The woman abruptly stopped her brisk walking. As she turned around, she saw her daughter, who looked exactly like her, staring up at her with a displeased expression.

“Please stop Austin!”

Behind her, a large man with blonde hair was struggling as he looked down at a girl with bright pink hair. The intense focus on the queen’s face instantly vanished, and her expression softened.

“What’s wrong, my dear?”

“Your Majesty, I just…”

Isla cut off Austin’s words, a skilled and seductive smile forming at the corner of her lips.

“Princess Serin, I have some good news for you.”

Serin, still sulking, glanced up at her mother, Isla, the queen of Shatonwell, with disinterest.

“If you’re going to say it’s another delightful break with mom, I’m really going to get mad.”

Isla shook her head slightly and slowly began to speak.

“I’m thinking of inviting the Duke and Duchess of Delcliff here.”

Serin’s green eyes suddenly widened. As a smile spread across her surprised face, Isla beamed at her.

“This time, it’s truly good news, right?”

A joyful scream echoed through the palace.

***

Kaiden returned to the study late into the night.

Though making such strenuous trips to disputed areas wasn’t a good habit, leaving the duchy unattended made him far too uneasy.

“Kaiden.”

At that moment, Heath entered the room. Since being afflicted by Lazar’s dark magic, Heath seemed subtly more gaunt.

“Where’s Rohana?”

“I’ve hidden her away.”

From his unnecessary joke, it seemed Heath was feeling a bit more spirited.

“She retired early. Seems like she shot arrows all day without taking a break, from morning until now, correct?”

Kaiden winced inwardly. He had postponed and delayed his departure to prevent her from using dangerous magic, but once the training began, he had completely forgotten about such concerns.

“As I always say, not everyone in the world is a monster like you.”

In an unusual display, Kaiden nodded obediently. Heath, unlike him, was more delicate and often helped Kaiden in different ways.

“And what about the other matters?”

Heath slowly began to speak.

“There are two pieces of news. One is bad, and the other is just… neutral.”

“Just tell me both quickly.”

Kaiden, having discarded his earlier compliance, returned to his usual curt tone.

“People are increasingly complaining about why the lord of Nopthal insists on maintaining the marriage with Lady Hanover.”

Heath handed over the report he had received from his subordinates. Kaiden’s brow furrowed.

“Large-scale riots have broken out in Leaf, Shar, Rosehill, Cosnal, Cherique, and Tysnon… and the guilds and trading companies in Nopthal are pushing for us to send a letter of support.”

Heath glanced at his master for a moment. Despite Kaiden’s weary and troubled expression, there was something in his face that hadn’t been there before.

Seated, Kaiden pressed his fingers against his eyes before turning his attention back to the documents. Yet, while he focused on the stability of the Kark tribe and Nopthal, something else occupied his mind, and that fact suddenly irritated Heath.

“Kaiden, let me ask you one thing.”

Kaiden nodded as if telling him to continue, not taking his eyes off the report.

“Why was it Hanover?”

For a moment, the hand turning the pages stopped.

“Don’t give me some diplomatic excuse about keeping Shatonwell in check.”

Kaiden’s hardened face turned toward Heath.

“You know better than anyone that Shatonwell would always step in as an ally for Nopthal’s independence or the Kark tribe’s war, and I know it too.”

Kaiden placed the report down, leaned deeply into his chair, and clasped his hands together.

“Now that Gregrory has been overthrown, is there really any reason to maintain the marriage?”

Their gazes locked for a moment.

“I’m not trying to speak ill of Lady Rohana.”

“I know.”

Kaiden pressed his lips together and looked out the window for a brief moment. His brow furrowed, and his jaw tightened.

“And the other news?”

“It’s an invitation from the Kingdom of Shatonwell.”

“I see.”

Kaiden’s voice was low as he spoke again.

“Don’t worry too much about the former issue.”

Heath studied his master carefully. The deep black eyes flickered with a complex light.

“I fully intend to start the war you’ve always wanted.”

Kaiden, who had been sitting deeply in his chair, suddenly straightened up. His sharp gaze was fiercer than ever before, and the silver hair framing his face only heightened his intensity.

“If necessary, I will reclaim the throne as well.”

Heath’s brow furrowed. Even though Kaiden was still seated, the weight of his presence was overwhelming.

It was the first time Heath had ever seen him like this. For Kaiden to candidly mention seizing the throne—this man who hadn’t even dared to set foot near the royal palace.

“The throne, huh.”

Kaiden nodded. His languid gaze even showed a hint of confidence.

The wounded boy who had once seemed to have given up on most things in this world now looked like a man confidently proclaiming that he would claim it all.

“And I have one request.”

“What is it?”

“If, by any chance, she sincerely decides to leave when that time comes…”

Heath raised an eyebrow. Kaiden’s brow furrowed as if he was hesitating, then he slowly parted his lips.

“Help her. Stop me.”

His sharp eyes, beneath his neatly styled silver hair, narrowed slightly.

“I’m not sure how I’ll handle things when it comes to her.”

A bitter smile crept onto his face, his voice low and chilling. Heath held his breath for a moment.

“If it’s like today, just talking won’t be enough. You’ll have to be ready to stop me, even if it means killing me.”

Heath, calmly observing him, finally spoke.

“I’ve never worried about Nopthal or Kark. If I had, we wouldn’t have gotten this far.”

Leaving R.D. and not heading to Shatonwell was Heath’s choice because he had chosen Kaiden. It was also Heath’s idea to credit Kaiden with Axton’s death.

They had agreed to wait for the right moment, and eventually, Kaiden had to drive a sword into Axton’s back.

Heath had no regrets, even knowing that he would witness such a moment.

But Kaiden’s different behavior toward Rohana Hanover made him oddly uneasy. Still, Kaiden had said he would eventually let Rohana Hanover go, so it would be fine.

Heath closed the door with a faint smile. What they needed now was a proper rein to control their racing hearts.

***

“You’re late again.”

Rohana spoke as she noticed Kaiden entering not the study, but the bedroom well past midnight. The moonlight was unusually bright that night.

“Yes.”

“You must be tired, traveling such a long distance like this. You don’t have to push yourself.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Kaiden replied, sitting next to her on one of the many sofas in the room, as if it was the most natural place to sit.

“There’s no danger at the duchy anymore. You don’t need to overexert yourself.”

“I’m not overexerting myself.”

His casual smile and narrowed eyes created an irresistible atmosphere. Rohana found herself taking a deep breath without realizing it.

“You must want to know about Caladrius, right?”

Rohana’s eyes widened at the unexpected question.

“Yes.”

“This time, an invitation came from Shatonwell.”

Rohana raised an eyebrow at Kaiden’s words, and for the first time in a while, the original storyline came to mind. This was where the two would gain power and become rebels against the empire.

“I see.”

“So, we’ll be leaving soon.”

“Well, safe trav—”

“Together.”

Kaiden said, brushing his sharp jaw.

“Let’s go together.”

“Then, I’m happy to go.”

“There will likely be things that pique your interest.”

Just as she was about to ask, “Like what?” a sudden wave of heat enveloped her.

His arms and chest, impossibly firm, pulled her into a tight embrace. His grip was so strong that her legs momentarily lifted off the ground.

Rohana instinctively closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, his dark eyes were gazing down at her through his tousled silver hair.

His careful, lingering touch and unwavering gaze were elegant and deliberate, as if memorizing her form. His hands traveled from her hair, past her ear, down her neck, over her collarbone, and lower still to her waist.

Rohana held her breath.

“What’s the connection between Caladrius and Shatonwell?”

She asked, running her hands along his arms. His lips paused. Neither of their heartbeats had yet to fully settle.

“We’ll find out when we get there.”

This time, her delicate fingers traced his chest and arms. His body, cold with sweat, throbbed with a strong pulse.

A large hand covered hers, intertwining their fingers.

One by one.

With both hands now entwined, Rohana lifted her chin and gazed up at him.

“Just for a little while.”

Kaiden quickly released one hand to pull her entirely onto his lap. Her heart raced faster than she thought possible.

His hands, supporting her waist and beneath her knees, were steady.

There was so much she wanted to say.

But as she sat high up in his arms, nearly brushing his waist, she leaned down to find him. His lips crashed into hers with softness yet strength.

An indescribable sense of relief and a fear of losing him twisted together as their lips intertwined.

Rohana silently agreed.

Just for a little while.

TL NOTE: Visit and bookmark the story at dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and updates of its latest release.