The kiss.
It won't leave me.
No matter how hard I try to pretend it didn't happen, I feel it. The taste of his lips, the heat of his breath, the way his hands gripped me like he was afraid to let go. And I let him. Worse, I kissed him back.
Why did he kiss me?
What does he mean by 'I will get better'?'
Better in what way? With me? With Liliana?
The thoughts won't stop. They distract me in class, making words on my notes blur. I exhale sharply, rubbing my temples. A few heads turn my way, and I realize I must have sighed louder than I thought. Embarrassing. I straighten, forcing my attention back on my professor.
I can't afford distractions.
Not from Cassian.
Not from a kiss that meant nothing.
Or did it?
I push the thoughts aside as I return home.
Dinner is brought to my room by Esther, but I notice immediately, something is wrong. Her usual bright energy is missing. There's a tension in the way she moves, like she's holding something in.
"Esther?" I ask, watching her. "Are you okay?"
She doesn't meet my eyes. "I'm fine, Princess."
Liar.
But I don't push. If she wants to talk, she will.
I take a bath, eat, and try to settle in for the night. But when Esther returns to collect the dishes, her face is still dark with something unspoken.
She hesitates. Then, as if deciding against her better judgment, she says, "I have to tell you what they are saying about you."
I sigh, already dreading whatever is coming. "Who is 'they'?"
She fidgets. "The palace staff. Mostly the maids and guards. But I believe Liliana started it."
At the mention of her, my patience wears thin.
"What is she saying?"
Esther takes a deep breath before blurting out, "That you're unfaithful to your husband. That you disappear whenever you like and come back at odd hours. That no one knows who you see or where you go."
I freeze.
Unfaithful?
To Cassian?
I let out a short, bitter laugh.
Esther doesn't laugh. "Celeste, I know it's ridiculous, but this isn't just gossip. It's a setup. Liliana wants to ruin you."
My grip tightens on the fork in my hand. "She's playing dirty."
"She's losing Cassian's attention, and after what happened at the Queen's birthday, people noticed you two were…"
I cut her off. "Close?"
She nods.
I exhale sharply, standing up. Liliana is desperate. She knows she's losing her hold over Cassian, and instead of trying to fix her pathetic relationship, she'd rather drag me through the mud.
Classic.
I walk to my vanity, staring at my reflection. The irony is almost laughable. Cassian doesn't even act like a husband, and yet I'm the one they call disloyal?
Fine. Let them talk.
Let them whisper.
Let them wonder.
I turn back to Esther and wave her off. "I don't care what they say."
She hesitates, as if wanting to argue, but instead, she nods and leaves.
But something lingers in the air. A warning.
This isn't just palace gossip.
It's a move. A strategic one.
Liliana is playing chess.
And I need to decide if I'll play along… or checkmate her once and for all.
Four days.
Four days since that kiss in my library.
And Cassian vanished. No texts, no calls, nothing. Just when I start to think he's back to his usual ways; cold, distant, unbothered, he suddenly shows up.
I'm in my chamber, buttoning my blouse, preparing for class when the door swings open.
Cassian stands in the doorway, watching me. His expression is unreadable, but there's something… off.
"Do you have classes every day?" His voice is flat, almost accusing.
No good morning. No how are you? Just this.
I meet his gaze, confused by his tone. "No."
He hesitates, then asks, "How do you combine classes with work?"
What? Where is this coming from?
I sigh, already impatient. "I don't work anymore for now. I took a permit to study."
His expression shifts. "Oh, you've stopped working?" His voice sharpens. "Since when? How come I don't know?"
I fold my arms. Now he wants to know?
"I stopped the day I registered for my classes. I figured it would be hectic combining both."
Cassian doesn't respond immediately. He just stands there. Staring. Thinking.
The silence stretches, heavy and unspoken.
I check the time. I'm running late.
"I need to go, Cassian," I say, grabbing my bag. "I'm running late."
He doesn't move.
Then, just as I step toward him, he blocks my way. "We're not done talking." His voice is low, firm. "See me when you get home."
I don't answer.
I don't nod.
I just push past him, straight to my car.
The moment the door shuts behind me, I finally let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.
What the hell was that?
***
The palace feels different tonight.
The air is thick, heavy with something unspoken.
I park my car, step out, and start towards my chamber. My heels click against the stone floor, but it's not the only sound I hear.
Liliana.
Her voice drifts from a nearby corridor, sharp and laced with mockery.
"…She thinks she's untouchable now. Running around like she owns the place. No respect, no dignity. Just because she's married to the prince doesn't mean she belongs here."
A chorus of low chuckles follows.
I know she's talking about me.
She's not bold enough to say it to my face, but I hear her.
I feel the weight of her words pressing against my back like a knife waiting to be plunged in.
But I don't stop.
I don't flinch.
I keep walking.
Let them talk. Let them choke on their own words.
When I reach my chamber, Esther is already waiting, eyes filled with concern. I can tell she wants to say something, to spill the latest whispers poisoning the palace halls.
I stop her before she starts. "Don't. I don't want to know."
She hesitates, but I don't give her room to argue.
Instead, I tell her something more important. "Don't bring me food if the palace cook prepares it."
Her eyes widened. "Why?"
"I don't trust anyone anymore."
She swallows hard, then nods. "I'll cook for you myself."
I believe her. Esther is the only person I can still count on.
For now.
Exhaustion weighs down on me. I strip off my clothes, take a quick bath, and sink into bed.
Cassian wanted to see me tonight.
I forgot.
And honestly?
I don't care.