Page 11

The palace dining hall glowed with warm candlelight, crystal chandeliers casting dancing shadows across the marble floors.

I paused in the doorway, taking in the familiar grandeur I’d left behind after my divorce.

And there, looking perfectly at ease chatting with the king and queen, sat my brother Sebastian.

What the hell is he doing here?

He spotted me and waved. “Ah, dear sister! Her Majesty insisted I stay for dinner after our business concluded. And being the obedient soul that I am, how could I refuse?”

I rolled my eyes. “Your obedience knows no bounds, brother.” My gaze swept the table, noting Rosalind and Noah sitting close together, then Lady Penelope and Seraphina whispering behind their hands. Moving toward an empty seat far from the royal couple, I prepared myself for an awkward meal.

“Lady Ilyana, why even are you heading down there?” Queen Felicia’s melodious voice stopped me. “Come, sit beside me.”

“Indeed,” King Arnald’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “These old eyes can barely make you out at such a distance.”

Heat crept up my neck as I changed course, acutely aware of Rosalind to my left as I took the seat next to the queen. The elaborate place setting swam before my eyes as I fought the urge to scan the room again. Where was he?

“Looking for someone in particular?” Queen Felicia’s knowing tone made my head snap up.

“No, Your Majesty.” I busied myself with my napkin, willing my face not to flush. “It’s simply been some time since I dined here. Everything feels…different.”

“Mhmm.” The queen lifted her teacup, a small smile playing on her lips. “If you say so.”

My stomach dropped. That smile. That knowing look as she sipped her tea. Did she suspect? Could she see right through me to my growing feelings for her son? The thought made me flush a particularly bright shade of red as I reached for my own cup.

“The tea is particularly fragrant tonight, don’t you think?” Queen Felicia’s eyes sparkled with amusement over the rim of her cup.

“The tea is extraordinarily good today, Your Majesty.” Sebastian beamed at the queen, completely missing the undertones of her previous comment. “The bergamot is particularly fragrant.”

Thank the heavens for my oblivious brother. Queen Felicia’s attention shifted to Sebastian, and I let out a quiet breath of relief.

But my reprieve was short-lived.

“Lya, why do you look like an overripe tomato?” Sebastian’s innocent question drew every eye at the table to my face. Even Noah, who’d been steadfastly pretending I didn’t exist, glanced over with mild interest.

Damn you, Sebastian.

“It’s rather hot in here,” I muttered, fiddling with my cutlery.

“Hot?” Sebastian’s brow furrowed. “But it’s been getting quite chilly lately, what with autumn approaching—”

“Sebastian.” I smiled through gritted teeth. “I am feeling. Very. Hot.”

“Oooookay.” His eyebrows rose nearly to his hairline as he exchanged glances with Queen Felicia.

I grabbed my fork, ready to stab something—preferably my food, though Sebastian was making himself a tempting target—when the dining hall doors swung open.

Prince Anderic strode in, golden curls slightly disheveled as if he’d been running his hands through them.

His eyes found mine immediately, like lodestones finding true north, and held.

That familiar intensity made my breath catch as he moved around the table with fluid grace.

Without breaking our gaze, he took the empty seat directly across from me.

“My apologies for being late,” he said, his voice low and smooth as honey. He hadn’t broken our stare, and I found myself unable to look away. The candlelight caught his eyes, turning them to molten gold.

“The tea is getting cold waiting for you, son,” Queen Felicia remarked, amusement coloring her tone.

She’s having way too much fun at my expense.

But Anderic didn’t reach for his cup. Instead, his lips curved into that dangerous half-smile that made my stomach flip. “I’m not particularly interested in this tea at the moment, Mother.”

Why does he have to look at me like that? I wondered, gripping my fork tighter as heat crept up my neck again.

“Why are you talking like that?” My innocently oblivious brother, who was sitting beside Anderic, asked as he stuffed his mouth with a big piece of roasted duck.

He’s eating like he doesn’t get food at home.

“Like what?” Anderic finally broke his stare, turning to Sebastian with that same infuriating half-smile playing on his lips. The candlelight caught in his golden curls, making them gleam like a halo.

Devil in angel’s clothing, more like.

Sebastian shrugged, shoveling another piece of duck into his mouth. “I don’t know. You’re being weird.”

Anderic’s rich laugh echoed through the dining hall. His eyes found mine again, molten gold dancing with mischief. “Maybe Lady Ilyana here would be able to tell us?”

My fingers tightened around the knife. The blade would look so pretty sticking out of his shoulder—not fatal, just enough to wipe that smug look off his face. Instead, I smiled sweetly. “I wouldn’t dare to presume, Your Highness.”

“Oh, but I insist.” His voice dropped lower, sending an unwanted shiver down my spine.

Sebastian had stopped eating—a miracle in itself—and was looking between us with narrowed eyes full of suspicion. I swallowed hard. Even Rosalind had raised an eyebrow, her fork suspended halfway to her mouth. Noah, bless his oblivious soul, continued eating as if nothing was amiss.

Lady Seraphina, however, looked ready to throw her knife. Her eyes shot daggers across the table, no doubt imagining all the ways she could eliminate her competition for Anderic’s attention.

If only she knew I’d gladly trade places.

I searched desperately for an escape, my mind flipping through excuses. The room felt suffocating, the warmth from the candles suddenly stifling. A bead of sweat trickled down my neck.

“Now, now.” Queen Felicia’s melodious voice cut through the tension like a cool breeze. “Stop bothering Ilyana. You’ll scare her away.” She let out a dramatic sigh that would make any theater performer proud. “She barely visits me these days as it is.”

“My deepest apologies, Mother.” But Anderic’s eyes, still fixed on mine, held no trace of remorse. Instead, they sparkled with something that made my stomach flip. “I wouldn’t want to discourage Lady Ilyana from visiting.”

Why does his voice have to sound like that when he says my name?

I broke eye contact first, focusing intently on the roasted duck as if it held the secrets of the universe. More dishes arrived - a rich mushroom soup, glazed vegetables, and honeyed bread. The aromas wafted across the table, and I breathed deeply, willing my racing heart to slow.

Don’t look at him. Don’t you dare look at him.

The tension in my shoulders eased slightly as Anderic remained blessedly silent.

Queen Felicia’s melodious voice filled the air, punctuated by Sebastian’s enthusiastic chewing.

I answered the royal couple’s occasional questions with carefully crafted politeness, all while hyper-aware of Anderic’s gaze burning into me.

Perfect, I thought as the conversation lulled. Time to set my plan in motion.

“Your Majesty,” I said, smiling at Queen Felicia. “I couldn’t help but wonder—when will the Founding Day celebrations take place this year?”

I tried not to look too eager as I awaited her response.

The annual festivities were always accompanied by a grand ball—the perfect opportunity to debut that stunning midnight blue gown from Magnolia.

My mind was already racing with possibilities when King Arnald’s deep voice cut through my planning.

“Actually, we’ve been considering canceling it this year,” he said, clearing his throat. “Given the recent…unpleasantness.”

My heart sank. My carefully laid plans crumbled like a house of cards. No, no, no. This can’t be happening.

“Indeed.” Queen Felicia nodded solemnly. “We cannot risk any more attempts on people’s lives.”

I opened my mouth, scrambling for a way to salvage the situation, when Rosalind’s voice cut through the silence.

“If Your Majesties would permit me to suggest,” she began, her voice soft but firm, “perhaps canceling would send the wrong message. I believe we should proceed with the Founding Day celebrations as planned. Continuing the tradition will show strength in the face of adversity—and present a united front to our enemies.”

I could kiss you right now, Rosalind.

I jumped on the opportunity. “I wholeheartedly agree with Lady Rosalind,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “In fact, why not take it a step further? For the ball that follows, you could open the doors to everyone in the capital. It would send a powerful message that we aren’t cowering in fear.”

King Arnald stroked his beard, nodding thoughtfully. “That’s… actually quite a good idea.”

Queen Felicia also nodded. “Yes, I agree. And I suppose you’d like me to wear the dress from Magnolia,” she said, her sharp eyes focusing on me.

Nothing escapes her eyes.

I gave her an awkward smile. “Only if you want to.”

Queen Felicia took a sip from her cup. She seemed to be warming to the concept as well, but Anderic’s smooth voice cut through the moment of triumph.

“And what of security?” he asked, his golden eyes fixed on me. “Gathering so many people in one place could be disastrous if there’s another attempt.”

Sebastian nodded, his eyes calculating all the risks. For all his jovial nature, he was not a fool. Growing up in a noble household, he was no stranger to strategies and court politics. “He’s got a point, Lya. It could be a slaughter if we miscalculated even a bit.”

I shot my brother a withering glare. Traitor.

“I agree with Sebastian and Anderic. We could very well be walking into a trap. Though the ideas of Lady Rosalind and Lady Ilyana are very sound, they’re just not feasible right now.” Noah spoke up for the first time.

Even King Arnald nodded in agreement.