Callis shook her head firmly when she heard that the two teenagers were about to confront Anna on their own.
"You can’t just go like this," she said sharply.
"Why not?" Arl asked, frowning.
"Because nothing is more dangerous than a pregnant woman consud by anger and jealousy," Callis warned. "Trust , if only the two of you go, soone might walk away with a broken face."
She had already heard the story about how Anna had slapped and beaten Sarah in front of the entire royal court. Even without witnessing it firsthand, she could easily imagine the surge of the Khasif’s power flowing through Anna.
And that public pumling? That was only the surface. If the princess had tapped fully into the strength she took from Kyren, Sarah would’ve been dead on the spot.
"You’re not saying Lady Raychard would actually hurt her... are you?" Eli asked, visibly taken aback.
The young knight still had no real grasp of Anna’s origin, nor the full details of what had transpired at the palace. The only things he knew ca from Eric’s brief public statent. He was still waiting for a proper explanation, along with the rest of the mansion’s staff.
The idea that Anna might physically harm Athillia hadn’t even occurred to him, which made Callis’s warning all the more startling.
"You bet I am," the derian Princess said coolly. "The dynamic has changed. Your lady isn’t the sa as she used to be. Don’t worry. Sir Navin will fill you in later."
Eli opened his mouth to ask more, but then thought better. He’d wait to hear the explanation from the second-in-command knight. That would probably be easier to digest.
"Then how do we get over this?" Arl asked. "We can’t just let the misunderstanding go on."
Seeing the anxious looks on the teenagers’ faces, Callis drew a steady breath and made her decision.
"I’ll co with you," she said. "If anything happens, I can at least protect her."
She glanced at Athillia, who imdiately took a step back.
"I can’t just reveal myself to you! I don’t even know who you are! You could be a threat to !" the Bargesian Princess exclaid.
"She’s not a Cassian, Lady Athillia," Arl said calmly, recognising the source of her fear.
"She’s not?" Athillia asked, her eyes wide as she looked from Arl back to the woman.
"I am now, by marriage. Rember?" Callis replied with a faint smile.
Athillia raised a brow, clearly confused.
Seeing her expression, Arl quickly explained, "This is Her Highness, Princess Callis Naver from Sabel Island."
"It’s Mrs Callis Naver-Amares now," the derian Princess corrected.
"Oh! You’re the derian royal who ca after Anna! And the other one I saw at the foyer, who looked like you... that must’ve been your brother, Prince Kiev Naver! You’re married to Mr Rafe Amares, the Gerhard healer, which explains why you no longer use your royal title!" Athillia exclaid.
Callis blinked, mildly surprised by the Bargesian princess’s knowledge. But then it clicked—Athillia had spent much ti with Kyren. She must have heard it from him.
"Well, I suppose we can skip the introductions, then. No need to waste more ti. Just know you don’t have to fear . As long as what you say is true, that you’re not here to hurt Anna, I’ll stay out of your way and ensure your safety."
Athillia gave a respectful nod.
"Lord Kyren told your king forbade you and your brother from interfering in the continent’s matters when you ca to get Anna. So, I’ll trust you."
Callis smirked.
"Smart choice. Now, let’s go."
"I’m coming too! I’m her escort," Eli suddenly cut in.
"No need. Your presence won’t change anything," Callis replied without missing a beat.
"What?! Are you looking down on ?" The young knight’s temper sparked.
The derian Princess gave him a flat stare.
"This isn’t about you." She paused and explained further. "After getting to know Anna, I’ve noticed she will distance herself when upset. Too many people around her won’t help."
"There’ll only be four of us! That’s hardly a crowd!" Eli argued.
"Still too many, with you," Callis said firmly.
Eli threw a look at Arl, disgruntled.
"Then why does he get to go, and I don’t? What’s he got that I don’t?"
"Because he won’t act like a hothead," Callis replied nonchalantly. "Arl may be a servant to you, but he’s Anna’s friend, and mine. He’s also way better with girls than you or any other knights."
The young knight folded his arms, pouting like a scolded child.
Callis sighed, knowing well why Eli was reluctant to let them go without him.
"Go report this to Sir Navin. He’ll understand and won’t hold it against you. Just say I made the call so you won’t be accused of abandoning your duty."
She gave him a quick once-over and added, "Besides... you need to change. You look like you’ve just dived into a pond. If you don’t dry off, you’ll get sick."
Eli’s face flushed red. Callis’s sharp eyes had caught on to his appearance with ease. If anyone else noticed, questions would surely follow—after all, it was unusual to be that damp in the middle of winter.
Fortunately, the earlier commotion had drawn most of the attention away from him. Still, he knew he’d better get changed before soone else pointed it out again.
Eli stayed rooted in place as the group was about to move, still gathering his thoughts.
"What now?" Callis snapped. "That brooding look won’t sway . Go get changed!"
The young knight grunted. But knowing she outranked him and could outfight him, too, he finally stepped aside.
Their footsteps echoed against the marble path as they walked off. Eli watched them go, the group growing smaller in the distance.
"Don’t forget to take your dicine, Sir Henderson!" Callis’s voice rang out, teasing with a smirk. "You’re about to catch a fever!"
"D*mn it!" Eli muttered, red in the face. "How is she always that quick-witted?!"
***
Callis ran her knuckles along the door, knocking.
"Go away!" ca Anna’s muffled voice from inside. "For the hundredth ti, I don’t want to see you, Kyren!"
"It’s , Callis," the derian Princess called out.
There was a brief silence.
"The Grand Duke isn’t here," she added more gently. "Open up, Anna."
Still, no response.
Callis let out a sigh and glanced over her shoulder at Arl.
"Tell her I’m here. Give it a try," the teenager urged.
She nodded and raised her voice again.
"Arl is with . He has sothing important to say."
Another pause followed. Just as the derian Princess lifted her hand to knock again, the door creaked open. Anna stood behind it, partially hidden, her expression wary.
"You’re not lying, are you? This isn’t so sche of Kyren’s?" she asked, eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Of course not. The Grand Duke has nothing to do with this," Callis replied firmly, then quickly pulled Arl into view.
Athillia, per their plan, remained out of sight on the other side of the doorway.
"Hello, my lady!" Arl greeted her with a cheerful smile. "I ca to check on you personally. How are you?"
Anna sighed, visibly relaxing when she saw the teenager. At least Kyren’s irritating face wasn’t in sight for now.
"It’s been a hectic day, Arl. Please, co in, both of you," she said, stepping aside and opening the door wider.
They entered quietly, closing the door behind them.
Before it shut completely, Callis glanced aningfully toward Athillia, silently signalling her to wait. The Bargesian Princess slightly nodded, bracing herself for the incoming encounter.
The mont they stepped into the front hall, Callis and Arl spotted the shattered remains of a vase near the entryway.
"Oh dear! I should call a servant to clean this up," the teenager exclaid.
"Leave it," Anna said flatly, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
She gestured toward the settee, inviting them to sit. Callis joined her, but Arl, being respectful to both ladies, politely declined and stood before them.
Anna didn’t argue. She had already endured too many altercations for one day and had no desire to spark another. With a quiet sigh, she relented.
"What is it you wish to tell ?" she asked.
Arl exchanged a glance with Callis, who gave a subtle nod. As agreed, the teenager would start the conversation.
"Well... I figured you might be exhausted after everything that’s happened today," Arl began, reaching into his coat. "So, I brought you sothing."
Anna tilted her head, intrigued. "What is it?"
The teenager carefully unwrapped the item and placed it on the table. To her surprise, it was an apple—not an ordinary one. Its skin was a soft, pale pink, and it was noticeably smaller and rounder than the typical kind.
"This is a Snow Apple," Arl explained. "I found it this morning in the backyard while taking Rhen out to play. It’s the last one from a wild tree near the fence. Maybe the winter was too harsh, so there aren’t many this year. It’s quite rare because the Snow Apple tree typically grows in mountainous regions. Go ahead and try it. I’ve already washed it."
Anna’s mouth watered at the sight. Her appetite had been unpredictable during this early stage of pregnancy, and few things truly tempted her. But sohow, this little apple made her stomach stir.
She eagerly took it and bit in. The mont the crisp, sweet-sour juice touched her tongue, she closed her eyes and let out a soft moan of delight.
"Oh, Arl, this is so good!" she said between bites. "You’ve really made my day."
Arl bead with satisfaction. It was a small gesture, but it lifted Anna’s spirits, making it worth it.
Callis and Arl watched as Anna finished the apple, her mood visibly improving.
"Is there more?" she asked hopefully, licking the last bit of juice from her lips upon finishing.
"I’m sorry," Arl replied with a slight shrug. "Like I said, it was the last one. I searched all around, but I couldn’t find any others."
"Oh..." Anna looked down, disappointed.
Before her mood could dip again, Callis gently interjected, "We’ll look for more later, I promise. In the anti, I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare sothing nutritious for you. You can’t be eating apples only. The baby needs proper food to grow strong and healthy."
Anna nodded. Though the disappointnt lingered, she knew the derian Princess spoke the truth.
Now that her state of mind had lightened, Arl decided it was ti to reveal the true purpose of his visit.
"Lady Raychard, I know what happened at the foyer... and understand that you’re still upset," he began gently. "But, I also know the truth behind it. I hope you’ll allow so explanation to be made."
Anna raised a brow.
"What truth? Do you know sothing that I don’t?"
"Well..." Arl hesitated and glanced at Callis. "Rather than hear it from , wouldn’t it be better to hear it from the person directly involved?"
She agreed, saying, "He’s right. When a third party interprets it, the core aning might seem different," supporting the teenager.
Anna looked at them both, doubt flickering in her eyes. What good would another explanation do? The facts had already been laid bare—or so she thought.
"You trusted before," Arl said softly. "When we parted ways, you even left Rhen under my care. Can you trust one more ti?"
Anna held his gaze. Arl had always been considerate and supportive without pushing. Because of him, she’d gained the idea of the duel between Kyren and Kiev, a move that had ultimately changed her fate from being taken away with force. Perhaps he deserved that chance.
In the end, the princess gave a reluctant nod.
"Great! I’ll let her in then!" Arl said with a bright smile, imdiately hurrying toward the door.
Anna turned to Callis, curiosity and unease creeping into her expression.
"Who is it?" she asked quietly.
Callis patted her hand reassuringly.
"You’ll know. Don’t worry. It’ll be fine."
A mont later, Arl returned with a figure trailing behind him, moving hesitantly.
Anna leaned forward, shifting left and right to peer around the teenager’s tall fra.
"Let introduce her properly," said Arl as he stepped aside. "This is Her Highness, Princess Athillia Emir."
Anna’s eyes widened.
The girl standing before her was unmistakably the sa one Kyren had introduced at the foyer.
Her blood boiled at the sight, overriding any attention to how Arl had addressed her. Rage surged forward like a crashing tide.
"You!" Anna’s voice cracked through the hall. "How dare you co here!"
She rose to her feet, fury etched across her face.
Callis’s eyes instantly darted to Anna’s body, where the golden glow of the binding spell began to shimr. The cord pulsed faintly, trailing towards the grand duke’s private library adjacent to the master suite.
"Oh no!" Callis gasped in alarm, recognising the signs. Driven by fury, Anna was drawing power through the binding cord from her husband.
Apparently, Kyren was just behind the closed entryway of his private library to the master suite.
Within seconds, the door burst open with a loud crash as the Grand Duke charged in. He had sensed the surge through the bond and ca rushing in, expecting danger.
"What is going on?" he demanded, his sharp eyes sweeping across the hall and landing on Athillia, Arl, and Callis standing alongside his wife.
From the private library, Alex, Noah, and Eric peeked through the now-open doorway, drawn by the commotion, though none dared step inside.
"We’re just having a conversation!" Callis quickly said, holding tightly to Anna’s trembling hand.
She leaned closer and whispered urgently, "Anna, don’t do this. You promised to listen first, rember?"
Anna’s hand shook. The effort to suppress her volatile emotions was visible—her breath shallow, and her brows furrowed. The binding spell’s energy still lingered in the air like static.
Seeing this, Callis stepped forward and t Kyren in the interconnected area. Without hesitation, she placed both hands on his arm and began pushing him backwards.
"Out. Go back to your private library. This is girls’ talk," she said firmly.
Kyren blinked, thrown off by her assertiveness.
"Are you serious right now?" he asked.
"Yes. Block the bond and cut her access to the mana, just as brother advised. She isn’t capable of controlling her power yet. You understand the risks," she hurriedly whispered. "I’ve got this and am here to prevent violence. Arl and I are working to resolve the situation peacefully between you, her, and that young girl, so please... help us help you. Whatever happens in here later on, please don’t interrupt unless I call for you.
Kyren glanced again at the silent Athillia and Arl, who stood frozen in place. They didn’t see the glowing binding cord and remained clueless about what had just happened. The sa went for Alex, Noah, and Eric, who were still peeking, clearly puzzled.
Finally, the Grand Duke exhaled sharply and gave a firm nod.
Using the technique Kiev had briefly taught him, Kyren severed the pull of the bond, cutting off Anna’s access to his mana. Like Callis said, the princess hadn’t yet learned to control her power. Therefore, letting her draw from it in monts of intense emotion was too dangerous.
"Carry on," he said evenly. He then turned to Anna with a resolute look. "You will not get what you want from this way, Anna. Be civilised. Speak, don’t lash out."
The words struck a nerve with the princess. Driven by rage and still seething, Anna surged towards him, but Callis moved quickly, blocking her by facing her.
"Enough," the derian Princess said, gripping Anna’s shoulders. "Don’t let your emotions lead you to ruin. You’re stronger than this. Arl and I aren’t your enemies, we’re your friends. We didn’t bring her here to hurt you. So, please trust us. There’s a good reason behind all this."
Anna froze, chest heaving. Sha gradually replaced her fury as understanding dawned. She had allowed her rage to take control once more.
She was the Khasif, ant to be the Ro’ans’ true ruler. And yet, here she was, faltering because of her emotions.
"I’m sorry..." she murmured. "I got carried away."
Seeing that she had finally cald, Kyren gave one last look—filled with warning and worry—before turning away.
Without another word, he vanished into the private library. The door closed behind him, though the handle was missing and part of it was broken, leaving the four free to speak.
"Leave for now, Arl," Callis instructed the teenager as she saw Anna on the verge of tears.
The princess’s emotions were unstable, and she surely wouldn’t want to be seen like this.
"As you wish. I’ll co back later," Arl replied, understanding the delicate situation.
He left, and though Athillia hesitated, Callis encouraged her to speak.
"Tell us everything. I heard Arl introduce you as a princess just now. Who are you, really?" asked the derian Princess.
Anna glanced at the young girl. Callis’s comnt sparked her curiosity now that her senses had settled, prompting her to wonder which kingdom this young princess ca from.
And so, Athillia began to share her story.
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