Elias watched as Lady Riven walked away, a flash of silver signaling that she had left the barracks. So… the princess has finally come back, or so Riven seemed to think.

“And she tells me?” he murmured to himself, feeling the quiet weight of her words settle over him. He couldn’t deny the possibility of Calia’s return wasn’t entirely far-fetched. But hearing it from someone so close to the Marlowes was something he hadn’t expected. Riven hadn’t been particularly nervous either; when she’d said it, there’d been no stammering, no fear. Instead, her statement had felt resigned, as if Calia’s return was not just inevitable but almost… welcome.

Elias leaned back against the barracks wall, his arms crossed, replaying the memory of her words. She hadn’t asked him to prevent Calia’s return or even seemed alarmed by it… she’d simply stated that she wanted to live. The distinction was subtle but telling. Most would assume Calia's arrival would bring chaos and likely seek to prevent it; Riven, however, had spoken as if she were preparing to endure the storm, not avoid it.

And why had she chosen him, of all people, to approach for help? Elias hadn’t said his last name, but it wasn’t likely that she didn’t realize who he was. It wasn’t uncommon for noble sons to train as knights under other houses, and the new duchy had offered Elias a chance to avoid Duchess Dina and his father at all costs. Of course, it was possible she had seen him when he was younger, but Elias didn’t remember ever coming across the young Lady Marlowe.

Elias pressed his fingers to his temple, exhaling slowly. His father, the Marquess of Vaeldor, had mentioned more than once the benefits of pursuing Riven Marlowe, citing her ties to Lirian’s line and her value as a diplomatic match. The Marquess cared little about her own worth as a person, and Elias fought against it every time he was forced back into that house. He hated his father’s cutthroat and power hungry ways, and the thought of being bound to anyone simply for political gain was, at best, distasteful.

“She’s not aligned with the emperor, at least,” he murmured to himself, watching the path she had taken until the last shadows of her figure faded into the estate grounds. Elias tapped a finger against his sword hilt thoughtfully. He knew Riven wasn’t lying—her steady, even gaze had told him that much. And if the rumors she hinted at proved true, if Calia really did return to reclaim the throne…

Well, he might have to consider his own allegiances with more care.

Riven walked through her family’s estate, her mind still reeling with the implications of her conversation with Elias. She needed something, some kind of evidence that would convince him. But proof was hard to come by when it came to someone as skilled in stealth and subterfuge as Calia. And she needed to find it quickly, preferably before the tournament registration closed.

For once, all of her knowledge was practically useless. She knew Calia was currently at House Illirian, meeting with her childhood friend Devon. It was the Earl Illirian who had taken Devon in, protecting him from Lirian as Calia was chased from the capital. Devon was also the one who managed to help Calia register for the tournaments under a fake name and as a knight of House Illirian.

But that hardly counted as proof, and Riven knew that even getting close enough to House Illirian to confirm Calia’s presence would be nearly impossible. The Illirian estate was infamous for its rigorous security and its unwavering loyalty to Calia’s late father. Devon would no doubt be just as vigilant, his friendship with Calia cemented long before her exile, and he would keep her secrets with the same steadfast loyalty that had protected her for years.

As Riven turned a corner near her father’s office, her mind still churning, she heard muffled voices drifting through the partially open door. She slowed her steps, her curiosity piqued when she recognized her father’s low, measured tone. The second voice, however, was unmistakably familiar, and her heart gave a sudden jolt.

“I intend to submit a formal offer,” Kaelen’s voice was calm but resolute, each word meticulously clear. “My family is prepared to provide for Lady Riven’s well-being and security, and I assure you she will have the utmost freedom to continue her studies as she sees fit.”

Was Kaelen asking to marry her?

Riven felt her head start to pound in time with her heart as she absorbed Kaelen's words, each syllable digging in deeper. But what about Lyra? From what she could tell, none of the characters seemed to be too different, except Lyra seemed to be missing from the picture. To be fair, she was tied to the forest she chose to live in and if Aurelian had chosen to leave with his whole family instead of abandoning his son, then it made sense that Kaelen would never even meet Lyra. But if that happened and Kaelen was still cursed…

"Your intentions are admirable, Lord Kaelen, and I will admit that our family is in search of alliances suited to Lady Riven’s standing,” her father cleared his throat, his response cautious, as if he were testing each word for its weight. “However, this offer is… unexpected. While I respect the Taren family’s prestige in Qatia, the title is recent here in Vassoria.”

Riven could have rushed into the room and kissed her father, for once thankful for his reluctance to increase their family’s standing. His desire for stability had always kept her father wary of rash alliances, and it seemed Kaelen’s sudden proposal fell squarely into that category. She stayed rooted outside the doorway, her heart racing as she clung to the hope that her father’s caution might buy her time.

“I understand your concerns, Lord Marlowe,” Kaelen replied smoothly, his tone betraying not a hint of disappointment. “The title may be recent, but our family’s standing is anything but. My father’s accomplishments are well-regarded even here in Vassoria, and I am prepared to strengthen the alliance with my personal support in any matters the Marlowe family might require in future.”

Riven’s mind whirled. Kaelen sounded… convincing. Too convincing, actually, like someone used to political maneuvering and diplomatic charm. Yet, in Whispers of the Eternal Spring, Kaelen had been notoriously distant and reluctant to use his status for any kind of leverage unless pushed by Lyra. But here, he’d put himself forward to her father as though he’d rehearsed every word, every pledge of support.

Lord Marlowe hummed, his tone speculative. “I will consider your proposal, Lord Kaelen. Lady Riven is young, and though your family’s reputation is indeed noteworthy, my daughter’s well-being will always be my foremost priority.”

“As it should be,” Duke Aurelian agreed, carrying a tone of quiet assurance. Riven pressed herself further back into the shadows outside the door, her breath barely held as she strained to catch each word. Duke Aurelian’s support underscored Kaelen’s offer in a way that was difficult to ignore. Despite their recent rise in Vassoria, Aurelian’s presence and measured backing made it clear this was not some impulsive arrangement on Kaelen’s part.

“What are you doing here, Kaelen?” Riven whispered under her breath, being careful to move slowly as she made her way back down the hall, not wanting the duke or his son to spot her on their way from her father’s office. Instead, Riven headed for her private garden, her thoughts now racing with new worries. “Who are you now?”

Riven took a deep breath as she stepped into the garden, enjoying the scent of lavender. As Shin, lavender scents had always been her favorite and as soon as she was old enough to speak as Riven, she had asked for the garden. It always helped to calm her, to clear her head when she didn’t know what to do.

She needed to learn exactly what had changed in Kaelen’s story before she could determine how he fit into Calia’s; after all, at the end of the day, he was still the protagonist in Whispers of the Eternal Spring. No matter how different he seemed in this world, the core of his story should still follow some echo of its original path.

“First, I should get Elias into the tournament,” she breathed, the lavender helping to ground her in the moment. Once she had Elias’s support, she wouldn’t need to worry so much about her future and could spend time trying to understand what was happening to the stories. Then she could decide if marrying Kaelen would provide the out she needed and if not, she’d still have her money to fall back on. Maybe she could even seek out Lyra herself and learn what happened.

She closed her eyes, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. There was really only one way to get the proof Elias wanted, and Riven opened her eyes, unsurprised to see Myelia looking down at her. There was a mischievous look in those silver cat eyes, and Riven could only smile.