The remaining day was filled with apologies from Adelina for not taking care of her security, although followed by the questions of who might have saved her. Leona and many duchesses and countesses who were staying as guests at the castle also visited Amanda, wishing for her recovery. Some Duchesses were quite curious about her escape as the Witch wasn't the one who saved her. And to everyone's surprise, Amanda revealed that the kidnapper took away the Elixir of Immortality from her in order to cover up for Kael.
Most didn't think much as they could guess that much from the kidnapping, some assumed that the princess might have staged her own kidnap to hide away the Elixir from the palace. Adelina and Leona were quite taken aback and curious about the mysterious expert who killed her kidnapper but then took away the Elixir from her hands too.
Amanda didn't push them much and let the matter go. She had a lot of other things in her head that needed to be addressed first.
Two days later, a Demigod from the palace arrived. The Imperial Perceptor took the investigation into his own hands, first questioning Amanda about the whole story. She had to tell everything from when she was abducted to how she was saved by Assassin K and how she gave away the Elixir to him. She told everything to him except for the fact that she found out Kael's secret.
The demigod then went into the forest only to find the corpse missing. She could only investigate the traces of the battle, how it happened, and the extent of this assassin's prowess. Later, she visited the Witch Tower for providing inadequate security, claiming a hefty compensation amount from the Witch, and eventually returning to the castle.
The following morning, Kael and Amanda resumed their dance practice. But this time, something was different. Amanda's movements were more fluid, her teaching gentler, and her demeanor softer. Kael noticed it immediately—eyes carried a subtle warmth of affection toward him.
As they practiced their steps, Amanda's hand lightly brushed against his, and her gaze lingered a little longer than usual. It was a small shift, but to Kael, it was a significant one. But, for now, he focused on his steps, matching her rhythm and following her lead.
The day of the ball arrived, and both Kael and Amanda made their way to the grand hall, dressed in their finest attire. The atmosphere was electric, filled with nobles from every corner of the kingdom, eager to witness the lavish event. It appeared as if they had forgotten the incident at the Auction House. But then again, they weren't the ones who were attacked. So, there wasn't much impact on their minds in the first place.
As they entered the ballroom together, the two of them became the center of attention. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. The Nobleman and the imperial princess, the newlywed couple, danced elegantly as if they were the only two in the room.
Kael had never expected such an event to feel so intimate. As the music played and they twirled across the floor, he couldn't help but feel that Amanda was no longer the distant, unreachable woman she had once been. Instead, she seemed to be more present, more connected to him like a close friend.
Their eyes met constantly throughout the dance, and Kael noticed that the pity and reluctance that had once clouded her gaze had faded away, leaving only affection. It kinda made him a bit uncomfortable but he couldn't do anything about it after taking away the Elixir from her and destroying her hopes of annulling their marriage. Perhaps, she was trying to make amends and deciding to act like a wife instead? He couldn't help but wonder.
For the first time, the ball felt less like a political duty and more like a shared moment between husband and wife. The crowd, too, took note of the chemistry between the couple, their gazes lingering on them as if they were the stars of the evening.
After the dance ended, they returned to their chamber, the warmth of the evening still lingering in the air. Amanda didn't say much other than wishing him good night as she excused herself, retreating to her own room. But as the door closed behind her, Kael was left standing in confusion, wondering about the change in her behavior ever since she returned from the forest.
Once in her room, Amanda took a deep breath, still feeling the warmth of Kael's presence from the dance. She sat down on her bed, her thoughts racing. She had promised herself that she would never love again after the death of her first husband.
But Kael… he disturbed her a lot. Earlier, it was recklessness and she had every reason to hate him. But, after learning the truth, she was confused about him or her own feelings.
With trembling hands, Amanda reached for the small object she had kept hidden for now.
As she wore the pendant and poured her mana into it, the familiar, comforting energy enveloped her. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Please… I need to speak to him. Klaus…"
The room grew colder, and a faint glow filled the air. The spirit of Amanda's former husband appeared before her, a soft, ethereal presence. His face was kind, his eyes filled with understanding.
"Amanda," his voice echoed softly, "I'm glad to see you again."
Tears welled up in Amanda's eyes as she looked at him, the man she had loved with all her heart. But even now, after all the years, she couldn't stop the conflict within her. "Klaus, my love…"
"Amanda…" He called her out in a hushed tone.
"I don't know what to do," she confessed. "I've… I've started to feel something for him. Kael. My husband. I don't want to love him the way I loved you. But… but…"
Her former husband smiled gently, his spirit radiating warmth. "You have always been a strong woman, Amanda. You've suffered greatly, but I see that Kael is a man worthy of your love. I have watched over you both through you and believe me, a man can understand another man. That man hides his feelings and probably has a ton of secrets, but he seems sincere and a great supporter."
"But—"
"Don't destroy the future for the sake of the past, Amanda," he interrupted, his voice firm but loving. "You are not betraying me by moving on. You are allowing yourself the chance to live again."
Amanda's heart felt heavy as she processed his words, but something inside her began to soften. She had never truly let go of the past, and yet, she realized that perhaps, in order to heal, she needed to embrace the future.
The spirit of her husband nodded, as though sensing her thoughts. "Before I go, I want you to know the truth behind my death, which you have wanted to find out desperately all these years. It was not an accident, nor was it simply a matter of politics. When we defeated the Kingdom of Orlon, the people over there weren't ready to accept a Queen, and many gangs continued to rebel, causing us trouble. They want a man to lead them. Many experts living in Orlon met me. They want me to take over the throne instead. My men also supported it.
While I rejected it out of my loyalty to the throne, the news reached the palace. The late Prime Minister, fearing that I would become king and rebel against the throne with my hundred thousand soldiers, ordered my assassination. He was afraid that I would bring change, something they couldn't control. That's the truth about my death, Amanda. As I can see through your memories, the late Prime Minister was assassinated by your current husband, Kael Moonstone. Imagine my shock when I learned that Kael was the dreaded assassin K? That means he started hunting down these corrupted nobles when he was only 14. And all along, I thought he was just a scourge of Moonstone House. Anyway, my time is coming up. So, let's not waste the time in discussing about him.
After this, I will move on to the spirit realm. So, please find your peace, Amanda, so that I may find mine without worries."
Amanda's eyes widened with shock. She had never known the full story behind her husband's death, and hearing it now, she doesn't know how to feel. The perpetrator was already killed, and her former husband was avenged. The only question that remained in her head was whether her mother, the Queen, was behind this or whether her predecessor acted on his own.
Sensing her thoughts once again, Klaus said softly. "The dead are at peace. Don't make your life hell by agonizing over them. Move on and enjoy the remainder of your life for the sake of your dead loved ones who couldn't enjoy it."
"Goodbye, my love."
As the spirit of her husband faded away, Amanda sat in silence, processing everything. His words had lifted a burden she hadn't realized she'd been carrying. She had been so focused on the past, on the pain of losing him, that she hadn't given herself permission to heal.
But Kael was here now, and he had proven himself to be a man of honor. Maybe… maybe she could allow herself to love again. Maybe she could let go of the guilt and the pain that had held her back for so long.
As she wiped away a tear, Amanda made a decision. It was time to move forward. "Goodbye." She whispered under her breath, allowing the weight of departure to settle within her heart.
With a sigh, she rose from where she sat, gathering her composure. The ache in her chest remained, but it was no longer a crippling weight. She dressed herself in fresh clothes, carefully selecting an elegant yet simple gown, her mind swirling with the events of the evening and the revelation of her true feelings.
Her thoughts, though still conflicted, guided her steps as she made her way to Kael's room. She wasn't sure what she would say, but she knew that the time had come for them to confront the truth of their marriage.
Kael was deep in meditation when he felt a presence at his door. He didn't open his eyes, assuming it was one of the servants or perhaps Cain. But when the door creaked open and Amanda stepped inside, he was taken aback and opened his eyes.
"What is it, Princess?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.
Amanda stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind her. There was a tense silence before she finally spoke, her voice steady but with faint confidence.
"I want to consummate our marriage," she said as she let her robes loose, her words taking Kael completely by surprise.