A soft knock tapped against Aurelia's chamber door.
Calvus shifted nervously in the hall, clutching the small bouquet of white flowers so tightly the stems bent in his fist.
He cleared his throat. "Aurelia…? It's Calvus."
Silence.
Then the door opened just a little—barely wide enough for a hand to slip through.
Sorana stepped out, closing the gap behind her as if shielding the room from sight.
Her hair was slightly messy, her face pale, but her voice was steady.
Then her eyes widened.
"E-ehmmm… Lord Calvus," she breathed, bowing quickly, hands fidgeting with her apron.
Calvus returned the gesture with a polite nod, though worry tightened his face.
"Where's Lady Flavia?"
She had to think fast.
Sorana straightened, hands tightening in the folds of her gown. She couldn't tell him the truth — that Aurelia had slipped out of the palace with Prince Kaelen himself.
If Lord Calvus told Tenebrarum…
No. She wouldn't risk Aurelia going through that again. Not after seeing her barely able to stand last night.
So she forced a breath, lowered her gaze respectfully, and lied.
"Ehhmmm… Lord Calvus," she said, bowing. "Lady Flavia is still… indisposed."
His brows drew together. "Indisposed? What do you mean?"
Sorana swallowed.
A lie wouldn't kill her.
But it might protect Aurelia — and she was beginning to respect Aurelia far more than she ever expected.
"She's still in the bathroom," she said softly. "She's… she's been crying since morning."
Calvus froze.
The shift was immediate—his expression tightening with worry, his jaw unlocking, his voice falling to a whisper.
"Oh. I—I didn't mean to disturb her."
His eyes dropped to the floor, guilt pooling in them.
"I only wanted to… make sure she was alright after what happened yesterday."
He looked genuinely shaken.
Sorana hadn't expected that.
"She'll be grateful you checked on her," she lied, hoping her voice didn't tremble. "Truly."
Calvus hesitated, then lifted the bouquet he had been holding behind his back—a cluster of white asters, soft and fresh, glowing faintly in the morning light.
"These are for her," he said quietly. "White asters… they represent patience and healing."
Sorana blinked.
Flowers?
For Lady Flavia?
She had assumed Tenebrarum had sent them—but no.
Calvus held them gently, like something sacred.
"Please give them to her," he said, extending them with a trembling hand.
Sorana accepted the bouquet with both hands, bowing lower than before—not out of formality, but out of shock.
"I'll make sure she gets them," she promised.
As Calvus turned and walked away, his shoulders heavy with concern, Sorana looked down at the flowers again.
Lady Flavia …
What have you done to their hearts?
Calvus inhaled deeply, glancing once more at the shut door—completely unaware that the room behind it was empty.
"Tell her she's not alone," he murmured. "Tell her that."
Then he turned and walked away down the long corridor, his footsteps fading, unaware he had just handed flowers to a lie.
Sorana watched him go, clutching the bouquet to her chest.
She whispered under her breath—half prayer, half panic:
"Please come back soon, my lady… before anyone realises you're gone."
---------------------------------
Aurelia's hand moved slowly, almost timidly, as she reached out toward the horse.
Its coat wasn't just white—it shimmered faintly, like winter sunlight caught in motion.
When her fingers brushed its neck, the animal leaned forward, nudging her gently with its soft muzzle, warm breath rolling over her palm.
She blinked, stunned by how gentle it was.
Kaelen stood beside her, saying nothing at first—just watching the way she touched the horse, the way her shoulders softened for the first time that day.
The horse nudged her again, almost playful, and Aurelia felt an unexpected warmth swell in her chest.
If only thing were different …
If only I was free...
If only Tenebrarum said no words to me...
Aurelia mind flew deeper and darker.
She would have accepted it.
Maybe she would ride it every morning.
Maybe she would have chosen the name of the horse herself.
But she couldn't.
Not with his threat still echoing in her skull.
And if I ever see you with him—my brother—
I'll take your neck myself.
Her breath trembled.
She let her hand fall from the horse's mane.
"It's beautiful," Aurelia whispered, voice barely holding together.
Her lashes lowered, hiding the fear flickering behind her eyes.
"But… I can't accept it."
The words broke something inside her.
She felt it.
Kaelen sensed it.
The air around him grew colder—frost curling over the grass at their feet.
But his expression remained unreadable, only the slightest shift in his jaw betraying anything.
"You can't," Kaelen repeated quietly.
Aurelia straightened, the black gown clinging to her as she lifted her chin.
"Yes. I can't have her," she said, steady but breath tight. "You've been… kind. But foolishly or not, I belong to Tenebrarum—and we should leave."
Kaelen stepped closer, his shadow swallowing the lantern light. "You fear him? Just like I thought."
He caught her wrist—not gentle, not really cruel—just enough to drag her one step nearer.
"I cursed Tenebrarum the day he paid that obscene price for a human. And when I finally saw you, even then I thought—no, she's not human."
"I can't stop thinking about you," he said, voice sharpening. "Even after they told me you were Tenebrarum's—"
His jaw tightened. "—hallot."
Aurelia froze.
The word struck her like a slap. Her breath caught; her fingers curled into the fabric of her gown until her knuckles whitened. She didn't move, but her chest rose in a sharp, trembling inhale, the kind that betrays hurt even when the face stays still.
"Don't call me that," she whispered, her voice thin but steady. She tried to step back, but he dragged her hand and pulled her closer.
"Then what are you?" he demanded.
Aurelia's eyes dropped, lashes trembling. She blinked hard—once, twice—trying to force the sting behind her eyes away. The shame she never deserved pressed into her ribs, making her shoulders fold the slightest bit inward.
"I don't… want to talk about that," she said, the words fragile despite her attempt to sound firm. "We should leave. Now."
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To be continued...