The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the palace grounds as Arianne made her way back to her chambers. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Edric's departure should have brought peace, yet all she felt was a deep unease. The weight of Rian's revelation sat heavy on her chest.
She paced near the large windows, her hands gripping the cool stone of the ledge. The thought that Rian had been sent to the palace with ulterior motives stung more than she cared to admit. He had sworn his loyalty, but the seed of doubt had been planted.
A soft knock at her door made her turn sharply. "Enter," she called, steeling herself.
Aldric stepped in, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto her troubled expression. "You look as though you've seen a ghost."
Arianne sighed. "It's Rian."
Aldric crossed the room, arms folding across his chest. "What about him?"
"He told me something—something I should have known before." She hesitated, then explained everything Rian had admitted. When she finished, Aldric's expression was unreadable.
"I suspected he was hiding something," he said after a long pause. "But I did not think it would be this."
Arianne turned to face him fully. "Do you trust him?"
Aldric exhaled. "He's proven himself time and again. But trust is fragile, sister. And we cannot afford to be careless."
She nodded, though it didn't ease her worries. "We need to find out who else might be working against us. Edric may be gone, but his influence lingers."
Aldric's expression darkened. "I'll have my men discreetly investigate the remaining nobles. If there are others loyal to Edric's cause, we'll root them out."
Arianne felt a flicker of relief. "Good. We cannot let this kingdom be taken from us."
As Aldric left, she sank onto the edge of her bed, exhaustion tugging at her bones. Her thoughts drifted back to Rian. His words echoed in her mind—It has always been with you.
Had she been a fool to believe him?
Later that evening, Arianne found herself walking through the moonlit palace gardens. The cool night air did little to calm the storm within her. She wasn't surprised when she heard footsteps approaching—she had expected him.
Rian stopped a few paces away, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the lanterns. "I thought I might find you here."
Arianne crossed her arms, her gaze searching his. "Did you mean what you said?"
He stepped closer. "Every word."
She studied him for a long moment before sighing. "Then prove it."
Rian held her gaze. "I will. Whatever it takes."
Arianne wanted to believe him. But in a kingdom filled with deception, trust was a dangerous game. And she was no longer certain if they were playing on the same side.
The next morning, Arianne was summoned to the council chamber. Her father, the king, sat at the head of the long table, his expression grave. Aldric and the other high-ranking officials filled the room, their hushed murmurs stopping as she entered.
"Arianne," the king said, motioning for her to take a seat. "We have received troubling reports."
She sat, her back straight. "What kind of reports?"
Aldric cleared his throat. "A spy was caught attempting to leave the city. He carried a message bearing Edric's seal."
Arianne's hands clenched in her lap. "What did it say?"
One of the officials unrolled a parchment. "It spoke of an alliance forming outside our borders. Forces gathering, ready to strike."
The air in the room grew tense.
Rian, who stood near the doorway, met Arianne's gaze. His expression was unreadable, but she saw the determination in his eyes.
Her father spoke again, his voice steady but firm. "We must prepare for war."
Arianne swallowed hard. The kingdom was on the brink of yet another conflict, and the line between friend and foe had never been more blurred.