Whispers of the Aether Realm

Chapter 7: Whispers in the Dark

The night wrapped around Valoria like a velvet cloak, the only sounds the faint rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant murmur of the capital slowly falling asleep. But inside the royal palace, tension buzzed beneath the stillness. Arabelle sat alone in her chambers, her eyes fixed on the flickering flames of the hearth, her mind a maelstrom of thoughts. She couldn't stop thinking about the blood ritual. Her blood.

Her head snapped up as the door creaked open slightly, and Raiden stepped in, his steps silent but deliberate. She had been expecting him—sort of. She wasn't sure why he wanted a private word, and the timing felt off.

"Do you always sneak into princesses' rooms in the middle of the night, Commander?" Arabelle asked without turning, her tone sharper than she intended.

Raiden paused, the flicker of a smirk ghosting across his otherwise stoic face. "Only the ones planning to disappear into the wilderness with no guards."

Arabelle sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I'm not in the mood for jokes, Raiden."

"Good," he replied flatly, stepping further into the room, his boots silent against the stone. "I didn't come for jokes."

She eyed him carefully now, sensing something unspoken. He was different tonight—tense, on edge. Raiden, the ever-composed Commander, looked like he was holding back something.

"Then why are you here?" she asked.

Raiden closed the door behind him and leaned against it, crossing his arms. "Do you trust Darius?"

The question hit her like cold water. Her first instinct was to snap back, but she caught herself. There was something in Raiden's eyes. Not suspicion—something more dangerous.

"I do," Arabelle replied, though the words felt measured. "Why?"

Raiden's gaze darkened, his voice low. "I've been watching him. Something's off."

"Watching him?" She raised an eyebrow. "You're keeping tabs on him now?"

"I keep tabs on everyone," Raiden replied coolly, stepping closer. His shadow stretched long across the floor, flickering in the firelight. "You should too. You think this conspiracy doesn't touch the people closest to you? You're smarter than that, Princess."

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you accusing him of being involved in the ritual?"

"I'm saying be careful who you trust. That's all." Raiden's eyes met hers with a blunt intensity. "People do strange things when they think the world is about to end."