A few hours before Aliena was summoned, the corridors of the palace were quiet, save for the faint echoes of servants moving about. In the dimly lit study, Prince Sebastian paced slowly, hands clasped behind his back, his mind turning over the reports that had arrived from the scouts stationed near Nacrifa.
From the shadows, Miles watched, silent and unobtrusive, his black cloak blending perfectly with the darkness.
"You've received reports about Nacrifa," Miles said quietly, stepping closer. "The enemy is gathering troops near the border. The scouts claim it could be serious."
Sebastian's expression didn't change. He continued pacing, slow and deliberate. "It's nothing," he said, low and calm, his voice betraying no emotion.
Miles arched an eyebrow, leaning against the edge of the study doorway. "Nothing? You've never underestimated anything before. You are always right about everything, yet now… you dismiss this? Why?"
Sebastian paused, hands still behind his back. "It is not worth your concern. I am certain of the outcome."
Miles frowned, studying him. "Certain? You've never been wrong before, which is why everyone trusts you. But this… I don't understand. What do you see that I do not?"
Sebastian's gaze flicked to the window, the sunlight barely filtering in through the tall panes. "Some things," he said quietly, almost to himself, "are not for others to understand. One day… you will see."
Miles' eyes narrowed. He had followed Sebastian for years and had learned to read the subtleties of the Prince's moods, but even he couldn't fully decipher what lay behind those golden-red eyes.
After a moment, Miles shifted, deciding to change the topic. "Then there's Aliena," he said, his voice smoother, almost teasing. "Why her? Why make her your personal maid? You could have assigned her other punishments, harsher ones even, and yet you… singled her out."
Sebastian stopped pacing, his hand twitching slightly at his side. He did not answer immediately. His eyes darkened, and a tension filled the air that Miles could feel but not name.
Miles stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I move in the shadows. I see what most cannot. I know what your servants don't see… and what the others choose to ignore. Her stepfamily despises her. They treat her cruelly. She's weak, inexperienced, and vulnerable. And yet, here she is, under your protection?"
Sebastian's lips pressed into a thin line. Something stirred deep within him, a flicker of pity, reluctant and unwelcome. Miles noticed the shift immediately, the tiniest change in the Prince's posture, the brief softening of his gaze. Yet Sebastian's expression remained unreadable, his mask flawless.
Miles let the silence linger, then continued softly, "Her life is full of cruelty, just as yours was once. Do you remember, my prince? When you were a child, your stepmother… the way she treated you… the way she tried to break you? You survived, you became stronger… and you rose above them. You do not let anyone dominate you, and yet…"
Sebastian's gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. "And yet what?" he asked, though his voice betrayed a flicker of unease.
Miles tilted his head, observing him closely. "And yet, you feel… something for her. You care. A part of you wants to protect her, even though you hate this weakness in yourself. I see it in your eyes, Sebastian. That small, fleeting pity. That small curiosity. That small… fascination."
Sebastian looked away, anger flickering in his golden-red eyes. "I do not care for her."
Miles let out a low chuckle. "You think that. But when you saw her at the ball, just for a moment, you were intrigued. There was something in her presence that you could not ignore. Even now, I can see it, the faintest flicker of… something."
Sebastian's chest tightened, and a shiver ran along his spine he did not want to admit. He had always hated the feeling of needing anyone, of caring for anyone, but Aliena… she was different. Something about her reminded him of the child he once was, isolated, underestimated, and pushed into a corner. Yet, unlike his younger self, he now had power, strength, and control. And yet… he could not stop thinking about her.
Miles observed him quietly, noting the struggle beneath the mask, the internal battle Sebastian refused to acknowledge even to himself. "You cannot hide it. Not even from me."
Sebastian's fingers tightened into fists at his sides. "I do not want to feel this way," he muttered. "I… cannot allow it."
Miles shrugged. "You already do."
Sebastian didn't want to admit anything, these foreign feelings he was feeling made him feel weak but he refused to give into it.
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, his mind still replaying the conversation he had shared with Miles just hours earlier. The memory of the discussion, the whispers, the truths revealed, left a flicker of something unfamiliar stirring deep within him. His golden-red eyes settled on Aliena, who stood quietly nearby, hands clasped in front of her, trying not to betray the nervousness that threatened to show on her face.
For a moment, he said nothing, studying her as if weighing every detail, her posture, her hesitation, the faint glimmer in her eyes that he still could not fully decipher. Then, from the corridor, the soft click of footsteps announced someone approaching.
Miles appeared, not from the shadows this time, but fully in the light, carrying the trays of food. He moved with the same precision as always, he served their food and left through the door this time without blending in the shadows. Aliena was intrigued as to what power he possessed.
Sebastian sat at the table, staring at Aliena as she clutched her fork, her hands trembling slightly from hunger. The memory of his conversation with Miles earlier still lingered in his mind, though now it felt oddly distant compared to the sight of her about to devour a plate of food.
"Sit," he said, his voice calm, almost teasing. "You may start eating."
Aliena barely heard him. She didn't wait for his next word and practically dove into the food, shoveling it in like she hadn't eaten in a week. Her cheeks flushed red from the sheer urgency of it.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, watching her with an unreadable expression. "You're… very enthusiastic," he said dryly.
Aliena froze mid-bite, realizing that he had been looking at her the entire time. "I—I'm sorry, my prince!" she said quickly, trying to compose herself. "I should have waited for you to start… I was just… so hungry."
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I've forgiven you," he said simply, his tone calm but carrying a trace of amusement.
Aliena blinked, relief washing over her. "You… really have?"
"Yes," he replied. Then, in a voice that was almost casual, he added, "Also… you are no longer my personal maid."
Aliena choked slightly on her bite, nearly coughing on a piece of bread. "I… I am not? You mean—"
Sebastian nodded, clearly enjoying her reaction. "No more early morning chores, no more polishing my shoes, and no more running around fetching things for me." He leaned back with exaggerated nonchalance. "You're free. As of now, consider yourself… officially liberated."
"My Prince, did I do something wrong?" She asked frantically, "I'm sorry if I haven't been a good servant to you I promise to do better!" Aliena went down on her knees and begged him.
Sebastian stared at her frail figure in surprise, he had given her the freedom she desired yet she was begging him.
"Aliena?" He called, his voice dark and cold, "What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry my prince I just don't want to go back-" she begged.
"Because of your step family?" He stated the obvious and when she nodded he continued, "Be rest assured they won't bother you"
Aliena stared at him in disbelief for a moment, then a grin spread across her face. "Really? I'm free? I can—oh!" She laughed, nearly dropping her fork. "That's amazing! I mean… thank you, my prince!"
Sebastian's expression remained serious, though the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement. "Do not get too excited," he warned mildly. "You still have responsibilities here. But as far as I'm concerned… you no longer belong to me."
Aliena's happiness bubbled over, but as she laughed quietly to herself, a fleeting thought of her stepfamily crept in. They hated her. They always had. But for now… none of that mattered, the prince had assured her that they wouldn't be a bother but she wondered how he knew of their cruelty. She had a plate of food, no chores, and the Prince himself had officially declared her free.
She took another bite, smiling as she basked in the delicious taste of the meal.
Sebastian watched her, expression calm, eyes sharp. He said nothing, but a small part of him marveled at how even the simplest things, hunger, laughter, freedom from chores, could affect her so completely. He hated the feeling… yet he couldn't stop noticing. It was his little secret. He too picked up his fork and began eating while occasionally stealing glances at her.