The corridors of the East Wing felt heavier that afternoon, as though the very air carried a scent of unease. When the carriage stopped before the steps of the wing, Crown Prince Gabriel was the first to descend, his polished boots striking the marble with easy arrogance. Behind him, Sophia followed, her composure intact but her pulse racing beneath calm skin.
Alexander was waiting just inside the main hall, Damien by his side. He hadn't expected visitors, much less his brother. The moment his gaze landed on Gabriel, the faint warmth in his eyes drained away, replaced by something colder, darker, a flicker of instinctive protectiveness he didn't bother to analyze.
Gabriel smiled. "Brother," he greeted, spreading his arms as if nothing in the world could mar the affection between them. "It's been far too long since I last visited. I was just returning from a social call and thought I'd check in on your health."
His voice was smooth, pleasant... too pleasant.
Alexander's lips curved faintly. "That's… considerate of you." His tone was calm, unassuming, perfectly detached... the tone of a man too weak to be dangerous. He remained seated in his chair, his hands resting motionless on the armrests.
"I heard whispers," Gabriel continued lightly, glancing toward Sophia with studied nonchalance, "that my dear sister-in-law attended the Marchioness's gathering today. How well she fits among the nobles now as your consort! A rare sight — beauty with wit."
Sophia's jaw tensed. She bowed slightly, her tone courteous but clipped. "Your Highness flatters me."
Gabriel's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with meaning she didn't miss. "Only speaking the truth. I do hope my brother appreciates what fortune fate has given him."
Alexander's gaze hardened for a fleeting second, so brief it might have been imagined, before he inclined his head. "I do."
Gabriel let out a soft chuckle and turned to go, offering parting words that carried more edge than care. "You've always been the quiet one, brother. I hope your health endures long enough to enjoy such blessings."
When he was gone, the echo of his boots faded into silence. The tension he left behind did not.
Alexander's hands, resting loosely on the chair's handles, had gone white-knuckled. His composure cracked just slightly ...the faintest tremor of his jaw, the glint of something perilous in his eyes.
"Damien," he said quietly. "Have the servants clear the hall. And send Consort Sophia to my study."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The study was dim when Sophia entered moments later, lit only by the amber glow of the hearth. Alexander sat near it, his face half-hidden in shadow. For a heartbeat, she almost didn't recognize the man before her... the calm strategist, the self-contained prince, replaced now by someone darker, sharper.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked softly.
He looked up. "Yes." His tone was restrained, but something taut underlined the word. "Did he… bother you?"
Sophia blinked, taken aback by the bluntness. "You mean the Crown Prince?"
He gave a slow nod.
Her pulse stilled. He had seen it or sensed it. The discomfort she had buried behind civility.
She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He was… as he always is, Your Highness. Charming. Too much so. But nothing I couldn't handle."
His jaw tightened, the muscles shifting beneath pale skin. "You shouldn't have to handle anything when it comes to him."
There was silence thick, heavy, broken only by the crackle of the fire.
Finally, Alexander leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose. "I had to speak with him as if nothing mattered. As if I'm content to remain crippled and powerless. But every word from his mouth…" His voice lowered. "It took everything not to tear that smugness apart."
Sophia's heart ached not with fear, but with something fierce and loyal.
"You played your part perfectly," she said, her voice gentler now. "And that's what matters. Let him believe you're harmless. Let him lower his guard."
Alexander's gaze flicked to her, sharp and questioning. "And how long do we keep pretending?"
"Until it's time," she replied simply.
He frowned slightly. "You sound certain."
"I am." She stepped closer, her mind brushing against the quiet churn of his thoughts
I can't drag her into this. She deserves peace, not war.
Her lips curved faintly, answering words he hadn't spoken. "You think you can keep me out of this?"
He blinked.
Sophia knelt beside his chair, her eyes level with his. "You're not alone in this fight, Alexander. You never were. And you can't back down now, not when we're this close to understanding how deep this runs."
He looked away, his expression conflicted. "You worry too much. It makes me think perhaps we should stop this charade. I don't want to see you bear the cost of this."
Sophia reached out, her fingers brushing his hand, grounding him. "I told you before, everything will soon be fine. We're closer to uncovering everything than you think. But we can't rely on guesses or loyalty alone. We need evidence...proof of Gabriel's reach."
"Evidence?"
"Yes." Her eyes darkened, her voice lowering to a whisper. "He's been gathering power quietly, building alliances with generals, merchants, even officials from the royal treasury. Everyone believes he's the rightful heir, but that doesn't mean his claim is clean. We need to document it. Every bribe. Every manipulation. Every spy he's planted."
Alexander studied her for a long moment then nodded slowly. "You want to expose him."
"When the time is right," she replied. "Not now. For now, we let him believe he's winning. We'll play the dutiful, fragile couple. We'll let the court think your health is declining, and that I'm losing influence."
His lips curved faintly, a ghost of amusement beneath the weariness. "You've grown quite the strategist."
"Maybe I've had a good teacher," she murmured.
That earned her a real smile, brief but genuine, softening the lines of his face.
For a while, they said nothing more. The fire crackled between them, and outside, the night deepened around the East Wing.
Finally, Alexander spoke again, voice low and thoughtful. "Gather what you can. Quietly. If Gabriel thinks he's the only one playing this game, he's mistaken."
Sophia inclined her head. "I already have a few leads. The steward who manages the Crown Prince's properties in the capital… and two merchants from the southern provinces who've suddenly tripled their donations to his faction. I'll find the proof."
He looked at her long, searching, something almost tender beneath the calculation. "Be careful, Sophia."
"I always am."
She rose to leave, but paused at the doorway. For a heartbeat, her mind brushed his thoughts again, If anything happens to her, I'll burn this palace down myself.
Her chest tightened. She didn't turn back, only said quietly, "You won't have to."
Then she left the study, the door closing softly behind her, leaving Alexander alone with his shadows and the echo of her steady courage.