The grand halls of Eryndor's palace were quiet in the late hours of the night, the echoes of the night's festivities now reduced to a faint memory. The corridors seemed colder without the warmth of flickering torches and vibrant conversation. Somewhere deep within the palace, Seris sat by the light of a single candle, her heart pounding as she unfolded a parchment bearing the seal of Selvaris.
The letter had been smuggled to her earlier, slipped into her palm by a trusted servant from her homeland. She hadn't dared read it during the ball, aware of the prying eyes that followed her every move. But now, in the solitude of her chambers, she let her eyes dart over the words hastily scrawled in her advisor's familiar hand.
> Princess, trust no one. There are whispers of betrayal in Selvaris—loyalty is no longer certain. Your union with Eryndor is seen as a threat by those who favor war over peace. Be vigilant, even within these walls. Shadows are everywhere. <
Seris's grip on the letter tightened, her pulse quickening. Betrayal? War? Her advisor's cryptic warning offered little clarity but left much to fear. She stared at the flickering candlelight, her thoughts racing.
Who in Selvaris could be plotting against her? Was the alliance already unraveling, even before it had truly begun? And why had her advisor written "even within these walls"?
A knock at the door startled her. Quickly, Seris folded the letter and slipped it into the pocket of her robe.
"Who is it?" she called, her voice sharper than intended.
The door creaked open, and Valric's imposing figure stepped into view. He was still dressed in the formal attire from the ball, though his jacket hung loosely now, the crisp edges of his composure slightly worn.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, his dark eyes studying her with that same infuriating calm he always carried.
Her hand instinctively brushed against the hidden pocket, ensuring the letter was secure. "What do you want, Valric?"
He stepped further into the room, closing the door softly behind him. "I might ask you the same. You seem... tense."
"Perhaps because I find your unannounced visits unnerving," she quipped, crossing her arms.
He smirked faintly. "You'll have to get used to my presence, Princess. Or did you think our marriage would be devoid of late-night conversations?"
Her glare could have cut glass, but he wasn't fazed. Instead, his gaze shifted to the small desk by the window, where the candle burned low. "You were writing letters?"
"No," she replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. "Just... thinking."
"Hmm." He moved closer, his footsteps almost silent against the floor. "Thinking tends to look less guilty."
Her breath hitched. He was too perceptive, his sharp eyes catching every flicker of unease in her expression. "Is there a reason you're here, Valric, or are you simply trying to irritate me?"
"I came to check on you," he said, his tone unusually sincere. "You left the ball early, and the council has been watching you closely. I thought it wise to make sure you weren't—"
"Plotting treason?" she interrupted, raising a brow.
"—overwhelmed," he finished smoothly. "But if you'd like to confess something, by all means."
She forced a laugh, though her fingers tightened around the fabric of her robe. "Don't flatter yourself. If I had secrets, you'd be the last person I'd confide in."
"Good," he replied, his voice dropping lower. "Because I don't trust you, either."
The words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Yet beneath the hostility, there was something else—a reluctant understanding. They were both trapped in a web of deceit, unsure of who to trust.
"You should leave," she said finally, turning her back to him and moving toward the window. "It's late, and we both have roles to play tomorrow."
He didn't move immediately. She felt his gaze linger on her, as though he were trying to peel back the layers of her guarded demeanor.
"Goodnight, Princess," he said at last, his voice quieter now.
When the door closed behind him, Seris let out a shaky breath. She retrieved the letter from her pocket, her mind whirring with questions. Should she tell Valric about the warning? No, she couldn't trust him—not yet.
But if the shadows of betrayal were already creeping into her life, she'd have to tread carefully. And in a palace where every smile hid a dagger, Seris knew one thing for certain: the game of survival had only just begun.