𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

19. The day before the banquet

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the palace, illuminating its grand corridors, but a dark cloud had settled over Prince Aiore's mind. One of his most trusted men, Alaric, had come to him with a shocking revelation earlier that day.

"Your Highness," Alaric had said in a low voice, bowing deeply before him in Aiore's private study. "The queen is plotting against you."

Aiore’s cold eyes narrowed. "Explain," he ordered, his voice deadly calm.

Alaric hesitated before continuing, knowing the weight of the words he was about to speak. "Her Majesty intends to poison you during the banquet tomorrow. And your fiancée… Lady Arielle… she’s helping her."

Aiore’s fingers clenched into fists beneath the desk, but his face betrayed no emotion. "Arielle?" he asked, his tone icy. "What reason would she have to betray me?"

"She loves Prince Aldith," Alaric replied, carefully watching Aiore’s reaction. "She’s been helping the queen to eliminate you so Aldith can take your place. They've grown close, and their relationship has raised suspicions."

Aiore sat back, disbelief mixing with a cold fury that gnawed at his insides. Could it really be true? Was Arielle, the woman who had shared quiet moments with him, who had fed him with a teasing smile just the night before, plotting his death alongside his stepmother? He had noticed her closeness to Aldith, but he had never thought she would betray him so utterly.

Everything began to fit together in his mind—the time Arielle had spent with Aldith, their friendly conversations, the way Aldith would watch her when he thought no one was looking. It all made sense now. The betrayal, however, left a bitter taste in Aiore’s mouth. How had he not seen it sooner?

After dismissing Alaric, Aiore sat alone in his study, the weight of the information pressing down on him. His thoughts were turbulent, yet his expression remained cold and unreadable. He decided he needed more proof before confronting anyone. That was when he decided to visit Aldith’s secret gallery.

Unknown to Aldith, Aiore had discovered the hidden room months ago. The gallery was tucked away behind a wall in one of the palace’s unused wings, accessible only through a passage that few knew existed. Aiore had visited it once before, intrigued by his brother’s secretive nature. He had assumed it was simply a private retreat for Aldith's art, but now, he realized it might hold more clues to the truth.

Entering the gallery, Aiore’s gaze swept over the various paintings that lined the walls. Each one depicted scenes of nature—forests, rivers, mountains—but none of them interested him. He was looking for something else, something that might confirm the suspicions gnawing at him. And then he saw it: a portrait of Arielle.

His breath caught in his throat as he approached the painting. It was a beautiful likeness of her, capturing her soft features, her lively eyes, and the grace with which she carried herself. The brushstrokes were delicate, infused with emotion. Aiore’s jaw tightened. There was no mistaking the affection Aldith had for her. His brother loved her.

The realization that both his stepmother and half brother might be conspiring with Arielle to kill him filled Aiore with an icy rage. Arielle—cunning and scheming Arielle—was playing him, all the while pretending to be loyal. He had thought there was something different about her, but now he could see clearly. She was as dangerous as the rest.

He left the gallery without a word, his mind swirling with dark thoughts. He would not confront Aldith or Arielle just yet. He needed to see how this played out, but he would not be caught unprepared.

Later that day, as Aiore sat in his office, lost in thoughts, there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," he invited coldly.

Arielle gently stepped inside, her eyes bright and lively as she approached him. "Aiore," she said softly, "I was wondering if… if we could go to the village again? I’d like to rest before tomorrow." There was a nervous edge to her voice, as if she feared his response.