The hall was silent. King Aldric walked toward Selene's chamber, his guards trailing behind him like shadows bound to his steps.
Just as he made the turn that led to Selene's wing, Aurora stepped out from the darkness.
Aldric halted, shock widening his eyes. His guards bows swift and rigid.
"Aurora," Aldric said, voice almost breathless, eyes wide.
"Your Majesty," she replied, stepping closer, her presence calm but deliberate.
"How are you here? What are you doing here?" he asked, brows drawn in disbelief.
"I have been waiting for you here for a while," she said, then paused before adding, "Do not look directly into Queen Selene's eyes when you see her."
Aldric's brow lifted. "What are you saying, Aurora?"
Aurora only smiled—a soft curve, unreadable. "I will take my leave now, Your Majesty."
She bowed, turned, and walked away without another word.
Aldric watched her go, confusion clinging to his face like mist that refused to clear.
-
Selene's door groaned open.
She stood quickly, heart thudding, silver silk whispering around her ankles as the king stepped inside, his cloak sweeping the stone behind him.
"Your Majesty," she said, bowing low. "Welcome."
Aldric nodded, calm and unreadable. "Selene."
He took his seat, gaze fixed on the table, careful to avoid her eyes.
Selene lifted the wine flask and poured into his goblet with quiet precision.
He raised the cup, drinking once—slow, silent, distant.
Selene studied his lips as he sipped.
"I have a small gift," she said brightly, reaching for a wrapped book. "It is a collection of poetry from the northern coast. I remembered that you once mentioned the author."
Aldric raised a brow, slightly surprised. "Thank you," he said, opening it briefly. "I appreciate it."
Her smile stretched wider. "I try to remember what pleases Your Majesty."
They spoke for a while—light conversation of court politics, summer heat, and distant trade routes.
Selene's voice carried practiced charm, graceful and deliberate.
Aldric's gaze remained fixed on the table.
But then, she tilted her head and added slyly, "I imagine Queen Aurora must be terribly lonely these past few nights. She's quite used to your attention."
A pause.
Aldric's face shifted—just slightly, but the air in the chamber thickened.
His tone was sharp but controlled. "Do not speak of her."
Selene's heart dropped. She tried to recover, her voice small. "I meant no offense, Your Majesty."
Aldric gave no response.
She knew better than to press further, but her thoughts burned:
"After tonight, Your Majesty will not remember Aurora anymore."
Then aloud, softer.
"Your Majesty avoids my eyes. Have I done wrong?"
Aldric paused. No reply came.
Selene leaned forward, voice thinning into a plea.
"Look at me, Your Majesty. Just once."
Still, silence answered her.
Eventually, Aldric stood and walked toward the bed. She followed, her steps slow, calculated.
He laid down, one arm behind his head, distant.
Selene slipped closer, her fingers grazing his shoulder. When he did not move, she pressed further, whispering. "Your Majesty… you do not have to sleep alone."
No response.
She stood and let her robe fall to the ground. Completely bare, she moved to the bed and tried to lean into him.
But Aldric sat up slowly. Then, gently—but firmly—he pushed her back.
"Good night, Selene."
He stood, walked to the door, and left. The click of the door behind him was louder than thunder.
Selene stood in stunned silence, her robe pooled at her feet. Disbelief flickered across her face.
What had just happened? Had the charm failed? Had he truly left her alone?
Her chest burned. Tears blurred her sight.
With a sharp cry, she snatched up the charm and hurled it to the floor, crushing it beneath her heel as her breath came hard and fast.
"I will punish the seller of this charm," she hissed. "She has made a mockery of me."
She sank onto the edge of the bed, shoulders shaking, breath unsteady.
She had lost him again.
She did not sleep after the king left.
Her thoughts were loud. Unforgiving.
How could Aurora claim him so easily, while she could not—even with charms?
The sting would not stop burning.
What did Aurora have that she did not?
Beauty? She had it. Wit? She had that as well. Bloodline? Hers was stronger.
So how?
The sun had barely brushed the palace towers when her servants entered her chamber. They expected overturned tables, shattered perfume bottles—Selene's fury unleashed like wildfire.
Instead… they saw her sitting calmly before her mirror.
Her golden hair tumbled around her shoulders, and she brushed it with slow, graceful strokes. The very picture of serenity.
"Milady…?" one of them ventured cautiously.
Selene did not even glance up. "Bring me the poetry book."
They hurried to retrieve it from the side table, hands trembling. She took it with a soft smile and ran her fingers over the cover.
"Deliver this to His Majesty's chamber," she said quietly. "Tell the steward it was left behind."
One of the servants nodded, bowed, and left.
She stared at herself in the mirror. Her reflection stared back—a perfect face, polished and beautiful, now hollowed by something sharp beneath.
She tilted her head, studying herself like a stranger.
Then she spoke aloud,
"No matter what it takes… Aurora must leave this palace."
Her voice was calm. Steady. Deadly.
-
The door creaked softly as Aldric stepped in.
The warm glow of lanterns bathed the chamber in golden hush. Aurora looked up from where she stood near the window. Her maids, sensing the shift in air, bowed deeply and slipped out without a word, their footsteps disappearing down the corridor.
And then it was only the two of them. Silence hummed between them.
Aldric stepped closer. "Aurora."
"Your Majesty," she replied.
"When will you tell me the truth?"
She stiffened.
"What truth?" she asked, not looking at him.
"The secret you are hiding. Who you truly are." He paused. "The dreams that haunted me every night—gone whenever you were near, then vanished completely as we grew close. The day you wandered into the woods alone. I heard your voice in my head, guiding me to you. You appeared in my dream once, saving me from a witch. And tonight, you warned me about Selene." His gaze sharpened. "Who are you, Aurora?"
Aurora forced a soft laugh and lifted her head.
"You are imagining things, Your Majesty," she said lightly, almost teasing. "I have no secrets. There is nothing more to me than what you already know. And Queen Selene—I only heard something around and thought to warn you. Nothing more."
Aldric studied her face. He saw the smile. And the shadow behind it.
He did not believe her. But he said nothing.
Instead, he smiled faintly. "I will wait. Whenever you are ready… I will be here to hear the truth."
She smiled back, though her heart pounded, the sound ringing in her ears.
What would he do if he knew?
That she is a witch. That her power is tied to shadows and something far greater.
Would he still look at her the same?
Would he still love her?
Her fingers curled into her gown.
Not yet. She was not ready. Not yet.
So she said again, softly,
"I am hiding nothing, Your Majesty."
Aldric smiled—the kind that did not reach his eyes. He nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait," she said, stepping closer, stopping inches from him. "Are you not staying tonight?"
"No," he replied quietly. "I wish to be in my chambers."
"But… I want you here."
"Not now, Aurora." He sighed and pulled her into a brief embrace. "Forgive me."
Then he left. The door clicked shut behind him.
Aurora stood still, a tight pain blooming in her chest, tears burning her eyes.
Will my secret tear us apart?