"Hot news, straight from the palace! Double gist! Prince Garran poisoned and Princess Sera set to marry Duke Devrane!"
A young boy shouted, flailing around a newspaper.
"Hot news, only five suns! Straight from the palace—do you want one, ma'am?"
This exact scene played out across every corner of Eldoria. The entire kingdom buzzed with gossip—whispers from the nobles who had seen the events unfold only fueled the flames.
Another topic stirring the masses was the arrival of the Prince of Iskaria and his arrogant, unreadable demeanor.
But while the capital drowned in rumor and noise, Sera sat silently beside Garran's bed, a blank expression marring her face. She stared at her brother quietly, then sighed, raking her fingers gently through his hair.
A knock sounded at the door. Carrissa stepped in.
"Oh—you're still here?" Sera asked, glancing at the young lady, though both were of the same age.
"No, I went home at dawn. That's why I could come back early," Carrissa replied with a smile, then turned to the bed where the young prince lay asleep. "How did it go?" she asked, a faint frown appearing.
Sera nodded slightly. "They were able to remove it, but apparently…"
Her voice trailed off. She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, already imagining Garran's reaction when he woke. Carrissa nodded softly, understanding without needing further words.
Silence settled between them again—not awkward, but heavy.
"I can stay here if you want," Carrissa offered.
Sera looked puzzled at first, then noticed her wrinkled clothes and nodded. "That would be nice. Excuse me, then."
Carrissa smiled politely and pulled a chair closer to the bed.
"Do you want me to get you something?" Sera asked from the doorway, sapphire eyes glancing back.
"No, thank you."
Sera nodded and left. Carrissa stared at the closed door for a few minutes before a quiet voice broke the silence.
"You used to be good friends."
She turned to see Garran awake. He brushed a stray lock of hair from his face and murmured, "Why does she like doing that?"
Carrissa smiled. "How long have you been awake?"
"A couple of hours, I guess. I just didn't want her to see…"
"I understand," Carrissa interrupted gently, waving a dismissive hand. Garran gave her a grateful smile.
"Does it hurt? Should I call the physician?" she asked, moving to his bedside.
"A little—especially when I strain myself." He tried to sit up but failed repeatedly.
Seeing his struggle, Carrissa stepped in to help, adjusting a pillow behind him.
"Thank you. Though I should be asking if you're alright," he said, his tone suddenly serious.
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"I mean—are you alright with spending eternity with me?" Garran shrugged. "Because, for all I know, a grown man and woman shouldn't be left alone in a room together."
Carrissa scoffed at his teasing smile. "You're not in a position to be making jokes." Still, she chuckled and sat back down.
Garran grinned. "I'm glad you remember me," she said softly.
"I was stabbed in the abdomen, not the head," he mocked.
"I mean, I'm glad you remember me from childhood," Carrissa clarified, rolling her eyes. "When you asked Duchess Wilmont who I was, I thought you'd forgotten."
"And did that hurt you?" he asked.
"A little, I guess." She twisted her lips thoughtfully.
Garran sighed and looked toward the window. "I just couldn't recognize you. You can't blame me—the last time I saw you, you weren't this grown and beautiful."
Carrissa blushed and turned away. "So smooth," she muttered—then froze. "Wait… are you saying I was ugly as a child?"
Her raised brow only made him laugh harder.
"Don't laugh, I'm serious!" she demanded, but her smile betrayed her tone as his laughter filled the room.
Meanwhile, Sera turned a corner on her way to her quarters and met her father with Minos. She curtsied and was about to leave when the King's cold voice stopped her.
"Has he woken up?" Hendrick asked. His tone was flat, his face devoid of concern.
Sera scoffed, trembling with anger. "Has he woken up yet?" she repeated, her lips quivering as though to hold back a storm.
Then she exploded.
"Has he woken up yet?" she screamed, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Your son was poisoned yesterday—and all you can ask is if he's woken up yet? Couldn't you go and see him yourself? At least he doesn't have a personal assistant stopping people from seeing him!"
Sera held her head as the tears rolled down her cheeks, while shaking her head.
"I… I don't know what's happening, but—"
With a lump forming in her throat, Sera stopped and ran off, tears streaking her face.
The King and Minos stood frozen in silence. Hendrick had expected this yesterday—it only came late. His eyes softened. He understood their pain, but how could he tell them that every cold action was done for their sake? That every action was done in their best interest.
"I'm tired, Minos," he murmured.
The steward said nothing, noticing the tremor in his voice.
"My Lord, they will…My Lord, My Lord, are you alright?"
Hendrick suddenly coughed violently. Minos rubbed his back until it subsided, but the King's handkerchief came away stained with blood.
"My Lord, we should go inside," Minos said, frowning deeply.
"I'm fine," Hendrick whispered weakly—but he let Minos lead him back inside.
In her room, Sera buried her face in a pillow, sobbing.
"I can't do this, Mother… I'm tired," she cried.
A soft knock came, and Adna entered. Upon seeing her, Sera broke down again.
"I can't do it, Adna! I'm tired of all this. I just want to go back to my old family…"
Adna sat beside her, gently patting her head. "It's okay, my Princess. It's okay to cry. It's okay to be tired. It's okay not to be okay."
Sera's cries quieted into small sobs as she leaned into Adna's embrace.
"You have to move forward, my Princess," Adna said softly. "Do you remember what the Queen taught us both?"
Sera nodded, wiping her tears. Around Adna, she didn't need to hide her emotions—Adna was her safe space.
"Love is the essence of life," Adna recited. "You must show it, even when the recipient doesn't. You must trust your conscience to lead you…"
Everything tuned out around then and they didn't recognize anything, mot even noticing a pair of eyes staring at them.
Outside, perched on the railing of Sera's balcony, a handsome man with frosty silver eyes observed quietly, his expression unreadable.
"Such a child," he murmured—then leapt away.