The golden hues of the evening sky gently faded into twilight as Sion remained seated by the riverside, lost in a whirlpool of thoughts. The flowing water mirrored his turbulent emotions. It wasn't until the moon began its climb into the night sky that he finally stood and made his way back toward the palace.
As he entered through the garden corridor, every step he took made the patrolling guards tense up. Whispers fell silent. His presence alone carried the weight of everything that had unfolded earlier.
One brave, hesitant guard stepped forward and stammered, "Y-Young Master Sion… someone… someone is waiting in your room."
Sion nodded silently, brushing past the guard with quiet authority. Behind him, Raphael floated casually, arms crossed and a mischievous grin on her face. "I sense something brewing. Should I prepare a prayer for your survival?"
Sion rolled his eyes, ignoring her as he opened his chamber door.
He froze.
Inside, curled up and asleep on the guest cushions were Sara and Katherine, still dressed in their daytime gowns. The peaceful look on their faces did not match the storm that was no doubt brewing beneath.
Raphael dramatically covered her eyes, whispering, "My final prayer begins now…"
As Sion quietly turned around, hoping to escape the room without incident, two soft yet firm hands gripped his shoulders.
"And where do you think you're going, dear fiancé?" Sara's voice, sharp as ever, pierced the silence.
Raphael clutched her stomach, laughing quietly. "You're doomed."
Katherine rose as well, arms folded, eyes narrowed. "You've been ignoring us all day. Do you really think we'd let that slide?"
Sion gulped, caught red-handed. "I… I was just overwhelmed. Everything's been too much lately, and I needed time to think."
Both women stared at him, their expressions unreadable. Then, with surprising gentleness, they guided him to sit down.
"We're not here to scold you for feeling burdened," Sara said, her voice softer now. "But you don't get to push us away when you're hurting."
Katherine added, "You once promised that no matter how heavy your burdens became, you'd share them with us. Don't go back on that now."
Sion looked at both of them—strong, persistent, caring. A wave of gratitude washed over him. He didn't say anything. He simply sat with them, letting the comfort of their presence melt his fatigue away.
After a long pause, Sion stood. "There's something I must do."
Later that night, in the king's private chamber, King Nathan, Duke Ragnar, and Duke Jonathan were gathered. Sion entered with resolve in his steps.
"The palace has been breached," Sion announced without hesitation. "And I have strong reason to believe the royal family is no longer safe here."
Gasps filled the chamber.
"I suggest relocating the royal family, including Duke Jonathan, to the Persia Dukedom. We can plan and move forward from there. As for my journey to the Sidom Kingdom, I'll delay it slightly until we've secured our safety and established a counter-strategy."
Nathan hesitated. "Such a move could appear cowardly in front of the court. The people—"
"Let the people know," Sion interrupted, "that the royal family is taking residence in Persia Dukedom to foster unity with its allies and strategize against external threats. Frame it not as a retreat, but a show of unity and forward thinking."
King Nathan looked at Duke Ragnar and Duke Jonathan, who exchanged glances. After a moment, Ragnar gave a slow nod.
"I will send a secure message to Lady Mary," Jonathan added, "to begin preparations for their arrival."
Sion stepped forward one last time. "This kingdom is being suffocated from within. It's time we take our fight to the shadows… before they consume us all."
The decision was made.
And the war against the hidden hand began a new.