Yvaine brought tea, and the women settled together to converse.

Nareen chattered without pause, asking this and that with bright, restless curiosity. Yvaine humored her, answering with patience and warmth. Caelith responded only now and then, her gaze drifting—again and again—toward Lady Lian.

Something was amiss.

Moments earlier, Lady Lian had wandered about the room as if idly observing, yet upon catching sight of the old wooden box upon the table, she had come to an abrupt halt, as though rooted to the spot. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The box was worn with age. Its corners had long since softened, the lacquer chipped in places, revealing the grain beneath. It was the only thing Caelith’s mother had left her. She seldom used it, keeping it instead upon the table as a token of remembrance.

Lady Lian stood before it, her hand trembling faintly—reaching, yet not daring to touch.

"This... where did this come from?"

Caelith blinked, taken aback. "It was my mother’s. She left it to me."

Lady Lian turned, her eyes fixing upon her. That look—so layered, so laden—sent an unaccountable chill through Caelith’s heart.

"Your mother... what was her name?"

"Ayana Emberlyn, though her family name was Trian."

At once, Lady Lian’s face drained of what little color remained.

Nareen, bewildered, glanced between them. "Mother, what is it?"

The woman shook her head, forcing a brittle smile upon her lips. "It is nothing... nothing at all. Only—this box seemed strangely familiar."

But that smile rang hollow—so hollow that even Nareen sensed the falsehood. "Mother, are you unwell?"

Lady Lian gave a slight nod. "A little fatigued, perhaps. Let us return."

Nareen clearly wished to linger, yet her mother had already taken her by the hand, urging her toward the door.

At the threshold, she paused, then turned back and looked once more at Caelith. It was a long look—so long that it stirred unease deep within her chest.

Then she turned away and departed at last.

The door closed.

Silence fell.

Yvaine leaned closer, her voice lowered to a whisper. "Sister... what was that? Lady Lian looked as though she had seen a ghost."

Caelith shrugged, no less bewildered. "I do not know."

And yet, within her, an indistinct unease had already begun to gather—like distant thunder beneath a clear sky.

***

Rhaegar stood within the great hall of his family manor. Before him sat three elders—his grandmother, his father, and his mother.

He had just declared his intention to officially take Caelith as his wife.

For a moment, the room fell utterly still. The old madam regarded him silently, her gaze gentle yet weighed with care.

"Rhaegar, I have met that girl. She is a good child. But..."

She sighed softly before continuing, "She is, after all, of the Emberlyn family. Though the case against them was later overturned, there was once a stain upon their name. Our Thorne family has upheld loyalty and honor for three generations. If you bring her into this house, what will the world say?"

Rhaegar’s expression darkened, his hands curled into tight fists. "Grandmother, her father’s case has already been redressed. The Emperor himself issued the pardon."

"Redressed, yes—but what of reputation?" The old madam shook her head. "Child, it is not that I lack compassion. I, too, am fond of that girl. But the honor of the Thorne family must not be tarnished in our generation."

Xarion nodded in agreement. "Your grandmother speaks wisely. This matter must be considered with the utmost care."

Rhaegar fixed his gaze upon his father. "Father, do you, too, oppose this?"

Lord Thorne fell silent for a brief moment before replying, his tone measured and restrained, "I did not say I oppose it. But such matters must be approached with patience. Why such urgency?"

A sharper edge entered Rhaegar’s voice. "She was nearly burned alive. Nearly cut down where she stood. Alone in the capital, she has nothing—no one but me to rely upon. How can I not be urgent? This marriage will protect her!"

His father’s expression darkened in turn. "You cannot, out of pity for her, disregard the reputation borne by hundreds within the Thorne household!"

Rhaegar’s fists clenched tightly at his sides once more. "Father—"

"Enough." The old madam raised a hand, her tone firm. "There will be no quarreling within these walls."

Yet in the very next breath, her hand pressed suddenly against her chest, her face draining pale.

"Grandmother!" Rhaegar rushed forward, catching her as she faltered.

She waved him off, breathing unevenly. "It is nothing... an old ailment... I am merely a little fatigued..."

Xarion hastily ordered for a physician to be summoned right away.

The manor dissolved into disarray; servants rushed in panic, offering their help.

Rhaegar remained where he stood, watching as his grandmother was supported into the inner chambers, a weight settling heavily within his chest, as though a cold stone had suddenly been laid there.

By the time he left Thorne Manor, night had already fallen.

He stood at the gates, his eyes lingering upon the great plaque inscribed with their family name. For a long while, he did not move.

Lance waited nearby, not daring to speak.

At last, Rhaegar said quietly, "Return to the imperial prison."

Lance blinked, startled. "My lord... shall we not go back to the Firefly Lane?"

Rhaegar gave no answer. He mounted his horse in one fluid motion and rode off into the night.

***

That very afternoon, Lucas Ostenton came in person to see Caelith and her cousin. He stood at the threshold, two parcels of pastries in hand, his expression gentle as ever.

"Lady Emberlyn, my father has returned and sent you these gifts."

Caelith paused in her tracks, slightly taken aback. "Your father is back?"

Lucas nodded and smiled. "He has learned that the one who saved his life years ago has been found. He is overjoyed—so much so that he insists I arrange a meal, that he might thank you in person."

Rhaegar’s words from that day still lingered in Caelith’s mind: stay away from him. Yet a noble’s wish to express gratitude could hardly be refused with cold formality.

"Very well," she said after mulling it over. "When shall it be?"

"This very evening! At a modest residence behind Ostenton Embroidery."

Caelith nodded and offered him a stiff smile. "Alright. I shall be there. Thank you for the invitation."

Lucas decided not to linger and swiftly took his leave.

Yvaine leaned in close, lowering her voice. "Sister... are you truly going?"

"Yes."

"But what of Lord Thorne—?"

"It is merely a meal," Caelith replied evenly. "The old gentleman means well."

Yvaine pursed her lips, then gave a small nod. "Alright. That is true enough."