That evening, as Alina prepared for yet another court gathering, her thoughts were consumed by what the servant girl had revealed. The knowledge that there were forces actively working against her was not surprising, but it did add another layer of complexity to her already precarious situation.
The banquet hall was filled with the usual laughter and music, but to Alina, it felt like walking into a den of wolves. She moved through the crowd with practiced grace, accepting the polite greetings and thinly veiled barbs from the nobles with a smile that never quite reached her eyes.
King Kael was already seated at the head of the table, his gaze fixed on her as she approached. His eyes were as cold and unreadable as ever, but Alina had begun to notice the subtle shifts in his demeanor. There were moments when he seemed almost... intrigued by her, though he quickly masked it with his usual air of indifference.
Tonight, however, his expression was particularly hard to read. As Alina took her seat beside him, she could feel the weight of his gaze like a physical touch. "You seem troubled, my dear wife," Kael said, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
Alina turned to face him, her smile never wavering. "It is nothing, Your Majesty. I was simply reflecting on how... lively your court is."
Kael's lips curved into a faint smile, though his eyes remained cold. "Indeed. It is a place where only the strongest survive. I wonder... how long will you last among the vipers?"
Alina's heart skipped a beat at the veiled threat, but she did not flinch. "I am not as fragile as I may appear, Your Majesty," she replied softly. "You may find that I am quite resilient."
Kael's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned away, raising his goblet to signal the start of the feast. The conversation around them resumed, and Alina took a slow, steady breath, willing her heart to calm. She had survived another test, but she knew it was only the beginning.