Whispers of Deceit | wlw

Chapter 13

Orion was worried and confused about what she just heard. With each passing moment, her worry deepened, a knot tightening in the pit of her stomach as she struggled to make sense of the cryptic conversation she had eavesdropped on.

Orion's steps echoed purposefully through the grand corridors of the castle, her intent clear as she made her way to her father's chambers. The vastness of the castle enveloped her, its stone walls standing as silent sentinels to her urgency.

As she navigated the winding passages, adorned with intricate tapestries and flickering torches, Orion's determination burned bright within her.

When Orion reached her father's conference room, her hand moved with practiced ease to grasp the ornate door handle. With a swift motion, she pushed the heavy door open, the hinges creaking softly in protest as it swung wide.

The room beyond was dimly lit, the soft glow of candles casting long shadows across the polished table at its center. Papers and scrolls were scattered haphazardly across its surface, a testament to the busy nature of her father's duties.

Orion stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room in search of her father. The air was heavy with the scent of parchment and ink, mingling with the faint aroma of sandalwood from the nearby bookshelves.

Orion's heart sank as she realized her father was not in the conference room. A surge of anxiety gripped her as she considered the implications. Where could he be at such a crucial moment?

Pushing aside her apprehension, Orion quickly scanned the room once more, hoping to find some clue as to her father's whereabouts.

Orion approached the long table at the center of the room and her eyes fell upon a hidden compartment nestled beneath a stack of parchment. Intrigued, she carefully lifted the papers aside and discovered a sealed envelope bearing her father's unmistakable seal.

Orion's brow furrowed in suspicion as she examined the wax seal on the envelope. The distinctive black color and the intricate sword design were unmistakably different from the seals used within her own kingdom.

As she attempted to open the envelope, she was suddenly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Hastily, she tucked the documents back into the envelope and concealed behind her back, her heart pounding with trepidation.

Moments later, the door to the conference room swung open, revealing the unexpected arrival of her friend Harry. Orion's pulse quickened as she forced herself to appear composed, masking the turmoil swirling within her.

"I... I was just...," Orion began, her voice faltering slightly as she searched for an excuse. But before she could formulate a response, Harry's gaze fell upon her hand behing her back, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"What's that you have there?" Harry inquired, his tone firm yet probing as he gestured towards her strange position.

"Oh, it's nothing," Orion replied, her voice steady as she attempted to brush off Harry's inquiry with a casual tone.

"Don't lie to me, you're not supposed to be here and i know when you act strange." He responded.

"Don't lie to me," Harry responded firmly, his gaze unwavering. "You're not supposed to be here, and I can tell when something's off."

Orion's heart sank as she met Harry's discerning gaze. His intuition was sharper than she had hoped, and she knew she couldn't evade his scrutiny any longer.

"You're right, Harry," she admitted, her voice tinged with resignation. "I apologize for being here without permission. It won't happen again."

"Orion, you know you can tell me everting." He reassured her.

"Orion, you know you can tell me anything," Harry reassured her with a gentle tone, his eyes conveying genuine concern.

Orion's apprehension softened at his words, a flicker of gratitude dancing in her eyes. She nodded, acknowledging his offer of support.