Aestrin didn't stop until they reached a quieter wing of the palace— far from guards, footsteps, and watching eyes.
Silence settled around them.
They stood near a tall tinted glass window, slightly open. Sunlight slipped through, falling softly over both of them.
Aestrin finally let go of Miralen's hand and turned toward her.
Miralen leaned back against the wall, folding her arms, her expression calm but attentive.
"So," she said, raising a brow, "what do you want to talk about?"
Aestrin exhaled slowly.
"Delayna…" Her voice softened. "You've changed. What happened to you?"
Miralen remained silent for a moment, letting the question settle.
"People tend to change, Aestrin," she said at last. Then, after a slight pause— "Especially after returning."
Aestrin frowned slightly, unconvinced.
"But you never did," she insisted. "You've gone to dangerous places before, but this time…"
She hesitated, searching for the right words.
"…you don't even look at things the same way anymore."
Miralen tilted her head just a little.
"And how did I look at things before?"
Aestrin met her gaze.
"Like you already knew how everything would end."
A small pause.
"…But now," she continued quietly, "you look like you're trying to figure everything out."
Miralen's eyes drifted toward the garden outside.
"Do you really think so?" she murmured. "Or maybe… I just don't like knowing everything anymore."
Aestrin didn't smile.
"You almost died, Delayna."
That pulled Miralen's attention back instantly.
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
Died?
"What exactly happened?" she asked.
Aestrin's expression softened, but the concern didn't leave.
"You really don't remember… do you?"
Miralen didn't answer.
That was enough.
Aestrin continued, her voice quieter now— "You disappeared for days. No one knew where you went. Then they found you near the kingdom's border…"
She paused, her fingers tightening slightly.
"…covered in blood. Unconscious. Barely alive."
Miralen listened, her expression steady— but her thoughts moved quickly.
"No one knows what happened," Aestrin went on. "Where you went… what you were searching for…"
Her gaze lowered briefly.
"But one thing was clear."
She looked back up.
"Whatever you were searching for… wasn't meant to be found."
A brief silence followed.
Miralen narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And your father?" she asked. "Does he know anything?"
Aestrin nodded slowly.
"He does. But he never said anything. All I know is… you were sent on a mission."
"Mission…" Miralen repeated under her breath.
So it wasn't random.
"What exactly am I here?" she asked, turning fully toward her.
Aestrin blinked.
"You don't remember that either?"
Miralen gave a faint smile.
"I'd rather hear it from you."
Aestrin sighed softly, giving in.
"You're Father's most trusted… and strongest soldier."
She paused, then added—
"Not just in strength. In decisions. You've made choices that affected the entire administration."
Miralen's gaze stilled slightly.
So Delayna was not just a fighter… but a strategist too.
"That's quite a position," she said lightly. Then her tone shifted just a little— more thoughtful. "But I doubt your father's trust remained completely untouched."
Aestrin tilted her head.
"Maybe. But if it had broken… he wouldn't ask you to return."
Miralen's lips curved faintly.
She looked out the window again, sunlight catching in her eyes.
"Then one thing is clear."
She paused.
"I didn't fail."
Aestrin raised a brow. "Oh?"
Miralen turned her head slightly toward her.
"I just didn't finish."
Aestrin looked genuinely surprised.
"And why do you think that?"
Miralen shrugged faintly.
"If I had failed completely, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
A small pause.
"And he wouldn't be putting me back in position. It also means that your father still needs me to complete that mission."
Aestrin studied her— then slowly nodded.
"…That makes sense."
Miralen's gaze sharpened slightly, thoughtful now.
"But there's something else," she added.
Aestrin frowned. "What?"
"Your father knows more than he's telling." Miralen's voice lowered just a bit. "Much more."
Aestrin narrowed her eyes.
"You're planning something again, aren't you?"
Miralen shrugged, a hint of amusement in her expression.
"Maybe."
Aestrin sighed— but then a grin slowly appeared.
"Then I've got your back."
Miralen looked at her for a moment, slightly amused.
"You trust people too fast."
Aestrin didn't hesitate.
"I trust only you."
That made Miralen pause— just for a second.
Something softer flickered in her expression… before it disappeared again.
"…That's a dangerous habit," she said quietly.
Aestrin smiled.
"Only if you betray me."
Miralen held her gaze.
Then, very faintly—
"Good thing I don't plan to."
A brief silence passed between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… heavier than before.
Then Miralen pushed herself off the wall.
"Well," she said lightly, breaking the moment, "apparently I am your father's most trusted and strongest soldier…"
She glanced toward the corridor ahead.
"…what's next? Do I get my weapons back? Or do I need to go back for training? Or there is another life– threatening mission?"
Aestrin laughed softly.
"Knowing Father? Probably all of them."
Miralen sighed.
"Great. I should've never come out of that rock."
Aestrin grinned.
"Too late. You're back now."
Miralen glanced once more toward the palace halls ahead—
Her eyes sharper than before.
"…Yeah," she murmured.
"And this time… I'm not going back."
(The end of chapter 16)