Morning came too quickly.
Lyra barely slept.
Every time she moved, pain shot through her foot-sharp, irritating, impossible to ignore. But
she refused to call for a healer.
Because that would mean-
Admitting weakness.
And she would never do that..
The palace was already alive when she stepped
out.
Servants bowed.
Whispers followed.
"They found them in the forest-"
"Were they alone all night-?"
Lyra's expression turned colder with every word.
People talked too much
Always.
She walked forward, ignoring the stares-
Until she saw her.
Standing near the courtyard.
Elegant.
Perfect.
Unbothered.
The same woman from before.
Selene.
Dressed in soft silver, like she belonged there more than anyone else.
And beside her-
Kael.
Lyra stopped.
Just for a moment.
Something twisted inside her chest.
Annoying.
Unnecessary.
She pushed it down instantly.
Selene smiled softly as Kael spoke.
"Your Highness," she said gently, "I heard you
were missing last night. I was... worried."
Her voice was calm.
Sincere.
Perfect.
Kael nodded slightly.
"It was nothing."
Nothing.
Lyra's fingers curled slightly.
Selene's gaze shifted.
And landed on Lyra.
For a brief moment-
Something unreadable flashed in her eyes.
Then it disappeared behind a polite smile.
"Princess Lyra," she greeted. "I'm glad you're safe."
Lyra walked forward slowly.
Every step controlled.
Every movement deliberate.
"...You seem concerned," Lyra said, her tone calm
but sharp.
Selene tilted her head slightly.
"Should I not be?"
Lyra stopped in front of her.
"...Concern doesn't suit you."
The air shifted instantly..
Tense.
Heavy.
Kael's gaze moved between them.
Silent.
Observing.
Selene's smile didn't fade.
But her eyes did.
"You misunderstand me," she said softly.
"Do I?" Lyra replied.
Her voice was steady.
Too steady.
A pause.
Then-
Selene stepped slightly closer to Kael.
Not touching.
But close enough.
"I only care about His Highness's well-being."
Lyra's chest tightened.
Just slightly.
But enough.
Kael didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't step away.
That was enough.
Lyra let out a quiet breath.
Then smiled.
But it wasn't warm.
"...Of course you do."
Her gaze lingered for a second.
Then she turned-
And walked away
Each step hurt more than the last.
But she didn't slow down
Didn't stop.
Didn't look back.
Behind her-
Selene watched.
Her smile slowly fading.
"She's quite sharp," she murmured.
Kael's eyes followed Lyra's retreating figure.
"She always is"
Selene glanced at him.
You seem differant."
Kael didn't answer.
"Did something happen last night?" she asked
carefully.
Silence
Then
"No."
Alie
Selene studied him for a moment longer.
But said nothing,
Lyra didn't make it far.
By the time she reached the hallway
Her steps faltered.
The pain in her foot had worsened.
Much worse.
"...Damn it"
She leaned against the wall briefly.
Breathing slowly.
Steady
Controlled.
"Princess?"
A servant approached hesitantly.
"You don't look well-
"I'm fine"
The words came automatically.
Sharp
But weaker than before.
The servant hesitated,
"Please, at least let the healer-
"I said I'm fine"
But this time-
Her voice shook
Just slightly.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Familiar
Heavy
Unmistakable
Kael
Lyra didn't tum.
Didn't move
Didn't acknowledge him.
The servant bowed immediately.
"Your Highness-"
"Leave
The order was quiet.
But absolute
The servant left instantly.
Leaving them alone
Silence
Thick.
Uncomfortable.
"You're making it worse," Kael said
The same words as before.
But this time-
Closer
Lyra let out a dry laugh.
"...You seem very concerned about that."
Kael's gaze dropped briefly to her foot.
Then back to her face.
"It affects the bond."
Of course.
That again.
Lyra pushed herself off the wall
Ignoring the sharp pain.
"Then don't worry," she said. "I won't let it
become your problem."
She took a step forward-
And nearly collapsed.
Before she hit the ground-
A hand caught her wrist.
Firm
Steady
Warm
Both of them froze.
Lyra's breath hitched slightly.
Not from pain
But from-
Something else.
Kael's grip tightened just a little
"Stop being reckless"
His voice was lower now.
Less cold
More-
Frustrated.
Lyra Icoked at his hand.
Then at him.
"...Let go."
But she didn't pull away.
For a moment-
He didn't.
Then-
He released her.
Slowly.
The distance retumed instantly.
Like it had never left.
"Call the healer," he said.
Lyra shook her head
"No
"Lyra-"
"Don't."
The way she said it-
Soft
But firm.
Kael went silent.
I don't need your help," she added quietly
Both of them knew it.
Kael's jaw tightened.
Fine
The word was sharp
Cutting
He stepped back
Turning away.
"Do whatever you want."
And just like that-
He left
Lyra stood there
Alone
Again
Her fingers slowly curled-
Around the place he had just held.
"Why does it feel like that?"
The question slipped out before she could stop.