Isabelle's POV
Wait— I grabbed Adrian's arm before he could pull away. Let me explain.
Explain what? His voice was hollow. That you're Isabelle Ashford? The girl who was exiled two years ago? The girl Celeste claims died in the Borderlands?
Yes. No. It's more complicated than—
Are you my sister? The question came out desperate, broken. Is that what these letters mean? That my mother had a child with General Ashford and that child is you?
My mind raced. He was connecting pieces, but not all of them. Not yet. He knew about the affair, about the secret daughter, but he hadn't fully realized that daughter was me.
I had seconds to decide: confess everything now, or keep one more secret.
If he knows we're siblings, he'll never touch me again. Never look at me the way he does now. And I need him—for my revenge, for my plans, for...
For myself. God help me, I needed him for myself.
I don't know, I whispered. The lie burned my throat. That's why I came here. To find proof of who my mother really was. The letters suggest... possibilities. But I don't have confirmation.
It wasn't entirely a lie. I didn't have the sealed confession yet. Just letters and suspicions and Eleanor's word.
Adrian stared at me, clearly torn. Then he carefully set down the letter and reached for another one, his hands shaking.
We read together by candlelight. My mother's words spilled across the pages:
came to me last night. We know this is wrong—I am Queen Regent, he is my sworn protector—but I cannot resist what I feel. The Council would see us both executed if they knew...
I'm with child. Our child. I'm terrified and overjoyed all at once. R. wants me to claim the baby publicly, but I cannot. The succession laws, the Council—they would never allow a bastard to
She was born today. Perfect. Beautiful. Mine. But I cannot keep her. For her safety, for the kingdom's stability, I must give her to R.'s brother to raise. It breaks my heart, but it's the only way to protect her from those who would use her as a weapon...
Adrian's voice was barely audible. My mother had an affair. I never knew.
Adrian
For twelve years, I thought I knew her. Thought she was perfect. Honorable. Above reproach. He laughed bitterly. Turns out she was just as human as the rest of us. Just as capable of breaking the rules.
The pain in his voice made my chest ache. She loved someone. That's not a crime.
In her position, it was. He looked at me, eyes haunted. The Council killed her for it, didn't they? That's why she was poisoned. They found out about the affair and eliminated the threat.
I nodded slowly. Eleanor—my mentor—believes Beaumont discovered the affair. Discovered the daughter. And had your mother killed to prevent her from legitimizing the child's claim to royal succession.
God. Adrian ran a hand through his hair. All this time, I've been investigating her death. Searching for proof. And you— He stopped. You came here for the same reason. To find the truth about who murdered your mother.
Our mother. The words hung unspoken between us.
I came here for justice, I said carefully. For revenge against the people who destroyed my life. But now...
Now what?
Now I don't know what I want anymore. Because revenge seems empty compared to the way you look at me.
Now it's complicated, I finished.
Adrian was quiet for a long moment, reading more letters. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. Everyone at court wants something from me. Power. Influence. Political advantage. They smile and flatter and lie, all while calculating how to use me.
That must be lonely.
It is. He met my eyes. Except you. You're the only person who pushes me away. Who doesn't want anything from me. Why?
Because I want everything from you. Your trust. Your protection. Your love. And I don't deserve any of it.
Because I'm dangerous for you, I whispered.
I don't care. He cupped my face, thumb brushing across my cheek. I don't care if you're Isabelle Ashford. I don't care if you came here seeking revenge. I don't even care if we're— He stopped, unable to say it. I just know that when I'm with you, I feel alive for the first time in years. You make me feel like I'm more than just a crown and a title.
Adrian, we can't—
Why not? His forehead touched mine. Give me one good reason.
Because you're my half-brother. Because when you learn the full truth, you'll hate me. Because this can never work.
But with his hands on my face, his breath warm against my lips, all my reasons felt like excuses.
I've lied to you, I whispered. About everything.
Then tell me the truth now. His lips brushed mine, barely a touch. No more lies. Just us. Just this moment.
And God help me, I wanted it. Wanted him. Wanted to forget everything else and just feel this impossible connection.
The truth is... I closed my eyes. The truth is I'm terrified. Because I came here for revenge, and somehow I ended up—
Falling for me? he finished.
I nodded, tears spilling over.
Good. He kissed me then—deep, desperate, real. Not the gentle kiss from before. This was need and loneliness and two broken people trying to find something whole.
I kissed him back, forgetting revenge, forgetting plans, forgetting every reason why this was wrong. His hands tangled in my hair. My back pressed against the ancient shelves. Letters scattered around us like fallen leaves.
Isabelle, he breathed against my mouth, using my real name for the first time.
Hearing it from his lips broke something in me. Every wall I'd built came crashing down. I pulled him closer, needing more, needing everything, needing to feel something other than rage and pain and loneliness.
We sank to the floor among the scattered letters. His cloak became our blanket. His body covered mine, protective and possessive all at once.
Are you sure? he whispered. Because once we
I'm sure. I pulled him down to me. I've never been more sure of anything.
What happened next was tender and passionate and nothing like I'd imagined. He touched me like I was precious. Like I was something worth protecting. Like I was more than a ghost seeking revenge.
For the first time in two years, wrapped in his arms, I felt genuine happiness. Real joy. The kind I'd thought died in the Borderlands.
I love you, he whispered afterward, holding me close. I know I shouldn't. I know it's too soon. But I do.
I should have said it back. Should have given him that much truth.
But the words stuck in my throat. Because loving him meant choosing between him and revenge. Between his heart and my justice. Between the future and the past.
So I just held him tighter, memorizing every moment, knowing it couldn't last.
Dawn light crept through the high windows. Adrian slept beside me, one arm still wrapped around my waist, his breathing deep and even.
I carefully extracted myself from his embrace and pulled on my clothes. My body ached in new ways. My heart ached in ways I'd forgotten were possible.
What have I done?
I turned back to the hidden drawer, needing to finish what I'd started. To find the proof I needed.
Behind the letters Adrian had read was another document. Sealed with red wax. Marked with the Queen Regent's personal crest and one word:
CONFESSION
My hands trembled as I broke the seal. Inside, written in my mother's elegant hand:
To whoever finds this
Let it be known that I, Catherine Elizabeth Ashford, Queen Regent of Astoria, did engage in a forbidden love affair with General Robert Ashford. From this union was born a daughter on the 15th of March, whom I named Isabelle Catherine Ashford.
Due to laws of succession and political pressure, I could not claim this child publicly. She was raised by Robert's brother, Lord Marcus Ashford, as his legitimate daughter.
However, let this document serve as legal proof: Isabelle Catherine Ashford is my legitimate child and carries royal blood. She is half-sister to Crown Prince Adrian Castellane and possesses a rightful claim to royal succession should she choose to pursue it.
I ask that whoever discovers this truth protect my daughter. She is innocent in all of this. If harm comes to her, know that it is murder of a royal heir—punishable by death.
Signed and sealed this day,Catherine Elizabeth AshfordQueen Regent of Astoria
The confession I needed. The proof of my identity. The evidence that could save me from Celeste's accusations.
And the document that confirmed Adrian and I were siblings.
I looked back at him, still sleeping peacefully among the scattered letters. The man I'd just made love to. The man who'd said he loved me.
My half-brother.
Horror crashed through me. What had I done? What had we done?
A sound in the corridor made me freeze. Footsteps. Multiple sets. Guards on morning patrol.
I had seconds to decide: wake Adrian and confess everything, or run.
I chose running. Always running.
I grabbed the confession and fled through the archives, my heart shattering with every step.
Behind me, I heard Adrian wake. Call my name. Confusion and hurt in his voice.
But I couldn't stop. Couldn't face him. Couldn't tell him what we'd just done.
I burst out of the palace into the cold morning air, the confession clutched against my chest, tears streaming down my face.
Eleanor was waiting with the carriage. One look at my face and she knew.
What happened?
Everything. I collapsed into the seat. Everything happened. And I— My voice broke. Eleanor, I slept with him. And he's my brother. And now I have the proof, but Celeste's hearing is in three hours, and
Slow down. Eleanor gripped my shoulders. What proof?
I thrust the confession at her.
She read it, her face going pale. Dear God. This proves you're the Queen Regent's daughter. A legitimate royal heir.
It also proves Adrian and I are siblings. Hysteria bubbled up. And I just committed
A knock on the carriage door interrupted us.
Captain Damien stood outside, his expression grim. Lady Vivienne. Crown Prince Adrian requests your immediate presence at the Council hearing. Celeste has accelerated her timeline. The hearing begins in one hour, not three. Everyone who matters will be there—including Lord Chancellor Beaumont.
My blood ran cold. Why?
Because Celeste's investigator found something else. Damien's jaw tightened. A witness from the night your mother died. Someone who can testify that Beaumont ordered the Queen Regent's poisoning. And that he did it specifically to eliminate the Queen's illegitimate daughter before she could be legitimized.
Eleanor's eyes widened. They're going to expose everything. Your identity, Beaumont's conspiracy, the murder—all of it. In front of the entire Council.
Adrian sent me to find you, Damien continued. He says you need to be there. That whatever Celeste reveals, you shouldn't face it alone.
Tears blurred my vision. Even now, even after I'd run from him, he wanted to protect me.
There's something else, Damien added quietly. Adrian asked me to tell you three words: 'I know everything.' He wants you to know he's not angry. He just wants the truth. All of it. Finally.
The carriage door shut. Damien rode ahead to inform the Council we were coming.
I looked at Eleanor, then at my mother's confession in my hands.
What do I do?
You walk into that hearing, Eleanor said firmly. You present this confession. You expose Beaumont. You claim your birthright. And you face whatever comes next with your head high.
And Adrian?
Eleanor's expression softened. You tell him the truth. All of it. And you let him decide if love is stronger than blood.
The carriage lurched forward, carrying me toward my final confrontation.
Toward the moment where everything I'd built would either stand or crumble.
Toward the hearing that would decide my fate, my identity, and whether the man I loved could ever look at me the same way again.