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.

fight," he admitted with a sigh, hoping

parted in

it, it's nothing. You should see the other

squared her shoulders. "Who

Are you planning to fight him for me?" The faintest smile tugged at his swollen

her hand away from his

shouldn't joke about things like this, my

They were back at formalities. He hates the the

he

the Grand King to come out," she said in a quieter tone.

day, then," Vladya murmured, more to himself than to

"He just...

Aekeira's expression was tight. "Does not move a muscle. Not even when I accidentally stumbled in earlier, apologized and walked away, he did not spare me a glance." Vladya's jaw clenched.

"My lord-

moved past

away. "Now, I'm

for

my leave now, Your Highness." She inclined her head, before turning and

Vladya

watching her retreating figure until she

idea what to do. For the first time in ages, he felt

PRINCESS EMERIEL

shone behind Princess Emeriel's

insistent. With

ceiling came into focus. A familiar view. Same room.

expecting the familiar shot

None came.

she flexed her fingers.

she moved her legs. There was

a slightly upright position. Her body still felt weak, but the sharp aches had dulled to a manageable

felt better than

of the door creaking open caught her attention. She turned her head to see Aekeira step inside, a basket

the sight of Emeriel sitting up, Aekeira froze. Her eyes went wide with shock. The

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

Before Emeriel could say

bed, hopping onto it and pulling her

You are awake!" she sobbed, clutching Emeriel tightly as though afraid she might vanish

it was a good thing. She hadn't regained her voice during the previous brief moments she had

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