Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Where it all started

~ Kingdom of Voss~

In her small workroom at the Voss palace, Raven crushed herbs with steady movements, anything to avoid thinking about the ridiculous situation her life had become.

The door slammed open without warning. Annie didn't even bother knocking anymore. She looked outraged.

"He's coming. Again."

"No." Raven dropped the pestle with a clatter. "I just saw him two hours ago!"

"Yeah, well, he's bringing more flowers." Annie looked ready to set something on fire. "This is the fourth time today."

A servant appeared behind her, looking apologetic. "Prince Alarion requests…"

"I know what he requests," Raven interrupted wearily. "Fine. Send him in."

The prince walked in holding another huge bouquet. They were mountain lilies this time, and they were scarce, blooming once a year in the northern peaks. He must have sent riders specifically to fetch them.

He dropped to one knee dramatically.

"Lady Raven, I've brought you…"

"Get up." Raven didn't even let him finish. "Please. You don't need to do this every single time."

Alarion stood but kept those puppy-dog eyes fixed on her face. "I want to court you properly. Give me a chance to prove I'm worthy."

Annie made a strangled noise from the corner. Raven shot her a warning look.

This had been going on for two solid weeks. Ever since King Theodore, grateful for his life being saved, had publicly offered his son's hand in marriage to her.

Raven had said no. The prince had apparently never heard the word before.

"Your Highness," Raven tried to keep her voice gentle. "I'm honored. Really. But I can't marry you."

"Why not?" Alarion stepped closer, his handsome features earnest. "Is it because you were a servant once? I don't care about that. You're brilliant, kind, skilled…"

"It's not about that."

"Then what? My father approves. The court approves. You'd be a princess, Raven. Protected. Respected. No one could ever hurt you again."

Princess? She had been a queen once. Raven wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

Her hand moved unconsciously to her belly before she could stop herself. Hidden under her loose robes, but growing every day and four months now was her baby.

"I just can't," she answered calmly.

"Let me prove myself." Alarion reached for her hand. "Give me time to show you…"

A knock interrupted his words and a servant with a travel-worn messenger stood in the doorway, dust still coating his uniform.

"Physician Raven? Message from Duke Vincx Hastings of Belgravia. The king asked me to bring him here."

The room went dead silent.

"What does he want?" Raven's voice came out tight not that she didn't know.

The messenger handed her a sealed letter. She broke the wax.

~ Dear Miss Thorne,~

I have heard of your great skills so I am here again, begging for your audience. Not for me but for my mother. She is dying and wasting away. My physicians don't all have a cure. This is why I have come to you.

Name your price. Gold, land, anything. Please come save her life.

I offer this in good faith as I have heard of your search in getting access to the Belgravia royal archives. My family has been in control of the Royal archive. If you come and treat my mother, you will be granted full access and anything more that you seek.

~ Duke Vincx Hastings~

Raven's hands shook.

"What is it?" Annie moved closer.

"Duke Hastings wants me to treat his dying mother." Raven looked up. "He's offering access to the Royal archives.

Annie's eyes widened. "Your mother's records might be in there."

"What about your mother? Have you found her?” Alarion asked.

Raven ignored him. Her mind was spinning.

Going to Belgravia was insane. King Alaric was there; that man had destroyed her mother's life, then sold Raven in her place of his wicked daughter.

"You can't go," Annie warned, having known her history with King Alaric. "They will kill you."

"I know, but…"

"No buts! King Alaric is there. He could arrest you. Or worse."

"The Duke promised safe passage…"

"A Duke can't protect you from a King!" Annie grabbed her shoulders. "My lady, think about the baby. You're four months pregnant. What happens when King Alaric sees you? When he figures out whose child you're carrying?"

They stared at each other. Both knew this was dangerous. But Raven knew she was going to do it anyway.

"I'll send my answer in two days," Raven told the messenger. "Tell the Duke I'm considering his offer."

The messenger bowed and left.

Alarion immediately jumped in. "If you're going to Belgravia, I'm coming with you. As a Voss prince, I can offer protection…"

"No."

"Raven, please! Let me help you!"

"This isn't your problem!"

"Everything about you is my problem!" Alarion's frustration finally showed. "I'm trying to help. Why won't you let me?"

Because I'm pregnant with another man's baby, Raven thought. Because I'm running from a king and I don't want to drag you into my mess.

"Leave," she requested. "Please. I need to talk to Annie alone."

Alarion looked hurt but nodded. "My offer stands. Whatever you need."

After he left, Annie exploded. "You're actually considering this? Going back to that hellhole?"

"I have to know." Raven pulled out the faded letter Tate had sent and Amadeus had taken before it got to Liam.

Till now, she has not heard from Tate, her mother, or even the queen.

"This might be my only chance to understand why my mother is dead. Why did my mother die when the queen promised to protect her?"

"And the baby?" Annie pointed at her stomach. "What about the king's child? You think tyrant Alaric won't notice you're pregnant?"

"I'll hide it. Wear loose robes."

"For how long? You're already showing!"

"Then I work fast." Raven stood. "Annie, I've spent my whole life being nothing. From servant to pawn. I don't even know my own father's name. This is my chance to finally understand who I am."

Annie stared at her for a long moment. Then sighed.

"Fine. But I'm coming with you."

"Annie, this could be dangerous..."

"Don't argue. You're my Mistress. And you're pregnant. Plus, you're walking into enemy territory. I'm not letting you do this alone."

Warmth spread through Raven's chest. "Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah." Annie waved it off. "Now let's figure out how to keep you alive in Belgravia. Because if King Alaric kills you, I'm bringing you back to life just so I can kill you myself for being this stupid."

From Raven's medical bag, a soft glow appeared. Amadeus's voice whispered in her mind.

"This is dangerous, Raven. But also necessary. The answers you seek are in Belgravia. I'll protect you as much as I can. I will be returning to my human form in three days, so just be patient."

"Thank you, old friend," Raven whispered back.

She looked at Annie, then at her medical supplies, then at the letter from Duke Vincx.

"Alright. Let's do this. But we do it smart. We negotiate every protection, every guarantee. And the moment it feels wrong, we leave."

"Agreed." Annie cracked her knuckles. "Now, let's write a response that makes this Duke understand exactly what he's agreeing to."

They spent the next hour drafting terms. Safe passage guaranteed in writing. Protection from King Alaric's court. Complete access to the Royal archive which the duke house controlled. Freedom to leave at any time.

The next morning, they sent the messenger back with Raven's conditions.

Three days later, a response arrived. Duke Vincx agreed to everything.

Raven and Annie began packing.

On their last night in Voss, Prince Alarion appeared at Raven's door again.

"I heard you're leaving tomorrow."

"Yes."

"I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not."

"Raven, please..." Alarion grabbed her hand. "Let me protect you. I know you don't love me. Not yet. But I can keep you safe. That's all I want. To keep you safe."

For a moment, Raven was tempted. Having a prince's protection would help.

But then she thought of Liam. And the betrayal she believed he'd given her after trusting him. She decided the prince would bring complications instead of protection.

"I'm sorry, Alarion. The answer is still no."

She pulled her hand away and closed the door.

Annie waited inside, bags packed.

"Ready?" her friend asked.

"No," Raven admitted. "But we're going anyway."

"That's my Lady. Terrified but doing it anyway." Annie grinned. "That's called bravery, you know."

"Or stupidity."

"Sometimes they're the same thing."

They left at dawn, slipping out of the palace before anyone could stop them.

Behind them, Prince Alarion watched from his window. Then he turned to his personal guard.

"Follow them. Discreetly. Keep the physician safe."

"Yes, Your Highness."

As Raven and Annie traveled toward Belgravia, none of them knew that multiple forces were already moving.

Liam had received word she was going to Belgravia. He was coming.

King Alaric's spies had reported the physicians to be the servant girl he married to the rebel king, so he was preparing.

And in Hastings Estate, Duke Vincx waited, his own plans in motion.

Raven was walking right into the center of it all.