Cold Hearts In Love.

"Are you alright?" Stephen's voice was barely above a whisper, his tone laden with an odd mixture of relief. 

Aurora's response came swiftly. "I am fine," she said, a faint urgency in her tone as she sat up and pressed her hands to her temple.

"What happened? Was I really poisoned?" Her gaze darted around the room, confusion clouding her expression.

"Who would wish to poison me? I've barely been here long enough to make enemies." She added, exhaling a weary sigh. 

"You need not worry," he said evenly. "So long as you remain in the palace, nothing will happen to you." Aurora scoffed, arching a brow.

"The same palace where I was poisoned on my very first day I made an appearance? A curious definition of safety, Your Majesty." 

"You think you would fare better beyond these walls?" Stephen countered, his tone sharpening.

"If you value your life, the wiser course would be to stay within the palace. Here, I can watch over you. Not like I am forcing you or anything," he quickly added for affirmation.

Aurora's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "If there is one thing I loathe the most, it is having choices made for me."

"It's for your own sake,"

"I'll stay—for now. But mark my words, if anything happens to me while I'm here, I will leave."

"Is that meant to be a threat?" He raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh. "Call it what you will." Aurora closed her eyes briefly, as if to rest them. 

"Are you hungry?" Stephen asked, his voice calm, though his eyes betrayed his concern. "I could ask the maids to prepare something for you." 

"Oh no," Aurora replied dryly, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "I doubt my stomach could handle another dose of poison today." She paused, her brow arching slightly.

"Come to think of it, ever since I met you, I seem to be a magnet for poison." 

Stephen's expression darkened, his gaze sharpening at her words but he didn't say anything.

"Perhaps you should rest for now," he said curtly, standing as though to leave. 

"Wait," Aurora said, her tone softening. "I have a favor to ask." 

Stephen paused, inclining his head slightly, silently bidding her to continue. 

"I have a friend," Aurora began, her voice tinged with worry. Her gaze softened as she spoke. "I believe she might be in danger. Could you help me find her?" 

Stephen studied her intently, as though weighing the sincerity of her plea. After a moment, he nodded.

"What is her name?" 

"Esmeralda," Aurora replied, her voice steady. 

"Very well," Stephen said. "What do you suspect has happened to her?" 

"She was supposed to send me word once she reached her hometown," Aurora explained carefully. "But I've heard nothing. That either means she couldn't escape, or…" She hesitated before finishing, "…or she chose not to." 

"Escape from where?" Stephen asked, his brows furrowing. 

Aurora sighed, her gaze dropping momentarily. "Her husband sold her to a brothel," she said quietly. 

Stephen's jaw tightened, but his eyes barely made out any emotion, he nods his head.

"If you could send someone to look for her, I would be grateful." 

Stephen's tone softened slightly, though his expression remained serious. "If you wish her be brought here, say the word, and it will be done." 

Aurora bit her lip, hesitation flickering across her face. After a moment, she nodded. "Yes, please." 

"It will be taken care of," Stephen assured her, his voice steady. 

A faint smile crossed Aurora's lips, the first genuine one in what felt like hours.

"Thank you," she said softly. 

"It's my pleasure, Aurora." Stephen said, his tone unexpectedly gentle. It was the first time he was calling her name and it stirred something in her. 

Aurora cleared her throat faintly. "As you can see, I'm perfectly fine—better, even. It's as if I was never poisoned." She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching carefully.

"Though I do feel a bit stiff from lying here all day. Perhaps I should prepare myself for whatever calamity awaits me next. Struck on the head, perhaps?" 

Stephen allowed a small smile to cross his face, though his tone remained steady. "You needn't worry. Whoever is behind this will lie low for now." 

"Let's hope so," Aurora said, her laughter tinged with sarcasm. "I'd rather not make a habit of being a target."

The maids whispered among themselves as Aurora and Stephen passed through the grand corridors. "It's as though she were never poisoned," one murmured. 

"Indeed," another agreed.

"Do you think she'll marry the king?" 

"Perhaps our days of dreaming about him are over," a third lamented, sighing wistfully. 

"They do look well together, though," one added, with a hint of resignation. 

Aurora's steps faltered as her gaze was drawn to an arched stone window. Her eyes widened.

"Is that the garden?" she asked, wonder evident in her tone. Without waiting for an answer, she moved closer. 

Through the Gothic archway lay a vision seemingly stolen from a painting. A cobbled path wound beneath a canopy of golden sunlight, flanked by roses, lilies, and daffodils blooming in a symphony of color.

At the garden's heart stood a marble fountain, its serene goddess figure framed by the gentle cascade of water. 

The air carried the faint fragrance of roses as sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the paths. Beyond the garden stretched a lush forest, its emerald canopy swaying in the breeze, whispering promises of untold secrets. 

Stephen followed a few steps behind, a faint smile playing on his lips. She was still in the palace, and for now, that was enough. Aurora turned to him, breaking the spell of the moment.

"I'd like to be alone, Your Majesty." 

Stephen raised a brow, his tone neutral.

"I was only being courteous, but if you prefer solitude, by all means, wander freely. Just try not to stumble into the arms of the enemy." 

His parting words stung, but Aurora merely scoffed inwardly as she watched him walk away. Her gaze hardened. He was the one who killed her family—she was certain of it.

No amount of charm or pretense could fool her. Whoever had poisoned her was connected to him; after all, he was the only one who knew she was here. But why he'd decided to keep her alive remained a mystery.

She clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. She couldn't remain in this gilded prison any longer, not knowing what he might have planned for her. Spinning on her heel, she made her way toward the palace gates, searching for an escape route. 

When she reached the gates, however, she spotted several guards stationed there. They would never let her leave unnoticed. She groaned softly, her frustration bubbling over. She'd have to wait until midnight to slip away. 

Turning back, she wandered the corridors, trying to find her bearings. Instead, she ended up in an unfamiliar hall—the Hall of Harmony, where the king's mother and grandmother resided. Panic rising, she quickly turned to retreat, but it was too late. 

"Lady Aurora," a warm voice called. 

Aurora froze, her heart sinking as she turned to see Princess Sapphire approaching, a polite smile on her lips. 

"Good evening, Princess Sapphire," Aurora replied, offering a small bow. 

"I trust you are well?" Sapphire asked, her tone kind but inquisitive.

"Shouldn't you be resting? I hope the one responsible for your plight is brought to justice." 

"I thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Aurora replied evenly. "Though I am not yet fully recovered, I am strong enough to take a stroll." 

Sapphire's smile widened. "That is good to hear. Such things take time, but eventually, you'll grow accustomed to it." 

Aurora's brow furrowed at her words.

"Accustomed to what, Your Highness?" 

Sapphire paused, glancing around to ensure they were alone. Aurora leaned in, sensing the princess had more to say. 

"What happened to you," Sapphire said softly, her voice dropping.

"My brother has many admirers—some obsessive enough to harm anyone who might capture his attention. But they aren't the only ones you should worry about." 

Aurora's pulse quickened as she waited for Sapphire to explain further."Also those who desire the throne," Sapphire said, her tone turning grave.

"They are desperate enough to use anything within their grasp—even a person like you. If they believe you hold some importance to him, they will try to use you to reach him. You must be vigilant, Lady Aurora." 

Aurora's eyes widened, her mind racing at the weight of Sapphire's words. Still, the princess smiled harmlessly, as though discussing something far less sinister. 

"I shall take your advice to heart," Aurora replied, her tone soft but wary, a small smile tugging at her lips. 

"By any chance," Sapphire said after a brief pause, "would you like to do something… fun?" 

Aurora considered her offer for a moment before replying, "The palace is a rather desolate place for someone like myself. I have no acquaintances here, so I am glad you thought to ask, Princess Sapphire." 

"Then consider me your acquaintance from this day forward," Sapphire said warmly. With a beckoning gesture, she led Aurora through a series of winding corridors until they arrived at the entrance of a grand maze. 

Two marble pillars framed the opening, their surfaces carved with intricate vines and flowers. Above the archway, an inscription read: 

'Only the patient shall find the heart.' 

The hedges of the maze rose high and dense, their green walls concealing whatever lay within. The stone paths were bordered by fragrant jasmine and lavender, their heady aroma filling the air. 

Sapphire paused at the entrance, her expression tinged with nostalgia. "When I was younger, my brother Stephen would bring me here.

We'd race to see who could find their way out first, and the winner was granted a wish. It was great fun." 

Aurora gave a neutral nod. "I imagine it must have been." 

"It was," Sapphire said with a wistful smile.

"But now Stephen is preoccupied with matters of the kingdom. He has little time for such diversions." 

"Do you not have another brother?" Aurora asked curiously. 

"I do," Sapphire admitted, her tone darkening slightly.

"But he is… not one for amusements of this sort." 

Aurora folded her arms. "You promised fun, yet all I hear are bittersweet tales." 

"Have you never ventured into a maze before?" Sapphire asked, astonished. 

Aurora shrugged lightly. "No, I have not." 

Sapphire's eyes lit with enthusiasm. "A maze is like a riddle—it is meant to confuse and make you lose your way. But when you find the right path, there is triumph in it. It is far more delightful with company. You shall see." 

Aurora's lips twitched into a reluctant smirk. "If you say so, Princess. Lead on." 

Noting how far the maze stretched, appearing to blend with the garden's outer edges, Aurora narrowed her eyes. Surely the palace grounds were not this expansive. She feigned curiosity and asked, "Tell me, Princess Sapphire, does this maze lead anywhere beyond the palace?" 

Sapphire nodded, her expression bright.

"Oh, indeed. But only those who have mastered its twists and turns know the way. Without a guide, one could wander in circles for hours." 

Aurora's smile deepened, though it held a hint of calculation. Perhaps meeting Sapphire today had been a stroke of luck after all. 

---

Meanwhile, Stephen sat in his private study, reclining on an ornate couch. Zayd and Trent sat on a smaller couch before him, while Zayd's posture was tense, Trent sat relaxed. 

"You do know you didn't have to include me in this, right?" Trent muttered under his breath, but Zayd ignored him, focusing on Stephen, whose frown was etched deep. 

"Did you release the woman as I instructed?" Stephen asked, his tone measured. 

"Like you suspected, she had no child," Zayd replied. "I interrogated her, but she refused to speak. I released her as we agreed, but she avoided contact with anyone for several days. She must have suspected she was being watched. Then, suddenly, she left her house." 

"And?" Stephen prompted, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. 

"I followed her," Zayd said, hesitating as he searched Stephen's face for reassurance, knowing what he was about to reveal might not be well received. 

"Who did she meet with?" Stephen asked, his tone steady, though Trent's breath hitched in suspense. 

"Out with it," Trent muttered, his impatience mounting. 

Zayd exhaled heavily before saying, "Princess Sapphire." 

The revelation hung in the air for a heartbeat before the door burst open. 

Sapphire stood in the doorway, breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed.

"Lady Aurora—she—" she stammered, struggling to catch her breath.