Ellora returned to her chambers without haste.
The palace corridors were quiet, but she could still feel the weight of the council hall clinging to her. Not the stares. Not the whispers.
The silence after.
Alina was waiting.
She did not try to hide her anger.
"She sat there," Alina said the moment the doors closed. "As if it were hers."
Ellora removed her gloves slowly. "I saw."
"And His Highness defended her," Alina continued. "Without explanation."
Ellora placed the gloves on the table with care.
"That was the explanation," she said.
Alina inhaled sharply, then lowered her voice. "Your Highness… forgive me if this is improper. I have served the palace long enough to recognize certain things."
Ellora turned. "Go on."
"When a lady is given that kind of protection," Alina said carefully, "it is rarely without reason."
Ellora's fingers paused.
"…A concubine," she said quietly.
Alina did not answer.
She did not need to.
A knock interrupted them.
A letter was delivered moments later. No crest. No title.
Ellora recognized the handwriting immediately.
She read it once.
Then again.
I have arrived in the capital.
I hope you are well.
— H
Ellora folded the letter and placed it inside her desk.
Before Alina could speak, another summons arrived.
The Crown Prince requested her presence.
Aster was standing near the window when Ellora entered.
He did not turn at once.
"You wished to see me," Ellora said.
"Yes."
He faced her, his expression already tight.
"You were harsh today," he said. "Toward Amelia."
Ellora met his gaze.
"Aster," she said.
The name made him pause.
Why are you so hostile to an old friend," he continued. "She has been nothing but loyal."
Ellora studied him.
"You defend her very easily."
He frowned. "You are imagining things."
Ellora stepped closer.
"Then explain to me why my assistant requires your protection."
Aster's expression hardened.
"This conversation is unnecessary."
The door opened behind them.
Amellia entered softly, as if uncertain whether she was welcome.
Her eyes were slightly red. Her posture careful.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly.
"I did not mean to cause trouble."
She bowed to Ellora.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Then she turned to Aster.
"I only did what I was told."
"You did nothing wrong," Aster said softly.
He looked back at Ellora, his gaze sharp.
"You've changed," he said.
"You should be happy. You finally have someone you can trust."
Ellora met his eyes.
"I won't be happy for having someone who calls herself my friend while acting otherwise."
She paused.
"Especially not someone who wanted what was mine long before I ever noticed."
The silence cut deep.
Amellia's breath faltered.
Her eyes filled slowly, as if she were trying to hold it back.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I…" Her voice trembled. "I never meant…"
She turned slightly, instinctively, deliberately toward Aster.
"I didn't think it would hurt you this much," she whispered.
That was enough.
"Enough, Ellora," Aster said, his voice tight.
"You are embarrassing yourself."
Ellora looked at him.
At the way his body had already shifted toward Amellia, at the way his hand hovered, uncertain, protective.
"I understand," Ellora said quietly.
She inclined her head.
As she turned to leave, she caught it, Amellia's glance.
The faint curve of her lips.
Satisfied.