I watched as Jax hit the panel on the side of the door. The soft hiss of hydraulics barely registered as my focus locked on the woman beyond it. Seraphina stood there, framed by the dim corridor light, her gown immaculate, her posture regal, her hair perfectly arranged, her expression unreadable. But beneath the surface—something was off. A flicker in her eyes. A tension in her fingers, briefly clenching before smoothing out. A noblewoman’s training, fighting against something real.

Elara stood a step behind her, her sharp gaze scanning the room like a hawk. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant uniform, her posture relaxed but alert. Jax’s assessment of her seemed accurate—she was more than just a maid. Her presence was too deliberate, too calculating.

For a moment, no one spoke. The air between us felt charged, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension. I could feel Zara’s eyes on me, her disapproval radiating like heat from a forge. Lyra lingered by the monitors, her gaze darting between Seraphina and me, her curiosity barely concealed. Jax leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his smirk faint but present. Theon stood by the door, his expression unreadable, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

“Alex,” Seraphina said finally, her voice soft but steady. “You’re awake.”

I nodded, my throat dry. “I am.”

Her eyes searched mine, and for a moment, the mask slipped. I saw the worry there, the fear, the relief. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the calm composure I’d come to expect from her.

“I’m glad,” she said simply. “I was… concerned.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. Concerned? For me? The last time we’d spoken, I’d been a mess—physically, emotionally, mentally. I’d leaned on her, let her see me at my weakest. And now, standing here, I felt that vulnerability all over again. But this time, it was different. This time, I wasn’t sure if I could trust her.

“Lady Seraphina,” Zara said, her tone clipped. “What brings you to Drakara?”

Seraphina’s gaze met Zara’s, calm and unwavering. Zara’s shoulders stiffened ever so slightly, her fingers twitching at her side before she folded her arms, masking the movement. The air between them was razor-sharp, humming with unspoken words. Protectiveness was too soft a word—Zara was a soldier standing between an enemy and her captain. And Seraphina? She wasn’t backing down...

“I came to see Alex,” Seraphina replied, her voice calm but firm. “And to offer my assistance, if needed.”

“Assistance?” Zara raised an eyebrow. “With what, exactly?”

Seraphina’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she turned back to me. “Alex, may we speak privately?”

I hesitated, glancing at the others. Zara’s jaw tightened, “I need to check the Razorwing anyway.” The words were sharp, clipped—an excuse more than a reason. She wasn’t looking at me. She was looking at Seraphina.

Lyra gave a slight nod, her expression unreadable. Jax shrugged, his smirk widening. Theon remained silent, his hand still resting on his blade.

“Alright,” I said finally. “Give us a moment.”

Zara shot me a look, her eyes narrowing, but she didn’t protest. I could almost see the inner battle waging behind her eyes. Why did she care so much? Why did Seraphina’s voice and presence make her feel like she was standing in a war she hadn’t meant to start? But instead of answering that unspoken question, she turned on her heel and strode out, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Lyra followed, her datapad clutched tightly in her hand. Jax lingered for a moment, his gaze lingering on Elara before he, too, disappeared. Theon was the last to leave, his expression unreadable as he stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him.

The room fell silent, the weight of their absence pressing down on me. Seraphina stood a few feet away, her hands clasped in front of her. Elara remained by the door, her gaze fixed on me, her expression unreadable.

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“Elara,” Seraphina said softly. “Leave us.”

Elara hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly. “My lady—”

“Please,” Seraphina interrupted, her voice firm but not unkind. “I’ll be fine.”

Elara’s gaze flickered to me, and for a moment, I thought she might argue. But then she nodded, her expression tight, and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.

And then it was just the two of us.

Seraphina exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She took a step closer, her eyes searching mine. “Alex,” she said softly. “How are you?”

I didn’t know how to answer that. How was I? I’d just woken up from what felt like a nightmare; my body was still recovering, and now she was standing in front of me, her presence both comforting and unsettling.

“I’ve been better,” I said finally, my voice rough. “But I’ll live.”

She nodded, her expression softening. “I’m glad. When I heard what happened… I was worried.”

“Worried?” I echoed, slow, deliberate. Then, I let out a short, humourless laugh. “Right. Because if I die, your family loses their precious alliance.”

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked hurt. But then she straightened, her composure returning. “No,” she said firmly. “Because I care about you.”

I blinked, taken aback. My fingers twitched as I drew in a breath. “You care about me?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice steady. “I know this arrangement wasn’t what either of us wanted. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about what happens to you.”

I stared at her, my mind scrambling to reconcile her words with the woman I thought I knew. Seraphina, the noble pawn. The perfect daughter. The Emperor’s bargaining chip. She wasn’t supposed to care. That wasn’t part of the equation. And yet—her eyes held no calculation, no cold diplomacy—only raw, undeniable sincerity.

“Alex,” she said softly, taking another step closer. “I need your help.”

I stared at her, my mind racing. This wasn’t what I’d expected. Not even close.

“Seraphina… what are you talking about?”

She took a deep breath, her eyes locking with mine. “My family… they’ve controlled every aspect of my life. They’ve used me, manipulated me, forced me into this marriage. But I can’t do it anymore. I can’t live like this. I need to get away. And I need you to help me.”

Something in my chest tightened. I need to get away.

The words echoed in my head, sharper than they should have been.

I swallowed hard, my voice quieter than I intended. “From me?” I almost flinched at my tone. I cursed myself. I hadn’t meant for it to come out like that. But it was too late now.

Seraphina’s eyes widened, panic flickering across her face. “No! That’s not what I—” She stepped forward, hands reaching slightly before stopping herself. “Alex, I didn’t mean it that way.”

She was flustered, caught off guard. For once, I saw past the perfect poise. I saw the raw desperation beneath it—the fear of being misunderstood. Her eyes held only raw emotion.

For a heartbeat, something in me cracked—then I caught myself. No. This was a mistake waiting to happen. The words had already landed. And I wasn’t sure if it was my pride or something deeper that made me retreat behind the familiar walls.

I forced a smirk, but even I could hear the edge in my voice. “Don’t worry, My Lady. If you want out, I’ll help you. I wouldn’t want to keep you trapped in something you never wanted.”

She flinched. Just barely.

Something twisted in my gut, but I shoved it down.

“Alex, please—”

“It’s fine.” I stepped back, shoving my hands in my pockets, feigning an easy posture that didn’t quite reach my chest. “You need to escape? I’ll make it happen.”

She opened her mouth. Then closed it. For the first time since I’d met her, she looked lost.

I looked away before she could see anything I didn’t want her to. “Get some rest,” I muttered. “We’ve got a lot to figure out.”

Turning again, I walked past her, leaving the silence to swallow whatever words she hadn’t been able to say.

The door slid open as I stepped past Elara. She glared at me, something dark and accusatory flashing in her eyes before she shoved past, disappearing inside.

I hadn’t meant to look back—I should’ve just kept walking.

But I did. And there she was.

Seraphina, on the floor. Her shoulders were shaking, her head bowed, and her hands curled into the fabric of her gown like she was holding herself together by sheer force of will.

The sight struck something deep in my chest, sharp and unexpected. Leave. Keep walking. Don’t do this to yourself.

My foot moved forward towards her. Then stopped.

A breath hitched from her lips, quiet and broken.

I turned away.

The knot in my stomach twisted tighter, but I forced myself to keep walking. I had a planet to rule… and save. I didn’t have time for this. And I sure as hell didn’t have time to wonder if she was telling the truth...