The castle felt different after the lockdown. Not louder but quieter.
Like even the walls were holding their breath.
Aphrodite sat by the window, staring out at the courtyard below. The decorations for the cancelled party still hung in place, swaying slightly in the cold air—beautiful, but now empty of meaning.
Lesha stood behind her, carefully folding the dress that had never been worn.
"They're still searching everywhere," she said softly. "No one is allowed in or out of the royal wing."
Aphrodite didn't turn her head.
"…I know," she replied quietly.
Her voice was steady, but her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric near her sleeve.
Lesha noticed immediately. "You're shaking."
"I'm not," Aphrodite said a little too quickly.
A pause settled between them.
Lesha didn't push further, but her expression softened with concern.
A sharp knock broke the silence.
Both of them froze.
"Who is it?" Lesha asked cautiously.
"Inspection," a guard's voice replied.
The door opened without waiting for permission.
Two guards stepped inside and began scanning the room carefully—corners, curtains, even the window.
Aphrodite remained still, forcing her expression to stay calm.
After a long moment, one of the guards nodded. "No breach here."
The other followed. "Same result as the other rooms." without another word, they left.
The door closed again.
Silence returned—but it felt heavier now.
Lesha let out a slow breath. "They're treating this like a major threat."
Aphrodite finally turned away from the window.
"It was a threat," she said quietly.
Lesha hesitated. "That man… the one who was in your room…"
Aphrodite's gaze lowered slightly.
"…Don't call him that."
Lesha frowned. "You know who he is, don't you?"
A pause.
Then—
"Yes."
Lesha's eyes widened slightly. "You know him?"
Aphrodite nodded once. "He's been at the palace before… during the party."
Lesha tilted her head. "Then why was he sneaking around like that?"
Aphrodite hesitated. Because he wasn't supposed to be seen like that.
Because King Nikklaus never stays where he is expected.
Because he watches more than he speaks.
"…He was checking something," she said finally.
Lesha narrowed her eyes. "Checking you?"
Aphrodite didn't answer and that silence was enough.
Down the corridor, the castle remained tense.
Queen Alaria stood with King Derman and the captain of the guards.
"We searched every wing," the captain reported. "No signs of forced entry anywhere."
Queen Alaria's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then he didn't break in."
The captain paused. "Your Majesty?"
Her voice turned colder.
"He was either invited… or he belongs here."
King Derman frowned. "That's impossible. No one enters the royal wing unnoticed."
Queen Alaria didn't look away. "And yet someone did."
Back in Aphrodite's room, Lesha studied her carefully.
"You're not scared," she said quietly. "That's what's strange."
Aphrodite gave a faint, uncertain smile.
"I should be," she admitted.
A pause.
"But I don't think he meant harm."
Lesha crossed her arms slightly. "A man sneaking into a princess's room in disguise… and you're defending him?"
Aphrodite lowered her gaze.
"I think… he just wanted to make sure I was okay."
The words lingered in the air and Lesha didn't respond immediately. Because even she couldn't decide whether that was comforting… Or worrying.
Hours had passed and the castle remained on high alert. But somewhere beyond the royal walls, beyond the patrols and locked gates… A figure watched in silence. Not hiding anymore.
Just waiting.
Was it really just protection… or something more dangerous hiding behind his actions?
How much longer can Aphrodite stay unaware of what is truly happening around her?
And if the castle is already hiding secrets… what else is being kept from her?