After a whole day of running around with ribbons, flowers, and people yelling instructions from every corner of the hall, I was more than grateful when Killian finally took my hand and led me out into the courtyard. The air was cooler there, softer against my skin, and the distant noise of the servants still fussing over final details seemed to fade into the background.
The night air was crisp, tinged with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the soft glow of tiny lights painted the courtyard gardens in hues of silver and gold. I strolled ahead, taking my time to admire the bursts of color in the flower beds—roses, violets, and marigolds blending into a kaleidoscope of beauty. The gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze was a melody I hadn’t heard in far too long.
Being out here felt like a small rebellion, a momentary escape from the weight of everything hanging over me. Killian
Killian’s P.O.VLater in the afternoon, I was still in my study, half-buried in papers that I wasn’t even reading properly when I heard a soft knock on the door. “Killian?” My mother’s voice carried through, and before I could even answer, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.“Mother,” I said, glancing up, a little surprised by how purposeful her expression looked. “What brings you here?”She closed the door behind her and folded her hands in front of her. “I want to ask you something. Why is Dahlia avoiding me like the plague?”I blinked, leaned back in my chair, and frowned. “Avoiding you? What do you mean by that?”“I mean exactly what I said,” she replied, her tone sharper than usual. “This morning, I intended to speak to her properly, no drama, no sharp words. I even had a gift ready, something I thought might make
Dahlia’s P.O.VWe had finally reached the end of the palace grounds, the tall gates nothing but a shadow behind us, and Korina stopped to drop her bag to the ground. She glanced at me with that sly grin of hers and said, “You ready for this?”I chuckled, already tugging at the hem of my clothes. “I should be asking you that. You’re the one who hates running.”“Oh, I do,” she teased, pulling her tunic over her head and tossing it into the bag. “But I’m getting better and I’m ready to beat you.”“Better?” I raised a brow, folding my clothes neatly before shoving them in. “I’ll have you know I can outrun half the guards now.”Korina smirked, shaking her head as her hair fell over her shoulders. “Half the guards aren’t me.”“Cocky,” I muttered, but I was smiling as I slipped the last of my
Dahlia’s P.O.VThe next morning, after that painfully awkward and suffocatingly quiet breakfast, I barely had time to set my spoon down before Korina stood, all but pulling me up with her. She didn’t even give Lady Agatha the chance to open her mouth, though I could see in the tight press of her lips that she wanted to. Her eyes followed us, sharp and disapproving, but Korina didn’t falter. She gripped my wrist and tugged me along the hallway until the dining room was well behind us.“Korina…” I whispered once we were alone, breathing at how fast she was moving. “You didn’t even let her—”“I didn’t want to,” she cut in firmly. “Not today. Not after last night. You don’t need to hear any more from her right now.”I stopped in my tracks, forcing her to face me. “You think I can’t handle her? You think I’m so fragile th
Killian’s P.O.VThe next morning, I found myself facing Damien as he sat across from me in my study, the smell of old books and ink lingering in the air. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries; his immediately stated to report on yesterday’s events.“So,” he said, leaning back in the chair opposite to mine, “after you left the party, things shifted. Your mother arrived exactly on time. The whispers stopped immediately. It was like the whole room froze. No one dared say another word. They looked at her the way prey looks at a predator.”I let out a humorless laugh, dragging a hand through my hair. “That doesn’t surprise me. As a kid, I always knew she was… intimidating. Strong-willed. But I never realized just how far she’d go to keep the royal family untarnished.” I shook my head, a bitter taste on my tongue.“I don’t have a single doubt she has
Dahlia’s P.O.VI lay there in the dark, my head tucked against Killian’s chest, his arms wrapped firmly around me like he never intended to let go. His breathing was slow, steady, almost lulling, and I thought for sure I’d drift off after everything that had happened today. But my mind wouldn’t quiet down. My eyes stayed open, staring into the shadows of the room, listening to the faint hum of the night beyond the window. I shifted slightly, not enough to disturb him, or at least I thought so.“You’re not sleeping,” Killian murmured softly, his voice still thick with drowsiness.I froze for a moment before sighing. “I thought I would. I should be exhausted… but I’m not.”His chest rose and fell under my cheek. “What’s keeping you awake?”I hesitated, chewing at the inside of my lip, debating if I even wanted to say it out loud. But the words pressed too heavily on me to stay inside.“It’s Cade,” I whispered finally.Killian’s hold tightened instinctively. “Dahlia, don’t—”“I can’t sto
Dahlia’s P.O.VI held on to him tighter, letting my cheek rest against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as if it could calm the storm inside me. But even though I found comfort in his arms, the unease didn’t fully leave me, and after a while, I tilted my head up to look at him.“Killian,” I said softly, my voice carrying a hint of hesitation, “what did your mother tell you after I left earlier? Did she… did she say that she wants me gone?”He blinked at me, his brows furrowing in confusion as if I had just said the most absurd thing.“What? Dahlia—why would you even think that?” His tone was incredulous, almost wounded that I could believe it.I gave a faint, uneasy smile, though my fingers tightened slightly on the fabric of his coat.“Because by now, Lady Agatha must know the nature of… of whatever this is between us. She