Chapter 10 Divorce proposal

Chapter 10 Divorce proposal
SILVER'S POV

"You've been staring at that book for two days," a voice said behind me. "It's growing tedious to watch."

I didn't jump. I was getting used to Raven appearing out of nowhere.

I sat at my table, staring at the Book of Awakening. The blank pages stared back, mocking me. But something about it felt important. Connected to everything somehow.

I just didn't know how.

"If you're so bored, feel free to leave," I said without turning.

"And miss watching you slowly lose your mind?" His footsteps moved closer. "I think not."

I closed the book and turned to face him. "Maybe this book isn't what it seems."

"Maybe it's not meant for you." Raven moved to the window, his reflection barely visible in the glass. "The book is waiting for someone specific. Someone it was sealed for."

"Someone," I repeated slowly.

I thought about that. In the original novel, there was only one character it could be.

Rosalie. The heroine.

If Silver can't see it, she should be the closest to who the book would work for.

"Argh, my head hurts," I said, placing my hands on my temples.

"Now that I think about it," he looked back at me. "You only see blank pages. Have you tried infusing your magic into it?"

I froze.

Infusing magic. Right. Silver had sealed her powers—there was no way she could see the book's true contents.

Unless that's exactly what the Author wanted me to think.

"I need to see Arthur," I said, standing abruptly.

"Giving up so easily?" Raven's voice held amusement. "Well, I'll be here if you need me."

I didn't respond. I was already walking toward Arthur's chambers.

If I couldn't unlock my magic, maybe I could find someone who could help. And that meant leaving the palace. Which meant dealing with my so-called husband first.

\~~~

The corridors leading to Arthur's chambers were quieter than the rest of the palace. Thicker carpets. Better lighting.

I'd never actually been inside Arthur's private chambers before.

Well, Silver had. Her memories offered only vague impressions—arguments outside closed doors, standing in hallways while he made excuses, the humiliation of being turned away by servants while someone else slipped inside.

But I'd never crossed that threshold.

Two guards stood outside his door. They straightened when they saw me approaching, their expressions carefully neutral.

"Lady Silver," one said, surprised. "The prince isn't expecting anyone."

"I need to see my husband," I said calmly. "Now."

They exchanged glances. The kind of glances that said they knew exactly why the prince's wife might not be welcome in his chambers.

"I'll announce you, my lady," the first guard said finally.

He knocked. Waited.

The door opened.

And there she was.

A woman stood in the doorway wearing a silk robe that clearly wasn't hers. Dark hair loose around her shoulders. Lips slightly swollen. Beautiful in the way that knew its own power.

We stared at each other.

Cateline. Arthur's mistress. In the original novel, she'd been a minor villain—killed by Silver in a jealous rage. But history wouldn't repeat itself. Not if I could help it.

"Lady Silver." Her voice was smooth. Pleasant. Like we were friends meeting for tea. "How unexpected."

The presumption was deliberate. She was answering Arthur's door like she belonged there. Like this was her space, not mine.

"Is my husband here?" I kept my voice level.

"Your husband." She tasted the words slowly, mockingly. "I'm afraid Prince Arthur had urgent business with the King. But I'd be happy to relay a message."

Playing hostess in his chambers. Bold.

"No need," I said. "I'll find him myself."

I started to turn away.

"Have you given up the pretense?" Cateline's voice stopped me. "You've been so distant lately. I thought you'd finally accepted reality. But here you are again, clinging to the word 'husband.'"

She laughed. Light and musical and meant to wound.

I looked back at her. Studied her carefully.

"Some might wonder," I said slowly, "why a woman of your... station answers a prince's door wearing so little. What would Her Majesty say?"

Cateline's smile didn't waver, but something hardened in her eyes. "The Queen understands the complexities of royal marriages. She's a practical woman."

"Is she?" I moved closer. Not threatening, just there. "Or does she just tolerate toys, at least for the moment?"

The word landed exactly as I intended. Her smile flickered.

"You should go," Cateline said softly. "Before this becomes unpleasant."

"Unpleasant for whom?"

"You've changed," she said, voice sharper now. "You're colder. More arrogant. But you're still the same desperate girl who married a man who doesn't love her."

The words should have hurt. Maybe a month ago, they would have.

Now they just sounded pathetic.

"You're right," I said. "I did marry him. Which makes me his wife. Crown Princess. Lady of House Noir." I smiled. "And you? You're just borrowed entertainment. Easily replaced."

The slap came fast.

My head snapped to the side. My cheek burned.

For one second, complete silence.

Then I started laughing.

The sound surprised even me—low, genuine, completely inappropriate. I touched my stinging cheek, still smiling.

"Is that all? I expected more from the woman who thinks she can replace a founding house."

Cateline's face had gone pale. She'd just struck the Crown Princess. In front of witnesses.

The guards shifted uncomfortably behind me.

"You—" Cateline started.

"Should what? Cry? Beg Arthur to punish you?" I leaned closer, voice dropping. "I don't need to do anything, Cateline. You just assaulted royalty. The consequences will handle themselves."

Footsteps echoed down the corridor behind me.

I turned.

Arthur stood at the end of the hallway. He'd seen everything.

His expression was unreadable. Confusion.

Cateline appeared in the doorway behind me, her composure cracking. "Arthur, she—"

"Not now," he said, eyes still on me.

Not a defense. Not an explanation. Just dismissal.

"Meet me in your study," I said. "We need to talk."

~ ~ ~

I entered Arthur's study without waiting for permission.

He followed a moment later, closing the door behind him. For a long moment, we just stood there. The air felt heavy with unspoken things.

"Silver—"

"I need to leave the palace," I said. "Today."

He moved to his desk, bracing his hands on it. "No."

"I wasn't asking for permission. I was informing you."

"You're my wife, and I have made my decision—"

"Am I?" I said, placing both hands on his desk and leaning forward. "Because your mistress looks very at ease answering your door. I'm pretty sure she wasn't there just to chat with you."

His jaw tightened. "This isn't about Cateline."

"You're right. This is about me leaving the palace for a few days. Alone."

"Absolutely not." He finally met my eyes. "You've been acting strangely for over a week. Now you want to leave without telling me why?"

"Should I have a reason."

"Not when you're my wife—"

"Then perhaps I shouldn't be your wife anymore."

The words hung in the air between us.

Arthur went very still. "What?"

"You heard me." I straightened. "Either you let me leave, or I file for divorce tomorrow morning. Publicly. With House Noir's full support."

The silence was deafening.

Arthur stared at me like I'd spoken a foreign language. Like the words didn't make sense in that order.

"What?" The word came out strangled.

I watched the color drain from his face.​