Chloe.
The carriage rolled up to the Royal Imperial Palace of Caelorth. Towers jutted into the sky like the fingers of a giant, balconies stretched outward like silent sentries, and statues of grim kings with crossed swords lined the courtyard, eyes cold and judgmental. My heart hammered against my chest, the familiar thrill of walking into a place that demanded respect.
And then I saw him.
One of Kieran's brothers, standing high on a balcony, arms crossed, lips curled in contempt. His gaze cut down on us like a blade, sharp enough to make the air feel heavier.
PMS much?
I didn't flinch. I didn't look away. I met the glare head-on.
Try harder, I thought. If you want a reaction, you'll have to do better than that.
He lingered for a heartbeat, narrowing his eyes, before finally turning and vanishing inside.
Kieran beside me didn't comment. His hand brushed mine lightly, steady and unshaken, as if the balcony brother's disdain was barely worth noticing. I caught the faintest smirk tug at his lips, though, like he approved of my composure.
The palace doors swung open. Two maids appeared, stiff as statues, glancing at Kieran like he might snap at any second.
"Follow us, Your Highnesses," one whispered, voice trembling.
I let my chin lift, shoulders squared. Calm, measured. Nothing about me betrayed fear. Kieran's hand brushed mine again. His dark eyes flicked toward mine, amused, almost approving.
I'm her.
The corridors stretched ahead like a labyrinth of power. Floors polished to a mirror shine reflected the glow of chandeliers overhead. Tapestries hung along the walls, depicting battles and victories so violent they almost felt alive. Every echo of our footsteps pressed against my nerves, but I held my posture, every step deliberate.
The carriage stopped at a massive door. Maids bowed nervously.
"This will be your chamber, Your Highnesses," one whispered, practically shaking.
Inside, the room was enormous. Four-poster bed draped in crimson silk, chandeliers high above, walls lined with tall windows that made me feel small, even commanding in my own right.
I stepped inside first, scanning the space carefully. Calm. Observant. Confident.
And then quietly, almost whispering in my mind — a flutter of panic hit me.
Bed sharing… with him… alone…
My chest tightened just slightly. Not terror, not fear, not anything dramatic. Just… a spike of awareness that this was new. Dangerous, in the subtle sense that my brain could invent scenarios faster than I could blink.
Breathe, Chloe. You've handled formal dinners, war councils, hostile nobles… you can handle this. This is just a bed. Just a room. Just Kieran. Don't… think too much.
I'M GONNA SHARE A BED WITH A MAN. WITH HIM!
Kieran set his bag down calmly, still collected, still exuding that maddening aura of control. His gaze flicked toward me, dark and unreadable.
"Comfortable," he said softly.
"Yes," I said, keeping my voice steady, careful. "Very… comfortable."
He chuckled, low and measured, a sound that made my chest tighten in ways unrelated to fear.
"You're amusing," he said.
"I'm not panicking," I shot back, standing my ground. "I'm… evaluating the situation."
He tilted his head, faint smirk curling. "Evaluating, of course. Very serious."
I allowed myself a small, private exhale. Good. Calm. Observant. Not freaked out. Just… alive.
The knock at the door was abrupt, slicing through the quiet.
"Your Highnesses… the king requests your presence," a maid whispered, voice quivering.
I straightened instinctively. Of course he does.
Kieran glanced at me; still calm, still teasing in the faintest way, unreadable — and extended a hand as we walked toward the throne room.
The corridors ahead stretched endlessly, and I couldn't help but notice the oppressive grandeur of the palace. Every detail screamed power: the tapestries, the columns, the polished floors reflecting a world that demanded obedience. I inhaled sharply.
Okay, Chloe. You're fine. You're in control. Mostly.
Mostly. Because even confident women could feel the tiniest twinge when the unknown awaited. And the king… that unknown was waiting for us just beyond the doors.
And with Kieran beside me, I knew I had to keep my wits sharp.
But for now… I could breathe. Just a little.