Elowen's POV:
The road back to the palace feels longer than usual.
The carriage wheels roll steadily over the cobblestones, and the familiar streets of the capital pass by outside the window, yet my thoughts remain far behind in the river district.
A silver ring.
A man who directs others.
Children are vanishing quietly as the rest of the city goes about its ordinary life. I rest my chin lightly against my hand as the palace gates finally come into view.
One night until the masquerade.
One night to learn more.
The carriage slows as the guards open the iron gates. Moments later, we enter the wide palace courtyard where several other carriages already wait.
Selene sighs happily as we step down. "I never realize how tired I am until I return here."
Hailey glances toward the gardens.
"You spent most of the day examining dresses."
"That is exhausting work."
I smile faintly but say nothing.
My attention drifts across the courtyard.
Two men stand near the stone archway that leads toward the inner corridors of the palace.
Their voices are low, but their posture tells me everything.
The conversation is not friendly.
One of them is unmistakable.
Lord Damien Thorne stands with his back partially turned toward us, tall and relaxed in a way that most nobles never quite manage. Sunlight catches in his blond hair, and even from a distance, his presence draws the eye easily.
The other man stands opposite him.
Sharp posture.
Controlled expression.
I recognize him almost immediately.
Lord Alden Davenwood.
The Crown Prince's aide.
He rarely appears without the Crown Prince nearby, and when he does, the air around him always seems… tense.
Even from here, I can see the tight line of his shoulders.
"…not your concern," Lord Alden says quietly.
Lord Damien's reply comes with a faint smile that I cannot quite hear but can easily imagine.
"I would argue otherwise."
Lord Alden's gaze sharpens.
For a moment, the silence between them grows heavy.
Then his eyes shift.
Directly toward me.
He has noticed our arrival.
The change is immediate.
Whatever discussion they were having disappears behind a carefully neutral expression. Lord Alden inclines his head slightly in my direction before stepping back.
"Lady Evermere."
His tone is polite.
But it carries the same cool distance it always does.
For reasons I cannot quite explain, I have the distinct impression that Lord Alden Davenwood does not particularly care for me.
He turns back toward Lord Damien briefly. "We will continue this later."
Damien lifts one eyebrow. "I look forward to it."
Lord Alden gives a short nod before walking past us toward the palace entrance without another word.
I watch him go. He always looks like someone insulted him.
Lord Damien approaches us with easy confidence. "Ladies."
He inclines his head politely.
Selene brightens instantly. "Lord Thorne."
His blue eyes flicker briefly toward me before returning to the group. "I hope the day treated you well."
Selene begins speaking immediately. "We found the most beautiful fabrics—"
"And shoes," Hailey adds.
"Very important shoes," Selene confirms.
Damien chuckles softly. "I see the market was productive."
His gaze drifts back to me. "And you, Lady Evermere?"
I hesitate only slightly. "It was… interesting."
"Interesting?" he repeats.
His smile deepens. "That sounds far more promising than productive."
"I suspect Selene would disagree." I said.
Selene laughs. "Completely."
Lord Damien glances between us. "Well, I won't keep you all standing in the courtyard."
Selene and Hailey begin walking ahead toward the palace entrance, already resuming their discussion about masks and colors.
Lord Damien falls into step beside me.
For a moment, neither of us speaks.
The palace corridors ahead glow with late afternoon light streaming through the tall windows.
"Did you enjoy the market?" he asks casually.
"It was lively." I said.
"And what treasures did you bring back with you?" He asks.
"A pair of shoes."
He considers that with exaggerated seriousness. "A worthy investment."
"For a masquerade ball?" I ask.
"For survival," he says lightly. "One never knows how much dancing will be required."
I glance at him.
"You speak as though you plan to avoid it."
"On the contrary."
His blue eyes gleam with amusement.
"I simply plan to observe more than participate."
That seems entirely believable.
We pass beneath the stone archway into the palace halls.
Servants move quietly through the corridors carrying baskets of flowers and decorations already being prepared for the masquerade.
Damien's steps remain unhurried beside mine.
"You seemed lost in your thoughts when you arrived." he says after a moment.
"Did I?" I asked.
"Yes." His tone remains gentle, but observant.
"Markets rarely inspire such serious expressions." I meet his gaze briefly. "Perhaps I simply prefer quiet places."
He studies me for a moment longer, though thankfully he does not press further.
"Well," he says finally, "if quiet is what you prefer, the palace corridors are rarely cooperative."
We reach the staircase leading toward the royal selection wing.
Selene and Hailey have already disappeared somewhere ahead.
Lord Damien pauses at the base of the stairs. "I believe your rooms are this way."
"I can find them." I said.
"I have no doubt." His smile returns. "But escorting ladies safely through dangerous palace corridors is a responsibility I take seriously."
"Dangerous?"
"Extremely."
I cannot help smiling faintly.
We climb the stairs together.
When we reach the hallway outside my room, he stops.
"For what it's worth," he says lightly, "I hope the market continues to provide… interesting discoveries."
Something in his tone makes me pause.
Does he suspect something?
Or is it simply another charming remark?
"Thank you," I reply.
He inclines his head slightly.
"Good evening, Lady Evermere."
"Good evening, Lord Thorne."
He turns and walks down the corridor.
I watch him for a moment before entering my room. The door closes quietly behind me. But my mind lingers on the scene in the courtyard.
The conversation between Lord Alden Davenwood and Lord Damien Thorne. A conversation tense enough to end the moment I appeared. And suddenly I cannot help wondering — What exactly were they arguing about?