Chapter 163

Ella POV

I woke the next morning to find I was still alone in the apartment. Fear gripped my heart as I rushed out of the bedroom, hoping to find Alexander on the couch. But it was empty too.

A note lay on the coffee table, one that hadn’t been there the night before.

I picked it up, my hands trembling, and immediately recognized Alexander’s neat handwriting.

Relief washed over me as I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I took a moment to steady myself before reading the note:

I got home late and didn’t want to disturb you. I’m going to get my workday started, but if you’re free for lunch, we can talk then.

—Alexander

I sank onto the couch, running a hand over my face in frustration, trying to shake off the fog of sleep that still clung to me.

This was too much.

With everything happening—the danger surrounding us, the secrets, the threats—it was unbearable not knowing where Alexander was or what he was doing.

He could be hurt. Or worse. And I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for him.

If he hadn’t come back, who could I call for help? Where could I direct them to search? Did August know where he was? And if not, then no one did.

What could be so important that he had to be so secretive, sneaking off in the middle of the night?

The thought gnawed at me. He was obviously meeting with someone in secret. The only questions were who and why.

I didn’t want to pry into Alexander’s private life. Everyone deserves some level of privacy. But these were extenuating circumstances.

Too much was at stake. The fate of the entire kingdom rested on his shoulders, and his reckless disappearances couldn’t continue—no matter how justified he thought they were.

We needed to talk.

I glanced at the note again. Lunch.

But what could I possibly say to get my point across without pushing him further away?

“We have to talk,” I muttered aloud, practicing the words that might come out when I saw him. There are things about me that you don’t know—information that changes everything.

I paused, exhaling sharply. Up to this point, I’ve asked you to trust me blindly, but clearly, that’s not enough anymore.

I shook my head in frustration. I was being ridiculous. There was no way I could explain the original timeline and my second chance to him—he’d think I was crazy.

So, what other option did I have?

The thought lingered. Could I rely on the sources of information Alexander didn’t know about? I’d done it before, but would he demand more specifics than I was able to provide?

I stopped my pacing and went into the bathroom. I needed to get ready for the rest of my day.

Maybe I could tell him I was psychic—that’s how I knew everything I knew. But no, that wouldn’t work either.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair, then stepped into the shower, hoping the water might wash away some of my confusion. Afterward, I dressed and went downstairs, trying to shake off the unease clinging to me.

James was waiting near the door as usual, a book tucked into his jacket pocket. I smiled at the sight of him. He always seemed so patient, so quiet as he stood guard, though I knew it must get boring for him waiting around for me. Yet, he never complained.

“Are you heading out?” James asked as I approached.

“Just to the cafe,” I replied, trying to sound lighthearted. “I need a little fresh air and some strong coffee.”

He smiled at that, his expression warm.

“Let’s get going then,” James replied with a small smile. “I could use some caffeine myself.”

The short walk to the cafe was chilly but not unpleasant. The wind hadn’t picked up yet, and the crisp air did wonders to clear my mind.

But the moment we stepped inside, all that clarity evaporated.

Standing at the counter in front of us, waiting for her order, was Fiona.

Instead of the expected flicker of jealousy or annoyance, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. Fiona likely had no idea about my prior reaction to her, but I couldn’t help replaying the memory of how silly I’d acted. The way Alexander had found the whole thing amusing only made it worse.

A small, irrational part of me wanted to turn around and walk out, but that would be ridiculous. Instead, I stepped up to the counter and focused on placing my order: the usual drinks for James and me. I’d hoped Fiona wouldn’t notice me.

No such luck.

“Ella!” she called out, her voice bright with excitement.

I turned, forcing a smile. “Hello, Fiona.”

“We have to stop meeting like this,” she joked.

“It seems we have very similar tastes,” I replied lightly. “How have you been?”

“I’m good!” she said, her smile genuine. “I’m taking an extended lunch break today—there’s a long meeting later that I need to brace myself for. How about you? Have things been crazy with Alexander since the King’s big announcement?”

“It’s certainly been interesting,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “I take it you know what the plan is?”

She nodded knowingly. “Of course. Alexander’s always talked about wanting to pursue the role of King.”

“That’s right,” I confirmed, the words coming out more evenly than I’d expected.

“If you’re not too busy, I’d love to sit down and chat,” Fiona said, her tone light but eager.

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. “I have time.”

“I’ll grab your drinks when they’re ready,” James offered.

“Thank you,” Fiona said, flashing him a bright smile. Then she turned to me and gestured toward the seating area. “Where would you like to sit?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied.

We chose a table near the window, and Fiona settled into her seat with an excited smile. She leaned her elbows on the table, her body angled forward, brimming with energy.

“So,” she began, “the election. Are you nervous? Excited? How are you feeling?”

“A bit nervous,” I admitted, trying to sound composed. “But I’m sure it’s nothing I can’t handle. Alexander and I have been navigating the spotlight together since the beginning of our relationship. This will be more intense, of course, but nothing we can’t manage.”

“That’s good,” she said, her tone genuinely reassuring. “Alexander can be a bit reckless about things sometimes, but you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. I’m sure you’ll keep him grounded.”

I frowned slightly, picking up on the edge in her words. “What do you mean by ‘reckless about things’?”

“Well, you know,” she said, waving a hand vaguely. “With some of his past... indiscretions. It’s always surprised me that he’s as public as he is. If anyone were to dig too far into his background or Diana gets gossiping…” Fiona trailed off abruptly, her expression shifting as she realized what she’d said. Her eyes went wide, and she glanced at me nervously.

“What would they find?” I asked, leaning forward and keeping my voice low.

“Nothing,” she answered too quickly, the word automatic. “Just normal youthful indiscretions.”

“That’s not what you mean, and we both know it,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “I know Alexander has secrets, and he’s entitled to them. But if there’s something that could cause a scandal or jeopardize the election, I need to know.”

Fiona’s gaze darted to James, who stood near the counter, giving us space but still within earshot. She bit her lower lip, visibly conflicted.

“It’s not my place,” she said softly. “I’m sorry. I assumed he’d told you everything. ”

“So he is hiding something,” I said thoughtfully, more to myself than to her. I’d had a feeling, but this only confirmed it.

“It’s nothing you need to be concerned about,” Fiona insisted, but her tone lacked conviction.

I studied her carefully, and it was clear she was lying—or at least withholding something. There was a weight to her hesitation, a warning buried in her words.

Whatever she wasn’t saying, it wasn’t trivial. It was something potentially dangerous, something that could derail everything if it came to light.

This wasn’t just about me or Alexander anymore. The election was too important to allow any loose ends. This was about the well-being of the entire kingdom.