The moment the king closed the door, Lyria felt her stomach twist.
She hated when her father used that voice — the cold, kingly one.
It meant he was hiding something.
And hiding something from her usually meant it was about Raven.
Kara leaned against the wall casually, arms crossed.
Lyria tried to mimic her calm, but her foot kept tapping uncontrollably against the floor.
"She'll be fine," Kara said, glancing at her.
"I know," Lyria whispered. "But still… Father never asks to speak to anyone alone unless it's serious."
Kara snorted. "Knowing Raven, it's probably the council complaining again."
That thought made Lyria clench her jaw.
Those old men.
Those arrogant nobles.
Calling Raven a monster.
Saying she should be locked away.
Her fingers tightened at her sides.
How dare they?
They hadn't even bothered to meet Raven properly — they only stared at her aura and decided she was something to fear.
Even now, Lyria remembered Raven's smile from yesterday… that small, quiet smile that didn't reach her eyes.
A fake smile.
A mask she'd worn for so long that Lyria wondered if Raven even knew how to smile properly anymore.
Her chest tightened every time she thought of it.
"I wish I could make them stop," Lyria muttered. "She doesn't deserve any of this."
Kara shrugged, though her expression softened slightly.
"Raven's strong. Stronger than any of them. They can say whatever they want — it won't change anything."
Lyria hugged her arms to herself, restless.
But it does. Words can hurt. Even if Raven pretends they don't.
She glanced at the door again.
What if her father was accusing Raven of something?
Pressuring her?
Asking about her powers?
Lyria knew her father wasn't cruel…
But he was a king.
And kings feared threats — real or imagined.
"Do you think he'll try to make her join the royal knights again?" Lyria asked quietly.
Kara scoffed. "Probably. Your father really wants her on his side."
Lyria bit her lip.
But Raven didn't want to serve the crown.
She didn't want chains — not even golden ones.
And Lyria respected that about her.
Still… the idea of Raven leaving the kingdom one day made Lyria's heart flutter strangely, and hurt in a way she didn't understand.
She didn't want Raven to go.
Not yet.
Not ever.
Before she could fall deeper into her thoughts, the door finally opened.
Raven stepped out.
Calm.
Expression unreadable.
Her aura steady — but heavier, somehow.
Lyria took a step toward her instantly.
"What happened? What did he say? Are you alright?"
Kara leaned in too.
"Well?"
Raven looked at both of them and smiled—a tiny, tired smile.
"Nothing important," she said softly. "The king will tell you later."
Lyria felt a knot form in her throat.
She's lying again, Lyria thought.
Not in a cruel way…
But in that quiet Raven way — hiding pain so no one would worry.
Still, Lyria didn't push.
Instead, she reached out instinctively, touching Raven's sleeve with light fingers.
"Thank you for coming today," she said, her voice gentle.
Raven paused… then nodded once .
Then she turned and walked away.
Lyria watched her until she disappeared around the corner — and even then, her heart kept following her.
Kara nudged her shoulder lightly.
"You're staring."
Lyria flushed and swatted her hand away.
"I—I was not."
Kara laughed. "Sure you weren't."
Lyria pressed a hand over her chest, steadying her heartbeat.
Tomorrow, she thought.
Tomorrow we'll go to the market together. Maybe I can make her smile for real.
And with that small hope, Lyria finally turned away from the door.
After Raven left her father's study, the atmosphere in the corridor felt strangely hollow. Lyria watched the doors close behind Raven, a small knot tightening in her chest. She wanted to call out—ask her what the king said, if she was alright—but Raven had already vanished down the hallway.
Before she could gather her thoughts, a royal guard stepped forward.
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence. You as well, Lady Kara."
Lyria exchanged a quick glance with Kara.
Father wants us? Right after Raven left?
Her heart quickened.
They followed the guard through the palace, down the long marble hall toward the king's private chamber. Lyria's steps grew faster, her palms warm with worry.
When they entered, the king was standing by the window, hands behind his back. The sunlight framed him in gold, but his expression was serious.
"Father?" Lyria asked softly. "Did… something happen?"
Kara bowed slightly. "Your Majesty."
The king turned to them. "Sit. Both of you."
They obeyed, though Lyria felt tension creeping up her spine. She waited until he settled into the chair across from them before finally asking, "Did Raven say something troubling? She looked… distant."
The king's expression softened, and Lyria's pulse fluttered.
"No," he said. "In fact, she was calmer than yesterday."
A breath she didn't realize she was holding escaped.
"But," he continued, "there are things you both need to know."
Lyria's hands tightened on her dress.
The king looked at her directly. "Lyria, a few days ago you were attacked. The situation around you is more dangerous than you realize. Some of Lord Kasin's loyalists still move in shadows, refusing to change their ambitions even after his death."
Lyria swallowed hard. She remembered the pain, the fear—Raven standing between her and death.
Kara shifted forward. "Have the threats increased, Your Majesty?"
"Yes," he answered. "Enough that relying on a single knight is no longer sufficient."
Lyria opened her mouth to speak, but the king raised a hand.
"And that," he said gently, "is why I asked Raven for something today."
Her heart jumped.
Raven? What did she agree to? Did Father ask too much of her? Did he scare her?
"What did you ask of her?" Lyria asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The king watched her carefully, as if weighing her reaction.
"I asked Raven to protect you," he said. "Not as an official royal knight. Not as a guard the court would know about. But privately—discreetly. As someone you trust."
Lyria's breath caught. Her cheeks warmed.
"She… she accepted?" she asked, almost afraid of the answer.
"Yes," the king confirmed. "She agreed to watch over you until she chooses to leave the capital."
Something bright bloomed inside Lyria's chest—warm, unexpectedly intense.
Raven accepted… she chose to stay by my side.
Relief washed over her first. Then joy.
And then something softer, something she didn't dare name.
Kara nudged her lightly with an elbow and whispered, "You're smiling like an idiot."
Lyria immediately tried to hide her face, but the king noticed and sighed under his breath.
"She did set one condition," he added. "No one is to know. Not the nobles. Not the council. She'll protect you as a friend. But I wanted you to know because I do not want you to feel unsafe or confused by her actions."
Lyria nodded, her throat tight.
"I understand… and thank you, Father."
She hesitated, then asked quietly, "Was she troubled by the council's words yesterday?"
The king's eyes darkened with anger. "She was composed. Much more than I expected. But I am not blind—those words wounded her. Even if she won't admit it."
Lyria felt her chest ache.
Raven… smiling as if nothing mattered, even though it does.
The king leaned back.
"Lyria," he said, gentler, "Raven is not a threat. She is dangerous, yes—but not to us. What she did to save you… no knight of mine has ever shown such instinct."
Lyria lowered her gaze to her hands.
Her heart whispered the truth:
I'm glad she'll stay near me. I want to know her more. I want her to trust me… to smile genuinely someday.
The king clapped his hands once, snapping Lyria from her thoughts.
"That is all. And Lyria… I expect you not to cause trouble for Raven. She takes this seriously."
"I know," she said quickly. "I won't disappoint her."
As they left the chamber, Kara smirked at her.
"So… someone's happy," she teased.
Lyria tried to glare, but she couldn't stop the small smile from forming.
"I'm just relieved," she muttered.
But deep inside?
She was more than relieved.
She was grateful.
Hopeful.
Excited.
Tomorrow… I'll see her again.