"Where is it?" Selene whispered, but her tone was sharp.
Her golden eyes swept over the scattered trinkets, overturned silk cushions, and dishevelled chests that had once been neatly arranged. She felt a tight frustration in her chest as she searched through her things for the third ti.
It should have been here.
It was here.
And now it wasn’t.
Her jaw clenched as she straightened, exhaling sharply through her nose.
This was not a coincidence.
The mont she had returned from her two-day visit to her father’s mansion, sothing had felt off. The air in her chamber was different, disturbed. She hadn’t even unpacked before she realized it.
Her newly acquired, and now precious possession was gone.
Selene’s fingers twitched, eager to grab sothing—perhaps soone—to vent her rising anger on.
She inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm. To think.
Only a handful of people had access to her chambers.
And one na imdiately ca to mind.
"LILY!"
The shout echoed through the halls.
A few monts later, hurried footsteps approached before a small, nervous-looking Lily appeared at the doorway.
Her light brown hair looked a bit ssy, as if she had been working when she was called, and her wide, dark eyes showed a noticeable hesitation.
Selene narrowed her gaze, imdiately sensing it.
Guilt.
Oh, this was going to be interesting.
"L-Lady Selene," Lily said, bowing her head. "You called for ?"
Selene folded her arms, stepping forward.
"I was gone for two days," she said smoothly, watching Lily’s reaction closely. "And in those two days, sothing of mine has gone missing."
Lily’s hands fidgeted at her sides. "I—I wouldn’t know anything about that, my lady."
Selene’s lips curled, but there was no amusent in her expression. "Would you like to try again?"
Lily swallowed.
Selene stepped even closer, lowering her voice.
"You and I both know exactly what I’m talking about," she murmured. "So I’ll give you one chance, Lily. Tell where it is."
Lily’s pulse thundered in her ears.
Damn it.
Of course Selene noticed.
Of course she knew.
But what was she supposed to say? That she had taken the Dragon Pearl—the very artifact she had given to Selene the day Evelina got missing—and now handed it over to the Crown Prince and Evelina to save her family?
That she had willingly betrayed Selene’s trust?
Yeah. No.
Lily lowered her gaze, forcing her expression into sothing more neutral. "My lady, I—I don’t know where it is."
Selene’s eyes flashed.
Lily barely had ti to react before Selene moved.
Faster than she could track, the noblewoman closed the distance and grabbed her wrist in an iron grip.
Lily gasped, instinctively trying to step back, but Selene’s hold was unbreakable.
"I don’t like liars, Lily," Selene whispered. "Especially ones who steal from ."
Lily’s breath hitched. "I—I didn’t steal—"
Selene’s fingers tightened.
"I suggest," Selene continued, her voice dangerously soft, "that you start talking before I lose my patience."
Lily’s heart pounded.
What the hell was she supposed to do now?
******************
The sun was setting as Damian and Evelina made their way back to the palace. Their ride ho had been silent, with many unanswered questions between them.
Matthew’s ho had been a disappointnt. There were no hidden docunts, no secret letters, and no conveniently placed evidence revealing who he was protecting.
Nothing.
Evelina let out a sigh as she adjusted herself in the saddle. "Well, that was a complete waste of ti."
Damian, riding beside her, exhaled through his nose. "It was worth a shot."
"Agreed."
Jasper, riding slightly ahead, turned in his saddle with a grin. "But let’s not forget the most crucial discovery of the day."
Evelina arched a brow. "Which is?"
"Lord Matthew’s deeply concerning obsession with boots. I an who would have known him to have an alarmingly large collection of expensive boots."
Damian’s lips twitched. "I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting that many boots."
Evelina huffed out a laugh, shaking her head. "Honestly, I’m still processing it. He had more boots than actual useful docunts. What does a man even need that many pairs for?"
Jasper sighed dramatically. "If only we were searching for fashion cris instead of treason, we’d have had our man by now."
"Right?" Evelina shook her head.
"Maybe he walks a lot."
Evelina huffed. "Or maybe he’s compensating for sothing."
Damian pinched the bridge of his nose. "You two are ridiculous."
Jasper grinned. "Correction: I’m ridiculous. She’s just enabling ."
Evelina smirked. "Proudly."
Damian exhaled, shaking his head.
The palace walls were just coming into view when his voice broke the comfortable silence. "Evelina."
Sothing about the way he said her na made her straighten slightly.
Damian’s grip on the reins tightened, his expression unreadable. "I owe you an apology."
Evelina blinked. Before she could respond, Jasper suddenly straightened in his saddle.
"Oh, look at that," he said loudly. "I think I’ll, uh—go check ahead." Without waiting for a reply, he dug his heels into his horse and sped forward, giving them space.
Evelina narrowed her eyes. "Coward."
"He’s a nuisance," Damian muttered before turning back to her. "But I ant what I said. I really owe you one."
Evelina tilted her head, pretending to think. "An apology, huh?" She placed a hand over her chest dramatically. "Did I hear that correctly?"
Damian gave her a look. "Don’t start."
Evelina grinned but softened slightly. "What exactly are you apologizing for?"
"For doubting you," Damian said, his voice quieter this ti. "For not believing you sooner."
Evelina slowed her horse slightly, tilting her head. "You doubted ?" she asked, feigning hurt as she placed a hand over her chest. "My dear prince, I think you might have wounded ."
Damian gave her a pointed look. "Don’t be dramatic."
Evelina gasped. "Dramatic? I’m offended."
Damian rolled his eyes, though there was amusent in them. "I didn’t doubt you," he corrected. "I just... didn’t know what to believe at first."
Evelina humd, pretending to consider his words. "Mm. So, what you’re saying is, you sort of doubted ?"
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