The carriage moved slowly through the dark forest road that stretched between the cliffs and the palace of Aurelion.
The wheels creaked softly against the damp earth.
Inside, the lantern flame trembled faintly, casting restless shadows across the wooden walls.
Maria sat quietly with her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her fingers trembled despite her efforts to hide it.
Across from her sat Cassian.
His sharp green eyes had not left her since they departed the Black Sea Tower.
Silence filled the narrow space between them.
At last he spoke.
"What happened back there?"
Maria lifted her head slightly.
"I… do not understand what you mean."
Cassian leaned forward slowly.
The movement made the lantern light fall across his face, revealing the sharp lines war had carved into his features.
"What exactly were you trying to accomplish by going there?"
Maria blinked slightly.
"What?"
"The prison."
His voice was calm, but there was a tension beneath it.
"You went there knowing it is the most dangerous place within the kingdom."
He studied her carefully.
"What did you expect to gain from speaking to that woman?"
Maria looked away.
"I only wished to see her."
Cassian's jaw tightened.
"You only wished to see her?"
"Yes."
Her voice was quieter now.
"I heard the servants speaking about her… they said she was terrifying and mysterious."
"So curiosity led you to walk into the cell of a Noctyrian prisoner?"
His tone sharpened.
"Do you have any idea what kind of creatures those witches are?"
Maria remained silent.
Cassian continued, frustration growing in his voice.
"You walked into that tower with no guards, no preparation, and no understanding of the danger surrounding you."
He leaned back slightly, running a hand through his dark hair.
"You were not sent there by His Majesty, were you?"
The question cut through the air.
Maria remained silent.
Cassian let out a bitter laugh.
"I knew it."
"You lied."
Maria looked away.
Maria's fingers tightened in her lap.
"I did not think it would become so… disturbing."
Cassian let out a sharp breath.
"That is precisely the problem."
His voice rose slightly.
"You never think far enough."
Maria's eyes flickered with hurt.
Cassian continued, his tone edged with anger that barely concealed concern.
"You have grown into a woman, yes."
"But sometimes you still behave like the same reckless child who believes the world cannot harm her."
Maria's chest tightened painfully.
She looked down, refusing to meet his gaze.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Cassian asked quietly
"What were your true intentions?"
Maria's head snapped up.
"My intentions?"
"Yes."
His eyes searched her face.
"You went there knowing the prisoner was dangerous."
His voice softened slightly, though the tension remained.
"What were you hoping to hear from her?"
Maria stared at him.
For a moment her expression shifted.
Hurt.
Anger.
Something deeper.
Then suddenly she stood.
"YOU ,YOU WERE THE REASON!"
The single sentence left her lips like a blade.
Before Cassian could react she turned toward the carriage door.
"Stop the carriage."
The driver pulled the reins instinctively.
Cassian frowned.
"What are you doing?"
But Maria had already opened the door and stepped onto the dark forest road.
The cool night wind struck her hair.
She did not look back.
"It was pleasant seeing you again, Prince Cassian."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Farewell."
And she began walking away into the dim forest path.