I gave a short laugh. “Can’t imagine why.” My eyes drifted back to the ruined wing. “Do you feel like exploring it?”
He looked over at me, something wary and fond in his expression. “You want to go into the ruins?”
“Do you think we could?”
I didn’t know why I wanted to see it. Maybe part of me thought I’d find something. Maybe I just didn’t want to feel like a ghost here anymore.
He hesitated. “Maybe. Though I wouldn’t let Queen Syrena find out. She gets a little... strange about that wing.”
I arched a brow. “That sounds promising.”
He almost grinned. “We’d have to ditch Max, though.” He cast a glance over his shoulder at his aide trailing a respectful distance behind us.
“I can help with that.” I looked him up and down. “But, maybe you should change first? Those clothes don’t exactly scream ruin-crawling.”
He looked down at his finely embroidered coat and sighed. “Point taken.”
“Do you own anything that isn’t designer, Your Grace?” I smiled.
“I might be able to scrounge an old uniform,” he said, scratching his nose, pretending to be modest.
I glanced toward Max, who was very clearly pretending not to eavesdrop.
“Meet me there in an hour?” I asked quietly.
Caelen nodded. “I’ll be there. But what about - ” he gestured behind us.
I glanced toward Max, then leaned in slightly. “Want me to handle that?”
Caelen raised a brow. “I’d be impressed if you could.”
I turned and called sweetly, “Max?”
The aide stepped closer, bowing slightly. “My lady?”
I smiled, sugar-sweet. “Would you mind taking something to the council wing for me? A small gift for Prince Caelen—silver ribbon, on the queen’s desk.”
He blinked. “Uh… yes. Of course.”
“Thank you so much, Max. I really appreciate it.”
He hesitated for just a beat—then bowed again and turned, hurrying off without another word.
I turned back to Caelen.
“You’re welcome,” I said dryly, brushing a flower petal off my sleeve.
He laughed out loud. “Too easy.” He brushed my shoulder and slipped away.
**
I waited in the dark of the ruins.
The door had been boarded long ago, but I’d found a way in—
through a warped side window, barely wide enough to squeeze through.
Dust hung thick in the air, catching faint streaks of light like cobwebs spun from gold.
