The chamber fell silent.
Belleah knelt on the floor, shaking uncontrollably, her confession still hanging in the air like poisonous smoke.
Aria didn't look at her.
She was staring at the door.
At the faint shadow beneath it.
At the quiet breath someone was trying too hard to hide.
Belleah's tears stopped abruptly.
Her head snapped toward the door, eyes wide with terror.
Someone heard everything.
Someone who wasn't supposed to.
Aria's voice was soft—almost gentle.
"Come in."
The door didn't open.
Not even a stir.
Aria's smile thinned.
"If you don't enter now, I will call the guards."
A faint curse from the other side.
Then—
The door creaked open.
And stepping inside was the last person Belleah wanted to see.
Prince Elian.
His small face was pale.
His tiny fists were clenched.
And his wide eyes were filled with something Aria had never seen in him before:
Hurt.
He stared at Belleah.
Not at Aria.
Not at the floor.
Straight at Belleah.
