THE SHADOW BOUND CROWN

Lysara moved silently through the hidden passageways, her muscles aching from the rigorous training session. Sweat still clung to her skin, and she made a mental note to wash up quickly before bed. As she approached her chambers, she was already anticipating the comfort of solitude. But the moment she stepped inside, she halted in her tracks.

Aurelia was sitting on the edge of her bed, looking entirely at ease as she idly examined a dagger that Lysara had left on her bedside table. The foreign princess barely glanced up as she spoke.

"You look good like this," Aurelia mused, her voice laced with teasing amusement. "Quite the departure from your usual elegant attire."

Lysara scowled, slamming the door shut behind her. "What in the gods' names are you doing in my room? How did my servants even let you in?"

Aurelia smirked, finally turning her full attention to Lysara. "Oh, they didn't stop me. They saw us together before and assumed we were friends." She tilted her head. "You look angry. Could it be that you're upset people only think we're friends?"

Lysara exhaled sharply, throwing her training cloak over a chair. "That's not the point. The point is that you keep invading my space."

Aurelia shrugged, standing gracefully and taking a step closer. "And yet, you haven't thrown me out."

Lysara tensed but ignored the comment. "Why are you here, Aurelia?"

The princess's playful expression softened just a little. "I came to tell you that I spoke with your father. He agreed to our little tour."

Lysara raised an eyebrow. "You went to him? I thought I told you I would take care of it, which I did. Did he agree? What did he say."

Aurelia sighed, her amusement dimming. "Not quite. He added a condition."

Lysara's shoulders stiffened. "What condition?"

"Laurien must accompany us."

Lysara clenched her jaw. "Of course, he did. He said the same thing to me. I thought he would change his mind with you I guess he is really determined."

Aurelia's previous playfulness seemed to vanish entirely as she crossed her arms. "I take it you weren't aware of the deal your father made? About the courtship trials for Evelyn?"

Lysara scoffed. "Oh, I found out today. Apparently, my sister is some grand prize to be won, and my father wants to keep the competitors entertained."

Aurelia studied her for a moment before speaking. "And yet, you agreed."

Lysara sighed, rubbing her temples. "I had no choice. It was either that or risk my father refusing the tour entirely."

Aurelia considered this before nodding slowly. "Then I suppose we have no choice but to make the best of it."

Lysara rolled her eyes. "We?"

Aurelia smirked again, stepping even closer. "Of course. It's not just your trip, Lysara. It's mine, too."

Lysara held her ground, refusing to step back. "Fine. We leave tomorrow, then."

Aurelia's expression softened into something almost fond. "I look forward to it."

Before Lysara could react, Aurelia leaned in and placed a feather-light kiss on her cheek. It was so quick that by the time Lysara registered what had happened, the Icevire princess was already heading for the door.

"Goodnight, Lysara," Aurelia said over her shoulder, clearly amused at the stunned expression on the warrior princess's face.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Lysara standing frozen in place, her face burning in the dim candlelight. For once, she had no witty comeback.

"What in the gods' names just happened?" she muttered to herself before sinking onto the bed, suddenly very aware that tomorrow's trip was going to be far more complicated than she had anticipated.