The World Cannot Know

Chapter 65

Matthew Wild

The halls of the palace were quieter than they had been in days, but tension still hung in the air like fog refusing to lift. Repairs were underway—broken stone patched, banners re-hung, soldiers stationed with tighter routines. The castle belonged to Sebastian now, but the crown hadn't touched his head yet. Not officially.

I watched him from the archway of the council chamber, where he stood surrounded by advisors, Marcus and Hector at his side, Clive on the other. He looked stronger now—upright, walking with only the smallest hint of a limp. He wore simple clothes, not yet royal robes, but his presence filled the room like a born ruler.

I couldn't help but admire him. Not just for surviving, but for carrying the weight of what came after.

I turned away before he caught me staring. There was enough to occupy me elsewhere. The arrangements for the coronation, the care of the soldiers, the rotating shifts for the court physicians, Louie's daily needs... It was chaos, but it was structured chaos.

Louie was doing well. Better than expected, really. Arney's mother had magic in her hands when it came to calming him. The child had started smiling. It was a crooked little thing, all gums and fluttering lashes—but it nearly made me cry the first time I saw it.

Sebastian had held him yesterday. Awkward at first, but his arms had steadied. And for one long, perfect moment, it looked as though the ache he'd carried for weeks finally had somewhere to go.

And then there was Katharina.

I found her later that day, alone in the palace gardens. She stood by the fountain in silence, her arms crossed over her chest, her dark cloak pulled tight against the chill in the spring air. She heard my footsteps but didn't turn around.

"You always did like to sneak up on people," she said flatly.

"I wasn't sneaking," I replied. "You're just dramatic."

She turned then, slowly. Her face was unreadable.

"I suppose you want to talk."

I hesitated, then walked over. "We've avoided it long enough, haven't we?"

There was a long pause between us. The soft trickle of the fountain was the only sound. Her gaze dropped to the water.

"You think I'm a villain, don't you?" she said. "For what I did to you."

I swallowed. "I think you were afraid. And angry. Maybe still are."

"I gave up everything for this alliance," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "And he never wanted me. Not even once. I was humiliated. And you—" her eyes lifted to mine, "you were always the reason."

I felt the words hit, but I stood my ground.

"I never meant to hurt you," I said. "But I won't apologize for loving him."

Katharina looked away again. Her arms tightened around herself. "You were my brother, Matthew. And you chose him."

"I didn't choose anyone over you," I said. "You were the one who handed me over to be hanged."

Her jaw clenched. "Because I was hurt. And I couldn't bear to watch you be happy when I was trapped."

I took a slow, deliberate step closer. "So you would rather I be dead, then?" My voice was quiet, but it cracked with the weight behind it. "Your brother. You would've watched me hang for loving someone—just to make your own misery feel justified?"

Katharina's eyes flashed, the fire rising in her chest just as quick. "You think it was that simple? That I wanted you dead?"

"You knew what would happen when you exposed us," I said, bitterness tightening my throat. "And you didn't hesitate."