The Next Morning—Dravenwald Residence

  The song of a bird drifted through the tall windows, barely filtering into the still-sleeping room. The morning light slanted in golden streaks across the sheets, gently outlining the shapes of the furniture.

  I had woken up before him.

  At least... I thought I had.

  “Are you planning on staying here watching me for much longer?” Kael's deep voice growled.

  I jumped slightly.

  “I... I wasn't watching you. Well, yes, a little, but it wasn't...”

  And anyway, what is he doing here?

  A fleeting smile touched his lips, without him moving.

  “You talk too much when you wake up.”

  I let out a slight grunt as I got out of bed, still partially under the influence of nighttime sleep.

  Suddenly, I remembered what had happened yesterday... he didn't get angry, nor did he send me home, which still leaves me perplexed.

  But then why that look? Why this palpable tension in the air, like a suspended thread that hasn't yet snapped?

  I shook my head. I had to think about something else.

  In the hall—a few hours later

  Kael held a letter sealed with the royal seal and opened it. His eyes scanned the page.

  I saw him tense up slightly.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked, concerned.

  He calmly folded the letter, slipped it into his jacket, and replied in a neutral tone:

  “The king wants to see me. Today.”

  My stomach knotted. I swallowed hard.

  “Does this have anything to do with the day before yesterday?”

  Kael didn't answer right away. Then, staring into space, he said,

  “Maybe.”

  Meanwhile—Capital, White Marble Square

  Rumors spread like wildfire.

  “Have you heard? The Butcher of the East... he's back.”

  “Not only is he back, but he was walking around the capital... with a woman!”

  “And not just any woman—she defended him!”

  “She slapped... Baron Nareth! In public!”

  Shocked nobles, silent guards, curious merchants. Some laughed; others were terrified. And in the center, an idea began to take shape...

  “Do you think she's his concubine?”

  “Or a hostage?”

  “What if he's planning something? Treason?”

  “Or maybe... he's finally let his guard down.”

  All eyes turned once again to Dravenwald, the man everyone had tried to forget.

  Later—inner courtyard of the Royal Palace

  At the palace entrance, an honor guard welcomed Kael. As he passed, the soldiers stood at attention. Some looked away. Others gritted their teeth.

  Kael walked like an animated specter, more sinister than ever, his cape flapping behind him in the wind.

  In his presence, I walked upright, silent, and controlling my anxiety.

  The court marshal bowed.

  “His Majesty awaits you. Alone.”

  Kael glanced at me. Just for a moment. Like a silent command.

  I nodded. I would wait here.

  But a strange uneasiness knotted my chest. Because, no matter what he had seen, done, or endured, I could sense one thing: this meeting... troubled him.

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  Royal Palace – the fountain courtyard

  The sound of Kael's footsteps gradually faded away in the vast marble corridor. I remained alone in the antechamber, between the onyx columns and the pale gold curtains.

  Guards stood silent as statues. No one spoke to me. No one dared. I was the stranger, standing next to the silent beast. The source of all questions.

  I sighed, walking slowly toward the inner courtyard decorated with crystal fountains and refined sculptures. The scent of imperial roses mingled in the air.

  Then I heard it.

  “These fountains are ancient... They say they could cry the blood of forgotten betrayals.”

  I turned around abruptly.

  A woman was watching me from the shadows of an archway. She was slender, with pale skin and midnight blue hair, elegantly tied back in a bun. She wore a gray silk dress with a slit up the side, enhanced by a black corset. On her finger was a black ruby cut into the shape of an eye. Her eyes were a deep purple, almost mesmerizing.

  “You are...?”

  She took a step forward, serene.

  “Selene Astovar, Duchess of Omrak and Guild Leader. There is no need to memorize my title. That is not what has my attention at the moment.”

  My heart began to race.

  “You wanted to see me?”

  She smiled slightly.

  “No. But I saw you.”

  She tilted her head gently toward me, her woody, floral perfume enveloping me in an intoxicating breath.

  “You were the one walking alongside the beast.”

  “Are you referring to... Kael?”

  “Who else? You don't dine with a monster without ending up in its jaws. And yet... you survived. Better than that. We saw you in town with him. Arm in arm.”

  I felt her gaze scrutinizing me deeply.

  “That's right. So?”

  She laughed softly, a sound like the rattle of glass.

  “So, you're much more captivating than I imagined.”

  I stood still.

  — The king did not summon Kael on a whim. The spread of rumors about you throughout the capital is creating uncertainty. And you are the variable he cannot control. The troubling piece on the chessboard.

  — Are you implying that I am in danger?

  — I am simply suggesting that you be vigilant, but it could also be beneficial to you.

  She moved forward slightly, touching a black rose with her fingertips, but without picking it.

  “A celebration is planned in two weeks. In honor of the return of the protectors. Participate as an observer only. Unofficially... I want to see how you dance among the wolves. And who knows... you may discover something interesting that could be useful to you.”

  “Why are you helping me?”

  Her violet eyes narrowed.

  “Because Kael Dravenwald is a wild beast... Wild beasts never manage to survive alone. And those who have the courage to tame them... can become all the more threatening.”

  She bowed slowly, then walked away into the shadowy corridors, like an elegant mist.

  A few minutes later, Kael returned from his meeting with the king. His expression was impassive, his gaze sharper than when he had left.

  “Let's go home,” he said simply.

  There was growing unrest within the palace.

  Return to the Dravenwald estate—late afternoon, stormy skies

  The carriage moved silently, jolted by the gravel on the path. Clouds gathered outside the window. A storm was brewing on the horizon.

  Kael, sitting across from me, kept his arms crossed. He stared at a distant point, as if weighing something in his mind.

  “Aren't you going to tell me what he said?” I asked softly.

  He slowly turned his eyes to me. They were calm. Too calm.

  “A king is still a king, but he is a human being first and foremost. Bound by his family obligations and his duties as king.”

  I swallowed.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Nothing important; don’t worry about it.”

  He sighed softly.

  “These are turbulent times, Lyssandra. Be ready when the time comes.”

  CRAAACK—!

  Lightning streaked across the sky just above the mansion. The carriage stopped with a screech of wheels.

  Interior—Dravenwald Residence

  The rain had already begun to fall as we stepped through the doors. Inside, a strange warmth enveloped us—no foreign presence could cross the invisible boundaries of this residence, neither spy nor magic from outside. Here, Kael reigned alone.

  Despite appearances, it is one of the safest places I have ever known.

  I was about to head for the stairs when he spoke, his back to me.

  “A ball will be held at Court in three days. The celebration of the Crown Prince’s birthday.”

  I froze. Slowly, I turned around.

  “And you're going to attend?”

  “Yes, that's right. And so are you.”

  I stared at him. His tone left no room for discussion, but there was nothing hostile about it. It was... a decision.

  “You know perfectly well that I don't have any clothes suitable for this kind of event.”

  He gave a brief, barely visible smile.

  “It's taken care of.”

  And without another word, he vanished into the shadows of the hallway.

  The next day—Lyssandra's room

  The whisper of the wind woke me up. I opened my eyes slowly, still drowsy from the night. The rain had stopped, but a gray cloud darkened the sky.

  When I got up, I saw it.

  The dress.

  Carefully draped over a mannequin. No words. No noise in the hallway. Just her, presented as if it were obvious.

  Dark velvet with hints of red wine, embroidered with black patterns like frozen ink. Refined, sophisticated, and dangerously tailored for me.

  I stood still for a moment, my fingers brushing the fabric. Kael wasn't the type to do things halfway.

  And he wasn't the type to let chance choose for him.