I was supposed to be with Jacquie.
I knew it. She knew it.
And yet, my feet carried me down the quiet corridors anyway.
I was sure she was searching...probably frantic, probably apologizing to invisible guards, probably overthinking my whereabouts.
But I hadn't wanted an escort. Some things were better discovered without witnesses.
The castle was different when no one hovered...less suffocating, more honest.
Sunlight spilled through tall arched windows, painting the stone floors gold.
My steps echoed softly, and I let them. If Jacquie was looking for me, she'd find me eventually.
For now, I wanted silence.
The halls twisted into older parts of the castle, where the air felt heavier, older.
Portraits lined the walls here, grand and solemn, eyes following me like they knew secrets I didn't yet deserve.
That was when I saw her.
The painting was enormous, commanding the wall like it owned the air around it.
A woman stared back at me...beautiful in a way that hurt.
Pale skin, sharp eyes, lips curved in quiet authority.
A silver crown rested on her head, dotted with precious stones that caught the light like frozen stars.
I tilted my head, studying her.
She looked powerful.
And dangerous.
The kind of woman history didn't forgive easily.
"Curious?"
I didn't jump. Reflexes like that got people killed.
I turned instead...and found Kaelric leaning against a pillar, smiling like he hadn't just materialized out of thin air.
I smiled back.
"She was loved." He said.
I glanced at him, then back at the painting. "I figured. People don't paint you this big unless they miss you."
His smile softened. "That's Tristen's mother."
I hummed. "She was stunning."
"She was poisoned."
The words landed clean. No drama. No pause.
I didn't flinch. I knew better than to react to tragedy in a place like that.
"That's unfortunate," I said evenly.
I felt his eyes on me, curiosity sharpening his gaze. "Most people don't respond like that."
"Most people faint at bad news," I replied. "I don't."
I glanced back at the painting. "Is that why he's… distant?"
Kaelric exhaled through his nose. "That," he said, "and a few other things."
Not a denial. Not an answer.
Interesting.
"Come on," he added, pushing off the wall. "The garden's better for conversations that aren't meant for stone ears."
I followed him through an arched door into open air.
The garden was alive...flowers in full bloom, vines climbing white trellises, the scent of earth and petals wrapping around me like a quiet invitation.
"How old are you, anyway?" I asked casually.
"A few moments younger than Tristen, actually." he said.
I stopped walking, turned my face to him and blinked twice.
"…You're kidding."
Kaelric laughed outright. "That reaction alone makes the answer worth it."
I shook my head, lips twitching. "I genuinely thought you were at least emotionally older."
"Ouch."
I chuckled.
We reached a floral bench, and he sat, stretching his legs comfortably.
"I like you," he said suddenly.
I raised a brow. "That was quick."
"Your confidence," he continued. "Your refusal to shrink. And the fact that you're clearly not the Ioana everyone remembers."
I didn't look away. Just smiled faintly.
"People change," I said.
"Or wake up," he countered.
That smile lingered...then faded.
"I'm going riding later," he added. "You should come."
"Another time," I said. "I think I need to… think."
Kaelric stood, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "Another time, then."
He hesitated, just for a second. "Be careful, Ioana."
Then he was gone, leaving the garden too quiet.
I sat on the bench, the wind brushing my face, the scent of flowers filling my lungs.
The world felt unreal. Too solid. Too wrong.
I wasn't meant to be here. I needed to leave.
To leave the castle. To leave the crown. To leave Ioana.
My thoughts spiraled...until one memory cut through them all.
Ioana had fallen. Just like I had.
And that was the beginning of everything.
I let out a slow breath, my lips parting in something that wasn't quite a smile.
"So that's it." I murmured to the empty garden.
The wind answered, tugging at my skirts...pulling my attention toward the cliffs beyond the castle.
I stood slowly, eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Guess I'll have to fall again."