Ryker nodded and turned to leave.
"I'll be here when you're finished. We can talk more then."
The door closed softly behind him.
The bath was warm almost too warm but Ayla welcomed it. The fragrant soap, the gentle hands of Sophia, the quiet… it all tried to soothe what the day had shattered.
Still, her mind refused to rest.
Rainer.
Calantha.
The names echoed like wounds reopening.
As Sophia carefully washed her hair, Ayla closed her eyes, willing herself to drift just for a moment but the thoughts clung stubbornly.
He wouldn't… he couldn't…
And yet, something deep inside her already knew.
When the bath was done, Sophia dressed her in a flowing gown of soft silk, brushing and arranging her now-white hair with delicate care.
Ayla turned to the mirror
and stilled.
The girl staring back at her was a stranger.
Her once red hair now fell like pale moonlight around her shoulders. Her eyes… they carried something heavier now. Something older.
Grief.
Betrayal.
A quiet, creeping exhaustion.
She looked… changed.
"Older," she whispered.
Sophia stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Do not worry, my lady. You are still yourself. A little change does not take that away."
Ayla gave a faint, grateful smile.
"Thank you, Sophia. I needed that."
Sophia curtsied. "Is there anything else I can do?"
Ayla hesitated… then made her choice.
"Yes. Bring me Rainer."
He didn't keep her waiting long.
When he entered, his presence felt… distant. Cold.
"My lady," Sophia murmured before leaving them alone.
Silence stretched.
Rainer spoke first. "What did you want to talk about?"
Ayla studied him, searching for something familiar something that still belonged to her.
"I want the truth," she said quietly. "Why have you been so distant?"
A flicker of irritation crossed his face.
"We've been over this. Calantha and I are just friends."
"Don't lie to me."
Her voice sharpened, her gaze unwavering.
"I know something is wrong. Tell me the truth."
Something in him shifted.
Then
"Fine."
His voice turned cold.
"Calantha and I… we're together."
The words hit like a blade.
"We're in love," he continued. "And I'm leaving you."
The room seemed to tilt.
Ayla couldn't breathe.
"You're… leaving me?" she whispered.
"Yes." His tone didn't waver. "I don't feel anything for you anymore. I love her."
Her heart shattered in silence.
"How… could you do this?"
Rainer shrugged lightly, as if it meant nothing.
"It just happened."
A hollow laugh escaped her.
"While I was fighting for my life?" she said, her voice trembling. "While I lay there poisoned you were falling in love with another woman?"
He looked away.
"Yes."
Something inside her snapped.
"You're sorry?" she cried. "You have no idea what I've endured and you walk away like it's nothing?"
"I'm going to be with her," he said simply. "Goodbye, Ayla."
He turned.
And that was it.
"No."
She ran after him, grabbing his arm and forcing him to face her.
"You don't get to walk away like this!" she demanded. "You married me. You made vows."
His eyes were cold.
"You're not her."
The words burned.
Her hand moved before she could stop it
Slap.
The sound echoed through the hall.
"How dare you!" she cried. "I gave you everything!"
"You mean the woman I love?" he snapped. "You're just jealous."
"Jealous?" Her voice broke. "Of a woman who may have poisoned me just to take my place?"
That was the breaking point.
His hand struck her.
Hard.
Ayla fell, pain ringing through her skull.
"How dare you accuse her!" he hissed.
He raised his hand again
but it never landed.
Ryker caught his arm.
"Enough."
His voice was low, dangerous.
Rainer struggled, furious. "This doesn't concern you!"
"It does now," Ryker said.
Ayla pushed herself up, shaking.
"Ryker… please…"
He stepped closer to her, placing himself between them.
Rainer's anger slowly cooled into something darker.
"This isn't over," he said before turning away.
And then he was gone.
Silence returned but it felt heavier now.
Ayla trembled.
Ryker pulled her gently into his arms.
"It's alright," he murmured. "I'm here."
And for the first time since it all began
she let herself break.
After a while, she pulled back, eyes still wet.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He smiled softly. "You won't face this alone."
She hesitated… then asked:
"Do you think she did it? Calantha… do you think she poisoned me?"
Ryker paused.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But we will find out."
He gently pressed a cold cloth to her cheek.
"You need rest."
Later, alone in her room, Ayla lay still, exhaustion finally claiming her.
Outside, the wind whispered against the castle walls.
Inside, something within her stirred quiet… but growing.
Meanwhile
Rainer stormed into Calantha's chambers.
Without a word, he pulled her into a kiss.
Fierce. Consuming.
"I love you," he breathed.
Calantha smiled slow, knowing.
"I know."