The bedroom door closed softly behind Josselyn.
She paused at the threshold, her body still holding traces of tension that had not fully faded.
Her hand drifted over her stomach.
"I have to take it now."
At last, she moved.
Calm. Measured. Yet there was a stiffness she could not entirely conceal.
She had only taken a few steps when a voice greeted her.
"Up early."
Josselyn stopped.
Howarth leaned casually against the hallway wall, arms folded across his chest. His gaze traveled over her without shame, assessing.
"Your face…" the corner of his lips lifted slightly, "looks brighter than usual."
Josselyn looked at him flatly. She did not answer.
She turned and continued walking, passing him as if nothing had happened.
Howarth raised a brow.
"No denial?" he teased lightly.
Josselyn remained silent. Her steps did not falter, nor did they slow.
If she opened her mouth now, the topic would spiral.
And today, she had no time for that.
~
The kitchen was still empty.
Josselyn went straight to the counter, her hands moving without hesitation. She gathered several ingredients, measuring and mixing.
Her movements were quick and precise, too precise for a mind in disarray.
She stared at the liquid in the small bowl before her.
"Damn. I really don't remember," she muttered.
Not a single fragment of memory could be pulled back. Nothing.
But the sensations in her body and the state she woke up in that morning were more than enough to explain everything.
Josselyn clenched her jaw.
"I won't take even the smallest risk."
Her voice was barely audible. Her hands moved again, adding the final ingredient, a mixture of crushed carrot seeds and bitter root extract, into the blend.
"This isn't the time," Josselyn shook her head. "This is not the time for something like that to happen."
She had only just begun her revenge. Only just started laying the first steps toward what she intended to achieve.
"If I suddenly end up pregnant now…"
Josselyn closed her eyes briefly. She had not even earned full trust yet.
From the King.
From the palace.
From the Crown Prince.
If anything, she would be seen as a problem. And problems were always removed.
"Discarded," she murmured.
Her eyes opened again, colder now.
"I have to control everything."
The small spoon in her hand trembled faintly. She set it down on the table, then immediately drank the contraceptive mixture in one go.
"What is that?"
Howarth's voice came again. He had stopped beside the counter, glancing at the mixture.
Josselyn turned her head slightly.
"None of your business."
Howarth leaned back against the counter. "You're even blocking your thoughts."
It sounded like both a question and a statement.
"You don't want me to know what happened last night?" he chuckled softly. "You kept this entire house awake, Josselyn."
Josselyn froze. Now, her full attention snapped to the silver-haired man.
"What?"
Howarth raised a brow. "Your voice."
Silence. Josselyn's gaze sharpened instantly.
"Howarth."
"I'm serious," he cut in quickly. "This entire wing probably heard it."
Josselyn's eyes widened. Her grip on the cup tightened.
"That's impossible."
"Mm." Howarth nodded casually. "Very possible."
He folded his arms again.
"I have to admit, it was quite… impressive."
Josselyn turned her face away. A flush spread up to her ears.
"Be quiet."
"Why?" Howarth laughed softly. "You were the one doing it, not me."
Josselyn closed her eyes for a moment.
Damn it.
How much did they hear?
She swallowed, then opened her eyes again, forcing her expression back to neutral.
"It has nothing to do with you. So there's no need to discuss it."
"Everything is my business if it ruins my sleep," Howarth replied lightly.
He paused for a moment, then asked in a much more serious tone,
"Do you remember it?"
Josselyn's fingers stilled. Just for a fraction of a second. Then they resumed, tapping lightly against the table.
"No."
Her answer was short. Flat. But there had been a slight pause before it, one Howarth did not miss.
"Hmm…" he hummed quietly.
There was something in his expression. Not surprise, not curiosity. Something closer to disappointment.
"So… still not enough, huh."
His tone remained casual, but there was tension beneath it.
Josselyn frowned. "Enough for what?"
Howarth shrugged. "What I did yesterday."
His voice was light, but his eyes were sharp. "You don't remember."
Josselyn's brows knit together. Was there something else besides Killian?
"Oh, there is," Howarth answered immediately.
Josselyn straightened, as if she had just been caught off guard.
"Maybe because you used your ability too much yesterday," he said, studying her more closely, "so you needed more."
Josselyn held his gaze, but her thoughts grew louder. She reached for her memories. Fragments surfaced.
"I'll take her back myself."
Howarth's voice, helping her onto the horse.
Then nothing.
Another fragment appeared. Her wide smile at the beautiful lake. The cold water touching her heels.
Then, waking up to find Killian asleep beside her.
"Did we…" Josselyn turned slowly.
Howarth sighed, then smiled again.
"It's fine. At least someone was able to finish it."
Josselyn's lips pressed together. Seeing that he did not intend to continue, she swallowed the words she had nearly spoken.
"Is he going to the village today?"
Josselyn frowned. "I don't know yet. We haven't talked about it."
Howarth scoffed softly.
"Judging by how he reacted to you yesterday…" the corner of his lips lifted, "I doubt he'll let you go alone."
"I expect as much," Josselyn replied.
"That's not good news." Howarth picked up a clean cup and began preparing tea with practiced ease.
"The Crown Prince's presence in the village is too conspicuous. Too risky. The villagers might react." He stirred the tea.
"Or worse. They haven't forgotten the incident from a few years ago." He took a sip. "It could ruin everything."
"But Lyria… should be enough proof that we came with good intentions," Josselyn said.
Howarth glanced toward the kitchen entrance. Footsteps approached.
Light, but clear.
Josselyn had no time to react before someone was already standing right behind her. Too close.
Her shoulders tensed instinctively.
Warm breath brushed against her ear.
"Why did you wake up so early…"
The voice was low, almost a whisper meant only for her.
Josselyn froze.
"…and leave me alone in bed?"
Her heart beat harder. She held herself still, not answering right away.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Howarth greeted lightly, or perhaps mockingly.
Killian did not respond. He did not even turn. His gaze remained fixed on Josselyn, waiting.
Slowly, Josselyn turned to face him. From the corner of her eye, she caught the cold look in Howarth's eyes behind Killian's shoulder.
He's just pretending, she thought.
Howarth merely raised a brow, the corner of his lips curling.
Quickly, Josselyn refocused on Killian.
"Your Highness."
Her voice was steady again, as if nothing had happened.
She dipped her head slightly in respect.
Killian studied her for several seconds. His gaze dropped to the small cup in her hand, then returned to her face.
"You didn't answer my question."
Josselyn lifted her chin slightly.
"What should I explain, Your Highness?"
Killian stepped closer.
"Nothing?" he repeated softly.
Josselyn did not step back.
"Nothing."
Howarth cleared his throat softly.
"If you're done…" he said casually, "I just want to know whether we're still heading to the village today, or if you need more rest after such a long, heated night."
Josselyn shot him a look from the corner of her eye.
Howarth shrugged, his lips moving silently.
Just asking.
Killian did not turn immediately. His gaze remained on Josselyn.
"We're going."
Josselyn's eyes shifted at once.
"Your Highness, it would be better if—"
"I'm coming."