Crown of Deception

Chapter Seven

When Dalia entered her room, she moved with a quiet purpose, choosing her outfit for the day—a simple, flowing blue gown that reflected her preference for practicality over showy fashion. There was little time to indulge in vanity, not when there were so many responsibilities waiting. After selecting her clothes, she slipped into the bathroom connected to her room, glancing at the modest furnishings with a sigh of contentment. The room was calm and familiar, a quiet contrast to the chaos of her thoughts.

She turned on the tap, letting warm water fill the tub, and reached for a bottle of rose oil. The scent was subtle, comforting—it reminded her of simpler times, back before the weight of leadership had fully settled on her shoulders. She poured a few drops into the water and watched as the fragrance spread, soothing her nerves. As she tested the water with her hand, she allowed herself to sink into it slowly, closing her eyes for a brief moment of peace.

But her mind didn't rest for long. Thoughts of the mines returned, nagging at her. What are the conditions like? she wondered. The people working there had no luxuries—likely no proper bathrooms, and certainly no comforts like the one she was indulging in now. I need to make sure they're taken care of. The thought was heavy, but she held onto it. Caring for others came naturally to Dalia; she just wished she had more time to act on all the promises she made to herself.

As she washed her hair, working the rose fragrance into the strands, she kept thinking of ways to improve the conditions at the mines. There has to be a solution. She sighed softly. Once the bath was done, she dried herself quickly and dressed, braiding her hair with nimble fingers before heading downstairs. There wasn't a moment to waste.

Downstairs, Noah was waiting for her near the door, standing with his usual quiet patience. His arms were crossed, but his expression softened when he saw her.

"Dalia, we should get moving," Noah said gently. He never rushed her, but there was a calm urgency to his voice. "We need to rent horses before we leave for the mines."

She nodded, but before they could go, a thought struck her. She turned to him, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Noah, I bought some farm animals while we were traveling through the Julem District. Have they arrived yet?"

Noah raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a small smile. "Not yet, but that's to be expected. The train station is a fair distance away, and it'll take some time for them to get here. Probably next week."

Dalia frowned slightly, a look of concern crossing her face. "I just hope they're alright. I was looking forward to seeing them. It's important they're settled in soon."

He gave her a reassuring nod. "They'll be fine, Dalia. Don't worry yourself over it. You've got enough on your plate."

Dalia smiled softly at that. Noah always seemed to know how to calm her nerves, even with just a few words. But something else was weighing on her mind now, and it made her pause. She didn't want to keep anything from Noah, especially not something that might affect how he viewed her.

Without much forethought, she blurted out, "I slept in Cesar's room last night." She bit her lip, watching his reaction closely, nervous but wanting to be honest.

Noah stopped walking, his brow furrowing slightly as he turned to face her. "You... did what?" His voice was calm but cautious, and she could see the concern in his eyes.

Quickly, she raised her hands in defense, her voice gentle but firm. "Nothing happened, Noah. I swear. I just... I couldn't sleep, and I needed someone to talk to."

He studied her for a moment, his protective nature rising to the surface, though he tried to hide it. "Talk?" he asked, his tone softening slightly. "At that hour?"