I shake my head. “No, Your Majesty. He never spoke about it. It was just always there, part of me.”
He hands the necklace back to me, his expression thoughtful. “There are many secrets in this world. Sometimes, they reveal themselves when we least expect it. Perhaps this pendant is one such secret.”
“You carry a great deal of mystery with you. But remember, every mystery has its own purpose. In time, perhaps we will uncover the truth together.” Despite his friendly tone, it feels like a subtle threat, wrapped in the guise of concern.
The room falls into a heavy silence, Baron’s gaze fixed on me with unwavering focus. After a deep breath, he speaks, his tone measured and serious. “There is something else you must know. The Lunar Eclipse is in three days. By then, you must demonstrate your power, not just for me, but for the guests who will be traveling here.”
My heart skips a beat, the weight of his words sinking in like a stone in water. I open my mouth to respond, but Baron isn’t finished
“Additionally,” he continues, his voice unwavering, “we will be announcing your engagement to Garet.”
The shock hits me like a physical blow, as if I’ve been punched in the stomach. I turn to Garet, hoping for some sign of surprise or resistance, but his expression remains calm, almost resigned. My anger ignites, a storm brewing within me.
“What?” I manage to choke out, my voice trembling with outrage. “Engagement? You can’t be serious!”
Baron meets my gaze, his eyes hardening with resolve. “Did you think I would let the strongest weapon we have simply walk away? Your arrival here was a sign, one I’m not about to ignore. As soon as the other kingdoms see what you’re capable of, they’ll desire you for themselves.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m not a weapon! I’m a person! You can’t just decide my future like this!”
Baron’s expression remains stoic, his resolve unyielding. “This decision wasn’t made lightly. It is for—”
I cut him off, my voice rising with fury. “For what? For the good of Astermiri? For your benefit? What about what I want? What about my choice?”
Baron’s eyes flicker with something unreadable, but he doesn’t relent. “It is for the protection and future of our kingdom. The other kingdoms won’t hesitate to take you if they know what you can wield.”
My hands clench into fists, anger coursing through me like a wildfire.
Leigh steps forward, her face pale and her voice trembling. “Father, please,” she pleads. “This isn’t fair. She’s been through so much already.”
Baron’s gaze softens slightly as he looks at Leigh, but his determination remains firm. “I understand your concern, Leigh, but this is vital.”
The queen, who has been silent until now, finally speaks up.Her voice is calm, but there’s a steely edge to it that commands attention. “Baron, perhaps we should give Eva some time to process all of this. It’s a lot to take in.”
Baron’s gaze flicks to his wife, his jaw tightening before turning back to me. He sighs, though the sound carries no sympathy—just the weight of a decision made out of necessity, not compassion. “Very well. You will have time to adjust. But make no mistake: the announcement and the demonstration will proceed as planned.”
Adjust to what? Being paraded like a prize? Having my life dissected in front of strangers? A sharp, twisting heat coils in my stomach, spreading through my limbs like wildfire. My hands curl into fists, nails biting into my palms, but it does nothing to ground me. My chest tightens, my breath turning shallow as anger and helplessness crash inside me like an oncoming storm. I glance at Garet, silently pleading for some sign of support. But his face is as closed off as ever—a wall I can’t scale, a door locked just out of reach.
When Garet finally speaks, his voice is flat, unyielding. “This isn’t about what you want, Eva. It’s about what needs to be done.”
The betrayal slices deeper than I’d expected, leaving me grasping for words I can’t seem to find. Once, I had imagined a future with him—the way his easy-going nature could make any room feel lighter, his humor that always seemed to pull me out of my darker thoughts. I thought he was someone I could trust, someone I could rely on.
But now? Now, all I see is the cold glint of calculation in his sharp features, the way his eyes slide past me like I’m no more than a problem to be solved. The warmth I thought was real has been replaced by a detached cruelty, the kind that makes me question if I ever really knew him at all. The man I thought I could trust, the man I thought I could build a life with, has beenreplaced by a stranger cloaked in ambition and indifference.
Baron stands, signaling the end of the discussion. He turns his stern gaze to Garet. “Garet, it will be your responsibility to ensure Eva is ready for the demonstration. If she is not prepared, there will be consequences.”
Garet nods, his expression resolute. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And do try to get that mouth of hers under control,” he adds.
I recoil at the thought, my anger flaring once more. “I don’t want anything to do with him!” I shout, my voice echoing through the grand hall. The weight of his words settles over me like a suffocating cloak. “This isn’t fair,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.
Baron’s gaze hardens, his patience wearing thin. “Life rarely is. You may go now, Eva.”
Chapter Eleven
I start to rise, ready to leave this madness behind, but before I can take a step, the doors burst open with a crash loud enough to startle the dead. Every head in the room whips around as a man strides in, radiating authority and danger like it’s a fragrance he wears for special occasions. He’s tall, with a mane of black hair cascading down to his shoulders and a beard that’s trimmed almost too perfect to be real. His piercing blue eyes scan the room, a mix of amusement and contempt flickering in them. His attire screams “I’m important,” with a deep, regal red cloak lined in gold trim. And, of course, there’s a sword at his side, ready to be drawn at a moment’s notice. Because why not?
Behind him, to my utter disbelief, is the mysterious man.
