Chapter Twelve - Hidden Truth
CASSIUS
Liora moved swiftly through the palace corridors, her steps light but determined. I was avoiding her as Kieran said I should. She had caught glimpses of me slipping through doorways, turning corners the moment I noticed her approach
She spotted me just as I turned down a lesser-used hallway. Her patience snapped
''Cassius!''
I stiffened. Damn. I hesitated, my shoulder tensing before I resumed walking. Liora picked up her pace. ''Cassius, don't you there run away from me'' I sighed, stopped just as she stepped in front of me, blocking my path
My expression was carefully neutral, but there was a hint of reluctance in my eyes ''Hey.. Liora'' I faked smile, she crossed her arms
''Are you really going to pretend you don't know why I'm here'' She said, I let out a slow breath ''I was hoping you'd take the hint'' she arched a brow ''You forgot what you told me Cassius''
''Oh.. that.. of yesterday? Sorry I'm busy now, I have somewhere to go now'' I turned, faking my smile which she noticed ''You said I shouldn't only see one side of Kieran. That there was more to him, you wanted me to understand him, but now, I want answers, you run?''
I exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of my neck, then turn ''I was only trying to spare you the weight of it'' she narrowed her eyes ''I never asked to protect me from the truth. I asked you to tell me the truth.''
I studied her, a war flickering in my gaze. Then, finally, I muttered ''Fine. But not here... at least I should take you to the place I promised'' before she could protest, I turned and walked ahead. Liora followed without hesitation, her pulse quickening
I led her through a series of winding hallways, deeper into the palace grounds. Liora followed in silence, her heartbeat a steady drum in her ears. I think she was expecting me to take her to somewhere cold and hidden.
Instead, I took her to a garden.
The moment we step past the ivy-covered archway, Liora felt as if she had entered another past of the world. It was all written in her face. The air was thick with scent of roses and night-blooming jasmine.
Lanterns, suspended from curling iron posts, bathed the garden in a golden glow, Moonflowers unfurled their delicate white petals under the soft light, while vines twisted elegantly along the stone paths
A fountain stood at the center, its marble carved into the shape of wolves intertwined, water cascading from their open jaws
Liora hesitated. ''Wow.. this place... is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in this palace'' She sound happy, for the very first time. I was proud of myself
I gave a small, almost wistful smile. ''Not many come here anymore.'' I moved toward the fountain, trailing a hand along the cool stone. ''Kaira said this was my mother's favorite place when she had me. She believed the garden was alive in ways we could never understand.''
Her gaze softened. ''And what do you believe?'' I exhaled. ''I believe it is a place untouched by the worst parts of this palace, pure and beautiful…'' I gaze at her, and our eyes meet. ''...just like you.''
She stepped closer, the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers surrounding her. ''Why did you bring me here?'' she said.
''Because I wanted you to see something other than stone walls and sharp edges.'' I paused, watching her carefully. ''And… you won't stop till you get answers from me.'' Liora inhaled slowly. ''Then give them to me.''
''I know you want all. But as the last child of this kingdom, I only know a few of the answers you need. I know you believe I know a lot about him because I'm close to him.'' I hesitated. ''But things were done before I was born or even Kieran himself. The palace holds a lot of secrets that even if we dig deep, you won't find.''
I ran a hand through my hair, and tightened my jaw ''I want to know about Kieran's curse and how come you're his half brother'' she said low, ready to hear everything in detail
I exhaled. A crucial question but difficult to answer. Many stories are attached but unsaid: ''I know you'll come to that. Werewolf. With an uncontrollable shift in behavior. That's Kieran's curse. I know werewolves exist in Lunvaris, but Kieran's own isn't natural.''
She frowned. ''How?''
“Two human parents producing a werewolf. That's abnormal; not even nature could speak of it.'' I paused, then exhaled and continued, ''You heard the rumor of Kieran being cursed for his mother's sins and committing adultery, and the king's wife was known to be only one, my mother, who they say disappeared just after my birth.''
''I don't get it.'' I met her gaze then smirked softly, ''But you've heard of the rumor of the cursed second prince.'' I asked, ''Yes.''
''That's not true. I don't believe it. The people think Kieran's mother is my mother, but that's not true. If you look deeply, Kieran is the only different one among us. An outcast. And if my mother committed adultery, she would be killed immediately and not even have the chance to give birth to Kaira, not to talk of Kieran.”
She looks down. ''So you're saying Kieran's mother is not the Queen?'' “Exactly, my brothers are hiding something that was meant for the people to know, especially Alistair … and maybe the cunning Darius, but the king knows more about Kieran's curse.''
Liora's hands clenched at her side. Like something unreadable disturbing her
I watched her, ''This is why I didn't want to tell you. The truth will only make you fear him more'' she swallowed hard ''No, it won't. I want more of the truth''
I looked away for a brief moment, as if weighing my next word. Then, finally, i met her gaze ''I don't know yet'' I exhaled. ''But I know this, whatever ties you to him, whatever strange force draws you into his path.... it won't let go''
Then I sighed and rolled my shoulder back, shaking off the heaviness of our conversation ''Enough of that'' my voice lighter now ''You look like you're carrying the weight of the world, and I can't have that on my conscience''
Liora blinked ''I have every reason to be…”
''No.'' I stepped away, a teasing smirk playing at my lips. ''You've been brooding since we walked in here. That won't do," her eyes narrowed. "And what do you suggest?"
I grinned, and in the next moment, I bent down, snatched up a handful of soft petals that had fallen from a nearby rose bush, and tossed them straight at her.
She gasped as the delicate petals fluttered around her, some landing on her hair. I gave her a look of pure mischief.
''Much better.'' Liora's shock lasted only a second before she bent down, grabbed a handful of petals herself, and threw them right back at me.
I let out a bark of laughter as the petals hit my face, some sticking to my dark hair. ''You're going to regret that.''
She smirked, stepping back. ''Try me.'' “That was all the invitation I needed.”