“It’s me,” came a familiar voice from the other side.

He straightened in his seat, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. “Selena?” he mumbled under his breath as he rose to open the door.

Princess Selena entered gracefully, her nightgown shimmering in the dim candlelight. Kael closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment before turning to face her.

“Did you find out?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

He sighed, brushing a hand over his face. “You could have waited until morning, you know.”

Selena moved to the sofa, settling herself comfortably. “And let this gnaw at me all night? No, thank you.”

Kael crossed the room and sat across from her, leaning back slightly. “No. I didn’t find it.” His gaze shifted momentarily, his voice dropping to a murmur as he added, almost to himself, “But I did find something more interesting.”

His mind flickered back to Leticia once again, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk.

Selena tilted her head, noticing the brief smile. Though she couldn’t hear his words, she didn’t press him. Instead, she shifted her focus. “It’s strange,” she began, her tone uncertain. “I don’t understand what’s happening in our kingdom. Do you think we should inform Father about this?”

Kael’s smile faded as he straightened, his expression returning to one of measured composure. “The Count has kept it hidden, trusting us with this matter,” he replied firmly. “Let’s speak with him first. If he’s ready to reveal that his son has gone missing, then we’ll consider informing the father.”

Selena nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. We should handle this carefully. This way, we can help other families—especially those below the count’s status—without causing unnecessary panic.”

Kael nodded. “Yeah.” His agreement was firm, but there was a distant quality to his voice, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.

Selena leaned back slightly on the sofa, studying her brother with curiosity. His lips quirked into a faint smile, disappearing almost as quickly as it appeared, only to resurface moments later. It wasn’t like him to be so visibly preoccupied. Her curiosity got the better of her.

“And what could possibly be making Crown Prince Kael smile from time to time?” she teased, her tone light but probing.

Kael glanced at her sharply, his composure slipping for a fraction of a second. “What?” he said, his voice low, trying to sound indifferent. He quickly averted his gaze and straightened his posture. “I’m not smiling.”

Selena’s lips curled into a knowing grin. “Oh, yeah?” she teased, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “You’re just sitting there, staring into space, looking oddly amused. Stop lying. I am not blind, Kael.”

Kael’s expression hardened, but the faint blush creeping up his neck betrayed him. He straightened his posture, trying to maintain his composure. “There’s nothing amusing about any of this,” he replied curtly.

Selena raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Oh, of course,” she said with exaggerated innocence, crossing her arms and leaning forward slightly. “You’re just deep in thought, and smiling is a completely natural side effect, right?”

Kael didn’t respond. Instead, he avoided her gaze entirely, staring pointedly at the wall. Selena watched him for a moment longer, her grin growing wider. With a soft laugh, she pushed herself up from the sofa.

“Well, have a good time, Crown Prince Kael," she said, her voice tinged with mockery as she walked toward the door.

She paused briefly, her hand on the doorknob, and glanced back at him. “Whatever it is, you should smile more often. It suits you,” she said with a smirk before slipping out of the chamber, leaving Kael alone with his thoughts—and that telltale blush. 

As the door clicked shut behind Princess Selena, Crown Prince Kael's expression shifted, the air around him growing heavy and cold, as if a storm was brewing just beneath the surface.

“Ravik,” he called, his voice low and commanding.

From the shadows of the heavy curtains, a figure emerged. Draped in black, the man moved with a ghostlike silence, his face obscured by a hood and a mask that revealed only his piercing eyes. A distinct mark—a jagged scar—ran down his left cheek, visible beneath the edge of his hood. He kneeled before Kael, head bowed in deference.

“Yes, Your Highness,” he intoned, his voice steady and measured.

Kael stared down at him, his icy gaze unwavering. “Keep an eye on the count,” he ordered, his tone cold and deliberate. “Something feels off. I don’t trust the silence surrounding him.”

Ravik raised his head slightly, just enough to show he understood, his eyes locking with Kael’s briefly. “As you command, Your Highness,” he replied, his voice firm.

Kael gave a curt nod. “Report back at dawn. No mistakes, Ravik.”

With a low bow, Ravik melted back into the shadows, disappearing as seamlessly as he had appeared. The heavy curtains swayed gently, but the room was silent once more, save for the faint crackle of the embers in the hearth.

Kael remained standing in the dimly lit chamber, the flickering light casting sharp shadows across his chiseled features. His hands clenched at his sides as his mind raced, piecing together the fragments of unease that had taken root.

“Count Alden,” he murmured, the name slipping from his lips like a threat carried on the wind. His gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. “This needs to be handled carefully.”

                                                                                        ***

Drakemorne Mansion,

Next Morning, Dining Area,

Leticia sat at the dining table alone, her fingers lightly drumming on the polished wood. Her anxiety was curling in her chest. A maid entered quietly, setting down a fresh dish in front of her. Leticia’s eyes flicked up, her unease apparent in her tight posture.

“Is Brother Raphael back?” she asked, her voice betraying a hint of impatience she couldn’t hide.

The maid bowed respectfully. “No, my lady, he has not returned yet.”

Leticia exhaled softly, nodding as she pushed back the rising frustration. “Alright, please inform me immediately when he arrives.”

The maid nodded in return before she quickly left the room, leaving Leticia alone with her swirling thoughts. Her legs trembled under the table, betraying her otherwise composed exterior.

Just as the silence threatened to suffocate her, the door opened again, and in walked her father, followed by her brother, Sebastian. They both made their way to the table, taking their usual seats. The Duke immediately noticed Leticia's tense posture and the untouched breakfast before her.

He raised an eyebrow, a slight frown creasing his weathered face. “What’s the matter, dear?” he asked gently. “You haven’t eaten anything.”

Leticia’s eyes flicked to the plate, then back to her father. “Oh, it was just served a moment ago,” she replied, her voice controlled, though her eyes betrayed her nervousness.

The Duke gave a small, knowing smile, but before he could press further, Sebastian glanced at Raphael’s empty chair. “Where is Raphael?” he asked, his tone casual but carrying an edge of curiosity.

Leticia’s eyes fell to the chair where Raphael usually sat. She sighed heavily, the weight of unspoken worries pressing down on her chest. "He's... still not back,” she murmured, her voice quieter now, heavy with something she didn’t want to admit.

Her father’s concerned voice cut through the tension that hung in the air. “Leticia, what’s the matter? Did something happen?”

Leticia opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, the maid who had served the breakfast reappeared at the door.

“My lady, Young Master Raphael, is back,” she announced.

Leticia didn’t even hesitate. She shot up from her seat, her chair scraping loudly against the floor, startling both the Duke and Sebastian. The suddenness of her movement made them exchange uneasy glances; something in the air felt... off. Leticia rushed from the dining room, her footsteps swift and hurried.

The Duke and Sebastian shared a brief look. Concerned, they stood up, following Leticia at a much slower pace, their brows furrowed in confusion.

Leticia rushed down the hallway, her heart pounding as she saw her brother Raphael. He was drenched from head to toe. His hair clung to his face, and his clothes stuck to his frame. His hands were held tightly behind his back, as though he were hiding something.

“Brother,” Leticia breathed, her voice trembling slightly. “What happened?"

Before Raphael could answer, the Duke’s voice rang out from behind them, sharp with concern. “What happened to you, Raphael?” he asked, his eyes scanning his drenched son. 

Leticia’s attention snapped back to her brother, her heart pounding in her chest. Her curiosity mixed with a growing sense of nervousness. “Did you... did you find it?” she asked, barely able to contain her anxiety. 

The Duke and Sebastian exchanged confused glances, not understanding what she was asking. The air was thick with questions, but Raphael only smiled, a smile that felt strangely out of place in the heavy atmosphere. With a slow, deliberate motion, Raphael reached behind his back, and Leticia’s breath caught in her throat as he pulled out the Divine Egg. The shimmering object, glowing faintly in the morning light. 

“Yes,” Raphael said, his voice low but filled with satisfaction. “I found it.”

Leticia stared at the egg, a wave of relief flooding her chest. Her eyes welled with tears, her heart swelling with a mixture of happiness. She had done it. Against all odds, she had changed history. She had saved her brother. 

This was it, she thought. Everything would be different now.

Just then Sebastian, still looking confused, asked, “What’s that, Raphael?” His gaze flickered back and forth between his brother and the glowing egg in Raphael’s hand, his expression a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. He could sense that something more was happening here than he could understand.

Leticia’s heart raced, the joy and anxiety battling within her. Without a word, she rushed forward and hugged Sebastain into an emotional hug.

“I did it, brother,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “I did it.”

Everyone in the hallway exchanged confused glances.  Sebastian furrowed his brow, his confusion evident as he asked, “What do you mean, Leticia?”

But it seemed Leticia couldn’t hear her brother’s words, lost in the torrent of her own emotions. “Everything will be fine, brother,” she said, her voice filled with trembling certainty. “Nothing will go wrong this time.”

Sebastian could feel the weight of her words, though he still didn’t fully understand what was happening, but seeing her so overwhelmed, her relief and determination so raw, he smiled faintly. He hugged her back.

“Yes, Leticia,” he said softly, his voice steady and reassuring. “You did it. Nothing will go wrong.”

Leticia pulled back slightly, tears streaming down her face. She nodded, her emotions spilling over, unable to contain the wave of relief washing over her. She had done it. She had saved her brother, though Sebastian didn’t know it.

He didn’t need to know.

Her heart swelled with a quiet joy as she looked at him, his confusion overshadowed by his gentle smile. That she had changed her brother's tragic fate. She didn’t need acknowledgment or understanding. She only needed him safe.

That was all she had ever wanted.