***

When Velenus returned after some time, his expression was noticeably brighter.

“Grace, I spoke to Cajetan.”

“What did he say?”

“He said it was probably just a misunderstanding, since you two don’t know each other well yet. He even asked me to arrange a time for the two of you to sit down and talk.”

“A misunderstanding?”

‘What could there possibly be to misunderstand?’

There had been almost no meaningful interaction between them, apart from the fact that she was his brother’s wife and he was her husband’s younger brother. That was hardly enough to cause such tension.

Besides, every time they had crossed paths, Grace had gone out of her way to avoid him. If anything, there wasn’t even a chance for misunderstandings.

And whenever she did try to interact, Cajetan’s sharp remarks and cutting tone made it impossible to have a proper conversation. Grace always chose to withdraw rather than engage further.

“It’s probably something trivial,” Velenus reassured her. “That’s what Cajetan said, too – that your perspectives might be a little different.”

“Ha.”

Grace let out a small sigh. She couldn’t make sense of any of it, but with Velenus working so hard to mend their relationship, it was hard to just shrug it off.

‘Fine. Let’s just get this over with.’

If Cajetan himself had said he wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, then perhaps the sharp edge of his words would finally be blunted. It was time to settle things once and for all – whether that meant clearing the air or cementing their strained relationship. Either way, it had to end.

She couldn’t keep running away forever, especially when it was unclear when Cajetan would marry and move out. Besides, their ties through the King and Queen meant they couldn’t avoid each other indefinitely. If they were destined to be at odds, it was better to draw a firm line in the sand now.

‘He might not understand, but…’

Grace sighed again at the thought and straightened her dress, which had become slightly dishevelled as she lay on the bed.

“Right. Shall I go meet him now?”

“Are you all right? Can you manage?”

“I’m fine.”

Grace replied. She wasn’t really unwell after all. She followed Velenus into the drawing room.

Cajetan, who had been sitting relaxed, raised his head to look at them as they entered.

“Brother, I’d like to speak to my sister-in-law alone.”

“Understood.”

Velenus replied, nodding before leaving the room without hesitation.

“Velenus!”

Grace called urgently, grabbing her husband’s arm. The thought of being left alone with Cajetan unsettled her deeply.

“What is it?”

Velenus asked with a gentle smile, tilting his head slightly as if unaware of her discomfort.

“Stay with me.”

“I would speak to her alone, brother.”

“Don’t worry, Grace. It’ll be all right.”

“But—”

“Or is there some reason why you can’t be alone with me, sister-in-law?”

Cajetan asked, his tone deceptively polite as his piercing gaze locked onto hers.

Grace turned her eyes towards him, studying his face. Unlike the sharp, cold stares he had given her before, this time his expression bore a faint smile – one that felt infuriatingly insincere.

“If you’re really uncomfortable, I’ll stay.”

Velenus offered, his hand gently covering hers in a gesture of comfort.

Grace hesitated, her mind racing. She realised that with Velenus around, Cajetan would never fully reveal his true thoughts. His polite demeanour was a facade; the moment Velenus left, Cajetan would finally confront whatever he had been hiding.

“No, it’s all right.”

Grace gently removed her husband’s hand from hers. Velenus, sensing her hesitation, hugged her lightly and planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

“You and Cajetan are both important members of my family, Grace. I really hope you can clear up this misunderstanding.”

“All right.”

“Of course, brother.”

Cajetan chimed in, his voice brimming with amusement. Velenus seemed to genuinely believe that this conversation would improve their relationship. His optimism was evident in the way he smiled before leaving the room.

“Take your time and talk calmly.”

As the door closed behind him, silence fell over the room, thick and heavy.

“Are you going to stand there, sister-in-law?”

Grace hesitated before slowly sitting down on the sofa. She had found his cold, piercing stare unsettling, but his smile – so different from Velenus’ warm and gentle one – was far more menacing. It was the languid grin of a predator sizing up its prey.

She remained silent, unsure how to begin. Cajetan’s gaze, however, was anything but uncertain. She could feel exactly where his eyes landed: on her forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose, her lips, her neck… and deeper. Her shoulders hunched instinctively.

“Sister-in-law.”

A faint note of displeasure in his voice.

” Have you been playing around with my brother while you were away?”

“What?”

The question was so sudden and jarring that Grace’s mind struggled to process it. She blinked slowly, trying to make sense of what Cajetan had just said.

Sensing her confusion, he repeated himself, pronouncing each word deliberately.

“I’m asking if you were playing around with my brother during that time.”

Her face flushed with embarrassment and anger. Without thinking, Grace raised her hand to slap him, but Cajetan grabbed her wrist before she could.

“Your clothes are wrinkled, sister-in-law.”

“Let me go!”

‘A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?’

It was clear now – the Cajetan hadn’t misunderstood anything. He simply loathed her. Enough to hurl such crude words without a second thought.

Grace tried to twist her wrist free, but his long fingers only tightened, holding her with unyielding force.

“How dare you…”

‘How low must he think of me, how insignificant, to humiliate me so openly like this?’

When she tried to push him away with her free hand, he quickly grabbed her other wrist and held it just as tightly.

“Let me go!”

Grace screamed. Her voice trembled with rage as she struggled against him.

“I’m afraid no one will hear you, no matter how loud you scream, sister-in-law.”

“Is anyone the-mmph!”

Grace’s cry was abruptly cut off as she was pulled into a crushing embrace, her body pressed against his with a force that made her back ache. His lips collided with hers.

Her mind went blank. She forgot how to breathe, her eyes wide as they stared into the intense blue of his, now impossibly close.

His soft lips moved against hers, pressing and brushing in a way that sent her thoughts flying. A thick, warm tongue flicked against her lips, tasting them.

‘What is happening?’

Her mind creaked like a broken cog as she struggled to make sense of the situation. Slowly, like a malfunctioning machine, her thoughts began to piece it together. She was kissing her husband’s younger brother.

She blinked, hoping she was just imagining it, but nothing changed. The situation was painfully real.

His chest was pressed so hard against hers that it hurt, and his grip around her waist was tight enough to make her back throb. She was overwhelmed, her breath choked by the intensity of the moment.