Private Confrontation
AURELIA/ LEXI
I shouldn't have walked alone; besides, I was getting lost because the doors to each room looked the same, and the hallways were different. I still had doubts that there was really a ghost here.
But it was too late for me to think; the hallway seemed to have gotten smaller, and the torches had become dull. The walls here weren't shiny like the throne room. My every step was weak and careful. My boots made no sound on the floor.
Suddenly, I was stopped. This was a bad sign. It seemed like someone was watching me again.
I tightened the black silk shawl around my shoulders. It wasn't just cloth.
"Relax," I whispered deeply. "You're holding an entire council. You can hold a man with horns."
I turned the corner and stopped.
Kael was there.
Leaning against the wall as if he had been waiting for a long time. Of course, that was the case. He had doubts about me and didn't like me. What else did I expect?
"You're avoiding me." His voice was calm.
I forced a small smile. "Something different, you still sensed it? You have a strong intuition."
He pushed himself away from the wall and stepped closer.
"No," he said. "That's just an observation."
I kept my posture straight. My chin was raised. Princess.
"Don't you have anything else to worry about besides me? With someone you don't like, why would you bother to watch and observe my every move unless... You have another motive."
"Motive," he replied. "There is, to find out what kind of sorcerer you are and what magic you used to obtain Princess Aurelia's body."
'Oh. A sorcerer, really?'
I crossed my arms. "If you have something to say, Commander, say it."
He stopped in front of me. "You speak differently," he said.
Here she is again, acting like a woman who likes to bring up history.
I shrugged. "We've talked about that. Over and over again?"
"Where do you live?" she continued, ignoring me. "What's your name? How did—"
"Curiosity kills the cat; do you know that saying?"
"I'm not curious. I'm confirming."
My breathing seemed to stop for a moment. Shit, is this a confrontation? Is this where he grabs my throat and makes his threat, knowing Princess Aurelia will be the one who feels it?
I let out a breath; I need to stay calm.
I tilted my head, pretending to be bored. "You can't get an answer from me because I don't know why either."
His eyes were fixed on me. "Then, you're not her."
Silence fell between the two of us.
"Hmmm," I said softly. "Isn't that like betrayal, doubting your Majesty?"
"Then, answer me."
I looked away for a moment. "Answer what? I told you I don't know anything."
His hand hit the wall next to my head. I step back.
I noticed his eyes widen.
"You're stepping back," he said softly. "It's not Princess Aurelia's doing."
"It's still me," I whined.
"You're not the Princess," he whined. "That's the point."
My chest was tight. I had to rebut. What was I going to say?
I sighed slowly and turned to face him, forcing a small, cold smile.
"Do you want an explanation?" I spoke.
"Yes."
"Okay." I stepped closer. "I'm still Princess Aurelia, I've just changed," I spoke. "Happy?"
"No."
'Wow. Not even a second, I didn't even think about it.'
I laughed softly, but the result was wrong. "You're impossible."
"You're lying." He said directly, without hesitation.
I looked him straight in the eye. "Liar? You're so quick to judge. I answered your question."
"Not everything, I know you're hiding something."
Silence fell between us again.
"I don't know what you expect from me," I said. "A confession? A breakdown? Do you want me to say I was knocked down and suddenly became... what? Changed?"
"If that's what you want me to believe... It's not enough," he said.
"That's funny," I whispered. "I thought you were a good observer? But you still need an explanation? Not all changes need to be explained," I added. "Especially from you."
"I'm not looking for an explanation," he said. He bowed slightly, his eyes still on me. "I'm looking for the truth. And what you're saying… that's not enough to believe."
"If it's not enough to believe," I said, tilting my head slightly, "that's your problem."
I took a slow breath. "I'm not here to convince you, Commander."
"If you're not here to convince me," he said, bowing slightly, "you should be prepared for what happens if I don't believe you."
I swallowed. Our conversation was going nowhere. Whether I admitted it or not, he still wouldn't believe anything. I wasn't used to arguing with someone difficult to understand.
"I'm tired," I said. "I want to rest."
"You're avoiding me again." His voice was lower now. Worse. "You're proving my hunch even more correct."
Everything went cold for me. But I couldn't let this fool show. I laughed loudly, forced laughter.
"Is short drama a thing here?" I spoke. "Your imagination is amazing. What's next? Do you think I'm being possessed?"
He didn't react.
"I think," he said slowly, "there's more going on than that."
"It's not like that."
"It's the same for me."
I sighed heavily and stepped past him. "I don't have time for this."
But before I could step away, he grabbed my wrist.
I froze. "Let go," I said softly.
"Not until you give me the real thing."
Fear crept into my throat. Think. You'd be better off lying.
"Don't you see? It's all just a test," I said quickly. "The council. Their reactions. Their limitations."
His grip didn't change. "You think I'm going to believe that?"
Shit, this one is hard to convince.
"I'm making them talk, Kael," I added. "I'm making them follow. That's the point."
Silence fell again. Then—
"That part is true," he said. "But not all of it."
He slowly let go of my wrist as if he had what he needed.
I quickly withdrew my hand and stepped away. "Believe what you want," I said. "Nothing will change."
"But you have changed."
I didn't answer. I turned and started walking quickly. I need to get away. He was ready to stab me with his horn just to force the truth. Especially now, he believes that I am a powerful witch. If I admit I'm not from this world, that horn might actually pierce me. I'm not ready to die yet!
"Princess."
I stopped but didn't look back.
"If you're lying," he said, "you need to improve."
My chest tightened; he still wasn't done.
"And if not?" I asked.
"Then I'll find out what you're hiding."
Of course, he would.
I forced a small smile even though he couldn't see it because my back was turned.
"Good luck with that," I said, and kept walking.
I didn't turn around. But his gaze was still wrapped around my skin. The fool was still unconvinced.
And at least I survived this confrontation. I had to convince him next time. I knew there was more to come.