Chapter 84: The Vision Unbidden.

Chapter 84

Sigrid walked away from the garden path. Her mind churned over Maria’s parting catastrophe, dissecting every sharp word the girl had spat in her blind fury. Maria was so consumed by her own vanity that she had not even bothered to conceal her nature as a Gifted, openly boasting of her foresight as if it were an unassailable shield. It was unfortunate for her, however, that Sigrid had been granted a far more complete second chance—a second life bound to memories that extended well beyond vague glimpses of the future.

Yet, one pressing detail lingered like a bad taste in her mouth, Maria was undeniably aware of Soren’s eventual treason when Prince Ragnar would one day claim the crown. If there was a single defining trait to her step-sister, it was that the girl never relinquished a weapon once she had her hands on it, and her persistence would prove a constant nuisance.

Reaching the central courtyard near the palace gates, Sigrid let out a quiet sigh, adjusting the silk mantle resting across her shoulders. As she turned toward the grand archway, her eyes caught the looming figure of Soren emerging from the high oak doors of the King’s council hall. At the sight of her husband, her lips curved into an unconscious, delicate smile.

Soren caught her gaze instantly, his long, heavy strides closing the distance between them at once. Reaching her side, he gently clasped her gloved hand within his own, his dark blue eyes searching her face with immediate concern. "How was your audience with the Queen? Did Her Majesty offer you any insult or trouble?"

Sigrid met his gaze calmly, allowing him to lead her toward the waiting ducal carriage. "She did not, my lord. We reached an understanding."

As they fell into step down the stone path, Soren continued to watch her intently, his sharp eyes refusing to leave her profile. Sigrid tilted her head with mild amusement. "Why do you stare at me so intently, my lord?"

Soren sighed softly, the deep rumble of his voice carrying over the quiet courtyard. "I must apologize, Duchess, but you continuously surpass my expectations. I knew you were extraordinarily capable when you first proposed our marriage without a single trace of fear, yet I find myself repeatedly astonished by your composure."

Sigrid placed her free hand over her heart, feigning slight offense. "You wound me, my lord, by confessing such surprise at my competence."

Soren’s lips twitched upward faintly, though his expression soon turned thoughtful. "I am surprised, certainly, but I am also curious regarding a certain habit of yours. It seems to me that you possess a strange fondness for taking the most convoluted routes to achieve your goals."

Sigrid raised an eyebrow, prompting him to elaborate as he guided her up the carriage steps. Soren sat across from her as the heavy door shut, settling his large frame against the dark cushions. "Take the incident with Count Varenne three days past. You were fully aware of the trap being laid, yet you deliberately walked directly into it."

Sigrid arranged her skirts, looking at him with absolute frankness. "Because it was necessary for me to appear vulnerable to my enemies. I knew Maria was using the Count’s greed to drag me into a scandal, but I allowed it to proceed because I wished to crush her plot from the inside out. Furthermore, I harbored my own grievances against the Count, and Maria merely made it convenient for me to settle them." She paused, her crimson eyes softening with a rare, quiet sincerity. "As for allowing the Count to lay his hand upon me... that was entirely my own arrogance and carelessness. I foolishly believed he would not dare strike me, and my miscalculation put me in a position that angered you. For that, I offer my sincere apologies."

She looked closely at Soren, her tone shifting into a thoughtful query. "Your methods, Duke Aethermor, rely on swift, absolute destruction. Do you find me cruel for deriving pleasure from such intricate mind games?"

Soren leaned forward, his gaze firm and unyielding as he looked directly into her eyes. "No, I do not care what games you play. If you go to such lengths, those people must have inflicted terrible suffering upon you in the past. However, I ask only that you do not put yourself in harm’s way to prove a point. You carry a personal guard so that they may handle such filthy work on your behalf. Do not risk your own safety for people who are beneath your concern."

Sigrid’s smile widened, a quiet warmth touching her features. "You are remarkably protective today, my lord. Has something occurred?" She paused, noting the subtle tightening of his jaw. "Does this sudden concern pertain to your audience with the King?"

Soren gave a single, somber nod. "There is war looming upon the horizon."

Sigrid’s eyes narrowed slightly as she confirmed her own inner suspicions. I knew it, she thought silently, recalling the historical timeline of her former life.

The carriage soon rolled to a halt within the courtyard of the Northern Fortress. Soren stepped out first, assisting Sigrid down before accompanying her directly up the grand staircase toward his private study. Lilith met them in the upper corridor, quietly carrying a tray of hot tea into the room. She poured two porcelain cups, set them upon the heavy mahogany desk, and bowed low before exiting the room, pulling the thick oak doors shut to leave the couple in total privacy.

Sigrid took her seat in one of the cushioned armchairs facing the desk, while Soren remained standing beside the tall window, his arms crossed over his chest. "The King received an envoy from the Kingdom of Engrosia earlier this morning regarding the shared distribution of border resources," Soren explained, his baritone voice solemn. "Engrosia grew far too greedy, demanding an outrageous concession despite still recovering from their recent conflict with Noravelle. Negotiation has failed entirely."

Sigrid rested her chin against her hand, her expression thoughtful. "I see."

Soren turned toward her, his dark brows furrowing deep with concern. "I have accumulated countless enemies over the years, Sigrid. When I march to the front lines, those factions will undoubtedly view my absence as an opportunity to strike at Aethermor. I must ensure you are not left vulnerable to their schemes."

Sigrid frowned, acknowledging the harsh truth of his statement. The Northern Fortress sat directly upon Arkovia’s border, making it a prime target for foreign threats and domestic political rivals the moment the Warlord departed.

Moreover, her memories reminded her that the war with Engrosia was destined to last a full year. In her past life, Soren had returned victorious just two weeks after she was crowned Crown Princess. Now, having forced the Queen to crown Maria within a month, the timeline dictated that Soren would be forced to depart almost immediately, leaving them separated for a year when they had barely spent a month together as husband and wife. This would be a terrible position for her.

Rising gracefully from her seat, Sigrid walked over to stand beside him, looking up into his resolute face. "I shall be perfectly fine, my lord. You need not consume yourself with worry for my sake. Chester and the household guards will remain at the fortress to secure the perimeter. I am more than capable of handling whatever foolish nobility attempt to cross me in your absence." She took a slow breath before asking, "When are you ordered to march?"

"In a month’s time," Soren answered quietly.

"During the height of the winter season..." Sigrid murmured, shaking her head slightly. "A brutal time to march a northern army into foreign territory."

"It will be managed," Soren said firmly, a quiet, absolute confidence settling over his features. "Everything will be handled precisely as it must."

As the subtle, brilliant light flashed within his cold blue eyes, a sudden, violent reaction surged through Sigrid’s body. Involuntarily, her crimson eyes ignited with an ethereal glow as her Gift activated without her consent. The familiar, terrifying sensation of her consciousness being ripped from her physical form took hold, dragging her downward into a dark, bottomless abyss.

The surrounding study vanished instantly, replaced by absolute shadow. Sigrid’s knees buckled, her breath catching in her throat as her physical body fell completely limp. Before her head could strike the hard floor, Soren reacted with blinding speed, catching her falling form against his chest, his arms locking around her as his dark blue eyes widened in sudden, unadulterated panic. "Sigrid!"