"Are you sure?" Maxwell asked, his brow furrowed.
"Yes. One of the men saw the emblem — he's convinced it's them," Ethan said, voice tight. "But I'm not sure. It'd be a stupid move to send soldiers with that mark if they wanted to hide who they are. It could be a trap."
Maxwell's jaw clenched. "Okay. Make a fake carriage full of soldiers. Send it ahead of us — draw them out."
"I did. Sir.... " Ethan answered, though his hands trembled slightly.
"Good… good," he exhaled.
"Maxwell, why did you do that? ," Ethan added, his voice low but insistent.
"Do what?" Max shot back, though the flicker in his eyes betrayed him.
"Really?" Ethan snapped, exasperation cracking his composure.
Max's breath hitched. "I… I couldn't hold it together, okay?" he burst out, voice trembling between anger and guilt. "I got angry — at her, at myself… at everything! How was I supposed to know he'd push that hard? I just— I lost it, right there."
You said they're going to kill her… of course she wants to know who wants to kill her!" Ethan's voice trembled — disbelief and fear lacing every word.
"You— you heard?" Max asked, panic tightening his chest, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I think everyone heard," Ethan replied, the words landing heavy.
"I know! I know!" Max's voice cracked. "I was angry— I couldn't control it! I just… I blabbed!" His hands clenched into fists, trembling.
Ethan's eyes burned with frustration. "It's hard for her not to know the truth, Max. She deserves it. She has no idea she was poisoned— through her pregnancy! If you don't tell her, she'll hate you."
Max looked away, jaw tightening, shadows flickering across his face. "Then let her hate me," he said, voice low and breaking. "It's better that way."
" "What about you? Don't you need her?" Ethan asked, his voice low but steady, laced with concern. "You should've told her when you had the chance."
"I can't," Maxwell said, his lips pressed into a hard line. His eyes darted away, as if the truth itself was too heavy to face.
"Why not?" Ethan demanded, refusing to let it drop.
"Because… agh…" Maxwell's voice cracked, trembling on the edge of control. "Even I was going crazy when I heard it," he confessed, hands shaking as he dragged them through his hair. "I felt like I was losing my mind."
His eyes darted away, filled with fear and guilt. "If I tell her… I don't know what will happen. I don't know what she'll do, or how she'll even process it. It could break her." His voice dropped to a whisper. "She's tried to kill herself in front of me — I don't even remember how many times. She's been running from me for almost eight years. Not for freedom… but because she believes I'd kill her for revenge."
He drew in a shaking breath. "Her love for me… it's lost to time now. I'm not even sure she'd believe me anymore."
Ethan hesitated. "But—"
"Eventually, I'll tell her," Maxwell cut in, his voice sharp, trembling with restraint. "One day — even if she hates me for it." His tone softened, but the anguish lingered beneath every word. "But now… now isn't the time. It's too dangerous. I can't risk it."
He exhaled shakily, running a hand over his face. "She looks better now — healthier. I won't jeopardize that. If hating me keeps her safe, then so be it. It's better that way."
Ethan fell silent, letting the weight of Maxwell's words hang in the air. After a long pause, he cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Everything's ready… we're ready to go," he said, his voice steady, hiding the unease beneath.
""Ethan, go get her! I don't think Sisi will. I'll have to take Axel with me." Max's words came out rushed, his tone edged with panic. "Hurry — even if Amara doesn't get up, force her! I don't have time… we don't have time!" He was already moving toward the exit, his footsteps echoing through the hall.
"Yes, sir," Ethan replied.