Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 426. Thinking Too Loud
"I… I…" Jane stammered, eyes flicking up to meet hers again. "Thank you. For saving me. And the village that day. I would've been dead without you. Both of you."
Rose's expression softened. A breath escaped her lips—half a laugh, half regret. "It's fine. The village falls under Zephyrus' territory. But… with the political instability, it was neglected."
There was a pause, charged and heavy.
Jane's eyes darted around again, as if suddenly aware of the watchful silence around her. "Why did you summon me here?" she asked, more gently now. "After all these months? Why now?"
Rose tilted her head. "Let's talk inside."
She reached out and gently placed a hand on Jane's arm. Not royal. Not commanding.
Just… familiar.
"You need to meet someone," Rose added, already turning toward the doors.
Jane hesitated. "Who?"
Rose's steps didn't pause.
"Is it Sir Rai?" Jane asked, voice almost too quiet.
Rose glanced over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming. "Yes. Sir Rai."
The name hit like a dropped sword.
Jane stiffened slightly, but followed without another word.
The walk through the inner halls of White Moon Castle was quiet, but far from calm.
Rose led the way. The chandeliers above flickered softly with golden flame.
The scent of jasmine oil and old parchment filled the corridor.
Behind her, Jane moved like someone trying not to be noticed—careful, guarded, unsure of how she'd gone from a forgotten princess to standing inside a queen's private corridor in under an hour.
"You're thinking too loudly," Rose said over her shoulder.
Jane blinked. "What?"
Rose didn't turn. "Your thoughts. I can practically feel them scratching the back of my spine."
Jane gave a breathless, half-nervous laugh. "Well, I think that's allowed. The last time I saw you, you were covered in ash and fighting with a whip."
Rose finally looked back. "And you protected the villagers by threatening to sink your teeth into anyone who came near."
A faint flush rose to Jane's cheeks. "I didn't know who you were."
"You still don't."
That made Jane pause.
But Rose didn't stop walking. Her pace remained steady as the parlor doors came into view—double doors of dark ironwood etched with curling silver lines. The guards stationed outside bowed and stepped aside without a word.
Rose reached for the handle.
"You can leave if you want," she said suddenly, quiet but sharp. "Before you go in. No chains. No title forcing you."
Jane's voice was barely above a whisper. "Why would I leave?"
"Because once you know the truth, you'll never unknow it."
She looked back.
And saw the fear.
Not the fear of her. Of the castle. Not even of what they might ask her to become again.
But fear of being known. Of the past finding her. Of the weight of memory pressing its claws back into her skin.
But Jane didn't move.
Rose gave the smallest nod.
Then she opened the doors.
The parlor was warm.
A fire crackled in the wide stone hearth, casting amber light over velvet furniture and polished floors. The scent of fresh citrus peel and rosewood lingered in the air. Tea had already been set—three cups. Two untouched.
The other—
"Sir Rai?" Jane said.
Her voice barely reached a whisper.
The man standing near the window turned slowly.
Gone was the mask. Gone the armor. The soldier.
Angel turned to face her in full.
His royal black tunic was elegant. A sword still hung at his side, but his presence… his presence was what changed.
A king didn't need a crown to be recognized.
Jane took a step back.
"You…" she breathed. "You're…"
Angel offered the faintest nod. "Angelus Raizel Moonfall."
"He is the king of Euphorion and my husband," Rose announced.
Jane's breath hitched. Her hand clutched the edge of her cloak.
Rose watched, silent now, as it all clicked behind her wide eyes.
"You were both… that day…" Jane whispered. "I was with… two royals?"
"No," Rose said. "You were with two people who chose to fight for what mattered. That's all we were that day."
Jane looked between them.
"I don't understand why I'm here," she said, her voice raw.
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