Sera's POV
The palace gardens were exactly as Sera remembered.
She slipped through the eastern gate as twilight painted the sky purple and gold, her dark cloak helping her blend into lengthening shadows. Her heart hammered with each step along the familiar stone paths.
Five years ago, Princess Cassia had walked these gardens freely. She'd studied under the flowering trees, laughed with her ladies-in-waiting by the fountains, dreamed of a future where she'd help her father rule justly.
Now she was sneaking through them like a criminal.
Because you are a criminal in their eyes. A dead traitor come back to haunt them.
Sera pushed the thought away and focused on navigation. The eastern fountain was tucked into a quiet corner, surrounded by tall hedges that provided privacy. Perfect for a secret meeting.
As she rounded the final corner, she spotted him.
Lord Aldwin stood alone by the marble fountain, looking older than she remembered. His hair had gone completely white, deep lines carved into his face. But his posture was still straight, his eyes still sharp as he scanned the darkening garden nervously.
Relief and grief crashed through Sera simultaneously.
He was alive. The announcement at Elara's salon had been wrong—or more likely, manipulation to gauge reactions. But he was also clearly frightened, clutching the coded message she'd sent with trembling hands.
Sera stepped forward. Lord Aldwin.
He spun, eyes widening. Who are you? Your message said
I'm a friend. Sera kept her voice low, glancing around to ensure they were alone. Though you knew me by a different name once.
Aldwin studied her face in the fading light, confusion and something else—hope?—flickering across his features. I don't understand.
You don't need to. Not yet. Sera pulled a folded document from beneath her cloak. What you need to know is this: Lord Chancellor Marcellus is planning to have you arrested for embezzlement. The evidence is fabricated. The witnesses are bribed. It's the same strategy they used five years ago.
Aldwin's face went pale. How do you know this?
I have sources inside the conspiracy. Sera pressed the document into his hands. These are copies of the forged financial records they'll use against you. Destroy them before the arrest. Get your family to safety. Trust no one at court.
This is... Aldwin unfolded the papers, his hands shaking as he read. These are lies. Complete fabrications. I never—
I know. Sera's voice came out rougher than intended. They're very good at building coffins out of lies.
Something in her tone made Aldwin look up sharply. Why are you doing this? Why would a merchant from the provinces risk herself for an old man she doesn't know?
Because innocent people shouldn't die for others' corrupt ambition, Sera said, passion bleeding through her careful control. Because standing by while injustice happens makes you just as guilty as those committing it. Because someone once taught me that true leadership means protecting the powerless, even when it costs you personally.
Aldwin went very still. Those are... those are the exact words I once said to—
He stopped, staring at her face with growing recognition. His eyes widened.
No, he whispered. It's impossible. You're dead. I watched them seal your tomb.
Sera's breath caught. She'd said too much. Revealed too much.
Lord Aldwin, please
Your voice. His hands trembled. The way you speak about justice, about protecting the powerless. The way you stand. Princess Cassia used to stand exactly like that when she was making a point. Tears filled his eyes. Who are you really?
Sera opened her mouth, not knowing what to say
And a cold voice cut through the garden like a blade.
Don't answer that.
Terror flooded Sera's veins.
She spun to see Duke Kaelen Nightraven stepping out from behind the tall hedges, his gray eyes fixed on her with deadly focus. His hand rested on his sword, and his expression was ice and fury.
Behind him, three palace guards emerged from the shadows, blocking all the garden exits.
Sera's mind raced. Trapped. I'm trapped.
Your Grace, Lord Aldwin started, his voice shaking. This isn't
Quiet. Kaelen's command was absolute. His gaze never left Sera. Lady Sera Ashwood. Meeting secretly with Lord Aldwin. Discussing conspiracy and fabricated evidence. Making accusations against the Lord Chancellor. He moved closer, each step deliberate. That sounds very much like treason.
Sera forced herself to stand tall, even as fear clawed at her throat. Or it sounds like someone trying to prevent an innocent man's murder.
Does it? Kaelen stopped three feet away. Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're interfering with Imperial matters using information you shouldn't possess. Information that suggests you're either part of the conspiracy yourself, or you're something else entirely.
I'm trying to save a life!
Are you? Or are you using Lord Aldwin as a pawn in some larger game? Kaelen's voice was dangerous. Controlled. I've been investigating you for three days, Lady Sera. Your background is a carefully constructed lie. Your business records are too perfect. Your references check out, but they feel rehearsed. And now I find you here, speaking about justice with passion that seems deeply personal.
He moved even closer. Sera could see the exact color of his eyes now—storm-gray and relentless.
So I'll ask you one more time, Kaelen said quietly. Who are you really?
Sera's heart hammered. She could feel Lord Aldwin's eyes on her, questioning. Could feel the guards watching, ready to arrest her at Kaelen's command.
She had two choices: run and confirm every suspicion, or stand her ground and fight with the only weapon she had left.
Truth. Partial truth.
I'm someone who knows what it's like to be condemned on fabricated evidence, Sera said, her voice steady despite the terror flooding her veins. I'm someone who's seen innocent people destroyed because it was politically convenient. And I'm someone who refuses to stand by and watch it happen again.
Kaelen's jaw tightened. That's not an answer.
It's the only answer you're getting tonight. Sera met his eyes directly. You want to arrest me for warning Lord Aldwin about an assassination plot? Fine. But know this, Your Grace—every day you waste investigating me is another day Marcellus and his allies get away with murder.
You're making serious accusations against the Lord Chancellor.
I'm stating facts. Sera pulled the documents from her cloak and thrust them toward him. These are forged financial records. They'll be used to frame Lord Aldwin for embezzlement, just like forged documents were used to frame someone else for treason five years ago.
The air went still.
Kaelen stared at the papers in her hand, something shifting in his expression. What did you say?
You heard me. Sera's voice was hard now. Angry. Five years ago, someone was convicted on fabricated evidence because it was easier than seeking truth. Because following orders required less courage than asking questions. And now the same people are using the same methods to eliminate anyone who threatens their power.
Kaelen's face had gone pale. How do you know about—
About what? About how conspiracies work? About how innocent people are destroyed by pretty lies? Sera took a step toward him, reckless with rage now. I know because I've seen it. I know because I understand exactly how people like Marcellus build coffins out of forged signatures and rehearsed testimonies.
Lord Aldwin made a soft sound of warning, but Sera couldn't stop.
So yes, Your Grace. I'm interfering with Imperial matters. I'm making accusations. I'm risking everything to warn one old man about a plot that will murder him the same way it murdered— She caught herself just in time. The same way it's murdered others.
Silence fell across the garden.
Kaelen stared at her with an expression she couldn't read. Shock. Confusion. And beneath it all, something that looked like dawning realization.
You're not just trying to save Lord Aldwin, he said slowly. This is personal for you. Deeply personal.
Sera said nothing.
Who did they murder? Kaelen's voice was quieter now. Almost gentle. Who are you trying to avenge?
Before Sera could answer, shouts echoed from the palace. Footsteps running. More guards approaching.
Someone reported suspicious activity in the gardens, one of Kaelen's guards said urgently. We need to leave. Now.
Kaelen made a decision in an instant. He grabbed Sera's arm—not roughly, but firmly. You're coming with me. Lord Aldwin, go home. Destroy those documents. We'll discuss this later.
Your Grace Aldwin protested.
Now!
Kaelen pulled Sera toward a hidden side gate she'd forgotten existed. They moved quickly through the darkening gardens, his hand still locked around her arm.
Where are you taking me? Sera demanded.
Somewhere we can talk without being interrupted. Without guards. Without— He stopped abruptly at the gate, turning to face her. Without you running away before I get answers.
They were so close now. Close enough that Sera could see the conflict warring in his expression—duty versus curiosity, suspicion versus something else.
I could scream, Sera pointed out. Bring all those guards running.
You could, Kaelen agreed. But you won't. Because you need me as much as I need answers from you.
I don't need you.
Don't you? His grip on her arm loosened slightly, became almost gentle. You're trying to expose a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of court. You're risking everything to save people you supposedly don't know. You have information and passion, but you're one woman against an empire. His gray eyes searched hers. You need someone with authority. With access. With the ability to investigate officially.
You mean I need the man who— Sera stopped herself.
Who what? Kaelen's voice was intense. Finish that sentence, Lady Sera. The man who what?
Sera pulled her arm free. The man who once chose duty over justice. How do I know you won't do it again?
The words hit him like a physical blow. She saw him flinch.
You don't, Kaelen admitted quietly. But I'm choosing to help you now. Doesn't that count for something?
I don't know yet.
They stared at each other in the fading light. The mysterious merchant and the suspicious duke. Adversaries circling each other, neither quite ready to trust, but both aware they needed what the other offered.
Come with me, Kaelen said finally. We'll talk. Really talk. And then you can decide whether I'm worthy of your trust.
Sera knew it was dangerous. Knew following him could expose everything.
But she also knew he was right. She needed an ally. And Kaelen, for all his suspicions, was offering help instead of arrest.
One conversation, Sera agreed. Then I leave.
Fair enough.
Kaelen led her through the side gate into the darkening streets. Neither of them noticed the figure watching from the palace windows above.
Lady Elara Thornwick stood silhouetted against the light, her beautiful face twisted with cold fury.
She'd seen everything.
And now she knew exactly where to strike.