Serpent Emperor's Bride-Chapter 89: Where Trust Is Rare as Gold

[House Karzath — The Next Day]

Morning light filtered through the tall carved windows of House Karzath, slipping across the polished floor like thin strands of molten gold. The chamber was quiet, scented faintly with incense and cedarwood.

Lady Arinaya stood before the bronze mirror, her posture straight and composed, though her thoughts were anything but calm. Behind her, a maid moved slowly, brushing through the long strands of her hair with careful strokes.

Arinaya watched her reflection, though her gaze seemed to look past it.

’Something is wrong.’ The thought had lingered in her mind since dawn. ’How is it possible...that I do not remember going to the palace nine nights ago?’

She rarely forgot anything. Memory was discipline, and discipline was survival, and yet there was nothing. Only an empty stretch of time where recollection should have been.

Even stranger—she remembered sleeping.

Sleeping for nearly an entire day. Arinaya almost scoffed at the thought.

’I have never slept that long in my entire life.’

Her eyes narrowed faintly, then she spoke. "Where is Captain Raevahn?"

The maid immediately bowed her head.

"The High Ensi sent him to oversee patrols near the bridge, my lady," she replied respectfully. "But today he has returned and is currently at the training grounds."

Arinaya nodded slowly. "Send word to him. Tell him I have summoned him."

The maid bowed deeply. "At once, my lady."

She left the chamber swiftly. Arinaya remained before the mirror, her fingers resting lightly against the carved frame.

Her thoughts turned darker. ’Something happened that night.’

And she intended to uncover it.

***

[Moments Later — Same Chamber]

The chamber doors opened. Captain Raevahn stepped inside and bowed deeply. "You summoned me, my lady?"

Arinaya turned toward him. "Yes."

Her gaze shifted briefly to the maid standing near the wall. "Leave us."

The maid bowed and slipped from the chamber, closing the doors behind her with a quiet click. Silence settled between them. Arinaya walked slowly toward the window before speaking again.

"Captain," she said thoughtfully, "answer me honestly."

Raevahn straightened. "Always, my lady."

Arinaya turned back toward him. "When I last visited the palace... nine nights ago ..."

Her eyes sharpened. "Did I behave strangely?"

Raevahn frowned slightly as he searched his memory.

"Yes," he admitted after a moment.

Arinaya’s brows drew together. "In what way?"

"When I greeted you outside the palace gates," Raevahn said slowly, "you looked directly at me... and then avoided me entirely."

Arinaya blinked.

"Avoided you?"

"Yes."

"You said nothing to me."

Raevahn tilted his head slightly. "You simply walked past and entered the House."

Arinaya’s expression tightened. "That cannot be correct."

Her voice held genuine disbelief. "I have never ignored anyone when greeting the house guard...especially you."

The moment the words left her lips—she froze.

Raevahn blinked; a faint blush appeared on his face. Arinaya cleared her throat quickly, turning away.

"I mean," she corrected calmly, "you are one of my most loyal captains."

Raevahn coughed lightly. "Yes... my lady."

Silence lingered awkwardly for a moment before he spoke again as he continued carefully, "However, that was not the strangest part."

Arinaya turned back to him. "There is more?"

"Yes."

Raevahn frowned slightly. "I expected you to inform me personally about Malika’s request."

Arinaya stilled.

"My lady... the letter sent to the High Ensi clearly states that the Malika has requested me as his personal knight."

Arinaya’s eyes widened. "The Malika... summoned you?"

Raevahn nodded, "Yes."

The chamber fell silent. Raevahn studied her expression carefully. "My lady...You appear surprised."

Arinaya’s thoughts raced rapidly: ’The Malika summoned him, and yet I remember nothing of this.’

Raevahn continued slowly.

"The High Ensi wasn’t pleased." He tilted his head slightly. "But everything appears to be unfolding exactly as we planned."

Arinaya did not respond; her mind was moving too quickly. ’Everything is unfolding as planned... Then why do I remember none of it?’

Her eyes darkened.

"Captain," she said quietly. "Tell me something."

"Yes, my lady."

"That night... after returning from the palace...I slept for an entire day."

Raevahn frowned, "That is... unusual. Extremely."

Arinaya’s voice lowered. "But I remember sleeping all day, but Malika sent the letter, which means I spoke with Malika about making you his personal knight, so why don’t I remember? As if someone else must have gone to the palace."

Raevahn’s eyes widened as understanding struck him instantly. They spoke at the same moment.

"A mirroring spell."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Raevahn immediately shook his head. "That is impossible; the mirroring spell is forbidden within Zahryssar. No serpent mage is permitted to use it."

Arinaya turned toward him slowly.

"Yes." Her gaze sharpened. "Which means...if someone used it...they broke the most ancient magical law of this empire."

Raevahn’s jaw tightened. "I will investigate immediately."

"You must." Arinaya’s voice held quiet urgency now. "If someone can impersonate me within the palace...then they could approach the Malik or Malika without suspicion."

Raevahn’s expression turned grim: "...and assassinate them."

Arinaya nodded, "Exactly."

He bowed deeply. "I will uncover the truth."

When he left the chamber, Arinaya remained standing beside the window. Her thoughts turned toward one name.

’Rakhane, did my brother use the mirroring spell...’ Her eyes darkened further. ’...or is someone else playing a far more dangerous game?’

The wind stirred the curtains, and somewhere far beyond House Karzath, the empire of Zahryssar moved one step closer to betrayal.

***

[Silthara Palace — Private Courtyard — Afternoon]

The afternoon sun rested gently over the inner courtyard of Silthara Palace.

Warm wind drifted through the carved stone arches, stirring the pale blossoms that climbed the ancient pillars. Somewhere beyond the palace walls, fountains whispered quietly, their distant rhythm mingling with the faint rustle of leaves.

Levin rested upon the cushioned daybed beneath the shade of a silk canopy. His posture remained graceful, but a quiet groan escaped him nonetheless.

"...My body is still sore," he whispered to himself.

Seven nights of the Serpent Emperor’s rut had left their mark far deeper than the bruises fading across his skin. Nearby, Iru knelt beside a small bronze table, pouring steaming liquid from a narrow-necked vessel into a shallow cup.

The scent of herbs rose faintly into the warm air.

"Malika," Iru said gently, offering the cup, "this mixture will ease the soreness of your body."

Levin accepted the cup with both hands. The steam curled upward like pale threads of incense. He took a cautious sip and the moment the liquid touched his tongue—his brows drew together.

"...It is bitter."

Iru’s lips curved faintly, "The bitter medicines are often the most effective, Malika."

Levin exhaled slowly. At his side, Asha lifted her small head curiously. The creature sniffed the air, clearly intrigued by whatever her master was drinking.

Her nose twitched, carefully, she leaned closer to the cup.

Sniff.

Sniff.

Then—"Bleh!"

Asha jerked her head back dramatically, sticking out her tongue in clear disgust. Lyresaph, sitting beside her, blinked in utter confusion and tilted his head sideways.

Levin could not help it, a quiet chuckle escaped him. For a brief moment, the courtyard felt peaceful, and then footsteps approached.

An attendant bowed deeply near the archway, "Malika."

Levin lifted his gaze calmly, "What is it?"

"The captain of House Karzath has arrived," she said respectfully. "He requests an audience."

Levin set the cup aside, "Allow him to enter."

The attendant bowed again.

"And summon Lady Arinaya as well."

"Yes, Malika."

She withdrew at once. Iru stepped forward quietly and lifted the ceremonial veil used whenever outsiders stood before the consort of the empire. He draped the fine cloth carefully over Levin’s head, ensuring the thin silver threads fell gracefully across his face.

Even veiled—Levin’s presence remained unmistakably regal. Moments later, Captain Raevahn entered the courtyard.

The armored captain moved with disciplined precision. The moment he reached the stone platform where Levin rested, he dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.

"I greet the Mother of Zahryssar." His voice carried both respect and sincerity.

Levin studied him quietly for a moment before speaking, "You may raise your head, Captain."

Raevahn obeyed at once, "Thank you, Malika."

His gaze remained lowered, respectful but attentive.

"You sent for me."

Levin leaned back slightly against the cushions, "Yes."

His voice carried calm authority. "You were summoned because your reputation precedes you."

Raevahn remained silent, waiting.

"They say," Levin continued slowly, "that Captain Raevahn of House Karzath has never failed a battlefield command. They say your loyalty has never wavered, and they say your blade moves faster than most men can think."

Raevahn bowed his head slightly, "I merely serve the empire."

Levin regarded him thoughtfully, "That may be so, but understand something clearly. When you stand within the walls of Silthara Palace...you are not a captain."

Raevahn blinked faintly.

Levin’s voice remained calm, "You will not command soldiers here, you may not lead battalions. You will not hold the authority you possess within House Karzath."

The wind stirred gently through the courtyard.

"You will stand as a guard."

Raevahn did not hesitate even for a moment.

He bowed deeply once more.

"To serve the Mother of the Empire is already the greatest honor I could receive." His voice held no resentment, "If you command it, Malika, I will gladly stand as your door guard, because serving you is the biggest honor any warrior gets."

Levin studied him carefully, there was sincerity in the captain’s posture, not pride, not ambition, only discipline.

Levin exhaled quietly.

"We shall see," His fingers rested lightly on the arm of the daybed. "If your capability matches the stories told about you...then the empire will reward you accordingly."

The words were neither promise nor threat, only truth, and beneath the veil, Levin’s blue eyes watched the captain closely.

Measuring.

Judging.

Because within Silthara Palace—Trust was rarer than gold, and far more dangerous to give.