"I might be leaving anytime soon. I’ll depart together with the other Kings and Lords," Jade said, lifting the awkward silence between the two. She lifted her face to stare at his eyes but something seemed off with this Griffin. Why was he acting so cool? Didn’t her charm work on him anymore? But how? It always worked on all men unless he.. No, that can’t be! He couldn’t have noticed she was different, could he?

Newton poured some wine in his cup internally rolling his eyes. Why would she tell him she was leaving? Was there need to inform him personally? But he knew he had to act according to Griffin’s plan. Still, he couldn’t understand what it was that Griffin wanted from this woman. To Newton, she was just an experienced whore who wanted to have Griffin between her legs. Women were dangerous! Who knew what she wanted once she had thrown herself to him? Cunning was the perfect word to describe their nature, and beauty was their most powerful weapon.

"Why don’t you stay a little longer? I’ll personally escort you to Tasia and give you the pleasure to be carried with our royal carriage," he suggested, placing the jug on the table. He grabbed the cup of wine and twirled it studying her ’cunning’ face. He could already guess what was coming, and he was just bad at this field. Maybe he should have considered this before taking the damn offer.

"I’m sorry your Majesty but my family is waiting for me. I’m expected to be home by tomorrow evening." Newton didn’t get surprised by that. He had expected this already. Didn’t someone tell her she was just bad at hiding emotions. This was what every woman would have said. Excuses! Newton sighed, placing the cup gently on the table. He had drunk nothing since he poured the wine in the cup. He was not ford if wine.

"I’ll have a letter sent to Tasia informing your family that you will be extending your stay for diplomatic purposes. I bet they’ll be more than fine to hear that," he said. He could see the way she acted when he talked about her family and sending letters. She was indeed suspicious.

Jade sipped her wine, her grip tightening around the glass. She had come here prepared to meet a naive Griffin but seems he had grown immune overnight! And as if that was not enough, he asked her to stay! Yes that was the plan but not the letters! Hell she was not from Tasia in the first place. She was Valorian, a pure blooded Valorian royalty! If those letters got to the Tasian palace, she would be in great trouble. But she still wanted to be here in order to carry out her plans. Staying was part of the plan but this...

"I’m still waiting for your answer... my Lady." Newton had almost forgot that part. She was of royalty, or so she claimed, and deserved to be treated with respect.

"Um... it’s alright." She gave in. But she had to come up with a plan and make sure no letter got out of Valoria going to Tasia or else her whole plan would crumble to dust.

"I’ll have the messenger organize about that, so don’t you worry. In the meantime, you’ll be spending your days here and the guest room is where you shall stay. I’ll have a few maids be at your service." Newton said. He could detect subtle discomfort in the whole matter. And though she had consented to it, it was like she was being forced to do it. Was she a spy? What if she was not from Tasia? The letters would reveal everything. He sunk back into his chair, enjoying a piece of stick. Maybe it wasn’t that bad to be Griffin as he had thought. He got to enjoy a royalty’s meal.

***** 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Roselyn was pacing back and forth outside Alexander’s room for God knows how long.

"Just sit and calm down. He’s going to be alright, " Victoria coerced the restless woman. She had seen the worst for the better part of the day and didn’t want to feed her mind with negative thoughts. She only hoped Alexander would be alright.

"I can’t! It has been hours and still no sign of him. What if he’s in danger?" Roselyn asked punching her palm lightly. "We need to get in now."

"Not this again Roselyn. We’ve already talked about it, haven’t we? You’re going to stay here, whether you like it or not?" Victoria said with a calm tone that carried unspoken emotions.

"Don’t tell I am going to stand here for another God knows how long hours when my husband is still in here while we actually don’t know what happened to him?" She asked without taking a breath. But to that, Victoria said nothing. She just stared at the distance before she said,

"Do what you think is right." And now Roselyn was confused. She had just been given the consent to barge into Alexander’s room but why did it feel so wrong? Why did she agree to it in the first place? Maybe she was too overbearing, selfish to be precise, only thinking about herself. Victoria had seen worse than hell today and what was Roselyn doing instead? She was acting like she was the only one who cared about Alexander in the world. What type of daughter-in-law could she even make?

"I’m sorry mother. Maybe I’m just being selfish. I don’t want to be a bad daughter in law. Please forgive me. I should have listened to you all along. I’m so sorry."

"It’s okay dear, we all make mistakes. But what we do after committing those mistakes is what determines our worth as humans," Victoria said. Her words made Roselyn melt and halt on her tracks. She leaned on the wall, pinching the skin between her brows when the creaking sound of the door opening startled her, pulling her attention towards that direction.

"Alexander!" The two women exclaimed simultaneously.