The last of the courtiers bowed and withdrew. The great hall doors shut with a muted thud, and silence wrapped itself around the room like a heavy cloak. Only the whisper of the wind lingered through the open balcony, stirring the pale curtains.
Aurelia sat still, her fingers brushing the stem of her goblet though she hadn't touched the wine. The lingering voices and laughter had vanished; even Gwen stood motionless by the wall, quiet as shadow.
Valerian leaned back in his chair, eyes following the last servant's retreat. "Finally," he murmured. "Peace."
Aurelia's gaze drifted toward him, uncertain.
He turned his head slightly. "I told you we'd speak once we reached Valkoron," he said, breaking the silence between them.
"Yes," she said softly. "You did."
"And I meant it." His voice was calm, deep ... the tone of someone used to being obeyed, yet there was something quieter beneath it now. "It's time I explained why I married you."
Her brows drew together slightly. "I have been wondering that," she admitted. "Why would you? Everyone else thought I was unworthy ... even my betrothed."
Valerian reached for his goblet, turning it slowly in his hand. "You think I married you out of pity?"
"I don't know," she said. "I've tried to guess, but nothing ever made sense."
He was silent for a moment, then said, "You deserve the truth." He took a slow sip of wine before setting it down. "It started a year ago ... on my son's birthday."
Aurelia's expression softened at that, her curiosity evident. "Vaelric?"
"Yes." His eyes drifted toward the flickering candles. "I was meant to be home for his celebration, but I was detained in Caelmont. Again. I have missed almost every one of his birthdays."
He exhaled, almost to himself. "That day, I returned late… only to learn that he had vanished."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Vanished?"
"He'd gone into the woods," Valerian said. "The forbidden part of it. He was found hours later, frightened, shivering, but alive."
His voice dropped. "The next morning, when I went to apologize, he demanded that I swear an oath ... in the name of Vireon, the storm god. That I would grant him one wish, whatever it might be, whenever he asked for it."
Aurelia's brows rose. "You agreed?"
"I did." He gave a humorless smile. "A father's guilt makes him weak, it seems. I thought he'd ask for a hawk, or a sword, or perhaps to ride into battle one day."
Aurelia leaned forward slightly. "But he didn't."
"No," Valerian said quietly. "He waited. And this year, during the trial in Caelmont, he called upon the oath. His wish was for me to marry you."
The words hung between them. Aurelia blinked, almost not believing she'd heard right. "He… asked you to marry me?"
He nodded. "He said it was what he wanted most."
Aurelia let out a faint breath. "So that's why," she whispered. "It was because of him."
"Yes," Valerian said. "Because of him."
She sat back, her hands clasped together, thinking. "And you didn't refuse?"
He gave a small shake of his head. "I swore before Vireon. I couldn't break it, even if I wanted to."
"But why not tell him no?" she pressed gently. "He's a child...."
"I couldn't." His tone hardened. "I swore before Vireon. Breaking such an oath would bring ruin ... not just to me, but to my House. A Storm Lord's word is bound by lightning itself."
Aurelia looked down at her hands, then back up at him. "You could have chosen anyone."
"I could have," he said simply. "But I didn't."
Her voice dropped, quiet but edged. "So it was duty. Not compassion. Not choice."
His gaze softened for a heartbeat. "It was… both," he admitted. "I could have found a way to delay it, perhaps even twist the terms.
But when I saw what they did to you ... when I saw how your father's people turned from you ... I knew someone had to stop it."
Aurelia exhaled, looking away toward the table, her expression unreadable. "You knew what my father did?"
"I do," Valerian said, coming to stand before her again. "I know that Azarion locked you away after failing to lift the curse. That he could not bear the sight of his own daughter. But I am not him, Aurelia."
His grey eyes sharpened, storm-dark and unwavering. "I will not hide you. Nor will I let others shame you. Making you queen is the surest way to protect you ...and it is now your duty to defend that crown."
Aurelia was quiet, then gave a small nod. "That's… more kindness than I expected."
"It isn't kindness," he said. "It's truth."
She smiled faintly. "Still, I thank you for it."
Valerian's eyes lingered on her for a long moment. "At least now you have your answer."
"Yes," Aurelia said, her voice gentle. "Now I know. And I'm relieved, truly. I thought perhaps you married me because you'd lost a wager."
He almost laughed. "A wager would have been simpler."
"Or perhaps," she continued lightly, "you were secretly enchanted by my charm and wit."
This time, he actually smiled. "Charm? Perhaps. Wit? I'm still deciding."
Aurelia arched a brow. "You're not very good at flattery, my lord."
"I've never needed to be," he said.
There was a beat of quiet between them ...not awkward, but strangely easy.
Then Valerian said, "There's something else you should know. I won't come to you… as a husband would. Not unless you wish it."
Aurelia blinked, startled. "What?"
Her eyes widened slightly before she masked it with a cool tone. "You need not worry, my lord. I am neither desperate nor foolish enough to demand such a thing."
A shadow of amusement flickered in his eyes. "Then we understand each other."
She leaned back, folding her hands. "Then you'll require a concubine. You're still a man, Valerian ... with certain… needs."
He considered her for a moment, then said, "Yes. I will need one. If you wish, you may choose her. But I would rather not trouble you with such matters. I can have a mistress instead."
From the corner of the room, Gwen shifted uneasily, glancing toward her lady ... her worry barely hidden.
Only four people remained in the chamber: Aurelia, Valerian, Gwen, and Valerian's personal attendant, a tall, silent man named Taren who moved with the quiet precision of someone trained to disappear.
Aurelia's voice broke the silence. "Tell me something, my lord. How have you been satisfying those needs before now?"
Valerian didn't flinch. "I've had mistresses. Temporary ones. They come and go."
Aurelia leaned forward, resting her chin lightly on her hand. "And do they leave because of Lady Cynthia?"
Valerian's gaze lifted, surprised ... almost impressed. "You're quick to understand court politics."
"I've lived among wolves," she said quietly. "I recognize a hunt when I see one."
He gave a small, approving smile. "Perhaps you'll survive Valkoron after all."
"Perhaps," she said, standing slowly. "And perhaps I'll even surprise you."
He rose as well, eyes meeting hers. "You already have."
Aurelia hesitated, then smiled ... small but genuine. "Then we understand each other, my lord."
"Yes," he said softly. "We do."
"So you don't need to act as a wife Aurelia, I don't really need one" valerian said looking at her.
"What do you want me to be then?" Aurelia asked him.
"Just be a mother to my son. He seems taken with you, so just be his mother... Nothing else". Valerian said to her before taking the goblet of wine and drinking it.
"Yes.... No matter what... I'll only just be a mother".