The world outside Sarisa's window was pale with morning, a haze of golden light washing the towers and gardens. She lay still for a while, letting Aliyah's soft, even breathing anchor her.
In the quiet, she almost forgot about wedding dates, about her mother's careful plans, about the ache she carried—softened only by Aliyah's warmth and the memory of yellow fire.
When Aliyah stirred, Sarisa coaxed her to the bath. They played their usual game: Aliyah pretending she was a sea monster, Sarisa valiantly defending her towel "fortress."
It was moments like these—soap bubbles, giggles, Aliyah's bright little voice echoing off marble—that made Sarisa almost believe in peace. Almost.
Afterwards, they dressed together—Aliyah in a gold-trimmed tunic, Sarisa in a soft blue gown with embroidered cuffs. Aliyah insisted on brushing her own hair, though Sarisa had to rescue her from a stubborn knot.
Hand in hand, they made their way down the long corridor toward the family breakfast room. The scent of fresh bread and sweet tea drifted up to meet them, and Aliyah's steps quickened.
Lara was already there, standing near the entrance in her bodyguard's uniform. The sight of her made Sarisa pause.
Lara's hair was pulled back, her shoulders square—but what really caught Sarisa's attention were the bruises: a splendid black eye, a fading cut along her jaw, and the dull purple of a fresh bruise on her cheekbone.
Lara looked like she'd gone three rounds with a Minotaur and won—barely.
Aliyah gasped, wide-eyed. "Lara! What happened to your face?"
Lara grinned, unbothered as ever. "Just a bit of training with Raveth. She's a beast." She winked at Sarisa. "Next time I'll try using both hands."
Aliyah looked between them, scandalized. "Mama, is Raveth allowed to beat up Lara?"
Sarisa arched an eyebrow, lips twitching. "Lara should know better than to take on Raveth before breakfast. It's not the example to set, is it, General?"
Lara held up her hands in surrender. "I'll keep my sparring to after tea, then."
"Maybe stick to someone your own age," Sarisa added, her voice sly. "Or someone less likely to leave you with a matching set of bruises."
Lara just laughed. "But where's the fun in that?"
They moved into the breakfast room, the air warm with sunlight and the low hum of servants. Malvoria and Elysia were already at the table, Kaelith perched beside them with a stack of pastries. The Celestian queen presided at the head, her presence as chilly and commanding as ever.
As usual, Sarisa's seat was next to Vaelen. He greeted her with a smile—gentle, sincere, so different from Lara's wildness that it almost stung.
"Good morning, Sarisa," he said, pouring her a cup of tea. "And good morning to you, Aliyah."
Aliyah slid into her seat with practiced chaos, launching into a story about the world's most dangerous soap monster.
Sarisa let herself relax, just a fraction, as she sipped her tea and watched the way the morning sunlight caught in Lara's hair, making the red streaks glow like coals.
The table was noisy in the way of families—Malvoria and Elysia trading jokes, Kaelith and Aliyah making a mess of the honey pot, Lara feigning sternness but unable to hide a fond smile. For a moment, Sarisa almost forgot the ache beneath her ribs.
But Vaelen's voice cut through the clatter. "Sarisa, if you're not too busy today… I'd like to take you for a walk. Just the two of us. Maybe get out of the castle for a bit. I think it would be nice to see you outside of all this—" He gestured to the formal, gilded world around them, "—even if only for an afternoon."
Sarisa blinked, caught off guard. She glanced at Lara, but Lara's expression was unreadable—eyes a little darker than usual, bruises standing out on her face.
Elysia raised an eyebrow, barely hiding a smile. Even Malvoria paused, mug halfway to her lips, to watch for Sarisa's reaction.
The queen, never missing an opportunity, smiled coolly. "That's an excellent idea, Vaelen. You two should be seen together in public. It's time the people become accustomed to seeing you as a pair."
Sarisa managed a polite nod. "Of course. That sounds… nice."
Vaelen beamed. "I'll make all the arrangements."
Aliyah groaned, slumping over her plate. "Does that mean I can't come?"
Sarisa ruffled her hair. "Not this time, sweetheart. I'll be back before dinner."
Aliyah pouted, then looked at Lara. "Can you play with us while Mama's gone?"
Lara smiled, softening a little. "If you promise not to turn me into a frog again."
"No promises!" Kaelith shouted, to much laughter.
As breakfast wound down, Sarisa found herself watching Lara—watching the way she joked with the children, the way her eyes flickered toward Sarisa and then away.
Something heavy pressed on Sarisa's chest. Lara would be left behind in the castle, battered and brooding, while Sarisa walked in the garden with Vaelen. Duty versus desire, again and again.
She forced herself to smile at Vaelen, to listen as he described the wildflowers blooming in the city's lower gardens, the new musicians playing in the square, the little bakery he wanted her to try. He meant well. He was good. He was safe.
But he wasn't what she wanted.
As the table emptied, Aliyah tugged on Lara's sleeve. "Promise you'll come play, General?"
Lara managed a grin, despite her bruises. "You have my word, little warrior."
Sarisa watched them—her daughter, her bodyguard, her maybe-something-more. She envied them their simplicity, their clarity. She envied Lara's ability to wear her wounds so openly.
Vaelen's hand covered hers. "I hope you'll enjoy our outing, Sarisa."
She met his gaze, tried to let herself believe it. "I'm sure I will."
But as the family scattered—Kaelith and Aliyah plotting new chaos, Malvoria and Elysia exchanging quiet words, Lara retreating to the garden with a lingering look—Sarisa wondered how much longer she could keep living two lives.
How long before she had to choose between the life her mother demanded and the wild, impossible love that called to her every time Lara smiled?
The castle doors loomed ahead, and Vaelen was waiting. Sarisa steeled herself for another day of pretending, hoping that, for once, duty and desire would walk the same path.
Author notes: I know it's been a while but for the moments I got a bit of problems I usualy write on my laptop who decided to die knowing everything was on it the next chapters,my plans and all and its difficuly because for the moment I can't buy another one but I will come back and try gettings things better.