The moon was high when Aeron Vale walked the marble halls of the Citadel, his hands clasped behind his back. The echo of his boots was a lonely sound, but his mind was far from quiet.
He hadn’t seen Caelan Veritas in years.
Not since the night he fell.
But this new Caelan… was not the villain he remembered.
> Cold. Controlled. Smiling like a man who knew everyone’s secret.
And worse, he was winning people over.
---
Earlier that evening — at the gala
Minister Renault: “You know, Caelan Veritas handled the East Sector dispute quite efficiently. The council was impressed.”
Aeron (surprised): “Veritas did that?”
Renault: “He’s become… sharper. Smarter. Less reckless.”
> Reckless? Caelan?
In the past, Caelan had been loud-mouthed, arrogant, and impulsive — all fire and fury.
But now, he walked like a storm in a velvet coat.
And that unsettled Aeron more than he cared to admit.
---
Later — Outside the Ball
Aeron found him on the balcony, casually sipping wine like he didn’t carry the weight of his past crimes.
Aeron (flatly): “You’re enjoying this.”
Caelan (tilting his head): “Enjoying what?”
Aeron: “The power. The whispers. The sudden admiration.”
Caelan (smiling): “Is it admiration? Or are they finally seeing the truth?”
> Aeron’s jaw clenched.
Aeron: “The truth? You nearly brought down this kingdom.”
Caelan (softly): “And yet I’m still here… and they invited me back.”
He turned, locking eyes with Aeron.
Caelan (low voice): “Ever wonder why that is, Aeron?”
For a moment, Aeron couldn’t speak.
Because for the first time — he did wonder.
---
Flashback — Last Timeline
Aeron stood over Caelan, sword drawn, betrayal in his eyes.
Aeron (past): “Tell me the truth. Were you conspiring with Liora?”
Caelan (bleeding, broken): “I never… would have hurt you.”
But Aeron hadn’t listened.
---
Present — Balcony Scene Continued
Aeron: “You were never the victim.”
Caelan (whispering): “Weren’t I? Or did you just choose the easier story?”
Aeron opened his mouth, but Caelan was already walking away.
> “It’s not me you’re afraid of,” Caelan said over his shoulder. “It’s the guilt.”
---
That night, Aeron stared at the forged letter Liora had once given him.
The ink seemed to blur, as if time itself was beginning to unravel.
> What if it wasn’t true?
> What if I condemned him for a lie?
---
---------------------------xxxxxxxxxxxx--------------------------
Quotes
“The deepest cuts don’t bleed—they echo.”
“I trusted you with my truth, and you fed it to wolves.”
“You stabbed me with words, smiled, and asked why I was bleeding.”
“Betrayal doesn’t need a blade. Just a familiar voice in a silent room.”
“I was loyal. You were pretending.”
---
“I don’t want apologies. I want them to taste the storm they brewed.”
“They taught me pain. Now I speak it fluently.”
“Revenge isn’t loud. It’s the quiet moment when the villain stops smiling.”
“I’m not angry. I’m focused.”
“I loved you in silence. You destroyed me in public.”
“We were almost something… until the lies spoke louder.”
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