The following days passed in a blur of courtly events, political maneuvering, and the occasional interaction with Crown Prince Kael that left me feeling more unsettled than ever. Despite my efforts to play the role of the reformed villainess, the shadows of my past misdeeds loomed large. And every time I found myself in Kael's presence, I was reminded that I had far more to lose than my life.
I was well aware that my survival depended on navigating the treacherous politics of the court, where every gesture, every word, carried a hidden meaning. But my attention was constantly pulled back to the one person I couldn't figure out: Kael Draven.
Was he truly indifferent to me, or was there something deeper beneath the surface? His icy demeanor could never completely mask the complexities lurking beneath his stoic mask, but I couldn't trust my instincts. Not yet.
***
The royal gardens were quiet when I entered, the air thick with the scent of blooming roses. I needed some time away from the prying eyes of the court, away from the pressure of playing this part perfectly. And here, in the solitude of the palace's secluded garden, I could breathe.
The soft rustle of leaves in the wind was the only sound as I walked along the path, my fingers brushing lightly against the stone railing. It was peaceful, almost therapeutic, and I let myself forget, if only for a moment, the web of lies and manipulation I was caught in.
That peace, however, was short-lived.
"You seem rather relaxed for someone who has so much to worry about," a familiar voice broke through the silence.
I froze. There, standing beneath the shade of a tall tree, was none other than Kael Draven. His arms were crossed, and his sharp gaze was fixed on me, piercing through the silence like a blade.
"You've been following me?" I asked, though I knew the answer. The prince's every movement was calculated, precise—nothing was left to chance.
"Not following," he replied, stepping closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Observing."
"Observing?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow. "How charming."
Kael's expression remained unreadable, though a faint flicker of something—amusement, perhaps—passed through his storm-gray eyes. "I've seen many in this court, Lady Evelina. Few, if any, are what they seem."
My stomach tightened. Was he implying I was hiding something? Because if that was the case, he was absolutely right. I was hiding everything, from my true identity as a modern-day woman to the very truth of my intentions in this dangerous game.
"Are you accusing me of something, Your Highness?" I asked, my voice colder than I intended. I didn't want to show weakness, not to him—not yet.
"No," he said, his tone deliberate. "But I wonder if you're aware of just how much danger you're in."
I tensed, my mind racing. "Danger?"
Kael's gaze hardened. "Do you think the other nobles are blind to your sudden 'change'?" His words were sharp, biting. "They're watching you, Lady Evelina. Waiting for you to slip up."
A chill ran down my spine. Of course. The nobles had always viewed Evelina with suspicion, but now that I was occupying her body, they would be even more inclined to view me as a threat. A sudden reformation could mean one of two things: either I was truly repentant, or I was plotting something far more dangerous.
"Perhaps they're simply looking for any excuse to tear me down," I said coolly, refusing to show fear. "As they always do."
Kael's expression softened, just barely. "That's not what I meant."
I met his gaze, my heart pounding. What *did* he mean? Was there a flicker of concern beneath that cold exterior? Or was this just another tactic in his game of manipulation?
Before I could ask, a distant voice broke the tension between us.
"Your Highness! Lady Evelina!"
I turned to see one of the palace attendants rushing toward us, a look of urgency in her eyes.
"We've just received word from the Eastern borders," the attendant said breathlessly. "There's been an incident. The peace talks have collapsed. The alliance is on the brink of failure."
The air around us seemed to freeze. Kael's face tightened, and without another word, he nodded at the attendant.
"I'll be there shortly," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Turning back to me, he paused for a moment, as if measuring his next words. "Stay out of trouble, Lady Evelina," he warned, his voice low. "This is only the beginning."
***
As Kael strode away, the attendant's words echoed in my mind. The peace talks had collapsed, and the alliance was at risk. The kingdom's fragile stability was in jeopardy, and I had a sinking feeling that this was no accident.
Who had sabotaged the talks? And what did it mean for me? If the peace treaty failed, the consequences would be catastrophic—not just for the kingdom, but for my already precarious position as Evelina.
I had no choice but to get involved, to uncover the truth behind the betrayal—and quickly. If I didn't, the political landscape would shift beyond recognition, and my chances of survival would diminish.
But the question remained: Who could I trust in a palace full of enemies?
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