If Lara could choose her own kingdom, she'd decree that all mornings began with good food and bad manners—anything to drown out the memory of knives flashing in candlelight. But this was not her kingdom.
This was the Celestian palace: all marble, gold, and etiquette, and even at breakfast, there were a hundred rules about who could pour the tea and which fork to use with fruit.
She could feel the weight of the previous night like a bruise beneath her skin.
The royal breakfast room was bright with sun, floor-to-ceiling windows thrown open to the soft clamor of birdsong.
A massive sideboard groaned with food—steaming pancakes, whipped butter, honeycomb, fruit in jewel colors, silver pots of coffee and tea.
Kaelith and Aliyah were already at the table, plates loaded, happily squabbling over a bowl of strawberries as Malvoria looked on with resigned amusement.
Lara, Sarisa, and Aliyah had barely crossed the threshold when the room fell silent, the way it always did when the "wrong" family arrived together.
It was a silence full of everything unsaid: the day-old fear, the morning-after rumors, and the fact that this tight, laughing, demon-touched trio did not quite fit in the palace's glass slipper.
Lara ignored the stares. She helped Aliyah onto her chair and claimed the seat next to her, stretching out her legs beneath the table.
Sarisa sat on Aliyah's other side—her hair loose, eyes a little brighter from sleep, smile softer. For a few precious seconds, it was almost like a normal family breakfast.
Then Vaelen entered, as composed as ever, his golden eyes flicking from Sarisa to Lara and back again.
He hesitated for only a heartbeat before taking the seat directly beside Sarisa.
He looked a little paler than usual but tried for an easy smile, nodding to Lara with a polite "Good morning." It was impossible to tell if he was nervous, jealous, or simply determined to look useful in front of the queen.
The Celestian queen herself arrived last, gliding into the room like a storm in full regalia, her presence an announcement of order and expectation.
She surveyed the table with a sharp, evaluating gaze, her silver tattoos gleaming as she seated herself at the head. The guards were new faces, younger and stiffer, posted at every door.
For a while, only the scrape of cutlery and the childish giggles of Kaelith and Aliyah filled the air.
Sarisa, perhaps sensing the tension, busied herself pouring tea for her mother, then for herself, then for Vaelen, who seemed at a loss for how to engage.
Lara stabbed a piece of pancake, wondering if any bite could settle the churn in her stomach.
She was just considering whether a fourth cup of coffee would be excessive when the queen spoke, her voice slicing through the calm.
"From now on, no one leaves their quarters unaccompanied. Not even for a moment. Last night's events prove we have grown complacent, and I will not have my heir—or any of you—exposed to that kind of danger again."
A ripple of protest ran down the table—Kaelith's little groan, Malvoria's snort, even Elysia's delicate frown. Lara saw Sarisa tense, her cup pausing midair.
The queen continued, "That means increased guards, magical wards—yes, Malvoria, even in the nursery—and a rotating schedule for the children. Malvoria, Elysia, and Kaelith will remain at the palace for the foreseeable future. We will make arrangements for your…demands." She said "demands" as if it meant "excesses."
Aliyah looked delighted at this announcement; Kaelith seemed to be mentally planning chaos.
Sarisa's mother shifted her gaze to her daughter. "And as for you, Sarisa you require a bodyguard at all times. One who can blend in at court, keep an eye on you, and—" her gaze flickered to Vaelen, "assist you with your…public duties."
Lara set her fork down, every muscle tensing. Here it comes.
Vaelen cleared his throat. "With respect, Majesty… I am honored by your trust, but—" he offered a faint, apologetic smile to Sarisa.
"I am not a fighter. I have never claimed to be. Yesterday proved that. I could do nothing to protect Sarisa. If anything, I only made myself another liability."
The queen's eyes narrowed, the air sharpening like the edge of a blade. "Nonsense. Your presence is reassurance for the court and for the people. As Sarisa's intended—"
Vaelen shook his head, gentle but unyielding. "Your Majesty, I cannot protect her. I would not forgive myself if anything happened on my watch."
He glanced at Lara, a strange kind of respect in his gaze.
"It's obvious who should be Sarisa's bodyguard. Lara has already risked her life for her—more than once. The entire palace saw it. No one would be foolish enough to attack while Lara is near."
A heavy silence dropped, thick with surprise and simmering history. Lara met Vaelen's gaze and gave him the smallest, almost-grudging nod.
He wasn't a fool, and he was more honest than most of the nobles in the room. For that, at least, she respected him.
The queen, however, was clearly not amused. Her jaw flexed, lips pressed into a thin, regal line.
"The last time Lara was made responsible for Sarisa's safety, the result was—" Her gaze flickered pointedly to Aliyah. "—unexpected. I think perhaps another arrangement would be more appropriate this time."
Aliyah, blissfully unaware of the adult undertones, piped up, "It was the best result! I'm right here!" She wiggled, delighted to be the center of attention, strawberry jam smeared on her cheek.
Lara caught Sarisa's eye, both of them fighting not to laugh, both remembering the "incident" in question: a night of chaos, adrenaline, and yes, passion, after another close call, ending in tangled sheets and a story that still haunted palace rumor.
Malvoria, never one to let tension go un-teased, raised a brow. "Well, you have to admit, they're an efficient team. The real threat is if the palace runs out of bedsheets."
Elysia choked on her tea. Kaelith began to giggle, pointing at the adults as if this were the best show she'd seen all week.
The queen shot Malvoria a glare that could have melted glaciers. "This is not a laughing matter."
"No, but it is a repeating one," Malvoria murmured, glancing at Lara with that dangerous glint in her eye.
Vaelen, somehow both mortified and amused, said, "Regardless, Sarisa's safety comes first. It would be irresponsible to put her in the hands of someone unqualified just to avoid… appearances."
Sarisa, cheeks pink, finally found her voice. "Mother, with all respect, Lara is the only one I trust implicitly. She is already part of the family. If you want me to take this seriously, let me choose the person who makes me feel safest."
The queen's frown deepened, but she seemed caught—torn between her fear for Sarisa, her desire for political decorum, and the very public knowledge of Lara's talents and…consequences.
Kaelith, eager to join the chaos, chirped, "Aunt Lara is the best at protecting people! Even from flying pancakes!" She flung a piece at Aliyah for emphasis.
Aliyah, quick as ever, caught it and flung it right back. "Yeah! And they cuddled this morning!"
Silence slammed down like a dropped platter. The queen looked at Lara, then at Sarisa, then at Aliyah, as if piecing together the world's most scandalous puzzle.
Malvoria let out a loud, delighted snort. "Children and truth, an unbeatable combination."
Elysia covered her mouth, eyes dancing.
Lara could only shrug, struggling not to grin. "It was a long night, Majesty. Everyone needed comfort."
Aliyah, ever helpful, added, "They were really close. Like, almost squishing."
Sarisa hid her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.