The World Cannot Know

Chapter 17

Matthew Wild

Each step back to the palace felt like a delicate balance on a tightrope stretched over a chasm of uncertainty. The kiss we had shared—brief, intense, and so full of unspoken emotions—still lingered on my lips, warming me against the morning chill.

Sebastian was quiet beside me, his thoughts as tangled as mine. We had crossed a line, one I wasn't sure we could ever uncross, but in that fleeting moment of connection, it had felt like the most natural thing in the world. Yet, as the echoes of our kiss faded, the weight of our responsibilities came crashing back.

The entrance to the hall where everyone waited, loomed ahead, a reminder of the roles we had to play. Sebastian would be marrying Katharina today, and I would stand by his side, a silent witness to a union that was supposed to secure the kingdom's future. My sister's future. Our family's future. The very future that seemed so fragile and uncertain now.

The reality of the day settled over me like a heavy cloak. Sebastian's steps beside me were steady, yet I could sense the turmoil within him. Our moment in the garden had been a brief respite, but now we were both pulled back into the tide of duty and expectation.

Just as we reached the ornate doors leading to the hall, a voice called out from behind us, sharp and clear. "Matthew!"

I turned to see my mother, striding toward us. Her presence was commanding, every inch of her exuding the composed authority of our noble lineage. Her gown, a deep emerald that complemented her striking features, flowed behind her like the cloak of a queen. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, fixed on me with a mixture of relief and irritation.

"There you are, Matthew," she said, her tone a blend of maternal concern and regal command. "I've been searching for you everywhere. We need to speak."

Sebastian and I exchanged a brief, knowing glance. This was it—the moment where our paths diverged, at least for now. He gave me a subtle nod, his expression softening with a mixture of understanding and unspoken gratitude.

"I'll see you inside, Matthew," he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight of unspoken words.

I forced a smile, trying to convey reassurance. "Of course, Sebastian"

With a final, lingering look, he turned and walked through the doors, the heavy wood closing behind him with a resonant thud. The sound seemed to echo in the quiet corridor, a solemn reminder of the duties that awaited us both.

"Matthew," my mother's voice drew my attention back to her. She was standing closer now, her eyes scanning my face with a mixture of scrutiny and concern. "What were you doing out there?"

I hesitated, caught off guard, searching for an answer that wouldn't betray the turmoil within me. "Just... getting some air," I replied, echoing the excuse I had used earlier. "I needed a moment to clear my head before the ceremony."

Mother's eyes softened slightly, but there was still a hint of suspicion in her gaze. "Very well," she said, her voice more gentle now. "But you need to see your sister. Katharina has been asking for you. She's in her chambers, and she wants to speak with you before the wedding."

A pang of guilt tightened my chest. Of course, Katharina would need her brother on a day like this. She had always been the strong one, the one who bore the weight of our family's expectations with grace. Yet, today, she must be feeling the pressure more acutely than ever.

"Of course," I nodded, straightening my shoulders. "I'll go to her right away."

Mother gave a curt nod, her expression softening into a rare smile. "Good. She needs your support today. We all do."