Ellora returned to her chambers without haste.
Her steps were calm, her posture intact, but the moment the doors closed behind her, the weight finally settled. Not the looks. Not the tension.
The silence that had followed her words.
Alina was waiting.
She didn't bow. She didn't soften her expression.
"She really sat there," Alina said, her voice tight. "In front of everyone. Like it was nothing."
Ellora loosened her gloves slowly, sliding them off her fingers.
"Yes."
"And he let her," Alina continued, pacing now. "No hesitation. No shame."
Ellora placed the gloves on the table.
"That was his decision."
Alina stopped.
"No," she said sharply. "That was him choosing her."
The words hung between them.
Ellora didn't deny it.
Alina exhaled, dragging a hand through her hair.
"I thought she'd be subtle," she said bitterly. "But that? That was bold."
Ellora turned slightly.
"She wanted to be seen."
"And she was," Alina snapped. "By everyone."
Then she looked at Ellora again, eyes burning with something fierce and loyal.
"But so were you."
Ellora met her gaze.
"You didn't lower your head," Alina said. "You didn't smile and swallow it."
She shook her head once, almost in disbelief.
"They won't forget that."
Ellora leaned back against the table.
"I didn't plan to embarrass her," she said quietly. "I only asked for what was already mine."
Alina let out a short laugh.
"That's what scares them."
A knock came at the door.
A letter was delivered moments later.
No seal. No crest.
Ellora recognized the handwriting before she even opened it.
She read it once.
Then again.
I have arrived in the capital.
I hope you are well.
— H
Her fingers tightened slightly around the paper.
Alina noticed.
"…From the North?" she asked.
Ellora nodded.
Before anything else could be said, another message arrived.
The Crown Prince requested her presence.
⸻
Aster was by the window when Ellora entered.
He didn't turn right away.
"You shouldn't have done that," he said.
Ellora stopped a few steps inside the room.
"Done what?"
"You made her uncomfortable. In front of everyone."
Ellora let out a quiet breath.
"She put herself there."
Aster finally turned.
"You knew what you were doing."
"Yes," Ellora said. "So did she."
His jaw tightened.
"Why are you being like this?" he asked. "She's been nothing but supportive."
Ellora took a step closer.
"You defend her very easily."
He scoffed lightly.
"You're reading too much into it."
Ellora looked at him for a long moment.
Then she said his name.
"Aster."
The way his shoulders stiffened told her it still mattered.
"Since when do my assistants need your protection?"
His expression hardened.
"This conversation is pointless."
The door opened.
Amelia stepped inside.
Her eyes were red. Her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to cause trouble."
She bowed to Ellora.
"Please forgive me."
Then she turned to Aster.
"I never wanted to come between you."
Ellora watched her. She watched the timing, the tears.
Aster moved immediately.
"You did nothing wrong," he said. "This isn't your fault."
He looked back at Ellora, irritation clear now.
"You've changed," he said. "You used to be kinder."
Ellora felt something cold settle in her chest.
"I'm not unkind," she said. "I'm just not pretending anymore."
Amelia's breath hitched.
"I thought… I thought we were still friends," she whispered.
Ellora's gaze didn't soften.
"I don't call this friendship."
Aster stepped forward.
"Enough," he said sharply. "You're being cruel."
Ellora looked at him.
At the way he stood slightly in front of Amelia.
At the way his hand hovered near her shoulder.
"I see," Ellora said.
She inclined her head once.
When she turned to leave, she felt it.
The glance Amelia cast her way.
Not tearful.
Not broken.
Satisfied.