At the river shore, the air carried a different kind of weight. It wasn't just the movement of water or the quiet pull of the current. It was the kind of place where people parted. Where words mattered more than usual. Where silence said even more.
Robert stood at the front of his line, the army of Iron Valley behind him. Still. Disciplined. Watching. The moment his eyes found Maria, something in his posture softened.
She dismounted before the horse had fully settled, but Robert was already there. His hands reached for her, steady, familiar. He helped her down as though it was second nature.
"My lady," he said, his voice warm, almost relieved, "I am going to miss you greatly." Maria looked at him..Really looked at him. Strong. Loyal. Predictable. Everything a woman was supposed to want.
She forced a smile. Behind them, Edmond let out a low chuckle from atop his horse. "Relax, man," he called casually. "You will take her home soon."
Robert glanced up at him, the corners of his lips lifting. "I dream of that day every night."
Maria's smile didn't change. But something in her chest tightened. Robert leaned in and pressed a kiss against her forehead. Gentle. Familiar. Safe. "Stay safe, alright."
Maria returned the gesture. Her lips brushed his skin, light, almost distant. "You too," she said softly. "Drink less. It is not good for your health."
Robert huffed a quiet laugh. "You sound like my physician." Still, he nodded. Then he guided her toward the ship. His hand lingered just a second longer than necessary before he let go.
She stepped onto the deck. She didn't look back. Not immediately.
Robert turned then, walking back toward Edmond. The shift in his expression was subtle, but it was there. The warmth faded. Something sharper took its place.
"This is it," Robert said. "We might not see for a while."
Edmond dismounted. Stepped closer. Close enough that no one else could hear. "I am in for the plan."
Robert's brows pulled together slightly. "What plan?"
Edmond leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Let's overthrow the Dragarians. Their crimes have ascended to the gods."
For a second, just a second. Robert froze..The words settled in the air between them. Heavy, and dangerous.
Then slowly, a smile formed. Not the easy one from before. But something darker. More deliberate.
He pulled Edmond into an embrace. "When the time is right," Robert murmured, "I will send for you. And we will execute it perfectly."
Edmond nodded against him. "Be fast about it. The more we wait, the more people suffer." They pulled apart. No more words were needed. Edmond turned and boarded the ship.
Robert remained standing at the shore as it began to move. The water carried it away slowly. He watched it go. The smile on his face didn't fade. "Now that the Northern forces are with me." he whispered.
His gaze shifted toward the distant outline of the city. "Uncle, you are not going to escape my wrath." He turned sharply and boarded his own vessel..The tide pulled him in the opposite direction. Toward Iron Valley.
The sea stretched endlessly around Maria. Three days. And not a single one passed in peace. The wind brushed against her skin, cool and constant. It should have been calming. But it wasn't.
Every breeze carried something with it. A memory, and a feeling of him. She leaned against the railing, her fingers gripping the wood tighter than necessary.
She could still feel him. The warmth of his hands. The way his voice sounded when it dropped low. The way he looked at her like nothing else in the world existed. The way he touches her. The warmth of his lips.
She shut her eyes. That didn't help..It only made it worse. The memories came clearer, and sharper.
The night in her chambers. The love making at the mountain. The way everything blurred into something she couldn't control.
She exhaled sharply, her grip tightening. "I didn't mean to love you this much," she whispered under her breath. The words slipped out before she could stop them.
"I didn't mean to." Her voice faltered. "But I ended up falling for you." Tears slipped down her cheeks. She didn't wipe them away. "This is wrong," she said again, quieter this time. "This thing we have. it is wrong. It is cursed."
The sea didn't answer. It just kept moving. Relentless like her thoughts.
By the third day, land appeared. Familiar land.
Snowl Land.
Bianca stood at the front, regal and composed. Beside her, the Northern Lords gathered, their presence commanding.
Maria stepped off the ship. Everything looked the same. Felt the same. But it wasn't. Something had shifted. Something she couldn't undo.
Bianca embraced her warmly. Voices greeted her. Smiles surrounded her. But Maria felt empty. Like she had left a part of her behind.
Somewhere far away. Somewhere she wasn't supposed to long for.
Days passed..And the change became impossible to ignore. Maria trained with her maiden warriors, but something was off.
Her movements lacked precision. Her timing slipped. Blades clashed, and for the first time in a long time, she made mistakes.
Small ones. But noticeable. "This is the first time you are making the wrong turn, my lady," Evelyn said carefully.
Maria lowered her blade.."What is going on?"
"Nothing," Maria replied quickly. Too quickly.
Evelyn didn't look convinced. But she said nothing more.
It didn't stop there. Meals became a struggle..Food sat untouched. Or barely tasted. And even when she forced herself to eat, most of it remained.
That evening, Evelyn entered quietly to clear the table.
She paused..The plates were almost full.."You didn't eat?"
Maria looked up and forced a small smile. "I guess I do not have an appetite."
Evelyn didn't move..She studied her. Really studied her. "What is wrong?" she asked slowly. "You are completely different from the woman you were before you left."
Maria shook her head. "I am alright." Evelyn stepped closer. Then sat on the edge of the bed. Her hands reached up, gently holding Maria's face.
"I have been your maid and your best friend all my life," she said softly. "You know I would die protecting you. And your secrets."
Maria's composure cracked..Just a little. "You can tell me," Evelyn continued..That was all it took. The walls broke. Tears slipped down Maria's face. "I do not think you are ready to hear my problems," she whispered. "It is forbidden. It is despicable. It is not meant to be spoken."
Evelyn gave a small, reassuring smile. "Try me."
Maria hesitated. Then: "I love him." Evelyn blinked. Her expression shifted quickly into something lighter, almost teasing.
"You miss your fiancé?" she said, smiling wider. "Is that what this is about?" She leaned closer. "Oh my dear, you still have to wait one more year."
Maria didn't respond..She just looked at her. Still, and silent.
Evelyn's smile slowly faded. "I am not talking about Robert," Maria said quietly.
A pause.
"I am talking about Drexo.".The name hung in the air.
Heavy, and wrong.
Evelyn froze..But Maria didn't stop..The words came now, faster. Like they had been waiting.
"We had sex. Twice, and since then." she swallowed, her voice shaking, "all I want is him."
Evelyn's eyes widened.
"I want his touch," Maria continued. "I want to hear his voice. I just want all of him."
Silence stretched.
Then, Evelyn snapped. "You did what?!" Evelyn shot up from the bed, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
Anger filled her face. Sharp, and immediate. "You allowed that womanizer to lure you to his bed?"
She turned, pointing at Maria. "You broke your vows to Robert," she snapped, "and gave your innocence to a man you barely know? A man who is engaged to another?" Her voice rose with every word.
She paced the room, agitated, and furious.
Maria said nothing. She just watched her..Evelyn stopped abruptly..Her breathing uneven..Her expression hard. "Your brother would behead you for this."