Chapter 90
Morning came quietly.
Too quietly.
As if the palace itself knew something was about to change.
Alvira stood in front of her mirror, her hands resting lightly against the table, her reflection staring back at her with a calm she did not fully feel.
But beneath it—
There was certainty.
She had not slept much.
Not because she was confused.
But because she was not.
And that made everything real.
Alvira said softly, "I have to tell him."
Not later.
Not eventually.
Now.
—
Ray was exactly where she expected him to be.
Training grounds.
The sound of metal clashing echoed lightly through the air, but he was not sparring. He stood off to the side, a sword in his hand, his focus distant rather than sharp.
Like he was thinking more than training.
He noticed her immediately.
Of course he did.
Ray said, "You came early."
Alvira walked toward him, her steps steady.
Alvira said, "I needed to talk to you."
Ray studied her face carefully.
Something in his expression shifted.
Ray said, "I was hoping you would."
She stopped in front of him.
Close.
But not too close.
This time—
There was distance.
Not physical.
But emotional.
And he felt it instantly.
Ray lowered the sword slowly.
Ray said, "This is serious."
Alvira nodded.
Alvira said, "It is."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Ray said, "Is it about him."
She did not pretend.
Alvira said, "Yes."
That was enough to tell him everything he needed to know—
Or at least enough to prepare for it.
Ray let out a quiet breath, nodding slightly.
Ray said, "Alright."
He braced himself.
Alvira held his gaze, her voice gentle but firm.
Alvira said, "What you told me… about how you feel…"
Ray did not interrupt.
He just listened.
Alvira continued.
Alvira said, "It matters to me."
A flicker of something crossed his face.
Hope.
Small.
Careful.
Ray said, "Then—"
Alvira shook her head softly.
Not harsh.
Not dismissive.
Just honest.
Alvira said, "But not in the way you want it to."
And just like that—
There it was.
The line.
Clear.
Unavoidable.
Ray's expression stilled.
Not breaking.
Not yet.
Ray said quietly, "Because of him."
Alvira answered without hesitation.
Alvira said, "Because of what he is to me."
Ray's jaw tightened slightly.
Ray said, "And what is he to you."
This time—
She did not hesitate at all.
Alvira said, "My mate."
The word landed heavily.
More than anything else she could have said.
Ray looked at her—
Really looked this time.
As if searching for doubt.
For hesitation.
For anything that suggested this could change.
But there was none.
Only truth.
Ray let out a quiet, almost humorless breath.
Ray said, "So it is real."
Alvira said, "Yes."
Ray looked away briefly, running a hand through his hair, his grip tightening slightly.
Ray said, "And you are… happy about it."
It was not really a question.
But she answered anyway.
Alvira said, softly but surely, "I am."
That hurt him.
More than rejection.
More than distance.
Because it meant—
She had not chosen this reluctantly.
She had chosen it completely.
Ray nodded slowly.
Ray said, "Of course you are."
A small silence followed.
He stepped back slightly this time.
Creating space.
Protecting himself.
Ray said, "And there is nothing I can say to change that."
Alvira's voice softened.
Alvira said, "No."
Another quiet moment passed.
Then—
Ray let out a breath and gave a small nod.
Ray said, "Alright."
Simple.
But not easy.
Alvira took a small step forward.
Alvira said, "Ray—"
He shook his head gently.
Ray said, "Do not."
She paused.
Ray's voice remained calm, but there was something fragile beneath it now.
Ray said, "Do not try to soften it. You have already been honest. That is enough."
Alvira's hands tightened slightly at her sides.
Alvira said, "You are important to me."
Ray let out a faint, tired smile.
Ray said, "I know."
Alvira said, "I do not want to lose our friendship."
That made him look at her again.
And for a second—
That was harder than everything else.
Ray said, quietly, "That depends on me, not you."
Alvira did not speak.
Ray continued.
Ray said, "I will not lie and say this does not change things."
Alvira nodded slowly.
Alvira said, "I understand."
Ray looked at her for one last moment.
Longer this time.
Like he was committing it to memory.
Ray said, "He is lucky."
Alvira blinked slightly.
Ray added, more quietly, "And you are too."
A small pause.
Then—
Ray stepped back fully.
Ray said, "I think I need some time."
Alvira did not try to stop him.
Alvira said softly, "Take all the time you need."
Ray nodded once.
Then he turned.
And walked away.
Not rushed.
Not angry.
But carrying something heavier than before.
—
Alvira stood there for a moment longer.
Her chest felt tight.
Not from doubt.
But from the weight of hurting someone she cared about.
Alvira whispered, "I am sorry."
Even though he could no longer hear it.
—
"You did the right thing."
She turned.
Zack stood a short distance away.
He had been there long enough to understand.
Not long enough to interrupt.
Alvira looked at him, her expression softer now.
Alvira said, "It still hurts."
Zack stepped closer, his voice gentle.
Zack said, "It will. For both of you."
Alvira nodded slightly.
Alvira said, "He did not deserve that."
Zack said, "Neither did you deserve to lie."
That made her pause.
Then—
She exhaled.
Alvira said, "I suppose that is true."
Zack's gaze softened further.
Zack said, "You handled it well."
Alvira gave a small, tired smile.
Alvira said, "I tried."
A quiet silence followed.
Then—
Zack reached for her hand again.
This time—
There was no hesitation at all.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
Steady.
Certain.
Alvira looked at their hands, then back at him.
Alvira said, "Everything feels different now."
Zack said, "Because everything is clear now."
Alvira nodded.
Alvira said, "And you are not going anywhere."
Zack's voice lowered slightly.
Zack said, "Never."
And this time—
She believed it without question.
—
Somewhere in the distance—
Ray did not look back.
But he felt it.
The moment things truly changed.
And even though he walked away—
He knew one thing for certain.
This was not over.
Not for him.