Elara stepped into her father’s chamber, bracing herself for the inevitable storm. Lord Cedric, despite being propped up by a mountain of pillows and looking like he had just fought off death itself, still had the presence of a man who once ruled battlefields and council chambers alike. His silver-streaked hair was damp with sweat, his sharp eyes slightly dull from illness—but the moment he saw her, they sharpened with suspicion.

“Elara,” he drawled, his voice hoarse but steady. “Why do you look like you’ve done something ridiculous?”

She hesitated. “…Because I have.”

He groaned, rubbing his temple. “Why do I even ask?”

Taking a deep breath, she said, “Lucian found out.”

Cedric stilled. “Found out?”

She sighed. “That I was disguised as Kaelen. He… wasn’t pleased.”

Silence.

Then, very slowly, Cedric’s fingers twitched toward the dagger on his bedside table.

Elara quickly held up a hand. “I’m fine! I’m not hurt!”

His hand hovered over the weapon, his expression darkening. “Then what did he do?”

“…He pressured me into an engagement.”

Silence.

Cedric blinked. Then he coughed. Then he blinked again.

“I must be sicker than I thought,” he muttered.

She sighed. “No, Father. You heard me right. I’m engaged. To Prince Lucian.”

Cedric stared at her like she’d announced she was running off to join a band of pirates. Then he let out a raspy chuckle. “So let me get this straight. You—who have turned down every nobleman I all but threw at you—are now engaged to him? The prince?”

Elara grimaced. “It’s… complicated.”

Cedric scoffed. “Complicated is when you accidentally insult a duchess’s ugly dog and have to pretend it’s adorable for a month. This is something else entirely.” He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

She hesitated, but he didn’t let it go.

“Elara,” he said slowly, studying her. “Lucian isn’t the type of man to fall for a pretty face. If that were the case, he’d have been married long ago.” His gaze darkened. “So, what is it? A political move? Leverage? A punishment?”

She bit her lip, unable to answer.

Cedric exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Whatever his reason is, listen to me carefully.” His voice dropped, steel beneath the sickness. “If he ever—ever—harms you, I don’t care if he’s the prince, I will cut him into tiny, insignificant pieces.”

She sighed, rubbing her temples. “Father—”

“No, no, let me have this moment.” He leaned back dramatically. “My daughter, my precious girl, engaged to the most calculating man in the kingdom. How did we get here?” He pressed a weak hand to his forehead. “First you sneak off disguised as Kaelen, now this? Do you have a death wish?”

She huffed. “You couldn’t meet the prince because you were too busy fighting off bad stew.”

Cedric gasped. “That stew was poisoned.”

“It was just spoiled.”

“Same thing.” He sighed, his voice softening. “Elara. If you don’t want this, I’ll fight for you.” His gaze turned serious. “I don’t care if he’s the prince. I won’t let anyone force you.”

Elara’s heart clenched at his words. She knew, without a doubt, that if she so much as asked, Cedric would go to war against the prince himself. And that was exactly why she couldn’t let him. Lucian wasn’t a man to make an enemy of—not even for someone as powerful as her father.

She forced a grin, leaning in slightly. “Come now, Father. You should be happy.”

Cedric scoffed. “Happy? That my daughter has been cornered into an engagement with a man whose mere name sends nobles into a panic?”

She shrugged, adopting a casual tone. “Well, I did turn down every nobleman you threw at me.”

He narrowed his eyes. “And?”

“And… you should’ve known why.” She smirked. “I simply don’t like dumb men.”

Cedric blinked. Then let out a loud, incredulous laugh that dissolved into a coughing fit.

“And if you think about it, isn’t it a relief? At least I finally found someone as smart as you.”

He wheezed, wiping his eyes. “Elara, you little menace.” He sighed, shaking his head. “So, you’re telling me that after rejecting dozens of suitable suitors, you’ve finally found a match—because he’s as smart as me?”

She grinned. “Exactly.”

He muttered something under his breath before giving her a long look. Then, with a heavy sigh, he slumped back into his pillows. “Well, at least you didn’t settle for an idiot.” He pointed a finger at her. “But let me be clear—if this prince so much as makes you frown, I’m coming for him.”

Cedric grumbled again, but the worry in his gaze lingered. Elara squeezed his hand, her smile softening.

She wouldn’t let him become Lucian’s enemy. But if playing along eased his mind, then so be it.

Elara hesitated for a brief moment before deciding to drop the next bombshell. "There's… one more thing."

Cedric, who had just taken a slow sip of his medicine, paused mid-motion. His sharp eyes narrowed. "What now?"

Elara cleared her throat. "Lucian wants me to go with him to the castle."

Silence.

Cedric blinked. Once. Twice. Then he let out a dry chuckle. "Oh, does he now? And when, exactly, does this overbearing prince expect to drag my daughter away?"

Elara winced. "Tomorrow."

The cup in Cedric’s hand rattled dangerously before he slammed it onto the table, nearly knocking over the bowl of medicine beside it. He clutched his chest like he had just taken an arrow to the heart. "Tomorrow?!"

Elara nodded cautiously.

Cedric inhaled sharply. "Someone call the healer. I might not make it through this conversation."

Elara bit back a laugh. "Father, don’t be dramatic."

"Dramatic?" He sputtered. "First, you’re engaged to the second most powerful man in the kingdom, and now you’re telling me you’re leaving—tomorrow? That’s not normal, Elara! An engagement doesn’t mean immediate relocation!" He gestured wildly. "Has he completely lost his mind? What exactly is he thinking?"

Elara sighed. "Probably something strategic. You know how he is. He doesn’t do anything without a reason."

Cedric gritted his teeth. "Yes, that’s what worries me. If this is politics, then fine, I’ll play the game. But if he dares to—"

"Cut him into pieces, yes, yes, I know." Elara patted his hand reassuringly. "But I’ll be fine."

Cedric muttered darkly, rubbing his temples. "I swear, that damn prince—does he think he can just take my daughter without even giving me time to prepare? What am I supposed to do, just wave you off with a smile and a handkerchief?"

Elara smirked. "You could always cry and beg me to stay. I wouldn't mind."

Cedric shot her a glare before sighing heavily. "Damn it, Elara… I’m not ready for this." His voice softened, betraying the deep affection beneath his frustration. "You’re my daughter. How am I supposed to just let you go?"

Elara’s teasing expression melted into something warmer. "I know, Father." She squeezed his hand. "But you raised me to be strong, to handle things on my own. And no matter where I am, I’ll always be your daughter."

Cedric exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "I’ll be watching that prince like a hawk. If he so much as breathes wrong in your direction—"

"You’ll cut him into pieces," Elara finished with a grin.

"Damn right I will," Cedric grumbled.