Tryde entered Marix’s home and waited in the foyer. Jinya appeared before him and curtsied.

"Good evening. To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence today?" She straightened up and looked him up and down, "I don’t believe General Marix was expecting you today?"

He gave her a small smile, "He wasn’t. Not officially today anyways. I have finished summarizing my report for him, so I thought I would come and relay the information as soon as possible."

Jinya smile and nodded, "Of course. Please follow me. I believe he was doing something for Miss Eilownia. I will go see about his ETA."

Tryde followed her into Marix’s office and sat in the guest seat.

A few moments later, Aleiza entered, carrying a silver tray with a steaming pot of tea.

"Hello sir. I’ve brought you some tea while you wa-!" She let out a sharp gasp as he turned around.

"Tryde?!" Aleiza dropped the tray to the ground with a clatter, causing the tea pot to shatter. She jumped back to avoid the splash of hot water before quickly dropping to the ground to begin picking up the pieces.

"I-I’m sorry. I was just so surprised. I’ll clean it up immediately. Please pay me no mind."

Tryde’s eyes widened as his brain registered it was Aleiza who was serving him. He immediately jumped into action as the tray clattered to the ground. The scene had practically unfolded in front of him in slow motion.

"Aleiza! Are you alright?" He said, his tone frantic as he checked her hands.

She pulled them away and eyed him suspiciously, "I’m fine."

He pushed her hands away as she started to pick up the pieces of the pot.

"Leave it. I’ll do it. I don’t want you to cut yourself."

"It’s my job, Tryde...or...how should I address you here?"

"Just Tryde is fine." He didn’t look up at her, focusing on picking up the broken pottery.

Aleiza sat back on her heels and kept her hands clasped in her lap as she watched Tryde clean up.

A few moments of silence went by between them before she finally spoke up.

"Tryde?"

"Yes, what is it?" He placed the final piece onto the tray and held his hand out for a rag, which she promptly placed in his palm.

"Why did you lie to me? You were never from Greia were you. You were from Viraaz the whole time." She stated the last two as fact rather than asking.

He paused, then let out a sigh. "Those were my orders. I had to play a part. My job was to find out the whereabouts of Miss Eilownia."

"So....it was all just a part to play....." As her mind started to work on coming to terms with the fact their time together was nothing but an act, she came to another realization and let out a horrified gasp.

She covered her mouth with her hands and stared at him with wide eyes. "I told you about her pregnancy. Lord Evans is dead because of me. It’s all my fault. You were only nice to get information out of me-"

Tears filled her eyes as her mind started to run away with ideas.

Tryde pressed the rag into the rug to try and soak up some of the tea and shook his head.

"No. You had nothing to do with Lord Evans’ death. He had a target on his back for a while. It’s not your fault. It was the fault of his own terrible actions. He was a villain, Aleiza."

He paused for a moment then met her gaze, staring deep into her eyes, "I wasn’t just using you. My feelings for you were not nothing. I was going to come back for you after returning to Viraaz."

She tore her gaze away from him and stared at the floor off to the side.

"I will get you more tea."

Aleiza grabbed the rag and quickly patted the carpet before tossing it on the tray and standing up.

"From here on out, I’d prefer not to speak to you outside of the work I have to do here. I’ll treat you like any other guest, but other than that, I don’t want anything else to do with you."

She bent over and picked up the tray before rushing out.

Tryde lowered his head and stared at the damp patch on the rug.

"I understand." He whispered just as she’d left, although he had no idea if she’d heard him or not.

He took his spot back on the guest seat in front of the desk and rested his hand on his knuckles as he absentmindedly played with the fabric on his pants.

Jinya rushed into the room and spotted the wet spot and raised an eyebrow.

"Did something happen here?"

Tryde turned around and followed her gaze to the floor.

"Sorry, I spilled the tea that the new maid brought in. She’s off bringing me more."

Jinya nodded slowly, "You aren’t hurt are you?"

He shook his head, "Not at all." Although he couldn’t hide the pain in his heart.

Jinya decided not to push further and continued with what she’d come to relay.

"You may stay for your tea if you’d like, but as it turns out, General Marix has already left for the palace. I don’t believe he will be back any time soon. It would probably be best for you to come back tomorrow. I’ll leave word with him."

"I see. Alright. I’ll be back tomorrow. Make sure the new maid didn’t suffer any burns or cuts anywhere." He said, standing up and heading out.

At the palace, Marix stood before the King and Arlon once again, with a smirk on his face. He felt completely unstoppable now. There was no way they could reject his proposition. Nothing could stand in his way.

"Father. Arlon," He greeted, "I have successfully rescued Eilownia and the future heir. She is at home resting. She and our child are doing fine."

"That’s wonderful news. The child should be a high priority." The King said with a smile on his face, "Bring the girl with you next time."

Marix smiled and lowered his head in a slight bow before lifting it again, "I’d like to bring her before you as my wife. I’m here to inform you that I plan on marrying her."

Before their father could say anything, Arlon was already on his feet and descending the stairs to Marix.

He backhanded him hard across the face and glared down at him.

"Absolutely not!"

Marix’s smirk grew as he cocked his head to the side and stared at Arlon.

"Arlon! What is the matter with you?! There is no reason for that! Get back in your seat immediately! Let’s have a proper discussion if you have something to object to. We are not animals here. Let’s not act like barbarians!" Their father spat angrily.

"Eilownia is pregnant with a royal heir. What is there to object to? Shouldn’t this be an occasion we all celebrate?" Marix questioned before turning his attention to their father, "Or would it be better for me to abandon my responsibilities and allow a line of ours to run around without guidance?"

The King nodded, "I agree. Arlon. What is the meaning of his?"

Arlon got back in his seat, his eyes flickering as he balled his fists and chewed on the inside of his cheek.

"You mean a bastard child? A bastard child from a bastard daughter of our enemy’s right hand man. Do you have any idea how terrible this is for our line? Her mother was probably nothing more than a horny maid who couldn’t keep her legs shut for her master." Arlon scoffed and swatted his hand in the air with disgust.

"How dare you! That is my soon-to-be wife and my child you are speaking about!" Marix growled, "They are not a bastard child. I claim them fully!"

The King stared at Arlon, "Arlon, don’t you think that’s a little harsh? As far as I’ve heard, getting friendly with a maid is completely unheard of....especially if they are blonde, hmm?"

Arlon stared at his father with a look of surprise and insult as their father shot him a knowing look.

"Besides, Arlon. Which would be worse for our line? A child who is made legitimate or a child who is announced and known publicly as a bastard? I won’t ignore them. The world will know that is my child."

"That would have disastrous consequences for our family. You’d be so willing to ruin the L’adore name? You cannot marry that woman. Father, don’t you agree?"

Marix continued to stand tall, "Arlon, is it possible that you are just nervous that my child would succeed the throne after you? There’s nothing to be worried about, surely you’ll have a legitimate child of your own by the time that were to happen."

"It has nothing to do with that. How dare you speak such nonsense!"

The King held his hands up, "Stop it now! I think it’s a wonderful idea and it could be great for the war efforts. If Marix were to marry the daughter of the King’s right hand man, it might be a good political alliance. Arlon, make no mistake, you are not the King yet. I agree to the marriage and I will send word to Sola as soon as possible!"