Chapter 22

The library

Once she had found a good book, Aurelia sat comfortably in a chair, ready to escape reality and get lost in her reading. An hour had gone by when Aurelia felt a presence watching her. She looked up from her book to see Ondolemar, staring intensely at her as if lost in thought as he stood in the doorway.

Closing her book and straightening in her chair, she ask, "does something have your attention, Justiciar?"

Ondolemar's sharp gaze flickered, as if her voice had pulled him out of a trance. For a brief moment his usual composure faltered. "You're very perceptive today, Princess," he said as he stepped into the room. "I was not expecting to find you here. It's rare to see you… so still."

Aurelia arched an eyebrow, "I suppose I could say the same about you. It's not like you to lurk in doorways or to have secret meetings in the council chambers with my father."

Ondolemar froze mid-step, for a moment it had looked like she had struck a nerve. "Ah, so you've been inquisitive." His voice was calm and measured. He moved further into the room, his steps deliberate as if buying himself more time. "Curiosity has its merits, Princess, but it can also lead one into dangerous territory."

Aurelia stood, placing her book down on the table beside her. "Dangerous, you say?" She said as she slowly stepped closer to Ondolemar. "Like following the princess to the gardens late at night?"

Ondolemar's composure faltered once more for just a heartbeat, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. "A bold comparison." He said finally, his voice smooth but edged with unease. "Though I'd argue the circumstances are hardly equivalent."

Aurelia took another step forward, her tone biting but his expression was calm. "Are they not? Both involve someone venturing into 'dangerous territory' as you put it. Or perhaps I've misunderstood the kind of danger you're warning me about?"

His jaw tightened, but his face was masked with his usual authority. "My concern is for your safety and well-being Princess." His tone was firm but quieter now. "It always has been."

Aurelia close the gap between them, she whispered softly. "Is that why you've left so many things out of the reports you've been writing all these years?"

Ondolemars breath caught ever so slightly. He searched her eyes for a moment trying to determine how much she truly knew.

"Careful, Your Highness." He said, his voice was still measured but edged with a warning now. "You tread on precarious ground."

"Answer me," Aurelia demanded though her voice was soft and gentle.

He held her gaze for a long moment, his expression was unreadable, but she could see the conflict stirring beneath him.

"I did what was necessary." He said, almost reluctantly. "Not every truth is meant to be spoken, not when it serves no purpose but to harm."

"Harm who?" Aurelia asked, her heart was pounding in her chest. "Me? Or you?"

For a brief moment something flickered in his gaze-guilt or perhaps regret-but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "It does not matter." His tone was sharper now but the softness in his eyes betrayed him. "The result is the same."

"It does matter," she said firmly. "Why can't you just tell me the truth?"

He drew in a slow breath, "the truth," he began. "Is not always a kindness, Princess. Sometimes it is a burden-one I chose to bear so you don't have to."

Aurelia's heart twisted at his words. "You don't need to do that." She said her words barely above a whisper.

His eyes softened. "It's not that simple. You think I can just… stop?"

"I think you've made it more complicated than it has to be." She said gently. "I'm not asking you to do any of this."

Ondolemar's gaze lingered on her, his composure visibly wavering for the first time. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. "Perhaps not," he said finally, his tone. "But whether you ask or not, it changes nothing. My duty—to you, to what I represent—demands this of me."

Despite the fear of rejection, Aurelia couldn't help but ask. "Duty-is that what the other night was about?" Her voice was soft almost pleading.

Ondolemar flinched slightly at her words. He pressed his lips into a thin line as he looked away. "The other night," he began. "Was… a lapse of Judgement."

Aurelia's brows furrowed, her chest tightening. "Of course, Justiciar." She said as she took a step back, turning to leave the room.

Ondolemar's gaze flicked back to her. For a moment, he seemed as though he might stop her, his hand twitching at his side. "Princess—" he began, his voice softer, almost hesitant, but he quickly cut himself off.

Aurelia paused mid-step, her back still to him. Her heart ached at his words, but she refused to let him see the pain on her face. "No need to explain," she said. "I understand perfectly."

She took another step, determined to leave before the cracks in her resolve gave way.