Chapter 116
I carefully folded another silk gown and placed it into the wooden trunk. My chambers were half-empty now, my belongings slowly being moved into Rowan’s. I was no longer in Lucian's chambers, I was no longer his wife and where he was, he wouldn't be able to hurt me ever again or even touch me. It still felt surreal—being his wife, his queen. The thought made my chest tighten, a mix of nervousness and something warmer, something I wasn’t ready to name yet.
“Your Majesty,” a servant interrupted, bowing slightly. “There’s something you should see on the terrace.”
I frowned, wiping my hands against my dress. “What is it?”
“It’s best you come and see for yourself.”
A strange unease settled in my gut, but I nodded, following the servant through the corridors.
As I stepped onto the terrace, the cold evening air wrapped around me. My gaze flickered over the empty stone railing before landing on a lone figure standing in the shadows.
The servant pulled back her hood.
No—not a servant.
Kaelin.
My breath hitched. Her dark hair was pulled into a tight braid, her sharp brown eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed.
Kaelin tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. “That’s what I should be asking you.” She took a step forward. “Is it true?”
I folded my arms. “Is what true?”
Kaelin narrowed her eyes. “That you’re actually pregnant with the king’s child.”
I clenched my jaw. “That’s none of your business.”
She scoffed. “None of my business? You were supposed to bring this kingdom to its knees, Arin. Instead, you’ve married the enemy? How could you do this? Do you know how stupid that it? How reckless it is! After everything that we have done for you! Braam made you into what you are now."
“I changed my mind.”
Kaelin blinked, her smirk faltering. “You what?”
I straightened my spine. “I don’t want revenge anymore, Kaelin. I just want to live my life. Listen, I'm grateful for you saving me, for everything that you have done. But you see, Rowan didn't know I was being executed. They kept that knowledge away from him. He is a good man and an even greater king. And I know that this country has done us a lot of harm, but he is not his father. Why should he be punished for his father's sins?"
For a moment, she just stared at me, as if waiting for me to laugh and say I was joking. When I didn’t, her face twisted in disbelief.
“You’re mad,” she said, her voice laced with shock. “Have you forgotten everything they’ve done? Everything Rowan has done?”
“No,” I whispered. “I haven’t forgotten. But I’ve moved on.”
Kaelin’s hands curled into fists. “They killed your people. They called you names. They tried to execute you, they treated you like trash. You swore to make them pay.”
“I was going to,” I admitted. “But then I realized something, Kaelin. I was fighting for ghosts. I never knew my parents never met them and that's not Rowan's fault.. My people—what’s left of them—don’t even know me. Who was I avenging, really? I was only hurting myself.”
Kaelin shook her head, stepping closer. “You sound just like—”
“Like someone who wants peace?” I cut in. “Because that’s what I want. A new life. With Rowan. With my child.”
Kaelin’s face twisted in disgust. “So that’s it? You’ve fallen for him? For Rowan? For a freaking werewolf?”
I swallowed. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does matter,” she seethed. “Because you’re making a mistake.”
I lifted my chin. “I don’t care what you think. It’s my choice.”
Kaelin’s expression darkened. “Then I hope you’re ready to face the consequences. Because if you won’t do your duty, I will.”
My blood turned to ice. “What are you saying?”
Kaelin’s smirk returned, but it was sharp now, dangerous. “I’ll expose you.” She took a slow step forward, her voice lowering. “I’ll tell Rowan exactly what you are. An otsayak. A Braamin spy.”
I didn’t flinch. Instead, I took a step forward, matching her energy.
“Go ahead,” I challenged. “But if you do, I’ll reveal everything I know about you. About Braam. About how Lilian is a spy, too. I've already told him almost everything. He knows."
Kaelin stilled.
My lips curled into a smirk. “What do you think Rowan will do when he finds out that Lady Lilian was a traitor and a Braamin spy? Do you think she'll still be in the castle? Do you really want to endanger her like that?"
Kaelin’s jaw tightened.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she said quietly.
“Oh, but I would,” I whispered back. “And trust me, if I go down, I won’t go down alone.”
For the first time, I saw hesitation flicker in her eyes.
After a long pause, she exhaled sharply. “Fine.” She stepped back, her gaze still hard. “You have three days.”
I frowned. “Three days for what?”
“To change your mind.” Her lips curled slightly. “Because you will.”
I met her gaze head-on. “Don’t count on it.”
Kaelin gave me one last look before pulling up her hood and disappearing into the night.
I let out a slow breath, my heart still hammering.
Three days. Kaelin gave me three days to change my mind. I wouldn't, but I knew I had to do something within those three days
I had three days before everything came crashing down.
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