I tried my best to forget what happened the first day I came here. All this is just a dream, right? So surely … I would’ve survived either way? I still didn’t want to die, but I reassured myself that I’d probably wake up if I did. Right, I definitely will just wake up.

  But since those words weren’t enough to keep me from jolting awake at night, I decided to search for another way. I’m currently a third-year university student and a part-timer at a local library, so I do the second thing that I always do whenever I’m facing a problem: doing literally anything else but facing my problems.

  For the next few days, I moved between the guest room I resided in and the servant quarters. I tasted soups, saw incredible baking skills on display, took a peek at nobles walking by, and most importantly, I talked with Aisling about everything that happened in the palace.

  We gossiped, basically.

  “I can’t believe Lady Josephine is still going strong even after everything," I sat on the side of Xia's bed, fiddling with the fingers of the gloves I was untangling.

  The girl beside me nodded and whispered as she folded another sheet. “And listen. That Lord who wants to marry her?”

  “Yeah?”

  “He’s a griffinkin, and he apparently just wants her unconditionally.”

  I gasped, hitting the bed in surprise. “No way. A kin wanting to ‘step down’?”

  “Mhm!” Aisling turned to me and jabbed my shoulder. “He even vows to never use magic again if Lady Josephine marries him! How crazy is that?!”

  “Well, I guess people really do crazy things for love.” I shook my head in disbelief.

  I said that to Aisling, but honestly, what magic could do in Eyes of Aether didn’t matter as much as what people see them as. Magic only gave someone things like enhanced senses like vision, hearing, and overall sensitivity, nothing as groundbreaking as in other fantasy titles. It was still useful, sure, considering how the delegate from Distrein, a kingdom controlled by the griffins, managed to suss Loren out to get info on him—but it’s … just meh. I mean, I read the book and didn’t feel like I wanted to be able to use the magic myself.

  The bigger deal is, that only those born under the griffin-blessed clans or directly serving them could gain the title of a griffinkin and wield magic. Because of this, they viewed themselves as better than ordinary humans, causing the rift and dependence of power between regions. There is also talk of the magic being passed through the bloodline, but I’m pretty sure that part is just a red herring so Estienne can be rumored as more powerful than he actually is.

  Our conversation was cut short as a senior maid, Merry, walked into the room. She was the same rank as Zinovy, as I discovered, and was the head of conveying messages and what to do to the numbers of servants around. Merry adjusted her glasses before she addressed me. After the two weeks I’ve been here, the servants learned that I much prefer to not be bowed at or addressed too politely, and I honestly preferred that. It’s nice being a noble and all, but I just couldn’t get used to being so uppity. The politeness was enough, I didn’t need to be viewed too far apart from people more of my actual status.

  “Baron Andreasson was searching for you. He wanted you to stroll the garden with him,” Merry said, “and to hold the umbrella for him while he does so, of course.”

  Ah, Baron Andreasson. On paper, his rank wasn’t that higher than my daughter-of-a-baron claim, but he didn’t want to be seen with servants when he was walking around. ‘Didn’t want to scare his potential soulmates if she sees him relying too much on a servant’, he said. At first, I was sure he was going to hit on me too, but I guess my reluctance to stand too close to him even when I accompanied him on his walk made him drop that idea. He might or might not be part of why I didn’t want to be associated with the nobles here.

  Better just holding his umbrella for him than being forced to hold his hand. I guess at the end of the day I’m still a lower noble and free to be bossed around.

  “It hasn’t rained, though?” Aisling raised an eyebrow while she grabbed another blanket to fold.

  “Preventative,” Merry sighed.

  Aisling and I looked at each other before we chuckled at that. He’s just unbelievable.

  “Maybe he shouldn’t ever go out then,” said Aisling with a mocking tone. “Lest he needs to be seen with a servant for more than a few seconds.”

  “P-pfft, Aisling!” I tried to hold back my laughter and failed. Merry didn’t seem to be as amused at our jokes, but she didn’t say anything before leaving to send another message.

  After she went away, I didn’t get up immediately and chose to lie down for a second. Aisling lived in the room with another servant around her age named Xia, but Xia rarely stayed in her room, preferring the companion of the horses in the stables behind the palace. She enjoyed their companions so much that in the week I go back and forth into Aisling’s room, I’ve never seen her once. Based on Aisling’s description, I knew what she looked like, I think, but I never saw her directly. But since Xia was so rarely in her bed, I usually took her spot when I stopped by their room.

  “Guess I should go to Baron Andreasson now.” I sighed as I didn’t move from the bed.

  “You should,” Aisling mused. “Or he’ll go searching for you all angrily because ‘you don't sympathize with him enough’.” She mimicked how he talked, all posh and with his chest out.

  “That was very Baron Andreasson-like,” I muttered with a snicker and climbed down the bed before smoothing the dress Aisling lent me. “I’m going back as soon as I can.”

  “It’s fine,” she waved. “We’ll continue later. I need to ask around for more details about what Lady Josephine said while they were out on their date in the market anyway!” Aisling finished with a grin.

  Reluctantly, I walked out of her room and closed the door behind me, leaving to go out to the vast garden behind the palace where Baron Anderasson often walked around. While I moved from the servants’ quarter to the main building, I thought about how Aisling had been with me.

  In my university, I didn’t really have many friends. And it wasn’t a surprise, considering I’m more of the quiet one, but Aisling is an extrovert who was so happy to see a noble around her age that in two weeks we already get along quite well. I had a few friends as upbeat as her—including Lilianne, my dormmate—but still, her enthusiasm blew me away every time and honestly, it’s nice to have someone I could talk to while I’m still stuck dreaming this book up.

  As I turned the corner, the hem of Aisling’s dress sleeve snagged on the corner of a vase. I grumbled a bit before pushing the vase a bit to the left where it should be. I had started to become familiar with the layout of the rooms I was allowed in the palace, but my bad luck really got in the way of me not going anywhere without potentially ripping up the dress I was loaned.

  Well, I guess these were just part of my daily unluckiness. I knew how to deal with it anyhow: just be careful, don’t let yourself get distracted, and be aware of your surroundings. Which was easier to talk about than actually do.

  Eventually, I arrived at the door leading to the veranda.

  Unlike the front of the palace, the veranda and open stairs heading down to the garden were made of wood. It was smaller than the main entrance to the garden, only fitting one and a half person width-wise. It had plants perching on every inch of it, some even crawling up to the roof from the beams. If I remember correctly, it was part of one of the old Queens’ additions to the building, and in her honor, it was left to be made of wood and fixed every few years to maintain its integrity. In one scene, Loren stood on this exact veranda while running away from the prying eyes of a merchant who doubted his knowledge in running the kingdom, and as I see it, the choice of making him stand there was something symbolizing his strength despite how frail he might look like and his perseverance in trying to rebuild what his father left him while also keeping …

  My monologue stopped when my eyes spotted the man I was thinking about.

  Standing near the crawling plants I was approaching was none other than Loren. I knew he didn’t look like how I imagined him, but I knew it was him. The flowing strawberry blonde hair barely grazed the base of his neck, while the bangs were covering part of his eyes, which were far more of a deep blue than Estienne’s. His outfit was as casual as a prince was allowed to be, but it still felt formal, with its monochrome color scheme and how he got every button clasped. There could be no one else standing there so deep in thought other than him.

  “Prince Loren!”

  He immediately turned around and I froze for a second. Crap crap crap. I called out to him because I was so surprised and happy to see him suddenly like this, but I hadn’t thought of what I would say to him. Not to mention, what if he asked about the politics of Pallagstur? I didn’t know anything about it! The book didn't say much about it anyway! In a panic, I decided to give him a polite curt first and I lowered my head. When I stood up again, he was already moving in front of me, a look of surprise on his face.

  “Good morning,” he said, “you are … “

  “Good morning, Your Highness.” I kept a smile on my face and tried to ease my nervousness. “My name is Rachell Webster. I’m the daughter of a baron in Pallagstur. I’m sure … you’ve heard of me?”

  Loren nodded. “I did. If I’m not mistaken, you got robbed on your way here, right?”

  Honestly, I still hate that I’m associated with being robbed, but at least I’m memorable to the Prince.

  “That’s me,” I said.

  “I’m really sorry to hear that. I hope you’re feeling better already,” Loren said with a soft smile, “if I may ask, where are you going on this fine morning?”

  “I’m heading for the garden,” I answered, “Baron Andreasson needed my help there.”

  Loren nodded and seemed to look happier. “You’re so kind, Lady Webster.”

  “It’s … nothing, really. I just have the time.” I could feel my cheeks heating up from that compliment, but I tried to brush it off. Of course, I couldn’t really tell him ‘helping’ Baron Andreasson meant holding the umbrella for him while he waffled about every bit of unimportant rambling he had, but oh well, I’m happy Loren thought about me like that.

  “Should we go together? I was thinking of visiting the garden too,” he said.

  “Definitely! My pleasure, Your Highness.”

  Loren started walking in front of me, and I kept up behind him while taking in the sights of plants around as I did.

  “I heard you came here to meet me.” He met my eyes as we talked again. “Is there any particular thing you want to talk about?”

  I cleared my throat, trying to think of reasons why I couldn’t say anything too much to him for now. “I’m waiting for you to ascend so we can talk about uh, if Constans is willing to build a relationship with my barony.” Trying to keep myself calm, I put one hand on my chest. “Since my domain is just a small barony in Pallagstur, I was thinking of making sure it will have all the things needed by my people.”

  “I’m happy a barony from far away still has trust in Constans resources,” Loren nodded, “and I’ll make sure it happens.” He paused for a second, and his eyes flicked away to the plants on his left before he continued with a softer voice. “When I have the power to do so.”

  Loren …

  I silently looked at the side of his head, wishing he knew how hard everything would become after this, with Estienne who spiraled into wanting to end him more each day. But he didn’t realize that and he turned to me again with a smile.

  “I’ll make sure to track down the bandits who stole your belongings, Lady Webster.”

  Huft. That warm expression tugged one on my lips too. How could I hate a character like him?

  “You really are the kind one, Your Highness.”

  Loren shook his head. “Maybe I am, but being kind doesn’t make a king.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be a great king,” I returned the smiled up at him, "as kindness is part of understanding others, so you’re already halfway there.”

  He glanced back at me with a … sadder expression than I expected. I was waiting for him to refute my words, but our conversation was cut short. From the wooden stairs we were about to descend on, rose a familiar face I hoped I wouldn’t encounter again today. But here he was, and here I am.

  “Estienne, good morning.”

  “Your Highness,” Estienne grunted his answer. He attempted to speak more, but his eyes narrowed when his eyes fell onto me. Ugh. I guess he was still a bit mad that I got in the way of his attempted regicide …

  “Good morning, Sir Klossner,” I tried to chime into the dreary conversation with a smile.

  “Morning, Lady Webster.” His voice clearly got more clipped when he addressed me. Then he refused to look at me, preferring to turn to Loren. “Are you two going on a walk?”

  “No, she’s already going with Andreasson. We just met,” said Loren. He turned to me and smiled, his deep blue eyes crinkling at the side, and I held my breath at it. God, I wondered why no noblewoman wanted him, because Loren was far from being unsightly to the eyes.

  Estienne scowled. “Is that so?” That muttering was louder than he probably intended, and he cleared his throat. “If you don’t need me, then I’ll go back to handle the morning routine. Please excuse me, Prince Loren.”

  He squeezed past us and started to walk away without saying anything else, as if loathing breathing the same air as me—or Loren. Possibly both of us. Loren paused and seemed to think for a second before he called him again.

  “Estienne.”

  Without missing a beat, Estienne turned and gave a bow to Loren. “Yes, Your Highness?”

  The Prince faced him and gestured. “Could you maybe gather some of the guards to search for the bandit who robbed Lady Webster? And maybe try to get her stuff back?” He smiled. “I’m sure she’ll be happy if you do so.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “N-no need for that, Prince Loren!” I stepped between the two, facing Loren with what definitely would look like a panicked face to him. “I can wait until everything is okay. I’m in no hurry.”

  “Are you sure?” He looked down at me and narrowed his eyes in a melancholic gesture.

  “Mhm, I’m 100% sure.”

  I didn’t want Loren to be seen as even more unreliable for being unable to have guards good enough to find a group of bandits, and I couldn’t have Estienne knowing I’m not a noble either, so leaving that ‘robbery’ is probably the best course of action.

  “If that’s what you want.” Loren relented and nodded. Then, he looked at Estienne. “I’m sorry, Estienne. You can forget about it.”

  Estienne just nodded, not interested in our little chats. He continued to walk towards the inside of the palace while Loren and I were still heading to the garden. The prince gestured with his hand and smiled at me.

  “Ladies first.”

  “Thank you, Prince Loren,” I held the stair railing as I descended one step at a time, mostly focusing my attention on the man I was talking to. “But really, I think you will be a great king.”

  I knew I didn’t want to get too involved or mess too much with the story, but the more I talked to Loren like this, the more I remembered how much I was rooting for him even through the pages. He’s just a guy who’s trying his best to find the Aether Stone and holding onto his kingdom even as everything around him is going against his wishes. In a way, he’s just like me.

  I mean, my story wasn’t anywhere as dramatic as him, of course. I’m just unlucky in most things and struggled to juggle my schedule and breaks, but all and all, the comparison still stands! And I wondered if maybe that was also part of why I kept reading the book.

  “Have you ever thought of having a bodyguard or something? Someone who could stay by your side and make sure you’re okay while also searching for the Stone?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t think I was being too nosy. “I’m sure you would be able to find someone who could help.”

  Unfortunately, Loren looked a bit caught off-guard, hesitation warring in his eyes as stopped a step. “I already have the Royal Guard, and as you saw, Estienne is keeping an eye for any threat around me.”

  You still should really have a guard that didn’t want to kill you, I grimaced internally. The urge to tell Loren about Estienne’s murderous intentions towards him bubbled up inside me, but I quickly swallowed it and looked away. Okay, first, even if I wouldn’t change anything if I told him that, how would I be sure that Loren would trust me? I’m just a random noble from a faraway kingdom who wanted to meet with him for some agreement, and who was to say I’m not the one who wanted to end him?

  My right hand ran down the stairs railing, my feet moving along with it, all while my mind was still trying to think of how to approach this topic without making myself look suspicious or Loren to be weirded out.

  “I’m deeply sorry if I sounded like I doubted Sir Klossner,” I took a deep breath, thinking over my words, “but the fact is—AGH?!”

  Suddenly, the stairs cracked and gave way under me, causing me to hit the next one. My knee rammed the railing and it sent me down the next one then the next one then the next one all the way down before my head slammed against the fortunately mushy grass.

  “Estienne, help her! I’ll call the physician!” Loren’s voice boomed as he called out for Estienne.

  I couldn’t move my head or see anything clearly anymore, but I could faintly feel as the vice leader of the Royal Guard strode down the stairs—avoiding the broken ones—before he looked down at me in panic, horror, and surprise as a single word left his mouth in a whisper only I could hear.

  “ ... again?”

  When I opened my eyes, Prince Loren was sitting beside the bed, with Estienne hovering behind him, eyeing me sharply. This felt like deja vu, but I know it wasn’t just deja vu because I literally experienced it only two weeks ago. With the same person as the cause.

  My hand drifted to my head, feeling the thick bandages wrapping around it. Must be Zinovy’s work, with how tidy it was. I closed my eyes and felt the pain radiating through my body. That was … bad. Really bad.

  “Are you okay, Lady Webster?”

  I turned to Loren who had guilt written all over his face, even though none of this was his fault. He even was the intended victim here.

  “I’m fine, Your Highness.” I gave Loren an earnest smile, the best I could do. “I’ve survived worse than this.”

  I meant that as an inside joke to myself about all the unlucky times I had before, but I could feel Estienne’s gaze boring deeper into me, and I laughed nervously. Don’t tell me he’s thinking I’m trying to out his attempted regicide with that poison to Loren.

  “But if only I went down first, you wouldn’t be in this position.” He reached out and clasped my left hand. “Please forgive me, Lady Webster.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not your fault at all, Your Highness. The stairs were just in need of a repair,” I chuckled in an attempt to lighten up the mood, “probably just got broken because someone was too rough or something.”

  Loren chuckled a bit, but Estienne glared at me again, and I almost wanted to scream that I didn’t mean to allude to him. Not then, and not now!

  “When I announced you fell from the stairs, Zinovy quickly rushed helped you, and the young maid named Aisling seemed distraught when she knew you fell unconscious ... again, as she said,” Loren spoke, “so I am happy you have already started to recover after such a short while. I tried bringing you to the royal physician, but … “

  As Loren continued to muse about how sad he was about the physician's outlook on people who were in refute of the griffins, I thought back about what happened.

  I’m stupid. I’m so so stupid. How could I forget Loren almost broke his legs after stumbling down the stairs to the garden? How couldn't I figured out it was definitely part of Estienne's attempt on his life? I also just reminded myself how to not fall and stumble into my death, and I immediately didn’t practice it! I chastised myself inside all while keeping a smile on my face, not wanting Loren to see how distraught I was.

  “I’m just glad Estienne helped you up while I found those two.” Loren patted my hands with a smile. “He’s the best of the best in the Royal Guard, as I’ve told you. And he’s also glad you didn't have any major injuries,” he turned his head to the side, “right, Estienne?”

  Estienne maintained that cold, mechanical killing look on his face as his voice came out forced. “It’s nice to see you well, Lady Webster,” he said.

  But I knew he meant the opposite of that. Very opposite of well.

  The rest of the conversation was a blur for me. Not only because of the head injury I experienced but also because I could feel Estienne wanting to end me with his gaze all the time Loren was talking to me.

  At least I felt fortunate the pain in the bruises from that fall only lasted a few days. They were still visible and hurt when pressed, but besides that, I’m healthy enough to hobble around and listen in to the other nobles or stop by Aisling’s room whenever her jobs thin out. I was barred from most activities by Zinovy, so I didn’t have much to do, but being confined to a single room didn’t make me feel safe.

  After all, I got in the way of Estienne’s assassination. Twice. And after that conversation I had with Loren, I could feel him suspecting I wanted to stop him. So when he eventually thinks he should just kill me first before ending Loren’s life, I don’t want to be trapped in a room. That was the precise reason why I’m in the atrium now, sitting down and basking under the warm summer sunlight of Constans with not just one, but four doors around me, all connecting to different hallways of the palace, so I could easily slip away if I even spotted Estienne’s dark brown strand coming my way. Safety first, as they say.

  “Lady Webster.”

  My rest was disturbed by someone calling my name, but knowing that familiar voice, I glanced around to greet Merry with a smile.

  “Oh, hello Mer—ah, uh, Sir Klossner.” My face fell almost instantly when I saw Estienne and all the scowl on his face standing beside Merry. “Good afternoon, both of you.”

  Merry adjusted her glasses with her other hand still on her maid outfit. “Good afternoon, Lady Webster.” She then faced Estienne before bowing. “Since my job is done here, I better go, Sir Klossner.”

  “Thank you for your help, Merry,” Estienne said, nodding imperceptibly.

  My heart almost stopped. Did he really ask for Merry's help to locate me?! That’s cheating! I especially picked places out of my usual places I hung out so he wouldn’t find me, but he decided to cheat instead! I was fuming and definitely a bit scared, remembering how Estienne had never been the type to reach out to someone unless he really wanted something, but I tried to stay calm and smiled until Merry left us alone.

  Standing there like a statue, Estienne had his hair a bit messier than usual. His eyes looked a bit restless, his lips scowled more than usual, and his semi-formal coordination of a more casual suit with a long coat put me a bit on the edge. Mostly because his attire looked like he was going to go outside, but as far as I knew, this was still summer and we were nowhere outside.

  “Follow me, Lady Webster.” He looked down at me and waited for me to move.

  I … felt something bad would happen if I didn’t follow his words, so I rose from my chair and fidgeted as he started walking away. He was taller than me, so I needed to shuffle forward a bit to keep up.

  “Uh, where are we going?” My mouth dried up as I asked that simple question.

  “North drawing room,” he said, his voice clipped, “I have a few things to ask.”

  This was the exact thing I was trying to avoid. He’s going to kill me, he’s definitely going to kill me! But despite the looming despair I felt inside, on the outside, I swallowed my panic and kept a neutral look as best as I could as I followed his steps.

  Based on what Zinovy told me, the north drawing room was the smaller one of the two drawing rooms in the palace. It was situated beside the large library where, based on what I read, Loren will spend some time searching for an old knight’s diary that got sweeped up in there, a book that had details about King Wilfried’s dealings with the griffins.

  You know, If I survive this, maybe I should check the library. Or at least, I could ask—no, beg—Estienne to refrain from killing me before I have the chance to explore the library. It is the royal library, so it will definitely be more impressive than the one I worked in. I laughed at my own demise as we got closer and closer to the drawing room.

  He pushed me forward a bit, and when I stepped inside, the sound of the door being slammed closed reverberated through my body before being followed by a cold metal pushing against my neck, and I cursed in silence.

  I was right.

  “How did you know to walk down first?”

  Estienne whispered in my ear, pressing the edge of his dagger against my pulsing vein.

  “I-I didn’t!” I choked out. I tried my best to calm down and not move, but it was hard to not do. The last time I only had a halberd pointed at me from a far enough range for me to calm down, but this time, the dagger’s blade was already touching my skin and it was far too close to not be freaking out about. “I can explain, please! Just … let me go first.”

  He clicked his tongue and didn’t relent in questioning me. “Why should I?”

  I gulped, my body tensing even more as I tried to think. “Because Merry knew you’re the last person going with me!”

  “And what makes you think I wouldn’t just kill her too?”

  “I … I know you won’t,” I breathed out.

  Despite his anger and fear, Estienne wasn’t the type to land a hand on anyone he was not threatened by. He knew who to target and who to let go, a skill honed with years of climbing up the ranks to being the Vice Captain of the Royal Guard, and I bet he knew that if he took out Merry, he’d only mess things up even more.

  After a few seconds too long, he pushed me out of his grasp and I stumbled onto the plush carpet. Sitting on my knees, I took a deep breath. Then again, and again. Hell, that was scary. Too scary. Far too scary for me to ever experience again.

  Estienne walked closer to me and glared down at me with more daggers in those baby-blue eyes. “So you mean you’re not doing it on purpose?” he asked. The tone was cold and straight, but I could see his teeth clenching lightly.

  “NO!” I yelled. “I didn’t want to do anything with this! I was trying to get out of your way!”

  But he didn’t seem to believe me. Instead, he pointed at one of the chairs around a table meant for lounging with the end of his dagger. “Take a seat,” he ordered.

  Not wanting that tip to brush against my skin ever again, I stood up and dragged myself to the chair. Estienne took his sweet time, but he eventually put his dagger back in the sheath and then slipped it inside his inner coat. He walked up to the chair I was sitting in and perched at the table.

  “So you know.”

  “Who in this kingdom doesn’t suspect you?” I asked. The tone of my voice was more accusatory than I hoped it’d be. Estienne stayed quiet at that.

  He couldn’t debunk it because he also knew what I knew. I heard what the nobles who stayed in the palace were whispering about. Sure some of them think Estienne is the perfect candidate to replace Loren, even if his status as King Wilfried’s son hasn’t been publicly established yet, but some of them also thought Estienne’s military-hardened sense and cold-blooded behavior in battle was dangerous enough that if anything were to happen to Loren, he would take the fall for it.

  “Who are you?”

  “You already knew me,” I mumbled, rubbing my throat, “I’m Rachell Webster.”

  He didn’t seem amused by my answer, and to be fair, I wasn’t trying to be cheeky or anything. I just … I didn’t know how to answer him exactly. Telling him he was just a fictional character and I knew what he would do and every move he would take would only land me in the dungeons, or worse, dead. But I also couldn’t keep up pretending to be a noble I wasn’t, especially not when I was trapped in an interrogation held by the one and only Estienne. Ugh, the best thing I could do for now is just to be casual, I guess.

  Estienne tapped the table with his long fingers, getting my eyes to flicker up to him. “And what exactly do you gain from keeping Loren alive?”

  “Nothing,” I answered. I mean, I do want him to be alive and well, but that was just me being a reader invested in his story, not a counter-assassin paid by someone.

  “So why do you keep getting in my way?” He leaned down, his eyebrows knitted together.

  “I told you already. I don’t want to get in your way, I swear,” I said, trying to sound as disinterested as possible, “I have no desire to meddle in Constans politics. I’m just … unlucky.”

  “Unlucky?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Yeah. Nothing more,” I grumbled. “The stairs one was just because Loren was being a gentleman, but besides that, our meetings are just pure bad luck.”

  His gaze lingered on me for far too long, judging and scrutinizing me. I knew he didn’t have any reason to believe me, especially with how easily I brushed it off. But I was used to this accumulating kind of luck—well, not this bad—back in my ordinary life, so chalking them up to how I am was just natural.

  “So can you explain why you drank that drink at the party preparation?”

  “I was thirsty,” I said. “Is that not enough reason?” I clenched my fists and looked down at him in frustration. Ugh, I hated this, I hated this so much … couldn’t he just let me go already?! I really tried to keep calm, but I couldn’t help shaking and fearing what he would do if he didn’t trust my words. I want to wake up, please … someone …

  “Fine.”

  As if hearing my silent prayers, Estienne suddenly caved. I looked up at him, hopeful, but his eyes still reflected distrust in me. “I will let you go, but I will still keep my eye on you,” Estienne said. He stood back up and fixed his long coat, starting to walk away from me.

  At that moment, I let out a shaky breath, as if a huge weight was lifted off my probably still-lucid-dreaming self’s shoulders. I survived that. I managed to let Estienne know I was not here for him or Loren, and I could feel my adrenaline start pumping because of that.

  “Also, Lady Webster,” he stressed my name, and I met his sharp eyes again, “you will keep quiet if you understand what this kingdom needs.”

  I held my breath for a second as I froze, his words replaying again and again in my mind. In my reader of Eyes of Aether mind.

  … you know what? I just realized he’s so damn cocky. I knew his backstory a bit and why he was like that, but I still couldn’t stand it. I knew he didn’t realize everything that was happening in the story. I knew he was just being suspicious of everything. I knew he was not in his redemption arc yet, but still. But still. But still!

  The chair scraped the wooden floor as I abruptly stood up, my fists clenched on my sides.

  “This kingdom doesn’t need a killer on the throne again, Estienne,” my voice rang in the drawing room, the echo masking the trembling in them. “You should understand better than me.”

  He stopped. Then he spared me a glance.

  I couldn’t read the emotions in them, not from this distance, but I could hear him taking a breath, trying to compose a rebuttal. But he didn’t finish. He just nodded once and continued walking out, slamming the door behind him, sending the floor shaking even as I sat back down with my heart hammering in my mouth.