Adrian's POV
The hand that grabbed me belonged to Luca.
My cousin. Twenty-nine years old. Damian's second-in-command and the only family member who'd ever shown Adrian any kindness.
"Don't scream," Luca whispered urgently, pulling me into a side corridor. "We need to talk. Now."
"Luca, what—"
"Elias sent me." He shoved a pendant into my hand—Elias's royal seal. "He said to give you this and tell you: 'Stay in your chambers tonight. Lock everything. The North Tower is a trap.'"
My blood went cold. The North Tower. Where I'd told Cassandra to meet me at midnight.
"What trap?"
"Assassins. Five of them. They're waiting for you." Luca's face was pale. "Adrian, what's going on? Why is our stepmother trying to kill you? And why is Elias suddenly helping you after..." He stopped, looking guilty.
"After poisoning me for two years?" I finished for him.
Luca flinched. "You know?"
"I figured it out." I gripped his arm. "Luca, I need your help. Can I trust you?"
He looked me straight in the eye. "I watched them destroy you. I hated myself for not stopping it. I thought you'd just... accept it. Like you accepted everything else." His voice cracked. "But today, when you defended that girl at the ball, when you stood up to Seraphine, when you said you'd compete in the Trials—I saw something I've never seen before. Fire. You actually want to fight back."
"I'm done being a victim," I said simply. "Are you with me or against me?"
"I'm with you. Always have been, even when I was too much of a coward to show it." He glanced around nervously. "But we need to move. If Seraphine finds out Elias warned you—"
"She'll kill him," I finished. "Where is he now?"
"He went to warn your Lady Cassandra. There's something else going on tonight—some plan involving Viktor Ashford and breaking into the Queen's chambers—"
"What?" My heart jumped. Cassandra was breaking into Seraphine's rooms? Tonight? That wasn't part of our plan.
Unless something had changed.
"I need to find her," I said, already moving toward the door.
Luca grabbed me. "You can't go running through the palace. The guards are looking for someone. There's been an alarm. Something about intruders in the Queen's chambers."
"That's probably her," I said. "Which means she's in danger. I have to—"
"You have to be smart," Luca interrupted firmly. "You're weak, Adrian. No offense, but you can barely walk without getting tired. If you go charging in there, you'll just get yourself killed. Let me handle this."
"I can't just—"
"Yes, you can. Because if you die tonight, everything you're planning dies with you." Luca's expression was intense. "Trust me. Give me two hours. I'll find your girl and make sure she's safe. You stay here, lock your doors, and survive the night. That's how you help her."
Everything in me wanted to go after Cassandra myself. In my old life as Marco, I'd never sent someone else to do dangerous work.
But Luca was right. This body was weak. I'd only slow things down. Get in the way. Maybe get both of us killed.
"Two hours," I agreed. "If you're not back by then—"
"I will be." Luca was already moving toward the door. "Stay alive, cousin."
He disappeared into the corridor.
I went back to my chambers and locked every door, every window. Checked the secret passages and blocked them with furniture. If assassins came tonight, they'd have to work for it.
Then I waited.
And waited.
Every sound made me jump. Every footstep in the corridor could be enemies. Time crawled past like it was dying.
Midnight came. Went. No assassins burst through my door.
One hour passed. Two hours. Three.
Where was Luca? Where was Cassandra?
Just before dawn, someone knocked softly on my door.
"Adrian? It's Elias."
I opened the door carefully. Elias stood there looking exhausted and terrified.
"What happened?" I demanded.
"Everything went wrong." Elias pushed past me into the room. "Cassandra and Viktor broke into Seraphine's chambers. They got what they came for—some kind of journal—but they were discovered. Half the palace guard is searching for them now."
"Are they alive?"
"I don't know. Luca went to help them but..." Elias's voice shook. "Damian was there too. I saw him heading toward the lower city with a crossbow. If he finds them first..."
I grabbed Elias's shoulders. "Listen to me. I need you to do something. Can you get to the throne room?"
"What? Why?"
"Because tomorrow morning, I'm making an announcement. And I need you there to back me up."
"What announcement?"
I smiled, cold and calculating. "That I'm getting married."
Morning came faster than I wanted. I'd spent the night planning every word, every move. This was the biggest gamble I'd ever made.
In my old life, I'd learned that the best defense was a good offense. When your enemies expected you to hide, you went public. Made noise. Forced them to react instead of act.
I walked into the throne room just as the morning court session began. Nobles were gathered, discussing last night's "excitement" about intruders in the palace.
King Aldric sat on his throne, looking tired and annoyed. Queen Seraphine stood beside him, her face carefully neutral, but her eyes were sharp. Searching.
Damian stood near the throne, smirking. No blood on him. Did that mean Cassandra escaped? Or that he'd killed her cleanly?
I forced myself not to think about it. Had to stay focused.
I walked to the center of the throne room. Every eye turned to me.
"Your Majesty," I said clearly. "I have an announcement to make."
King Aldric waved his hand dismissively. "Can't it wait, Adrian? We're discussing security matters—"
"This is related to security," I interrupted. Something Adrian would never do. Several nobles gasped.
The King's eyes narrowed. "What?"
"I'm getting married," I announced loudly. "To Lady Cassandra Nyx."
The throne room exploded.
Nobles shouted. Some laughed. Others looked shocked.
"The traitor's daughter?" someone yelled.
"He's insane!"
"This is social suicide!"
Queen Seraphine's carefully neutral expression cracked. For just a second, I saw panic in her eyes.
She knew Cassandra had broken into her chambers. She knew something was stolen. And now I was announcing marriage to that same girl?
Seraphine was smart enough to connect the dots. This wasn't about love. This was a declaration of war.
"SILENCE!" King Aldric roared. The room went quiet. He stared at me with cold fury. "Adrian. My chambers. Now."
I followed him out of the throne room, ignoring the whispers and stares. Elias trailed behind us, looking terrified.
In the King's private chambers, Aldric turned on me.
"What are you playing at?" he demanded. "That girl's father was a traitor. Her family is ruined. Marrying her destroys what little reputation you have left!"
"Or it's the smartest move I've ever made," I said calmly.
"Explain."
"House Nyx has connections in the lower city. Information networks. Loyal servants who remember when Lord Nyx was respected." I met my father's eyes. "The Succession Trials aren't just about combat and strategy. They're about leadership. About proving I can gather allies and build power. Marrying Cassandra shows I'm not afraid to make bold moves."
"Bold?" Aldric laughed bitterly. "It's stupid. Reckless."
"Father," Elias spoke up suddenly. Both of us turned to stare at him. He never contradicted the King. "Maybe... maybe Adrian has a point. The nobles underestimate him. If he can turn that into an advantage—"
"Stay out of this, Elias," Aldric snapped.
"No." Elias's voice got stronger. "I won't stay out of it anymore. Adrian is my brother. And he's right—marrying Lady Cassandra is smart. Everyone expects him to fail. So they won't see him coming when he doesn't."
King Aldric stared at both of us like we'd lost our minds. "You're making a fool of yourself, Adrian."
"Or I'm making the smartest move of my life," I repeated.
I turned and walked toward the door.
"I didn't dismiss you!" Aldric shouted.
I kept walking. Didn't bow. Didn't apologize.
Adrian would never have done that. But Marco? Marco knew that respect had to be taken, not given.
Behind me, I heard the King sputter in rage.
Elias caught up with me in the corridor. "That was either brilliant or suicidal."
"Time will tell." I grabbed his arm. "Any word on Cassandra?"
"Nothing yet. Luca's still searching—"
A servant came running down the corridor, breathless and panicked.
"Prince Adrian! Prince Adrian, you need to come quickly!"
"What's wrong?"
"There's someone at the palace gates. They're demanding to see you." The servant's eyes were wide. "It's Lady Cassandra Nyx. And she's covered in blood."
My heart stopped.
I ran. Didn't care that my weak legs protested. Didn't care that servants stared. Just ran.
I reached the main gates and pushed through the crowd of guards.
Cassandra stood there, barely staying upright. Blood soaked her clothes. Her face was pale. But she was alive.
And in her hand, she clutched a leather journal.
"Adrian," she said, her voice weak but triumphant. "I got it. The proof. Everything we need."
Then her eyes rolled back and she collapsed.
I caught her before she hit the ground. "Get the Royal Physician! Now!"
"Not the Royal Physician," a voice said behind me. Viktor Ashford appeared, also bloody and exhausted. "He works for Seraphine. Get Dr. Marcus Chen from the lower city. He's loyal to no one but the Hippocratic oath."
"Someone get Dr. Chen!" I shouted.
Guards scrambled. Nobles gathered, whispering and pointing.
I held Cassandra in my arms, feeling her weak pulse, and realized something terrifying.
I'd known this girl for less than two days.
But if she died right now, something inside me would break.
When did that happen? When did she become important?
"Stay with me," I whispered. "You didn't survive all this just to die now. Stay with me, Cassandra."
Her eyes fluttered open briefly. "Did you... announce the marriage?"
"Yes."
"Good." A weak smile crossed her face. "Now they'll really... think we're crazy..."
"We are crazy," I said.
"Perfect match then," she whispered.
Then she passed out completely.
Dr. Chen arrived twenty minutes later and took Cassandra to a private room. Viktor and I waited outside, both of us still covered in blood.
"What happened?" I demanded.
"Damian," Viktor said grimly. "He found us in the lower city. Shot at her with a crossbow. The bolt grazed her side—not fatal, but she lost blood. We fought him off with help from Luca and some of my men."
"Where's Damian now?"
"Gone. He retreated when he realized he was outnumbered." Viktor's smile was cold. "But he knows now. Knows that you have allies. Knows that you're not the weak prince anymore."
"Good. Let him know." I looked at the closed door where Cassandra was being treated. "Did she really get the journal?"
"She got everything. The journal. Documents. Evidence of murders, bribes, treason." Viktor's eyes gleamed. "Enough to destroy Queen Seraphine completely."
The door opened. Dr. Chen stepped out.
"Well?" I demanded. "Is she—"
"She'll live. The wound isn't deep. She needs rest and fluids, but she's strong." He studied me carefully. "You're Prince Adrian?"
"Yes."
"She kept saying your name while I stitched her up. Telling you not to trust the Royal Physician. Warning you about poison." His expression was serious. "What exactly is going on in this palace?"
"A war," I said simply. "And we're going to win it."
Dr. Chen nodded slowly. "Then you'll need allies who can be trusted. I'll help. My family has served the true royal line for generations. We remember Queen Helena—she was a good woman. We know she was murdered."
Another ally. Another piece falling into place.
"Can I see her?" I asked.
"Briefly. She needs to sleep."
I went into the room. Cassandra lay in the bed, bandaged and pale but breathing steadily.
Her eyes opened when I sat beside her.
"Hey," she whispered.
"Hey yourself." I took her hand carefully. "You scared me."
"Good. Keeps you... on your toes." She smiled weakly. "Did I ruin... your big announcement?"
"You made it better. Nothing says 'serious commitment' like your fiancée showing up covered in blood."
She laughed, then winced. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts."
"Sorry."
We sat in silence for a moment.
"Marco," she whispered suddenly.
I froze. "What?"
"You kept saying that name. In your sleep. Last night when we were hiding." Her green eyes studied me intensely. "Who's Marco?"
My heart pounded. She'd heard me. Somehow, she'd heard me talking in my sleep.
"Someone I used to be," I said carefully.
"And Adrian? Who's he?"
"Someone I'm trying to become."
Cassandra squeezed my hand weakly. "Whoever you are... I'm glad you're on my side."
Before I could respond, the door burst open.
Queen Seraphine stood there, her face a mask of fury.
"Arrest them both," she commanded the guards behind her. "For treason, theft, and attempted murder of the Crown."