Morning came with rain .
Soft at first — then insistent , drumming against the stained glass of the East Wing , turning the castle is corridor into silver light and shadows .
Elira welcomed the quiet it brought .
Rain drowned whispers whispers .
She worked alone at her desk , transcribing sealed letters that had arrived from the Southern front , the scent of ink and parchment Thick in the air .
But her focus was fractured — ever since the note , every sound felt too sharp , every silence too deep .
The memory of Caelum is hand brushing hers refused to fade .
Neither did his warning .
“This court devours its own .”
He had said it not as a man of power , but as one who had seen the bones .
A knock came .
Twice — deliberate .
“Enter ,” she said .
Commander Varek stepped inside , rain clinging to his cloak .
His presence filled the small chamber , solid and reassuring .
“You are to attend to the Prince in the war Council at the tenth bell ,” he said .
“Again ?”
He nodded .
“The High Council demanded a review of your findings .
Some claim your accusations were …
politically motivated .”
She exhaled slowly .
“Lady Solenne is hand .”
Varek is jaw tensed .”She is stirring old factions .
The nobles never forgive a lowbirth who outsmarts them .”
He paused , then added in a lower tone , “Elira …
if you have angered her , be cautious .
Solenne does not move openly — she moves through others .
Elira met his eyes .
“I am not afraid of her .”
He almost smiled .
“You should be .”
The High Council chamber was a different kind if battlefield .
Marble walls gleamed with banners of silver and black .
At the center stood a round table — symbolising equality , though everyone knew the crown still ruled its circle .
Elira entered behind Caelum , as was proper , keeping a careful distance .
She could feel the noble is gazes sweep over her — the common — born scribe standing among them like a misplaced pawn .
Solenne sat opposite , poised , a faint smile painting her lips .
“Your Grace ,” she said smoothly to Caelum , “we were merely discussing the curious accuracy of your scribe is deductions .” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“Accuracy should not be curious .” Caelum replied .
“It should be expected .”
A murmur rippled through the table .
Solenne tilted her head .
“Indeed .
Yet , some wonder how one so recently introduced to court affairs could posses such insight .
Unless , of course , her sources are not entirely …
official .”
Caelum is tone cooled .
“Are you implying espionage , Lady Solenne?”
“Merely suggesting prudence , Highness .
A Prince as wise as you must see the danger of placing too much trust in untested hands .”
Elira said nothing — not yet .
Her pulse was steady , her mind working .
Then Caelum looked to her .
Speak , Scribe Vane .”
Every eye turned .
Elira lifted her chin , voice calm .
“If my loyalty is in question , I welcome the truth – binding Oath.
”
A ripple of surprise moved through the room .
Solenne is smile faltered .
“That is unnecessary — .”
“It is justice ,” Elira said , cutting her off — quietly , but with weight .
“In Darethia , no falsehood survives the binding .””
Caelum is eyes flickered — approval , swiftly masked .
He drew a sigil in the air — a faint shimmer of gold forming between them .
“So be it .”
The truth — ward ignited .
The chamber hushed .
Caelum is voice was ritual — soft .
“Elira Vane , do you serve the realm of Darethia and its Crown ?”
“I do .”
“Have you spoken falsehoods in your service ?”
“I have not .”
“Do you seek to deceive me , or those I command ?”
Her gaze met his .
“Never .”
The truth had accepted her words .
Gasps whispered through the hall .
Solenne is hand tightened on her chair .
Caelum is tone was Iron .
“The matter is settled .”
After the council dispersed , Caelum lingered near the balcony , storm now breaking beyond the glass .
Elira joined him in silence .
“You should not have done that ,” he said quietly .
“What else could I do?”
“You could have let me defend you .”
She looked at him , the faintest smile on her lips .
“I did.”
For a moment , something unspoken passed between them — not defiance , but Understanding .
Trust , fragile and dangerous .
Rain streaked the glass behind them , and he turned to face her fully .
“I cannot keep shielding you from them ,” he said .
“I do not need shielding .”
“Yes , you do.
”
His voice softened .
“You are too honest for this court , Elira .
That will either save you …
or destroy you .”
Her breath caught .
“And which do you believe it will be ?”
He hesitated — long enough that it hurt .
“Both .”
That night , she dreamt of fire .
A city burning .
A crown melting into the stone .
And Caelum — standing in the flames , unturned , eyes full of light that was not his own .
When she woke , her sheets were damp with rain seeping through the window shutters .
Or perhaps it was sweat .
Outside , thunder still rolled across the mountains .
Inside , a new message waited under her door .
No seal : just a single line , written in crimson ink .
The truth has a price .
Are you ready to pay it ?
🖤🖤🖤Preanol