It was not an accusation. It was a statent.
Valerie did not answer right away.
She lowered her gaze slightly, looking at the rose petals in the basket. Her fingers brushed a stem whose thorns had been carefully removed. Her lips pressed together.
"I’m not lying," she said at last, very softly. "I just... don’t want to explain more than necessary."
Demian looked at her for a long ti.
Sothing tightened in Valerie’s chest, yet her expression remained controlled. She did not demand an explanation about last night. She did not ask for clarification. She did not ask why she had been left waiting.
She simply stood there, roses wounded in her hands, choosing silence.
And for so reason, it was precisely that composure that made Demian feel as though he had not entirely won.
The evening breeze stirred, rustling leaves and petals. In that quiet garden, there was no argunt.
But a new distance had been born subtle, nearly invisible.
And they both felt it.
The room was still warm with lingering steam when Valerie stepped out from behind the curtain.
Her hair was wet, the ends dripping softly onto the marble floor. The thin nightgown frad her body simply, without any intent to entice yet that was precisely what made Demian pause for a mont as he closed the door behind him.
He turned.His gaze imdiately locked onto Valerie.
"You took a while," he said lowly.
Valerie only gave a small nod. "The water was warm."
Demian approached without another word. His hand reached out, catching Valerie’s wrist with a movent she knew all too well firm, decisive, as though the world beyond the room did not exist.
Valerie let out a short breath as she was pulled closer.
"Demian..." she called softly.
"Hm?" He was already too close. His nose brushed her neck as he breathed her in deeply. "You sll good."
His arm slipped around Valerie’s waist. His fingers were warm. Intent.
Valerie placed her palm against Demian’s chest not pushing him away, rely stopping him.
"I’m on my period," she said at last.
Demian stopped.
Not completely stepping back, but enough to look at her face. His brows knit faintly, as if weighing whether this was an excuse... or a refusal.
"You’re sure?" he asked.
Valerie nodded. "Yes."
Demian didn’t imdiately believe her. His hand moved an old habit, needing to confirm for himself. Valerie did not pull away. She wasn’t offended. She said nothing.
A few seconds passed.
Demian clicked his tongue softly. "Damn."
His tone wasn’t angry more like soone disappointed with bad timing.
"I want you," he said honestly. "Especially after today."
Valerie looked at him. "Today?" she asked quietly.
Demian was silent for a fraction of a second too long.
"Not important," he said at last, leaning in again until his forehead rested against hers. "You make it hard for to keep control."
Valerie smiled faintly, barely there. "I didn’t do it on purpose."
"I know," Demian replied quickly. "That’s the problem."
He let out a long breath, then slowly released her as though letting go required real effort.
"I’ll go to the study," he said. "If I stay here, I won’t be able to think clearly."
Valerie looked at him. "You’re not sleeping here?"
Demian took his coat and draped it over his shoulders. He paused at the door, glancing back slightly.
"Not because of you," he said shortly, as if he knew exactly where her thoughts were going. "Don’t think about it the wrong way."
Valerie nodded. "I won’t."
Demian looked at her for a mont longer, as though he wanted to say sothing else then he simply opened the door.
"Get so sleep," he said. "Tomorrow we’ll talk."
The door closed softly.
Valerie stood in the middle of the room as silence settled once more.
She sat on the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket up to her lap.
"Strange..." she murmured to herself.
Usually, Demian would stay complaining, perhaps, or touching her more carefully. But tonight, he had chosen to leave.
Valerie lay back, staring up at the ceiling.
She didn’t feel sad.She wasn’t angry.She wasn’t even hurt.
And that was what unsettled her.
"Why do I feel... fine?" she whispered.
Since arriving in the capital, Demian was still the sa when he was by her side. His attention was real. His touch hadn’t changed.
But when they were apart...
There was an emptiness she couldn’t explain.Pauses that ca too often.Things that were no longer shared.
And beneath the calm she forced herself to maintain, Valerie began to believe,
It wasn’t she who had changed.
It was the circumstances around themthat were slowly, quietlypulling Demian away.
That morning, Valerie awoke to an unfamiliar sound.
Not the gentle knock of a servant, nor the steady ticking of the clock in the corner of her room but a faint commotion from the castle’s front courtyard. The rumble of carriage wheels coming to a halt, hurried footsteps, and whispers far too lively to be ignored.
Valerie rose from her bed.
She walked to the window and drew the curtain back just a little.
And instantly, her chest tightened.
In the courtyard of Morvex Castle, a grand dark-colored carriage stood before the main steps. The crest engraved on its side was unmistakable too clear to be mistaken for anything else.
The Kosler carriage.
Valerie let the curtain fall closed again, slowly, as though afraid her own eyes might betray her. She exhaled softly, then turned just as Sera and Lira entered, carrying warm water and her morning clothes.
The two exchanged a glance before Sera finally spoke, her tone cautious.
"Lady Valerie... we’ll help you get ready."
Valerie sat before the vanity, gazing at her own reflection in the mirror. Her face looked calm too calm.
"The Kosler carriage," she said lightly, as though comnting on the weather. "That belongs to Lady Ivanka, doesn’t it?"
Lira’s hand paused for a brief second before resuming its task, brushing Valerie’s hair with movents gentler than usual.
"Yes, Lady," Lira replied softly.
Sera added quickly, as if trying to smooth sothing over,
"But... Lady doesn’t need to think too much about it. Perhaps it’s only a brief matter."
Valerie gave a small shrug.
"I’m fine," she said. "There’s no need to speak as if we’re walking on glass."
Her voice was flat, not offended. And that, more than anything, made Sera and Lira fall silent for a mont before letting out quiet sighs of relief.
"Thank goodness," Sera murmured.
But Valerie knew.
If Ivanka was in this castle more precisely, in Demian’s study then this was no ordinary visit. Demian’s study was not a place for pleasantries, least of all for a woman who was, officially, his fiancée.
Her fingers clenched briefly in her lap.
So now it isn’t even hidden anymore, she thought bitterly.eting here. In his own castle. While I’m still here.
The irritation flared quickly, sharp and sudden, before she pressed it back down. Valerie had no intention of showing it. Not to anyone.
Lira broke the silence. "Would Lady like to have breakfast in the dining room this morning?"
Valerie looked at her reflection again. The sa eyes, the sa face yet the feelings behind them were no longer the sa.
"No," she answered quietly. "I’ll eat in my room."
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