Part I — Auren and the Garden
It was the white garden this time.
Where lilies grew like grief and silence tasted like snow.
I came here to think. To remember. To forget.
And I should've known he'd find me here.
"Your Grace," came a familiar voice. "Tell me you weren't waiting just for me."
I turned.
Auren.
All white and crimson and impossible charm. His grin was cocky, his step as graceful as ever.
But his eyes?
A fraction duller than yesterday.
"Of course I was," I said dryly. "Why else would I choose the most cursed garden in the palace?"
"Cursed?" he echoed, lifting a brow. "Surely it's just misunderstood. Like me."
He sat beside me without asking.
Like we were still friends.
Like he hadn't stood behind the gallows the day I died.
---
"You're quiet," I said after a beat.
"I saw my mother last night," he replied.
Simple. Direct. No joke this time.
I blinked. He was never this blunt.
"And?"
"She said I looked tired. Then reminded me whose fault that was."
"And whose is it?"
"Yours," he said, grinning again. "Obviously. All this court scheming. Very unbecoming of a duchess."
"And you, what are you? A flirt in silk or a prince in chains?"
He laughed.
But the laugh cracked around the edges.
---
"You don't smile the same," I said softly.
"Neither do you."
"Good."
He went quiet.
"What would you do," he asked finally, voice low, "if I said I never meant for any of it to happen?"
I didn't look at him.
"I'd say I don't care."
"Liar."
"Coward."
---
He stood slowly.
"The garden's colder without your forgiveness," he murmured.
"Then bring a coat next time."
He left with a bow.
Too shallow.
Too practiced.
I didn't watch him go.
But I didn't breathe until he was gone.
---
Part II — The Lady's Next Move
That evening, I stood beneath the painted dome of House Corven's ballroom.
Strings played. Wine flowed. And somewhere in the corner, whispers began.
Cladus stood behind me.
As always. A silent wall of steel.
"They're watching you," he murmured.
"Good."
"Some hope you'll fall."
"Let them hope. It makes the burn sweeter."
---
Lord Merent approached—young, foolish, but useful. His house held three border routes and a seat on the grain council.
"Lady Elara," he said with a shaky bow. "I… I didn't expect to see you here tonight."
"And yet," I said, smiling, "here we are."
"May I offer you a dance?"
"No."
"Oh."
"But you may offer me a deal."
His eyes widened.
"W-what kind of deal?"
"One that keeps your family out of Serina's pocket… and puts your name in mine."
Cladus didn't move.
But I felt his attention sharpen behind me like a blade.
Lord Merent swallowed hard.
"Of course. Anything, Lady Elara."
---
I walked away with a new alliance tucked in my sleeve.
Another name off my list.
Another weapon earned.
"You didn't need me for that," Cladus said as we crossed the marble floor.
"I didn't need a knife either," I said, glancing at him. "But it's always good to have one close."
He didn't smile.
But he didn't leave, either.