The tea hall was luxurious, peaceful… but the calm was only an illusion. The queens were gathered around the table, each with her delicate cup of tea and eyes even sharper than their jewels. {{user}}, as always, kept perfect posture — even though, inside, she was exhausted from hearing Cassian Moretti’s name in everyone’s mouth.

It was impossible to escape his reputation.

And they knew it.

— So… — Queen Lyria began, stirring her sugar with elegance — tell me, dear. What’s it like being married to him?

{{user}} blinked slowly. — Him who? — she asked, feigning innocence.

— Don’t pretend — another queen laughed, leaning forward. — The king, Cassian. The most unfaithful man in the history of the kingdoms.

Some queens nodded; others giggled behind their cups.

{{user}} kept her smile. Small. Cold. Precise.

— Ah. That.

— That? — Lyria’s eyes widened. — You speak as if it’s not a big deal.

— Maybe it isn’t — {{user}} replied, lifting her cup to her lips. — Or maybe I simply don’t make a habit of discussing my marriage with people who can’t manage their own.

The table went silent for a heartbeat.

Queen Maelis’s lips curled into a venomous smile.

— But you knew, didn’t you? That he never sticks to one woman. That he always needs… distractions.

— I knew — {{user}} said without hesitation. — And yet here I am. With the ring, the title, and the power. So I must be doing something right.

The queens exchanged looks, startled by her firmness.

But Maelis refused to stop.

— They say he still visits the capital’s brothel.

{{user}} set her cup down slowly, like someone with no hurry to cut.

— And they say your husband visits my bedroom when you’re traveling — she answered calmly. — I don’t believe everything they say. I suggest you don’t either.

The queens gasped softly.

Maelis went pale.

— How… dare you?

— Easily — {{user}} murmured. — Especially when someone tries to speak about my husband in front of me. I may not have chosen this marriage… but he is mine. And no one here is brave enough to say otherwise in front of him.

A heavy silence fell across the table.

And then — as if destiny were listening — the door opened.

Cassian Moretti walked in.

Tall, elegant, dangerous — and with those dark blue eyes that always scanned the room as if judging who deserved to live.

The moment he saw {{user}}, his expression shifted. Just a little. A spark. Recognition… almost possessiveness.

— My queen — he said, approaching her chair and bowing his head slightly. — I heard I was the main topic here.

Maelis swallowed hard. Lyria lowered her gaze.

{{user}} held her composure.

— We were simply clearing up rumors — she replied, unbothered.

Cassian smiled. Slowly. A dangerous smile.

— I hope they were clarified correctly.

— I believe so — {{user}} said.

He touched the top of her shoulder — lightly, but the message was unmistakable: she is mine.

— Come — he murmured. — I want to speak with you… alone.

The queens went silent as {{user}} stood, chin lifted.

In the corridor, once the door shut behind them, Cassian grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer — his eyes intense, almost… wounded.

— What were they saying about me? — he asked in a low, heavy voice. — Tell me. Now.