The forest didn't feel the same anymore.
It wasn't the same quiet as before-peaceful, distant, untouched.
This silence was heavier.
Thicker.
Like it carried the weight of what had just happened.
The bodies had already been cleared.
The guards moved quickly, efficiently, dragging them away, wiping away traces of blood as if nothing had occurred.
As if it could be erased.
As if it meant nothing.
But Lyra couldn't erase it.
She still saw it.
That moment-
When the man had dropped to his knees.
When his voice had broken.
When he had begged.
And Kael-
Hadn't hesitated.
Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric
of her dress as she stepped back into the carriage.
Every movement felt stiff.
Controlled.
Like if she relaxed even a little, something inside her would slip.
Kael entered after her.
Not looking at her.
Not speaking.
Not acknowledging anything that had just happened.
David followed last, his usual relaxed expression replaced by something quieter, more thoughtful.
The door shut behind them.
And once again-
They were trapped together.
The carriage began to move.
Slowly at first.
Then steadily.
No one spoke.
Lyra turned her gaze toward the window, her reflection faintly visible against the glass.
She looked the same.
Unchanged.
But she didn't feel it.
Across from her-
Kael sat exactly where he had before.
Straight.
Still.
Controlled.
Like nothing had touched him.
Like nothing ever could.
It made something inside her tighten.
"...Do you always do that?"
Her voice broke the silence.
But it didn't sound strong.
Not like before.
Kael didn't respond immediately.
As if considering whether the question was worth answering.
"...Yes."
The simplicity of it-
The lack of hesitation-
Made her chest ache more than she expected.
Lyra let out a slow breath.
"...Even when they beg?"
Kael's gaze shifted slightly.
Not fully to her.
But enough.
"Yes."
No guilt.
No regret.
No pause.
Lyra's hands curied slightly in her lap. Even when they have families?"
This time-
Kael looked at her
Directly
"Especially then."
The words were calm.
But they hit harder than anything else.
Lyra stared at him.
Her brows pulling together, her expression tightening
"...That doesn't make sense."
Kael leaned back slightly, his gaze steady.
"It does."
"No, it doesn't" Lyra replied, her voice rising slightly. "You could have let him go. He told you what you wanted-"
"And then what?" Kael cut in
Not loudly.
But firmly
Lyra stopped.
"He returns," Kael continued, his voice even. "He reports back. He tries again. Or someone else
does.
"That doesn't mean you had to-"
"It does."
Silence
The carriage seemed smaller now.
Tighter
Like the air itself had changed.
Lyra shook her head slightly, her frustration building again.
You didn't even hesitate."
Kael's expression didn't shift.
"I wasn't supposed to."
"That's not something to be proud of
"I'm not proud"
"Then what are you?" she demanded.
A pause
A long one
Kael's gaze didn't leave hers.
"Alive"
The word settled between them.
Heavy
Unmoving.
Lyra's breath faltered slightly.
Because she understood it.
Even if she didn't want to
"You're cruel," she said more quietly this time
Kael didn't deny it.
Maybe."
The admission was unexpected.
Simple.
Unforced.
Lyra blinked.
Just once.
But I don't have the luxury of being anything else, he added.
Something in his tone-
Was different
Not defensive
Not angry
Just-
Honest.
Lyra looked away first.
Her reflection in the window blurred slightly as her thoughts tangled.
She hated it.
Hated that part of her-
Understood him.
"That doesn't make it right," she repeated,
softer now.
Kael didn't argue.
Didn't push
"I didn't say it did."
Silence returned.
But this time
It wasn't sharp.
It wasn't explosive.
It was heavy
Unresolved.
David shifted slightly beside them, finally
breaking the stiliness.
"...You're both exhausting," he muttered.
Lyra shot him a look.
Stay out of this."
David raised an eyebrow.
"I've been out of it," he said. "I'm just saying-this
argument has no winner.
Kael didn't respond.
Lyra didn't either.
Because deep down-
They both knew he was right.
The rest of the journey passed in silence.
But not the same silence as before.
Lyra didn't look at Kael again.
Not once.
And Kael-
Didn't try to make her.
But his gaze-
Flickered.
More than once.
And each time-
He looked away.