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**Chapter 16: Thorns Around the Heart*
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The aftermath of Sher's return wasn't quiet.
The capital might have bowed to him, but the shadows hadn't retreated. The enemies were just more careful now — like snakes curling beneath silk sheets.
And Hana, left smiling after their passionate reunion, knew better than to relax.
Her instincts never failed her.
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### The Roses Were Bleeding
In the central garden of the Wolter estate, the roses Sher once planted for her had started to die — petal by petal. But no insects or illness were found. It was as if the flowers had withered from a silent poison.
Hana stood beside them barefoot, the morning wind tugging at her robe. Mira floated beside her, unusually silent.
"Scan them again," she ordered.
Mira beeped softly. "Still no external toxins, Hana. But… the soil was altered. Traces of neuro-chemical residue."
"Meaning?"
"Someone was testing how long it would take to kill what you love."
Hana's eyes turned to ice.
"They made it personal."
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### When Silence Cuts Deeper Than Swords
Sher was in his war room again — Klein, Kai, and several of his elite units around him. Plans for the Royal Summit, new reforms, and family asset redistribution flashed on the wall.
But Sher noticed the moment Hana entered.
He always did.
She walked in slowly, a bundle of dried roses in her hand. She didn't speak. Just dropped them on the table in front of him.
A dead silence settled over the room.
Sher stood.
"Everyone. Out."
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When they were alone, he finally asked, "Who?"
Hana didn't flinch. "That's what *you're* supposed to tell me."
He took a step forward.
"Hana."
"No." She raised a finger. "You said I was your wife, not your weapon. So I want to know — how are *you* going to protect me now? How will you stop the world from slicing at me through flowers, through whispers, through these pathetic little threats?"
His jaw tightened.
"I will crush them."
"Then do it. Don't just talk."
That fire in her tone — he both hated it and lived for it.
He crossed to her in three long strides, pulling her roughly against him.
"I *am* doing it, Hana. Every hour, every breath I take is for that."
She looked up at him, eyes unreadable.
"…Then start by trusting me."
Sher's grip loosened, his fingers brushing her hair back, tracing the soft scar behind her ear — the one from her first rebellion in their marriage.
"I trust you more than I trust myself," he murmured. "That's the problem."
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### Secret Meetings and Shattered Glass
That night, Hana received a message. Unmarked. No traceable signal.
> **"Midnight. The gallery room. Come alone. Or Sher pays the price."**
She didn't wake Sher.
Instead, she slipped into her old combat dress — black silk lined with fiber armor, a gift from Sher that he claimed was *"just fashion"*.
The gallery was dark when she entered.
Empty paintings lined the walls.
Until the door creaked behind her.
"Nice of you to come alone," said a voice.
Naomi.
Of course.
The fake friend. The serpent in cosmetics.
Hana didn't blink. "You poisoned my garden?"
"No," Naomi smiled, "but I did water it. With a little help from Cenric's leftover toys."
Hana stepped forward slowly. "What do you want?"
Naomi's eyes glittered. "I want to see Sher kneel. Not for his empire. Not for his crown. But for *me*."
Hana laughed. Low. Dangerous.
"You think you're the thorn in our hearts. But you're just a wilted weed."
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### The Fight in the Gallery
Naomi lunged first — a dart gun in hand. But Hana was faster.
The dart missed her shoulder by an inch as she flipped behind a pillar.
"You learned tricks," Naomi sneered.
"I had a great teacher. Sher's enemies."
She threw a flash-bead, and the room exploded in white.
In the chaos, Hana tackled Naomi to the ground, pressing a blade to her neck.
"You're not worth killing," she whispered. "But if you come for Sher again… I'll forget how merciful I am."
Naomi smirked, even under the blade. "He doesn't even know you love him."
Hana leaned close.
"That's the best part. He'll keep trying forever. And you? You'll keep watching from the sidelines."
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### After the Storm
Hana returned to her room just before dawn. Sher was sitting on the bed, eyes sharp.
"You went out."
She didn't lie.
"I handled something."
"You should've told me."
"You would've stopped me."
Sher stood and walked to her, brushing blood off her sleeve. "You're not invincible, Hana."
She smiled softly. "Neither are you. But together…"
She didn't finish.
Sher cupped her face, resting his forehead against hers.
"Even if you don't say it, I know. You love me."
Her lips curved slightly. "Keep proving it."
He chuckled darkly. "Every damn day."
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