Chapter 19
Lady Jasmine entered her chamber, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows against the stone walls. The room smelled of lavender and aged parchment, the air still warm from the embers burning in the hearth. As she stepped inside, the heavy door shut behind her with a quiet thud.
A moment later, her personal maid entered-Marion, a sharp-eyed woman with dark curls tucked neatly under a linen cap. She bowed her head slightly.
"So? Did you see anyone come out of his chamber?" Jasmine asked as she strode to the table, striking flint to light the lamp. The glow illuminated her face, calm yet expectant.
Marion hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, my lady. A knight. But I couldn't see his face well."
Jasmine let out a thoughtful hum, then casually walked to her bed, sitting down. Her fingers tapped lightly against her knee.
"Do you think it could be a woman disguised as a knight?" Marion asked, her voice laced with speculation. She folded her arms. "Though, the stature was certainly that of a man."
At that, Jasmine finally lifted her head, a slow smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Marion's eyes widened in realization. She gasped, hand flying to her mouth. "That is an abomination," she whispered, glancing around as if the very walls could hear her. Then, she hesitated, lowering her voice. "Forgive me, my lady, but... you seem to have known this before."
Jasmine sat upright, crossing her legs gracefully. "I had my suspicions."
Marion leaned in slightly as Jasmine continued.
"At the feast, he kept searching for someone, but whoever it was never appeared. And then, when he didn't see the person, it was as if relief washed over him."
She paused, lips pursed.
"At first, I thought it was a maid. That would have been expected." Jasmine exhaled softly, shaking her head. "But then, I met the knight in question."
Marion swallowed hard.
"There was something in the way he looked at Alistair." Jasmine's fingers trailed along the silk sheets absently. "Then I found out Alistair appointed him personally as his guard, despite his lack of rank. That alone was enough to raise questions."
Jasmine leaned back against the headboard, eyes gleaming with certainty. "And then tonight-"
She smiled.
"The sword. The love mark. And now you, Marion, have confirmed it for me."
Marion's hands clenched into fists. "You have to end the marriage, my lady. If you tell Lord Vryndel, he will put a stop to it."
Jasmine turned her gaze toward the fire, silent for a long moment.
Then, she chuckled.
Marion stiffened. "Why are you laughing, my lady? This is serious."
Jasmine placed her chin in her hands, looking at her maid with an amused glint in her eyes. "And why would I want to end the marriage?"
Marion blinked, confused. "But-"
Jasmine raised a hand, silencing her.
"This is exactly what I needed to be sure about the wedding."
Marion frowned. "What do you mean, my lady?"
Jasmine stood, walking toward the mirror. Her reflection stared back, poised and regal.
"This proves that Alistair will not be like his father." Her voice was steady, confident. "King Mathias ruled with his heart more than his mind. That is why Valla has always been seen as weak."
She turned slightly, her gaze sharp. "But I see beyond what others see. The future, Marion. And I will make Valla into a kingdom that others will fear."
Marion swallowed. "And you don't mind him having an indecent relationship with a man? A knight?"
Jasmine let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "A lot of kings take concubines and bed whores. This will be no different."
She glanced back at the maid. "Besides, Alistair would never let it become public. He knows the consequences-not just for the knight, but for himself."
Marion looked unconvinced but said nothing more.
Jasmine stretched, moving toward her bed. "That will be all, Marion."
Marion hesitated, then bowed. "I'll leave you to rest, my lady."
As the door closed behind her, Jasmine remained still, lost in thought.
She knew she was being ambitious-perhaps even reckless.
But it was necessary.
----
In King Mathias' chamber, the flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room. Alistair sat across from his father, his posture straight, his expression calm. At his side, Alissa perched on the edge of her chair, her hands folded in her lap, her pale hazel eyes alight with determination.
"I've applied to the Citadel," she announced, her voice steady. "I want to become a maester."
Silence hung between them.
Alistair blinked. "Alissa," he said, careful but firm, "only men become maesters. Women become midwives or healers. You know this."
Alissa straightened her back. "That is tradition, not law. If I pass the tests and prove myself, they will have no reason to turn me away."
Mathias studied his daughter, his fingers tapping idly against the armrest of his chair. Then, to Alistair's surprise, his father let out a quiet chuckle. "And if you fail?" he asked, arching a brow.
"Then I will accept my fate," Alissa said without hesitation. "But I want to try."
Mathias nodded slowly, as if weighing the decision. Then, finally, he sighed. "Very well. If you pass their trials by your own merit, I will not stop you."
A grin broke across Alissa's face. "Thank you, Father!" She turned to Alistair. "When are you leaving for Raventhorn?"
"Tomorrow," he answered, his expression softening at her excitement.
Alissa sprang from her seat, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "I should go tell Adam the good news," she said before turning to kiss their father's cheek. "Thank you again." And with that, she hurried from the room, her energy filling the halls as she disappeared.
As the door shut behind her, Alistair exhaled, turning back to Mathias. "Are you certain this is the right choice? Letting her leave the palace?"
Mathias leaned back, rubbing his temple. "We cannot keep her locked away forever, Alistair. She has found her purpose. She is not a child anymore."
Alistair nodded slowly, but concern lingered in his gaze.
Mathias shifted then, his tone changing. "Jasmine has told me she wishes to accompany you to Raventhorn."
Alistair's face hardened. "She cannot go, Father."
"Of course she can," Mathias countered. "She is your betrothed. She is your responsibility." He patted Alistair's shoulder. "You will ensure her safety."
"But-"
"That is enough, Alistair," Mathias said, his tone final. "You may leave."
Alistair clenched his jaw, then exhaled sharply before bowing. "Yes, Father."
He turned on his heel and exited the room, his mind already burdened with the weight of what lay ahead.
---
Alissa stepped down from the carriage with barely restrained excitement, lifting the hem of her gown slightly as she hurried into Adam's home. She was greeted by the warmth of the hearth and the sight of Lady Elena, who sat near the fire, mending a tunic.
"Alissa, dear, what a surprise."
"Where's Adam?" she asked, breathless.
Lady Elena glanced toward the window. "On the training fields."
Alissa turned on her heels, dashing back outside. The guards made to follow, but she raised a hand. "Stay here."
She ran across the grassy field, her heart light, until she caught sight of Adam. He stood in the sun, sleeves rolled up, sparring with another young man. His hair was damp with sweat, sticking to his forehead.
Something in her chest fluttered. She ignored it.
As she called out to him, her foot caught on uneven ground. She stumbled forward, colliding into him, and they both tumbled to the earth.
Adam let out a grunt, arms instinctively catching her waist as she landed against him. Her dark hair spilled forward, shielding them from the world. Their breaths mingled.
Alissa blinked, aware-too aware-of the heat beneath her palms, the firm grip of his hands. Adam's amber eyes flickered with something unspoken, something new.
She pushed herself up quickly, brushing her hair back, forcing a laugh. "Sorry!"
Adam sat up, rubbing his neck. "You could've just said hello, you know."
She grinned. "I convinced my father-I'm going to the Citadel."
His expression shifted, joy flashing in his eyes. "That's good news," he said, but there was a hesitation, a flicker of something she couldn't quite name.
For the first time, silence stretched between them-not the easy kind they'd always known, but something uncertain, charged.
"Come on," Adam said, breaking it. "Let's head back."
---
Inside Adam's Home
Lady Elena placed a cup of tea and a small piece of bread before Alissa, who accepted it gratefully.
"Will you be staying for lunch?" Lady Elena asked.
"I might not," Alissa replied, though she wasn't certain.
Just then, Adam emerged, now dressed in a clean tunic.
Lady Elena's sharp gaze flicked to her son. "And what's the occasion?" she asked, her tone casual-but her eyes watchful.
Adam hesitated, his hand brushing against his collar. He glanced-just briefly-at Alissa before muttering, "Nothing."
Alissa, who had just taken another bite, paused. Without thinking, she straightened, set down the bread, and dabbed her mouth with a refined grace that hadn't been there moments ago.
Lady Elena noticed.
Her lips pressed together as she studied the pair before her. Then, without a word, she rose from her seat. "I'll leave you two."
She didn't miss the way Adam's shoulders tensed as she exited the room. Nor did she miss the way he looked at Alissa-like she was something distant, something unreachable.
Once outside, Lady Elena sighed. This was dangerous.
Adam was a good boy, a strong man, but no matter how much he wished otherwise, Alissa was already promised to another. And Elena would not watch her son's heart break.
---
Back Inside
A tense silence stretched before Adam ran a hand through his hair and sat across from Alissa with a crooked grin.
"Sooo..." he drawled.
Alissa smirked. "So."
They both burst into laughter, the ease returning.
"Let's go to the town center," Adam suggested.
Alissa hesitated.
It wasn't the proposal itself-it was the way he held out his hand. She looked at it, surprised, before slowly placing her own in his.
Warm. Steady. Familiar, yet suddenly different.
As they stepped outside, Adam called over his shoulder, "Mother, we're heading out!"
Lady Elena didn't respond immediately. She only watched from the window, her fingers tightening around the fabric in her lap.
This wasn't just childhood friendship anymore. And that was what scared her.
---
As they walked through the lively town center, the air was filled with the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread. Musicians played a lively tune, and laughter echoed from every corner. The town was alive with celebration-banners waving, vendors shouting, and children weaving through the crowd.
Adam glanced at Alissa, who was taking it all in with a small, contented smile. He had always admired how she carried herself, never letting her title make her distant from the people. But today, something was different.
"You'll make a great maester," he said suddenly.
Alissa turned to him with curiosity. "You think so?"
"I know so," Adam said. "But-" He hesitated before lowering his voice. "You should be careful, Alissa. The Citadel doesn't just welcome anyone, and if they knew about... your abilities..."
Her expression darkened slightly. "I'm not stupid, Adam. I've heard what they do to witches like myself."
Adam exhaled through his nose, running a hand through his hair. He had always worried about her, but hearing her say it outright made his stomach knot. He hated the word witch-it reduced her gift to something monstrous.
"Then promise me you won't reveal it to anyone," he said, his voice more urgent now. "Not unless you trust them with your life."
She smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I trust you."
Adam opened his mouth, but before he could respond, an old street vendor's voice cut through the air.
"Ah, young man, is this your lady?" the woman asked with a knowing smile, gesturing between them.
Adam smiled but said nothing, waiting to see how Alissa would respond.
"No, of course not," Alissa answered quickly, too seriously.
Something in Adam's chest tightened. He knew she was a princess, and he was just the son of a general, but the way she dismissed it so easily stung in a way he hadn't expected. He had buried his feelings for years, never wanting to ruin what they had-but in that moment, the weight of it all settled heavily on him.
They walked in silence until Adam suddenly stopped.
Alissa noticed and turned back. "What's wrong?"
"Do I embarrass you?" he asked, his voice steady but unreadable.
She blinked, caught off guard. "Why would you ask that?"
"We've known each other for years," he said, "but the way you answered just now..."
Before he could finish, Alissa stepped closer, closing the space between them. "I never meant to offend you," she said softly.
She realized how near they were, and her breath hitched. Before she could move away, she met Adam's gaze-his eyes were already on her, something unreadable in them. Then, for the briefest moment, his gaze flickered to her lips, and he swallowed hard.
"We should go back," Adam murmured, but neither of them moved.
And then, slowly, their lips met.
The noise of the celebration faded, the warmth of the moment sinking into both of them. It was new but not sudden. It was something that had always been there, just waiting for the right moment to surface.
A burst of laughter broke them apart-children running past, their joy infectious. They both exhaled, sharing a small laugh of their own.
Adam bit his lip, still watching her, and Alissa felt her cheeks warm. She tucked her hair behind her ear, suddenly feeling shy.
"We should head back," she said.
He nodded, and as they turned to leave, Adam hesitated for only a moment before reaching for her hand. His fingers brushed against hers, testing the boundary between them.
She didn't pull away.
And so they walked, side by side, back to the carriage-something unspoken lingering between them, something new beginning.