entered. Waiting.
Watching.
"I presume it didn't go well," Evelyn said quietly.
Maria shook her head. "It was a mistake going there in the first place." Evelyn stepped forward slowly and wrapped her arms around her. "I am sorry," she whispered. "Did you at least tell him?"
Maria pulled away from her embrace. Her face hardened. "He doesn't deserve to know." Evelyn's brows drew together. Maria's voice dropped, colder now. "I will leave far away and have my child."
The words felt heavier this time. "I will take the shame," she continued. "But he will never come close to me again."
Silence filled the room. Evelyn stared at her, searching her face, but Maria did not waver.
Outside, movement had already begun. The warriors gathered their things. Some moved toward the docks. Others checked supplies, mended ropes, prepared the ships.
No one spoke much. The air felt tight, and final.
From the castle, high above, Drexo stood by his window. He had stopped crying, but his face still carried the marks of it. His eyes were fixed on the distance. On the movement below. On the ships being prepared.
He did not move. He did not call out. He only watched.