Zethar;

"Did he tell you what happened in Gravemaw?" I ask, and Lioran hesitates

The way he does when he’s choosing what to say.

"He told me some of it," he says finally, and I raise a brow.

"Some... of it?" I push, and he nods once.

"He told me about the witches and warlocks. And he told me why they attacked Gravemaw." He replies, and my gaze hardens.

"He knows... why they attacked Gravemaw??" I ask in shock, and Lioran exhales slowly, nodding his head.

"I’ll tell you everything I know... But not here, and certainly not like this." He replies, and I narrow my eyes slightly.

"That serious?" I question, and he holds my gaze.

"Yes." He admits, and my brows knot.

"And you’re just... sitting on it?" I press, and he huffs.

"I’m handling what I can. If I’m not careful, I will break down. So trust me when I say now is not the time for either of us to have that conversation." He replies, and that frustrates me...

But I understand it.

"So as it stands, you know more than the rest of us what’s happening," I say, and he drags a breath as he returns his gaze to the courtyard below.

"I know enough to know this isn’t small," He answers.

"And enough to know that despite what he told me, Father is carrying more than he’s letting on." He answers softly, and I study him for a moment.

"You think there’s more than what he told you?"

"I think he had an argument with Queen Cassia... And we all know how much he loves her. An ugly fight between the two of them would crush him. Especially if she feels he’s responsible for the attack." He explains, and I lean against the railings as I stare at him.

"You think she blamed him?"

"I’m not certain," he answers. "But everything points towards that. He came back from Gravemaw... and whatever happened there followed him back home. She’s alive and well... so something else must have happened between them. Something personal." He adds, as his jaw tightens.

"He hasn’t mentioned her since." He notes, and I pause.

Oh, that— That’s wrong. That’s very wrong.

"And you didn’t press him for answers?" I ask.

"I tried. He shut it down." Lioran replies, and I roll my eyes.

Of course he did.

I run a hand through my hair, as my thoughts start to shift, connect, and press against each other in ways I don’t like.

Something is wrong.

Not just here... Not just with him.

Something bigger.

And now— Now I’m starting to feel it.

"You said he’s been leaving everything to you," I say.

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"Since he returned."

"And no one else has questioned it?"

"They have... But he’s still king, and people fear him. No one pushes too far." He replies, and I let out a breath. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

How could I forget? Of course, no one has the guts to push him. That’s what I’m here for. It’s why Lioran wrote to me... of all our brothers.

I will have to yank that old goose out of whatever misery he’s drowning himself in.

Lioran glances at me again.

"What are you thinking?" he asks, and I come back to the present

.

"That this isn’t something we can ignore," I reply, and Lioran nods.

"That’s obvious."

"No. It’s not just obvious. It’s dangerous. He’s the frontline of BeastHeavn. If he crumbles... everything else will follow." I correct, and Lioran studies me for a moment.

"You brought something back with you," he says slowly, and I blink at him.

It’s not a question... but an observation. One I don’t answer, because he’s right.

I did bring something back.

A message.

One I’ve been holding onto since I arrived... One I should have delivered already.

Selthía’s words echo faintly in my mind.

Tell him immediately you arrive.

I didn’t do that. I hesitated.

Because of this... Because of him. Because something about him felt... off.

But now— Now I’m starting to understand that waiting might have been the mistake.

Lioran straightens slightly, watching me more closely now.

"Zethar... What is it?" He asks quietly, and I look at him. Then away.

"It’s nothing you need to worry about yet," I reply, and he frowns.

"That’s not how that works."

"It is right now," I reply, and he exhales sharply, clearly not satisfied with that answer, but he doesn’t push.

Selthia was very specific about my not telling anyone but Father. I can’t risk telling Lioran about it when I don’t even know what it’s about.

"I have to see him," I say instead, and Lioran nods.

"You should have done that yesterday, though. He seems to have gotten worse today." He points out, and I sigh.

"I know."

"He may not want visitors..." Lioran points out, and I chuckle dryly.

"Well, good thing I’m not one," I reply, and Lioran studies me for another second before pushing off the railing.

"I’ve got some treaties to vet. We’ll see over lunch, or dinner... If I can make it." He says, and I nod once.

He hesitates for a moment, then adds—

"Whatever this is... we’ve got it. We were trained for things like this." He says, subtly seeking reassurance from me, and I smile.

"Yeah. We’ve definitely got this." I reply.

He holds my gaze for a second longer, then turns and walks off, leaving me alone on the balcony.

The quiet settles again... But it doesn’t feel the same. Not anymore.

I straighten fully, pushing away from the railing as well, as Selthía’s voice rings clearer now.

More insistent.

Tell him immediately.

I should have done it the moment I arrived.

I didn’t.

That’s on me.

But I’m not waiting any longer.

Whatever is wrong with Father... Whatever happened in Gravemaw... Whatever he’s choosing not to say— None of that changes one thing.

He is still king.

And if something serious enough to make Aunt Selthía emphasise urgency is happening... Then he needs to hear it.

Now.

I turn, moving toward the corridor leading to his chambers.

It’s time to put an end to whatever’s wrong with him.