Chapter 73

Bianca smooths the sleeve of her dress before stepping inside Kaine’s office, uncomfortable with how fragile her position in the palace felt in light of his assassination attempt. She takes a deep breath before smoothing her expression into one of concern.

“I heard about the incident,” she says, tilting her head. “Are you alright?”

Kaine doesn’t respond immediately. His eyes are tired, and shoulders look tense. She can tell he hasn’t slept much.

She takes a cautious step forward. “It must be hard, knowing someone inside the palace betrayed you. I can’t imagine what that kind of violation must feel like.”

He gives a nod, not looking at her.

“I only mention it because I know how close you’ve been with Ember lately.” She pauses for a moment as the weight of what she said permeates the air. She watches him closely for any reaction. “I’ve always admired her discipline, but… I wonder if the attention has gone to her head.”

Kaine finally looks at her. “She’s a guard.”

“Yes,” Bianca agrees, her voice gentle. “But she was also promoted so quickly. The increased workload, and her position as the only female guard must be taxing. Sometimes, people don’t handle pressure the way we expect, especially when personal feelings are involved.”

He doesn’t answer, but the line between his brows deepens. Bianca smiles faintly and takes her leave without pushing further.

Ember

I knock twice and wait, my heart racing in my chest. I don’t know why I was summoned, but I hope it’s another breakthrough in the Chantarelle investigation.

I pause for a minute before knocking again. When Kaine finally calls, “Enter,” I step in, preparing myself for another long night going through old records.

He’s standing by the window, hands are clasped behind his back, his posture stiff.

“I reviewed the Chantarelle updates,” I say, setting the file on his desk. “Other copies of the estate deed still list her father as the legal owner. Jake confirmed it.”

He doesn’t turn around. “There’s been a development.”

My stomach tightens. “What kind of development?”

Kaine finally faces me. His eyes are cold.

“I was poisoned three nights ago,” he says. “Jake caught it in time.”

I blink as his words sink in. “What? Why wasn’t I informed?”

He ignores my question. “It would have to have been someone familiar with the palace. Until the investigation is complete, I’m resuming command of the guard directly. You’re no longer acting captain.”

It takes me a second to find my voice. “You don’t… You don’t think I had something to do with it do you?”

Kaine doesn’t answer. His silence says enough.

“I’ve been working day and night on this investigation. On protecting your position, your life, and now you think I tried to kill you?”

His reply is cold, “You’re under review. You will continue your work while the investigation is ongoing, but until it concludes you are stripped of all formal titles.”

“Say it plainly,” I snap. “Do you believe I poisoned you?”

“I can’t afford risks anymore.”

His voice is quiet, but firm. He isn’t shouting, but every word feels like a slap to the face.

I nod once, jaw tight. I don’t trust myself to speak again. If I do, I might say something I can’t take back. I turn and walk out, not looking over my shoulder.

When I return to my office, all of the anger that has been building up pours out. My hands shake as I press them against the desk. I breathe in, trying to steady myself, but it doesn’t work.

How could he think I’d do something like that?

I gave him my loyalty, my time, my trust, everything and he threw it back in my face.

The edge of the desk digs into my palms. I welcome the pain.

It isn’t just about the insult. It also confirms that no matter what I do I’ll never be enough for him, not even as a guard.

My nausea returns, in full force. I try to breathe through it, moving to press my back against the cool stone wall. After a minute I shift and allow myself to slowly sink into the chair, gripping the armrests until the wave passes.

The pregnancy has made everything harder. Every reaction feels too big, every thought harder to control. I still want him. Even now, after this betrayal, a part of me still wants to be near him. I hate that part of myself.

A few hours later there’s a knock on the door. I glance up, expecting Jake, but it’s him.

Kaine stands in the doorway, holding a folder. “Final witness list,” he says. His voice is neutral.

I take it without a word. I don’t offer him a seat, but he stays anyway.

“There was residue in the decanter,” he says. “The poison is one used in the palace for it’s other properties. They think it must have been an inside job.”

I keep my eyes on the file. “Are you here to update me or to question me?”

He sighs. “Ember-”

“You want answers? Fine. I don’t know who poisoned you, but it wasn’t me.”

He flinches slightly. “You’ve been distant.”

“So have you.”

He crosses his arms. “You’re hiding something.”

I snap the file shut. “You want the truth? Here it is. I’ve put every waking moment into protecting you and your future. I’ve nearly died for it, and now you’re treating me like some kind of criminal. Like you don’t know me at all.”

His jaw clenches “That’s not fair.”

“No?” My voice rises. “You’ve accused me without evidence. You took my command away without so much as a conversation.”

“I did what I had to.”

“Then you don’t deserve my loyalty,” I say, voice low now. “Because if you did, you’d remember who found the mole. You’d remember who took a poison dagger for you. You’d remember who took on more work, more responsibility with hardly enough time to process being nearly killed on mission twice because you asked me to.

He doesn’t reply. His eyes search mine, but I give him nothing.

“I have nothing to confess,” I say. “And if you think I’m going to beg for your trust, you’re wrong.”

I turn back to the desk. I expect him to leave, but instead, he stands there a moment longer. I can feel the tension rising off him.

When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet. “You’re right. You have been loyal. I just-”

“Don’t,” I cut in. “Not now.”

Kaine gives me a hard look, then nods once. He steps out, and the door clicks shut behind him.

Later, I sit working late. The pages blur and shift before me. I drop my pen and let my forehead rest on the desk.

I shouldn’t still care. I shouldn’t ache like this, but I do.

Even after everything, some part of me still wants to turn back the clock, still wants to be near him, if only for a moment. I still want to believe he might trust me again.

Nara is uneasy, but she doesn’t say anything. She feels it too.

I straighten, slowly pressing my hand against the slight curve of my belly.

The baby doesn’t know what’s happening outside. It only knows the rhythm of my heart, the sound of my breath. I won’t let this hurt touch them. I won’t let Kaine’s doubts shape the life I’m carrying.

I rest my hand on my stomach and promise myself I will protect what’s mine. Whatever happens next, I’ll face it.