Evelyn sat with her mother in the sitting room, her hands folded tightly on her lap. She could hear the faint tick of the clock on the mantel, the slow rhythm digging into her chest like a knife.

“I’ve made my decision,” Evelyn said finally.

Her mother lifted her gaze, pale from exhaustion, but still composed. “Tell me.”

Evelyn inhaled, steadying her breath. “I will accept the Crown Prince’s proposal.”

The words hung heavy, poisoning the air.

For the first time in days, her mother’s composure cracked. Her lips parted in surprise, brows knitting. “Evelyn… are you certain? This—”

“I am,” Evelyn interrupted, though her voice trembled. “If I don’t, he will destroy us piece by piece. Father… Leon… the estate won’t survive another blow. If I marry him, at least he will have no reason to attack what’s left of us.”

Her mother looked at her daughter long and hard. The silence stretched until Evelyn feared she had broken her. But then, her mother exhaled and reached for her hand.

“You are your father’s daughter,” she whispered. “I cannot approve… but I will trust your choice.”

Evelyn pressed her lips together, relief and sorrow mixing into a bitter knot in her throat.

---

A knock broke through the quiet.

When the door opened, Kayden stood there. His black coat was dusty from travel, his eyes sharper than she remembered, but the flicker of warmth when he saw her remained.

“Your Grace,” he greeted, bowing politely. “I came as soon as I heard of the Duke’s condition.”

"Thank you for the visit Kayden."

Her mother excused herself, leaving the two of them alone. The silence stretched as Kayden’s gaze lingered on her face.

“I thought you might need someone to stand beside you,” he said softly.

Evelyn’s chest tightened. She had always known Kayden as steady, calculated, the kind of man who carried storms in silence. But in that moment, she saw something unguarded in his eyes—concern, perhaps something deeper.

She forced herself to meet his gaze. “Sir Ashenbert.… there’s something I must tell you.”

His brows furrowed, sensing the shift. “What is it?”

“I’ve decided to accept the Crown Prince’s engagement.”

The words cracked like glass between them.

Kayden froze. For the briefest moment, his mask shattered—his jaw tensed, his eyes flickered with something sharp and pained, before he schooled it back into neutrality.

“I see,” he said quietly, but his voice was too controlled, too even.

“Sir Ashenbert—” Evelyn began, but he shook his head faintly.

“You’ve chosen the path you believe will protect your family. I… cannot fault you for that.” He gave a small, tight smile, though it did not reach his eyes. “But forgive me if I cannot celebrate it. ”

The pang in his chest was unbearable, but he stood tall, as though he could carry her burden in silence too.

Evelyn turned away, her hands trembling. She wanted to tell him that this wasn’t what she wanted, that her heart screamed against it—but she had no luxury for confessions. Not when her father lay in a coma. Not when Leon was gone.

----

The Next Day,

The Crown Prince’s private office was quiet—too quiet.

The scented lamps burned low, a faint scent of ink and steel filled the room… and something colder beneath it.

Cassian stood by the tall window, his back to her, golden eyes reflecting the fading sun.

He didn’t turn when the guards announced her.

“Leave us,” he said softly.

The guards withdrew.

The door shut.

Only then did he finally turn his head, eyes sliding toward her like a predator acknowledging prey.

“Lady Evelyn,” Cassian greeted, voice smooth as silk. “To what do I owe this… unexpected visit?”

Evelyn forced her shoulders straight. Her heart hammered, but her gaze remained steady.

“I have come with an answer,” she said.

Something flickered in Cassian’s eyes.

Amusement? Satisfaction?

“Is that so?” He stepped closer, footsteps slow, deliberate. “Then speak.”

Evelyn inhaled sharply.

“I accept your offer of engagement.”

The words dropped like stones.

Cassian stopped a few inches from her—close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath, close enough that she could see the slight widening of his eyes.

“Good,” he murmured. “Very good, Evelyn.”

“But,” she continued, and his expression stilled.

Her voice hard, unyielding.

"I have terms."

Cassian blinked… once. Then a soft, humorless smile curled his lips.

“Terms?” he echoed, almost laughing. “You wish to bargain with me? Now?”

“Yes.” Evelyn met his gaze without flinching.

“You will not lay a hand on my family. Not my mother. Not my father in his coma. Not anyone from the Brighton estate. I will not take a single step toward marriage unless I have your word.”

Cassian’s eyes darkened, slowly, dangerously.

“And if I refuse?”

Evelyn swallowed—but she didn’t back down.

“Then I walk away. You can ruin me, but not them. If you want me, you protect them.”

Silence.

A long, suffocating silence.

Then Cassian reached out and touched a strand of her hair. Not tenderly—almost thoughtfully.

“You are very brave today,” he whispered. “Or very foolish.”

His hand trailed down, stopping just beside her cheek but never touching.

“Fine.” His voice dipped lower.

“I give you my word. The Brighton family is under the Crown’s protection.”

Relief almost buckled her knees—but she didn’t allow herself to exhale.

Cassian’s smile sharpened.

“Now,” he said softly, “your second term?”

Evelyn looked him directly in the eye.

“My heart will never belong to you.”

The smile vanished.

Completely.

Cassian’s expression… froze. As if she had stabbed him—not his body, but his pride. His certainty. His obsession.

His voice came out low, flat, controlled.

“You are quite confident for someone who just placed her family’s fate in my hands.”

“It’s the truth,” Evelyn whispered. “We may marry. But my feelings—my heart—you will never own.”

Cassian studied her, gaze unreadable, burning with something far too intense.

When he spoke again, it was barely above a whisper.

“We’ll see.”

Evelyn stiffened.

Cassian leaned closer—not touching, but invading her space with chilling precision.

“You will stand beside me,” he murmured. “You will wear the crown I give you. You will smile at my side in front of the empire.”

He tapped a finger against his chest.

“And in time… you will look only at me.”

Evelyn stepped back.

“No,” she whispered. “I never will.”

Cassian froze.

A crack appeared in the veneer of his perfect composure.

“Leave, Evelyn,” he said, voice too soft. “Before I change my mind about being merciful today.”

Evelyn bowed stiffly and turned.

As the doors shut behind her, Cassian remained still, hands clenched behind his back.