Chapter 29
The palace transformed overnight.
—
Silk draped the halls.
Gold shimmered from every corner.
Servants moved endlessly, polishing, arranging, perfecting.
—
The wedding of the Seventh Prince had become more than a union.
It was a spectacle.
A declaration.
A correction.
—
Reputation would be restored.
Order reestablished.
Scandal erased.
—
And Selene stood at the center of it all.
—
She faced the mirror in silence, her reflection flawless beneath layers of elegance. Every detail of her appearance was intentional—refined, controlled, untouchable.
Her lips curved slightly.
Not with happiness.
But satisfaction.
—
"They were handled," a quiet voice said behind her.
She didn't turn.
"I expected nothing less."
—
Her fingers brushed lightly over the fabric of her gown.
"And Kael?"
"He suspects."
—
That made her pause.
Only briefly.
—
"Suspicion is not proof," she said calmly.
—
Elsewhere—
Kael stood as attendants adjusted the final details of his ceremonial attire.
Layer upon layer of formality.
Weight.
Expectation.
Control.
—
"Your Highness," one attendant said softly, "today will mark a new era."
—
Kael said nothing.
—
Because this had nothing to do with a new era.
—
It was containment.
—
Raphael entered once the attendants left.
"They're gone," he said quietly.
Kael's gaze shifted.
"Expected."
—
"But we're close," Raphael added.
"Not close enough," Kael replied.
—
A pause.
—
"She's fading," Raphael said.
—
This time—
Kael didn't respond immediately.
—
"She won't wait forever," Raphael added.
—
Silence.
—
Because for the first time—
That possibility felt real.
—
Meanwhile—
She stood at the edge of the palace grounds.
Dressed simply.
Unnoticed.
—
The sound of celebration echoed faintly in the distance.
—
"So this is how it ends…" she whispered.
—
No anger.
No tears.
—
Just quiet acceptance.
—
And that—
Was far more dangerous.
—
Because she was no longer fighting.
—
She was letting go.
—
And Kael didn't even realize—
He was about to lose her.
—
Completely.