Roswell stood by her chamber window, her fingers tightening on the silk curtain as the crested carriage began to roll out of the palace gate. The sun had barely climbed the hills, but already Albert was leaving, and she had only found out this morning, from a loose-lipped servant carrying linens.
She hadn't been told. Not a letter, not a word.
Her father was right. He didn't love her. But couldn't he at least try? As she loved him so deeply.
Her hands pressed gently against her baby bump, soft and trembling, as if trying to console herself. A single tear slipped silently down her cheek, tracing the curve of her face like a silent confession of the ache inside.
She watched the carriage disappear from view, feeling smaller and more fragile than ever. Alone, heavy with the weight of her child and the cold truth of unrequited love.
Meanwhile, Baron Albert reclined lazily in the velvet-lined carriage, his posture smug and effortless. One hand toyed with the golden rings adorning his fingers, the other held a goblet of spiced wine. Behind him, trunks glinted with coins, and rolls of shimmering fabric, gifts meant to dazzle the Hivites, were carefully stacked.
King Kai had given in to his request and also entrusted him with a letter stamped with the seal of Creedom, to be presented to the Hivite king. Albert was no fool; he sought the official title of emissary not for honor, but for personal gain.
Using the estates and lands his fiancée's father had granted him, he planned to forge his own business ties with the Hivites, building a fortune on the borderlands under the guise of diplomacy.
***
Eugene entered the study, carrying a goblet filled with dark red liquid.
"Milord," he greeted softly, setting the goblet down. "How did your day go?"
Typhon didn't look up, voice sharp but laced with genuine worry.
"What were you thinking, letting a human tread on cursed ground? She's not immune to what's out there, anyone could bring back sickness, and she won't survive if it catches her."
Eugene froze, head bowed.
Ever since the separation of the two lands, Hivites and Hittites, the brook that once signified their strength has been seen as ill fate. Not just anyone is allowed near it. That's why the kingdoms agreed to cross borders only at night to avoid unnecessary disputes.
"It was my fault," Eugene confessed quietly. "She wanted some material to work with."
Typhon sighed deeply, the weight of old friendship and responsibility heavy on him.
"You and I have come a long way, Eugene. But this is different, her life, our people's safety, it's all at stake."
"Did you find anything strange?"
"Yes," Eugene nodded, eyes still lowered. "Though I almost missed it, the human noticed the plants thriving near the brook, despite everything."
Typhon's gaze finally fixed on Eugene, dark and unreadable.
"Watch that human closely. If she brings danger, I want to know first "
Eugene nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I understand, milord. I will watch her closely, and if anything seems wrong, you'll be the first to know."
Typhon's voice softened slightly, though the steel remained. "Good. I trust you. But be careful, Eugene."
A tense silence hung between them before Typhon finally stood, his broad frame casting a shadow over the room.
"She may be human, but she's more dangerous than any mage I've faced. Don't let that fool you."
With that, Typhon turned to the window, staring out at the darkening sky as if searching for answers in the night.