Chapter 289 Chapter 289

Hours later, Grand Lord Vladya returned to Blackstone. As he approached the royal residence's hallway, he came to an abrupt halt.

She was there.

Ackeira stood leaning against the wall outside her sister's chamber, eyes closed. She didn't notice him.

Vladya allowed himself to look at her. Really look at her.

His chest ached at the sight, and for once, the pain had nothing to do with his bruises or the swollen eye from earlier.

She wasn't talking to him. Hadn't spoken a word to him in three days.

And she avoided him like he carried the plague.

Vladya could not blame her, but still it stung.

Then

her eyes fluttered open, and landed on him. Jerking upright, her back straightened, and she looked away immediately.

But just as quickly, her eyes flicked back to his face, her expression shifting into one of shock.

"What happened to you!?" Aekeira hurried toward him. Her brows furrowed deeply as she took him in. "Look at your face. Look at..." Her breath caught. Even now, she worried about him.

Vladya...missed this.

Her fretting. The easy smiles. The warmth in her voice directed at him.

"Is it the... you know?" Concern was etched into every line of her face. "Did you

have an episode?"

"It's not the madness," Vladya

hadn't had an episode in over a month now. The longest stretch so far.

"Then what is this..." she lifted her hand, brushing against his busted lip. Touch light, almost hesitant. Vladya didn't so much as flinch.

She could have pressed her fingers into his swollen left eye, and he wouldn't have reacted...

wouldn't have minded at all if it meant she kept touching him.

in a fight," he admitted with a sigh, hoping to ease her

lips parted

worry about it, it's nothing. You should see

shoulders. "Who

fight him for me?" The faintest smile tugged at his swollen

her hand

shouldn't joke

He hates the

outside her room instead of just going in?" he changed the subject,

was waiting for the Grand King to come out," she said in a quieter tone. "He has been

murmured, more

"He just...

a muscle. Not even when I accidentally stumbled in earlier, apologized and walked away, he did not spare me a glance." Vladya's

"My lord-

we had moved past that,"

1," she looked away. "Now, I'm

reached for

take my leave now, Your Highness." She

Vladya

retreating figure until she

to do. For the

PRINCESS EMERIEL

Princess Emeriel's closed

blink it away, but it remained insistent. With an inward sigh of resignation,

A familiar view. Same room. Same

bracing herself, she moved her hands, expecting the familiar shot of pain through her

None came.

her

she moved her legs. There was

as she shifted, pulling herself into a slightly upright position. Her body still felt weak, but the sharp aches had dulled to a

than she had in...

her head to see Aekeira step inside,

wide with shock. The basket slipped from her hands, the herbs spilling across the

You're awake!" she cried, voice breaking as a wild smile

Before Emeriel could say

onto it and pulling her into a

the gods! Thank the lights! You are awake!" she sobbed, clutching Emeriel tightly as though afraid she might vanish if she let

sound surprised her, but it was a good thing. She hadn't regained her voice during the previous brief moments she had woken. "Yes, it's me!" Ackeira's sobs grew louder,

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