By morning, the palace was on edge.
Not because of foreign threats.
Not because of rebellion.
But because Elira's parents had decided to stay for breakfast.
The kitchen staff considered resigning.
The guards considered transferring.
And one junior noble was last seen sprinting across the courtyard screaming,
"THEY MAKE EYE CONTACT LIKE ASSASSINS."
Breakfast With the Family
Aerin arrived to find Elira's father already seated, happily buttering bread with a dagger.
"Morning, son-in-law!" he said brightly.
Aerin blinked. "Good morning… sir."
Elira's mother sat opposite Mira, calmly disassembling a pastry like it might explode.
"You sleep lightly," she observed.
Mira smiled serenely. "You breathe loudly."
They nodded at each other with mutual respect.
Elira bounced in her chair.
"My parents say I am improving," she announced proudly.
Her father nodded. "She only threatened three people yesterday."
Aerin winced. "That's… progress?"
"Two years ago," her mother added, "it would have been thirty."
Aerin stared into his tea like it might give him answers.
The Conspiracy Begins
Meanwhile, Valessara was also awake.
Which was unfortunate for everyone.
She met privately with several nobles, voice low and precise.
"Elira is a liability," Valessara said smoothly. "Her parents are worse. They undermine court decorum."
A noble frowned. "They haven't done anything."
"Yet," Valessara replied. "But the fear is already there."
She smiled.
"Fear is leverage."
The plan was simple:
Spread rumors
Paint Elira's family as a threat
Push Aerin into distancing himself
Isolate him again
It was elegant.
It was cruel.
It was… about to go terribly wrong.
Elira's Parents Go Sightseeing
Elira insisted on giving her parents a tour.
"THIS is where I learned to smile politely," she said proudly.
Her mother nodded. "Deadliest skill."
They passed a group of whispering nobles.
"…assassin family…"
"…dangerous…"
Elira's father stopped.
He turned.
He smiled warmly.
"You're worried about us?" he asked cheerfully.
The nobles froze.
Her mother leaned closer.
"We don't hurt people who don't deserve it," she said calmly.
Elira added brightly,
"And I am learning forgiveness."
The nobles nodded frantically.
One bowed so hard he nearly folded in half.
The rumors… began to reverse direction.
The Interrogation Dinner
That evening, Elira's parents insisted on hosting a thank-you dinner.
Valessara attended.
Against her better judgment.
Aerin sat between Mira and Elira, already sensing doom.
Elira's father clapped his hands.
"Let's all get to know each other!"
Valessara smiled thinly. "How delightful."
Elira's mother looked directly at her.
"You manipulate people," she said calmly.
Forks froze mid-air.
Valessara laughed lightly. "How rude."
"You also use Cassian," the father added cheerfully.
Cassian nearly dropped his glass.
Silence detonated.
Valessara's eyes flashed.
"That is an accusation," she snapped.
Elira tilted her head. "Are you hurting him?"
Valessara stiffened.
Aerin's gaze sharpened.
Cassian stared at the table.
The father leaned forward, voice still warm.
"If you are," he said kindly,
"stop."
Valessara's composure cracked for a fraction of a second.
And everyone saw it.
Aftermath: The Queen's Image Slips
By the next day, whispers had changed.
Not about Elira.
But about Valessara.
She's controlling Cassian…
She's the unstable one…
The assassin family seems… protective…
Aerin overheard two nobles muttering:
"Honestly, I trust the knife people more."
Aerin did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Elira's Quiet Victory
In the gardens, Elira watered flowers, humming happily.
Her parents watched.
"She's softer," her father murmured.
"Yes," her mother agreed. "But stronger."
Aerin approached.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "For supporting her."
Her mother studied him.
"You protect her," she said. "You let her grow."
Aerin nodded. "I love her."
Her parents exchanged a glance.
Then nodded.
"You're acceptable," her father said.
Aerin exhaled in relief.
Valessara Watches the Shift
From a balcony, Valessara watched laughter drift up from the gardens.
Elira smiling.
Aerin relaxed.
Mira calm.
Cassian conflicted.
And for the first time…
Valessara felt the board slipping.
Her voice was cold.
"Then I stop playing fair."
Final Beat
That night, Elira curled beside Aerin.
"My parents like you," she murmured happily.
"I'm honored," he replied softly.
She smiled sleepily.
"I feel… safe."
The Harem Alarm chimed.
Not frantic.
Not chaotic.
Protective.
But far away, Valessara planned something darker than politics.
And next time…
It wouldn't be rumors.