At Balmount Castle
Queen Morganna sat poised in her chamber, her posture regal but tense. The subtle scent of tea lingered in the air. Across from her, Countess Serphina reclined with lazy grace, her gloved fingers curled around a delicate porcelain cup. Two untouched cups rested between them, one for each, steam rising gently.
Their voices had been dancing around idle nothings, brushing over gowns, weather, and the theatre, until Morganna's voice shifted. Sweet, but sharpened.
"It's good to hear your affairs are in order, Serphina," she said, her gaze never leaving the Countess. "Tell me... how fare the Mira subordinates?"
Serphina's lips curled ever so slightly. "My Queen, they've been... tolerable. Since Mira's departure to the eastern province, they've shown a sudden appreciation for obedience." She sipped slowly, setting her cup down with a soft clink, each movement deliberate.
Morganna's fingers traced the rim of her own cup, her smile patient. "Is that so? Strange... my informants mentioned their presence near the outskirts. A little too often."
Serphina gave a soft, airy laugh. "My Queen, if I may... idle men do idle things. They've likely taken to site seeing or to enjoying themselves. Little stirs since the King's raid. Surely, nothing worth concern."
The Queen didn't answer immediately. Her eyes studied Serphina, searching for cracks beneath the charm. She leaned back, a shadow flickering behind her calm exterior.
"Yes... my husband's raid." Morganna's voice thinned. "He's been... away often. I hardly know what burdens he carries these days. The Crown, it seems, grows heavier... and lonelier."
Serphina tilted her head, her voice soft, laced with quiet sympathy. "Perhaps it's all for your sake. The King bears the pain so you won't have to."
Morganna let the silence stretch before replying, her tone laced with something colder. "I was not born Queen, Serphina. I was made Queen... to stand beside him, not behind."
She picked up her cup, sipped. Then, her voice changed. "Tell me. The rune stones distributed before the raid... what's your view?"
Serphina's smile faltered, barely. "My view, Your Majesty? What is there to say? The King acted decisively. The stones were destroyed. The matter is closed."
Morganna's eyes didn't leave her. "Closed?"
Serphina leaned forward slightly. "Forgive me... I only mean, it's curious. The stones were found in Theron's sector. He oversaw their handling. Yet he remains untouched. Stripped of nothing."
Morganna's brow lifted, her tone careful. "And you find that strange?"
"I find it... worth noting," Serphina said, her voice smooth. "Orin, who merely handled the benefits of the people, was dismissed. Theron, who held the stones... kept his seat. A contradiction, perhaps."
Morganna placed her cup down gently. "Theron is already undone. His name stained. My husband must have seen no purpose in finishing a man who's finished himself."
Serphina arched a brow. "Mercy, then?"
Before Morganna could reply, a loud voice erupted beyond the chamber doors.
"What do you mean I can't enter? I am your King!"
Rosette's voice followed in a rush of panic. "Your Majesty, please, the Queen is occupied!"
"Occupied?" Thorn's voice was laced with disdain. "Rosette, know your place. Morganna, darling!"
Morganna let out a breath, her hands tightening around her cup. Her voice dropped. "He couldn't wait, could he?"
Serphina's lips twitched, her voice low. "Shall we admit the King?"
"No," Morganna replied sharply. "Thorn has no place here now."
Then came Angelo's voice outside. Hesitant, calm, trying to stand firm. "Your Majesty, please calm yourself…"
Thorn's response cracked the air. "Who do you think you're addressing?"
A crash followed. The door burst open. Angelo tumbled forward, landing hard near the tea table.
Both women rose instantly. The quiet elegance of the chamber shattered.
Serphina swept to Angelo's side, her concern shaped like silk. "Are you hurt? Any bones broken?"
Angelo pushed himself up with a grimace. "No, my lady. The King didn't touch me."
Thorn strode in, his steps loud. His fury flickered as he caught Morganna's gaze. His face shifted. A smile bloomed too quickly. His tone turned warm, yet too rehearsed.
"My love," he said, voice honeyed, "I've searched everywhere for you." He moved toward her, brushing past the wreckage without a glance. "No one would let me near you."
Morganna's voice cut through the tension, icy and brittle. Her patience had thinned to a thread. "Thorn, must you always cause a spectacle just to see me?"
Thorn gave a crooked grin, unbothered. "A spectacle? All I wanted was my wife's embrace. That dog…" his head jerked toward Angelo "…had the gall to stand in my way."
Serphina, still steadying Angelo, lowered her gaze respectfully. Her voice, however, remained silk. "Forgive us, Your Majesty. My subordinate was mistaken. It won't happen again."
Thorn dismissed her with a wave of his hand, not bothering to look at her. "I couldn't care less." His eyes fell back on Angelo, mocking. "No lover…boy? Hmph. Blocking a King from his Queen deserves something more than a bruise."
Morganna flushed, her composure faltering. "T-Thorn, must you speak this way in front of everyone?"
Thorn's grin widened. He took a step closer. "Why not, darling? What's the harm in a little flirtation? I might just steal you away tomorrow for some... private time."
Morganna's cheeks reddened further. Her voice stumbled. "W-Why would you say such a thing now? In front of... of them?"
Angelo leaned closer to Serphina, whispering under his breath. "Does he do this every time?"
Serphina's smile didn't falter, but her reply was a sharp whisper. "Be quiet, Angelo. Upset him here and you'll bleed before you speak again."
Angelo's lips parted as if to respond, but Serphina's eyes flicked toward him, a quiet warning. He fell silent, swallowing his pride.
Morganna straightened, her tone firmer. "Enough, Thorn. Why are you truly here?"
Thorn's grin lost some of its warmth. He feigned innocence. "I was bored, darling. You ordered me not to leave the kingdom, remember? So I thought, why not seek out my lovely Queen?"
"You can't just burst in like this," she replied, flustered. "You embarrassed me in front of my guests."
Serphina used the moment. Her voice was a gentle breeze. "Your Majesties... if I may, my subordinate and I will excuse ourselves now." She placed a steady hand on Angelo's shoulder, guiding him subtly toward the door.
Morganna nodded quickly, still composed but visibly unsettled. "I'm sorry for his behavior, Serphina. He... doesn't mean half of it."
Serphina smiled. It was the kind of smile that could mask poison. "No trouble at all, my Queen."
Thorn snorted. "As if that boy was hurt."
Morganna glanced at him, her stare cold. Serphina paused at the threshold just as Thorn's voice rang out.
"Countess, two questions before you leave."
Morganna exhaled. "Thorn, let them go."
"Just two," he said, tone casual, but his eyes had turned to steel. "First... how goes the search for my daughter?"
Serphina's smile didn't waver. "My King, I have done everything within my reach. Every hand I trust has combed the corners. But someone is hiding her... and they do it well."
Thorn chuckled under his breath. "Of course. I miss her dearly. I trust you won't fail your queen, Countess."
"I'll not rest until she's found," Serphina replied, every syllable carefully placed.
Morganna stepped in, her tone sharper now. "Thorn, you've asked. What's your second question?"
Thorn turned back to Serphina, his words slower this time. "The Prince...Is he involved in the search?"
Serphina didn't blink. "Why involve the Prince, my King, when you distrust foreign hands in our matters?"
Thorn gave a soft, knowing laugh. "Clever. That's why I speak to you first. Not him. He'll be leaving soon... maybe next week. Maybe tomorrow."
Morganna's eyes widened. "Leaving? Why?"
Thorn's tone was lighter than it should have been. "His father requested it. The Prince…isn't safe here anymore."
Serphina inclined her head, her expression unreadable. "That is good news, my King."
She turned again, but Thorn's voice came once more, low and final. "Go, then. But, Countess..."
He paused.
"Find my daughter. I want to see what she's truly capable of."
Morganna's voice snapped across the space. "Thorn."
Thorn laughed, brushing off Morganna's glare as she swatted his chest. His amusement danced in the room, but the tension didn't leave.
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Serphina guided Angelo carefully down the steps, her hand light on his arm. Her steps were elegant, unhurried, but her voice was cold and precise.
"He knows," Angelo whispered. "The King knows you're working with the Prince."
Serphina's gaze didn't shift. "It doesn't matter," she said calmly. "The Prince will need Thorn's favor when the time comes. Even a serpent cannot strike without the sun warming its back."
Angelo looked uncertain. "But… can that even happen? The throne…"
"With the right words," Serphina cut in, her voice quiet and laced with confidence, "any door opens." A small smile ghosted her lips. "Tell the Prince one word. Just one."
Angelo leaned closer. "What word?"
Her answer was soft, sharp, and final. "Start."
Angelo nodded slowly. "Yes, my lady."
Back in the Queen's chamber, Rosette moved quietly, collecting the teacups. The warm scent of steeped leaves still lingered in the air.
"Thank you, Rosette," Morganna said, her voice quieter now, weariness beginning to show.
"My pleasure, Your Majesty." Rosette bowed with practiced grace, stepping out and closing the door behind her.
Morganna turned to Thorn, her expression sharpening as the soft click of the door faded.
"Now, Thorn," she said. "Why were you really here?"
Thorn smiled. It was charming, soft even, but something cold shimmered beneath it. "I told you. I missed you."
Morganna didn't look away. "Don't insult me. I'm not one of your court girls, Thorn. You are a wise king… but I'm your queen. I know the difference between truth and what you say to buy time."
Thorn chuckled, stepping closer. "Then you already know. You barred me from leaving. So what else do I have left but to seek the only person I'm not tired of?"
She folded her arms. "You could still leave. Nothing ties you here except… whatever you're hiding. Or is it the problem we agreed to keep buried?"
Thorn's smile thinned. He looked away for a moment, his voice lowering. "Maybe. If I leave now, something will break. The summit is too close. I'll head to Dreadholm first… meet with Subaru."
Morganna's brows furrowed. "Without Ervndor? That breaks tradition."
"Ervndor won't be attending," Thorn said. "Not this time. Subaru will handle it."
"And the High Chancellor?"
Thorn's eyes darkened. "That's his moment. The stage will be his. And he'll play his part exactly how I expect."
Morganna sighed. "I know what that man is capable of. Why warn me now?"
Thorn's tone shifted, quiet but heavy. "Because you need to keep Serphina close."
Morganna blinked. "As punishment?"
"As protection," Thorn replied. "She's clever, but she only guards herself. Not you. Not the crown. Not our daughter."
Morganna's lips parted. "She guards herself?"
"Always," Thorn said, his voice gravel now. "Just do it. Keep her close. And if Sylphira is found… don't act on impulse."
Morganna's jaw tensed. "She disobeyed me. There must be consequence."
Thorn's voice lost its softness. "It's not a request. Listen to our daughter. No decisions until I return."
She stepped back, resisting the heat rising in her chest. "Fine. But when you return from the summit, we'll decide what becomes of her together."
Thorn let out a laugh, smooth and casual. But his eyes held that quiet gleam, the one that always warned Morganna he already knew too much.
"I'll hold you to that, my love."