Aria's POV
I'm in the palace library when she finds me.
Ms. Winters.
Celestia's voice makes my skin crawl. I turn from the bookshelf.
Your Majesty. I bow slightly. Professional. Cold.
She glides into the library like a predator. Beautiful. Deadly. Everything I used to fear.
We need to talk.
Of course. About the trade negotiations?
No. She steps closer. About my fiancé.
My stomach tightens. I don't understand.
Don't you? Her smile is ice. I've noticed the way he looks at you. The way he stares. It's... inappropriate.
Prince Kael is professional at all times
Liar. The word cuts. I know what I see. He's obsessed with you. Just like he was obsessed with my sister before she died.
My heart pounds. I assure you, Your Majesty
Stay away from him. Celestia circles me like a predator. You're here to work. Not to seduce my fiancé.
I'm not trying to seduce anyone.
Aren't you? She stops in front of me. Studies my face. There's something familiar about you. Something I can't quite place.
Ice floods my veins.
I have one of those faces
No. It's more than that. Celestia's eyes narrow. My sister had a scar. Just like yours. Right there. She touches my temple.
I force myself not to flinch. Many people have scars, Your Majesty.
Not like that one. Her finger traces the mark. She got it falling from a horse when she was twelve. I was there. I watched it happen.
You pushed me, I want to scream. You startled the horse on purpose.
But I stay silent.
How tragic, I say instead. Losing a sister.
Yes. Very tragic. Celestia's smile doesn't reach her eyes. She was weak. Soft. Too kind for her own good. That softness got her killed.
My hands clench into fists. Perhaps her kindness was strength you mistake for weakness.
Celestia's eyes flash. Excuse me?
Nothing. I apologize, Your Majesty.
No. You said something. About strength and weakness. She leans closer. Why would you defend a dead woman you never met?
I just think kindness isn't the same as weakness.
Really? Because in my experience, kind people die. Strong people survive.
Then I suppose we have different definitions of strength.
Indeed. Celestia backs away. But let me make one thing very clear, Ms. Winters. My fiancé belongs to me. Not to you. Not to the ghost of my sister. To me.
Prince Kael isn't property
In this palace, everyone is my property. Her voice drops. Including you. You work for me. You answer to me. And if I tell you to stay away from Kael, you will obey.
Of course, Your Majesty.
Good. She turns to leave. Then pauses. One more thing.
Yes?
My sister used to stand exactly like you're standing now. Chin up. Defiant. Ready to fight even when she was terrified. Celestia's smile is dangerous. How strange that you share so many similarities with a dead woman.
My blood runs cold.
Coincidence, I'm sure.
I don't believe in coincidences, Ms. Winters. She walks to the door. I'll be watching you. Very closely.
She leaves.
I stand frozen for a long moment.
Then my knees give out. I sink into a chair.
Celestia suspects. Maybe doesn't know for sure. But she suspects.
And if she figures out who I really am...
The door opens. I jump.
Kael enters. Aria? Are you alright? I saw Celestia leaving. She looked angry.
I'm fine.
You're shaking.
I look down. My hands are trembling. I clasp them together.
Just cold.
Kael doesn't believe me. He sits in the chair next to mine. What did she say to you?
Nothing important.
Aria
She told me to stay away from you.
Kael's jaw clenches. She has no right
She's your fiancée. She has every right.
Our engagement is political. Not romantic.
Does she know that?
Of course she does.
Then why is she so possessive?
Kael is quiet for a moment. Because she knows I don't love her. And it makes her... angry.
Do you love someone else?
The question escapes before I can stop it.
Kael looks at me. Really looks at me. I did. Once. Five years ago.
What happened?
She died. His voice breaks slightly. At least, I thought she did.
My throat tightens. What do you mean 'thought'?
Nothing. I'm being foolish. He stands. I should let you get back to work.
Kael Your Highness. Wait.
He pauses.
Celestia said something. About your sister having a scar like mine.
Seraphina. Yes.
Do I really look that much like her?
Kael studies my face. No. You don't look like her at all. Different hair. Different eyes. Different features.
Relief starts to bloom.
But, he continues, you remind me of her anyway. The way you move. The way you speak. The way you hold yourself. He steps closer. It's like watching a ghost.
Maybe you just miss her so much you're seeing her everywhere.
Maybe. He reaches out. Touches my temple scar. Or maybe she's not as gone as I thought.
I can't breathe.
Goodnight, Ms. Winters. He pulls his hand away. And don't worry about Celestia. I'll talk to her.
He leaves.
I sit alone in the library, heart racing.
Both of them suspect. Both of them are watching.
And I'm running out of time to hide who I really am.