Edmond did not speak again after reading the message. He stood there for a while, the parchment still in his hand, his eyes fixed on the same line as if it might change if he stared long enough. It didn't. The words stayed exactly as they were, cold and certain.
Then something in him shifted. He turned sharply. "I am returning to Snowland immediately."
There was no discussion. No hesitation. The decision had already been made the moment he finished reading.
The journey back felt longer than it should have.
Two days on the sea, but it didn't pass like two days. The wind was rough at times, the waves uneven, yet Edmond barely noticed any of it. He stood at the edge of the ship most of the time, his hands resting on the rail, his mind going over the same thing again and again.
Maria. Cliffland. Drexo.
It didn't fit. Or maybe it fit too well, and that was what disturbed him.
Each time he tried to dismiss it, the image came back stronger. His sister, walking an enemy to safety.
He clenched his jaw. "No," he muttered once under his breath, almost like he was correcting the thought. But the doubt didn't leave.
By the time he arrived at Snowland, he didn't go into the palace fully. He stayed close to the shore, waiting, and watching.
The next day, Maria's ship appeared. Edmond saw it before anyone announced it. His eyes were already on the horizon, and the moment the shape formed, something tightened in his chest.
He didn't move closer. He stayed where he was, letting the distance close on its own.
The ship docked..Maria stepped off. The moment her feet touched the ground, two guards moved toward her. "The Warden demands your presence in his chambers."
Maria paused. Just slightly. But it was enough. Her heart picked up instantly, beating harder than it should.
Edmondz does not summon like that. Not unless something is wrong.
She swallowed and gave a small nod. "I will be there."
The walk to his chamber felt longer than usual. Each step carried a thought she couldn't quite settle.
What could this be about? Her mind tried to stay calm, but it wouldn't cooperate. Has he found out?
She shook her head almost immediately. "No, that is notpossible." Only her girls knew. And the soldiers at Cliffland, they had no reason to inform Edmond.
Her girls wouldn't speak. She trusted that. She had to.
Still, the unease didn't leave. It stayed in her chest, growing heavier with every step.
By the time she reached his door, her hand hesitated for a brief moment before knocking.
A pause. "Come in." His voice. Steady, and waiting. Like he already knew.
Maria pushed the door open and stepped in. Edmond was already inside, standing, his posture straight, his presence filling the room without effort.
She forced a smile. "You are back," she said, stepping toward him, her arms opening slightly for an embrace.
But Edmond didn't move toward her. Instead, he pushed her back. Not violently. But firm enough.
Clear.
Maria froze. Her brows drew together slightly. "What have I done wrong?" The question came out softer than she intended.
Edmond didn't answer immediately. He just looked at her. And that look, it was not the one she knew.
There was distance in it. It was coldness.
For a moment, she felt like she was standing before someone else entirely. Not the boy she had grown up with. Not the brother she had survived with after everything fell apart.
She was seeing a stranger.
Silence stretched between them. Long enough to feel uncomfortable.
Then: "Maybe you should tell me," Edmond said slowly. "What were you doing in Cliffland?"
Maria's chest tightened. The question hit exactly where she didn't want it to. For a brief second, her mind scrambled.
Lie. Deny it. Deflect, just do anything.
She shook her head lightly, forcing a small scoff. "Who told you that ridiculous thing?" But even as she said it, she could feel the weakness in it.
Edmond saw it too. He didn't move, but something in his expression hardened. "So it is true."
He let out a breath through his nose, then placed a hand on his waist. "You truly delivered an enemy to safety."
Maria didn't answer. She couldn't. Not because she had nothing to say, but because anything she said now would only make it worse.
Edmond stepped closer. Each step slow, and measured. "Why?" The word came out low.
Controlled.
"Why did you turn against your own kingdom?" Another step. "Why did you turn against your own house?"
Closer.
"Why did you turn against me?"
Maria instinctively shifted back. The pressure of his presence felt heavier now. "Because you were about to kill an innocent man," she said, her voice steady despite everything. "Drexo did nothing wrong."
Edmond let out a short laugh. Not amused. Just disbelief. "Look at you," he said, shaking his head slightly. "What do you even know?"
Then his voice rose, sharper now. "What do you know about guilt? His hand lifted slightly, cutting through the air as he spoke. "His father was a dictator. A rapist."
Maria didn't flinch. She nodded slowly, her voice softer now. "His father might be guilty. But not the sons."
She held his gaze. "Dereek, Domion, Drexo, they are not their father."
Edmond turned abruptly and struck the wall with his fist. The sound echoed through the room. "We are at war!" he snapped, turning back to her. "And guilt does not matter in war."
His chest rose and fell heavier now. "We killed the father. The sons will come for revenge. That is how this works."
Maria shook her head. "You killed their dragons," she said. "You took their strength. What are you still afraid of?"
Edmond let out a quiet chuckle. This time, there was something else in it. He studied her. The way she spoke. The way she defended him.
"As long as a Dragarian lives," he said slowly, "another dragon can rise."
The room fell silent again. This time, heavier. Then his voice changed.
Softer.
But not gentler. "What you and your girls have done. " he paused, "is treason." The word lingered. "Punishable by death."
Maria's breath caught. Not for herself, but gor her girls. Her hands tightened slightly at her sides.
Edmond saw it. And for a moment, something flickered in his eyes. "But I cannot kill you," he said after a pause. "You are my sister."
His voice dropped lower. "The only family I have left, aside from Bianca."
Maria's shoulders sank slightly. "I am sorry," she said quietly. "I couldn't ignore it. I had to help him."
Edmond's expression snapped again. "Do you even understand what you have done?" He stepped closer again, frustration building. "You saved him, yes. But you also stretched this war."
His voice grew heavier with each word. "He will fight for his throne. Robert will fight to keep it. And that conflict will drag on for years, maybe."
He shook his head. "Thousands will die because of this."
Maria's eyes filled with tears. "I know," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "But I couldn't stand there and watch him die."
Edmond froze. Not at the words. But at how she said them. There was something deeper there. Something he hadn't been looking at before.
He stepped closer, slower this time, and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Maria.." His voice lowered. "How well do you even know Drexo?"
Maria closed her eyes. That alone was an answer.
Edmond felt it immediately. Something tightened in his chest. "How long has this been going on?"
Maria opened her eyes again, stepping back slightly. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "How long has what been going on?"
But her voice wasn't steady anymore. Edmond's tone sharpened. "Do not play games with me."
The room felt smaller now.
Tighter.
Tears slipped down Maria's cheeks before she could stop them. "Since King's City," she said quietly. "During his engagement."
Edmond went still. Completely still. Like the words hadn't fully reached him yet.
Maria continued, her voice trembling but unholding. "I tried to stop it. I fought it" A small shake of her head. "I really tried." Her hands tightened. "But I couldn't."
She looked at him now, fully. "I love him." The words settled into the room.
Heavy, and final.
"I love him more than my own life."
Something broke. Not loudly. Not visibly at first. But it broke. Edmond's hand moved before the thought could catch up.
CRACK!
The sound of the slap echoed sharply. Maria's head snapped to the side.
Silence followed.
Thick, and unforgiving.