The rain began just before dawn.
Thin drops tapped softly against the tall windows of Aurelia's chamber, blurring the view of the palace gardens below. She lay awake long before the servants arrived, staring at the ceiling while her thoughts churned restlessly.
Prince Kael's voice still echoed in her mind.
You belong to me now.
The words clung to her like a curse.
In her former life, she had learned to endure. To bow her head. To survive by disappearing into the background. But that instinct—once necessary—now felt like a threat.
This world did not forgive weakness.
And Kael would exploit it.
When the maids finally entered, Aurelia sat up calmly, allowing them to dress her in layers of pale blue fabric embroidered with silver thread. As they brushed her hair, she studied her reflection carefully.
She did not look like someone who would challenge a prince.
That, she realized, was her greatest weapon.
The royal council chamber was not a place she was meant to enter.
At least, not yet.
Yet that morning, a summons arrived bearing the king's seal—addressed to Lady Aurelia von Valenrose.
The maids were astonished. "A council observation?" one whispered. "That's unheard of."
Aurelia's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression composed.
Someone had arranged this.
She suspected she knew who.
The chamber was vast, its walls lined with dark wood and banners representing the noble houses. Ministers and high-ranking nobles filled the room, their voices low and sharp as blades.
At the head of the table sat the king.
To his right stood Crown Prince Lucien.
To his left—
Prince Kael.
Kael's eyes flicked toward her the moment she entered, irritation flashing across his face before he masked it with a smile.
Lucien, however, did not look surprised.
He inclined his head slightly.
An invitation. Or a warning.
Aurelia took her place along the wall, hands folded, posture perfect. She listened as discussions unfolded—trade disputes, border tensions, rumors of unrest among the lesser nobles.
Politics.
Power.
The true language of this world.
Kael spoke loudly, confidently, asserting opinions without hesitation. Several ministers nodded along, eager to please him.
Lucien spoke less.
But when he did, the room listened.
His words were measured, precise, cutting through nonsense with effortless authority. Aurelia found herself drawn to his presence—not by charm, but by intelligence.
Then it happened.
A minister rose and spoke casually. "The Valenrose estate controls the northern grain routes. With Lady Aurelia soon to be Princess Kael's wife, those assets will naturally fall under his influence."
The room hummed with approval.
Kael smirked.
Aurelia's fingers tightened.
Lucien's gaze sharpened.
"That is incorrect," the Crown Prince said calmly.
Silence fell.
"The Valenrose lands are bound by contract, not marriage," Lucien continued. "Any attempt to claim them prematurely would be… inappropriate."
Kael laughed lightly. "Brother, you worry too much. My fiancée would never object."
Lucien turned his head slightly.
"Would you, Lady Aurelia?"
Every eye in the chamber snapped toward her.
Her heart pounded.
This was a test.
She stepped forward slowly.
"I am honored by the interest in my family's lands," she said evenly. "However, House Valenrose remains independent until such matters are formally ratified by the crown."
A pause.
Then the king nodded once. "Correct."
Kael's smile stiffened.
Lucien's lips curved faintly.
The meeting continued, but the atmosphere had shifted.
And Aurelia understood something crucial.
Lucien was not merely observing her.
He was positioning her.
That evening, Aurelia was summoned once more—this time privately.
She expected Kael.
Instead, a palace guard escorted her to a quiet study near the western wing.
Lucien stood by the window when she entered, hands clasped behind his back.
"You spoke well today," he said without turning.
"I answered honestly," she replied.
He faced her then, eyes thoughtful.
"Honesty is rare here."
Silence settled between them.
"You should not have been there," she said carefully.
"No," he agreed. "You shouldn't have."
"Then why—"
"Because Kael is moving faster than expected," Lucien interrupted. "And because you are more than he thinks."
Aurelia met his gaze steadily. "You're not denying it."
"No."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "My brother believes power is something to be taken. He forgets that it can also be given."
"And you?" she asked.
Lucien studied her for a long moment.
"I believe power is something that chooses," he said quietly.
The air felt heavier.
"You are dangerous," Aurelia said softly.
"So are you," he replied.
For the first time, she saw something flicker behind his calm expression.
Interest.
The tension did not go unnoticed.
Over the next days, whispers followed Aurelia wherever she went.
The Crown Prince had summoned her.
The Crown Prince had defended her.
The Crown Prince was watching her.
Kael noticed.
He confronted her in the gardens, fury barely restrained.
"What game are you playing?" he demanded.
"I play none," Aurelia replied.
"You think you can use my brother against me?" he snarled. "Remember your place."
"I remember it very well," she said calmly. "Perhaps you fear losing yours."
His hand rose.
Stopped inches from her face.
Guards stood nearby.
Kael lowered his hand slowly, smiling coldly. "Careful, Aurelia."
She did not step back.
"I am."
That night, Aurelia dreamed.
Not of her past life.
But of fire.
A kingdom split in two. Brothers standing on opposite sides. And herself—standing between them, blood on her hands.
She woke with a gasp.
Outside her window, the palace was silent.
Yet she felt it.
Something had begun.
The next morning, a letter arrived without a seal.
No signature.
Be careful what you awaken, it read. Not all eyes that watch you wish you well.
Aurelia folded the paper slowly.
Across the palace, in the shadows of a private chamber, Prince Kael crushed a goblet in his hand.
"She's his now," he muttered.
And in another wing, Lucien stared out over the kingdom, jaw tight.
"If I do nothing," he said quietly, "she will be destroyed."
Three paths had crossed.
And the kingdom stood at the edge of something irreversible.
End of Chapter 3