Crowned in Crimson Cinders

Chapter 16: A Walk in the Garden

The next morning, as my maid placed breakfast on my desk like always, I stopped her before she could leave.

"Could you find Bri? She's probably in the library."

She curtsied and exited without question.

I stared at the food. Then at the glass of water.

Breya never saw it coming. One sip, and she was gone. Poisoned by the hand of someone who served her daily. Breya had trusted her maids much like I trust mine. Any of them could have easily slipped something into my drink.

My stomach turned. I forced my gaze away, but my eyes kept returning to the cup. I thought of Jonie. Of Filipe. Could they betray me like that? I've known them for my whole life. They didn't seem like murderers to me. Then again, people are often not what they seem. The thought alone made my fingers tremble.

After a long battle with my nerves, I forced down the food, bite after slow bite. But the water remained untouched. I couldn't bring myself to drink, the clear liquid looking so inviting yet also holding the potential for death.

Bri arrived about twenty minutes later, her smile as bright as the green dress she wore, soft lace trailing from her collarbone to her wrists like ivy wrapping a branch. She looked untouched by all the darkness that had settled in the palace. I wish I could do the same.

"You called for me?" she asked.

"Yeah. Want to walk around the palace with me for a bit?"

"Of course," she said without hesitation.

Filipe and Jonie reentered my room and took my tray away. Jonie eyed my full glass of water and then switched her gaze to me. I knew she understood why I left it untouched. I thought I caught a glimpse of sadness in her eye. Was she upset that I didn't trust them?

I felt bad at that moment, but Brock told me not take any chances and that's what I'm doing.

I walked out the door and Bri followed me down the stairs—the same ones where Darian had caught me once, not so long ago. It felt like a different life.

We walked in silence, footsteps echoing through the cold stone halls. Eventually, Bri broke the stillness.

"So," she began carefully, "any leads on who's behind all this?"

I shook my head. "I'd rather not talk about that right now. Let's go to the garden."

She nodded, quiet for a moment. But then, as we neared the archway, she asked, "Are you really going to marry him? Darian?"

The question cut deeper than I expected. I never thought I had much of a choice when it came to my marriage. I wasn't allowed to say no to something like this.

To be honest, I hadn't thought about the wedding much. Not with everything else happening. But I remembered how I felt when I first found out. I was furious and felt betrayed. I despised him, and my parents more.

But things had shifted. Subtly. Quietly. I had seen Darian more often. And when I thought about our interactions, I wasn't sure he'd ever done anything truly wrong. Looking back, it seems I was the mean one in all our interactions. He has always been the one trying to forge an alliance with me while I was focused on tearing us apart.

"Yes," I said. "It looks like I will."

Bri winced sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Aleah. Truly. I know this isn't what you wanted."

I gave a soft sigh. "It's not your fault. But I don't want to make this walk about me. What's new with you? I feel like I havn't been able to speak with you in a while."