While Aria dozed off, her body still trembling faintly from the effects of the potion, Icarus silently cleaned her up with careful, reverent hands. He made sure she was comfortable before summoning Kirael—his shadow-familiar—to keep watch over her.
"Don't let anyone near her," Icarus instructed in a low voice. The familiar's aura flickered once in acknowledgment before it took position by Aria's side, eyes glowing like coals.
Without wasting another second, Icarus left her room and moved swiftly through the palace, barely disturbing the air as he approached Sylphira's quarters.
"Crown Princess," he whispered.
Sylphira turned, startled. "Icarus? What are you doing here?"
"We need to return to the capital. Aria was drugged. It's not safe here anymore," Icarus said with a cold edge to his voice. "I'll inform the Crown Prince myself. Prepare immediately."
Sylphira's expression darkened with concern, but she moved quickly to gather what they needed.
When Liam learned the truth, his first instinct was to drop their cover and act publicly—but Icarus stopped him.
"It's not the right time," Icarus said. "Let's not alert our enemies just yet."
Liam clenched his jaw but listened. Meanwhile, Icarus went directly to King Raheem and told him everything. He demanded a full investigation and promised answers once the truth came to light.
By the time Aria stirred awake, she was already in a carriage, surrounded by heavy magical wards and cloaked escorts. Her body still ached, her thoughts foggy. Before she could speak, her eyelids fluttered closed again.
What was supposed to be a week-long journey was reduced to two intense days, thanks to Icarus's intervention.
They were heading back to the Duchy.
THE NORTH
The royal family was already in the North when the news reached them. Liam and Sylphira were still in their uniforms, exhausted but standing firm. The situation turned worse when Selene barged into the meeting room.
"Who was it?" Selene asked quietly—so quietly that it sent chills down everyone's spine.When she was quiet, it meant something worse was coming.
"At the moment, it's not clear yet." Icarus stepped forward. "But the incense they used is from the Holy Land."
That shocked everyone. The Holy Land had never had any ties with Ashkalon.
"So they're trying to take Aria like this… Bastards," Liam muttered. "I checked as you asked. There was nothing like they claimed. No shadow, no curse."
"So they lied," Kaelen said, his expression dark.
"It seems that way. They're after something," Abigel added.
"Let me report what I've figured out so far," Icarus said calmly. "Second Prince Khalid and Lioan lied about curses and shadows in Ashkalon. They summoned the High Priest not for protection, but to take Aria. She holds a golden aura, which makes her similar to the Saintess from the old texts.
Those old records—written by the old man—say that the Saintess was carrying and was sacrificed for evil purposes. The Church denies it ever happened. We don't know what happened to the Saintes's sister, but the knight who had a silver aura tried to protect her and was killed. His son became the First Duke of the North later. Since then, the only born silver aura user has been the Duchess. That can be why the shadows are targeting her."
"So the shadows want to kill me to get to Aria and sacrifice her," Selene said coldly.
"But… why Aria?" Sylphira asked.
"Isn't it obvious? Because of her power," Abigel replied.
"You're still not telling us everything, Icarus," Theodore said, narrowing his eyes at him.
"Someone is after the silver sword," Icarus admitted. "And we need to find out who it is EXACTLY before I do something… irreversible." His voice turned deadly. "If I must, I'll end it myself."
"Khalid and Lioan have been wandering around the South. Did the Duchess notice?"
"We have an informant watching Lioan, but not Khalid," Kaelen answered.
"Then strengthen security immediately. And don't talk about the silver sword—not even a word. Find the old man's diary. I hope that's not too difficult a request," Icarus said, glancing at Abigel.
Selene's voice sliced through the room.
"If I burn down the Church, will that get you what you need?"
"Not yet, Duchess. But I'll give you the perfect time for that," Icarus said without flinching.
A few minutes later, the meeting ended.No one returned to the capital.
They all stayed—waiting for Aria.
While everything was happening outside, Aria remained in a deep sleep—trapped somewhere between dimensions.
Then, a sudden voice called out, pulling her consciousness in a direction she didn't recognize… yet somehow, it felt familiar.
A figure stepped forward from the void, a black cat slinking around his feet.
"Grand Duke Raelin…" Aria whispered.
He chuckled softly. "Aren't you my great-granddaughter?"
Silence followed as they gazed at each other, the space between them filled with unspoken things.
"You look like Alexandra," Raelin said gently.
Aria smiled, a trace of sadness in her eyes.
"You'll be going back soon," Raelin said, brushing his hand against her cheek.
"I'm… not the real Aria," she said quietly, her gaze unwavering. "You know that, don't you?"
His face didn't show any surprise—only a quiet understanding, as if he'd always known.
"Let me tell you something," he said at last. "Sometimes, we have to do terrible things to protect what is most precious. And when that time comes, the way we do it may not matter."
He paused, his eyes deep with weight. "When you find out… you might hate me, child. But everything I did, I did to protect what I loved most."
He began to walk away, his voice echoing behind him.
"You are Aria, and you are Su Yeon. It's time."
Suddenly, Aria woke up—gasping for breath.
Annie, her maid, was there when Aria suddenly woke up, gasping for air. The maid let out a sigh of relief, tears brimming in her eyes.
"It's okay, my lady. You're safe now," Annie said gently, trying to calm her.
"Water," Aria whispered hoarsely.
Annie quickly handed her a glass. Aria drank it down in gulps, her expression softening as the panic faded. Just then, Selene entered the room without a moment's hesitation. She rushed to Aria's side and pulled her into a tight embrace.
It took a long time before Selene finally let go.
"I'm alright, Mother," Aria said with a faint smile.
That day, Selene didn't leave her side for even a moment. Sometimes she sat quietly in the chair beside her, simply watching. Other times she read in silence, but her eyes always flicked toward Aria with unspoken worry.
"I…" Selene started, then paused, her voice faltering. "Get well soon," she whispered, then quickly left the room.
Aria's eyes lingered on the door.
"The Duchess stayed with you the whole time, my lady," Annie said softly, smiling.
Later, Kaelen came in. He wrapped his arms around Aria in a protective hug before stepping back to let her rest.
That evening, elsewhere in the estate, Selene and Kaelen were in a tense conversation.
"Did you see the mark too?" Kaelen asked, his voice tight with fury.
Selene nodded. "I believe she'll tell us when she's ready."
"But who dares to touch my daughter?" Kaelen growled, barely containing his rage.
"Kaelen, Aria is old enough to make her own decisions. If she likes someone—" Selene began, trying to reason with him.
"I'll kill him," Kaelen snapped, cutting her off. "In the worst way imaginable if anyone dares come near my child."
With that, he stormed out. Selene sighed, knowing there was little she could do once Kaelen's temper flared.