I learned about the engagement the way I learned most dangerous things by accident.
"The date has been finalized," a girl behind me said, tossing her hair. "Princess Aurelianne and Julian Montague. Early winter. Perfectly strategic."
Her friend giggled. "Of course. It's political. They don't even have to love each other."
Political. That word hit harder than any threat ever could.
By the time I reached my next class, my hands were cold.
Julian Montague—the boy my sister loved in secret was engaged to Kaelith's older sister, Princess Aurelianne.
It wasn't just a marriage.
It was a binding. A lock.
At lunch, I kept my head down. Mark and Liana talked about class projects and upcoming club events, oblivious to the storm silently brewing across families and alliances.
"You're thinking too loudly," Liana said, nudging my arm.
"Do you know Princess Aurelianne?" I asked quietly.
"Everyone does. Graceful. Untouchable. Designed to rule without ever actually ruling," she replied.
"And her fiancé?"
Mark answered softly. "Julian Montague? Future economic pillar of Valeria. Why?"
I forced a calm smile. "Just… connecting dots."
Dots that formed a trap.
That evening, the Montague estate felt colder than usual. Polished conversations, crystal glasses clinking, strategic silences. My parents moved like shadows, invisible, efficient, protective.
My sister didn't look at Julian. Neither did he. That frightened me more than stolen glances ever could.
Later, I found her on the back terrace, wrapped in a thin shawl, staring at the city lights.
"They announced it," I whispered.
She didn't ask what.
"I know." Her voice was steady, unnervingly calm.
"When were you going to tell me?" I pressed.
"When I was sure you wouldn't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like I'm already gone," she said.
I swallowed. "He's engaged to the princess. Kaelith's sister."
"I know," she said simply. "It's political. They don't love each other. He told me everything."
I believed her. That didn't make it safe.
"If this comes out—" I started.
"It won't," she cut in. "It can't."
Because if it did, it wouldn't just destroy her.
It would destroy our parents.
Their jobs. Their safety. Their lives.
And Julian? He would survive. People like him always did.
The next day at Crestwood, Prince Kaelith stood on the central balcony.
"The Inter-Academy Strategy Challenge will begin next week," his voice rang over the courtyard. "Participation is mandatory for selected students."
His gaze swept the crowd.
When it paused on me, I didn't flinch.
Not in submission.
In calculation.
Crestwood wasn't just testing students.
It was positioning families.
And secrets…
They were the only things I could still control.