The room didn't feel the same anymore.
Even after Sebastian left her alone to "rest," even after the silence settled back into place—
Something had changed.
Irreversibly.
Aliena sat on the edge of the bed, unmoving, her thoughts spiraling in endless circles.
A binding.
The words wouldn't leave her.
"They cannot be undone…"
"If one dies, the other follows…"
Her fingers curled tightly into her dress.
"No…" she whispered. "There has to be more to it than that…"
Because there had to be.
There had to be.
No one would agree to something like that without reason.
Without explanation.
Without… truth.
And yet—
No one had told her.
Not her guardians.
Not the court.
Not even Sebastian.
Her jaw tightened slightly.
"Then I'll find out myself."
The decision settled into her chest with quiet certainty.
For the first time since waking up—
She wasn't reacting.
She was choosing.
The corridors were quieter now.
