Clouds Before the Feast

Then Ben exhaled, his voice barely above a whisper. "...You always see too far ahead, Anna."

She smiled faintly, but there was no humor in it. "That's why you married me."

He almost laughed—but the sound died halfway out of his throat. Because she was right.

For a heartbeat, the weight of politics, war, and secrets pressed down on them both. The candlelight trembled, throwing long shadows over the study walls where scrolls and maps lay scattered. Then Anna's voice broke the silence—soft, calm, and strangely grounding.

"Darling," she said, her tone easing into something almost domestic. "Leave this matter for now. We'll handle it later. There's something more pressing at the moment."

Ben lifted his head, his eyes questioning. "More pressing than treason?"

"Yes," she sighed, the faintest trace of exasperation in her tone. "You forgot, didn't you?"

His brow furrowed. "Forgot what?"

Anna crossed her arms, giving him that familiar look—the one that said you're the king, but you still need me to keep your head straight. "Our future daughter-in-law is coming for lunch today."

Ben froze.

The words hit like a pebble tossed into still water, rippling through his mind before the meaning fully sank in.

"Ah…" he murmured, scratching the back of his neck as realization dawned. "That… right. I did forget."

She rolled her eyes gently, but there was a smile tugging at her lips.

Of course you did.

---

Yesterday had been a long day.

Victor and Ania had returned from Suncrest Estate after dusk, weary but composed. Everyone thought the king and queen were asleep in their chambers, but they weren't.

Behind closed doors, Ben and Anna had been awake, quietly listening as Loyalten—the ever-faithful knight—had come to report. His tone had been serious, but there was pride woven in his words as he explained what had happened at Suncrest: Victor's calm handling of the situation, his resolve, the way Ania stood beside him like a shadow of quiet strength.

And then came the final piece of news—Lady Shahe, matriarch of the Suncrest family, had agreed to visit the palace for lunch the following day.

Ben had exchanged a glance with Anna then, a smile breaking through their fatigue. For once, amidst the chaos of politics and unrest, there was a spark of peace. A promise of future family, of something normal.

The memory faded as Ben returned to the present, the faint echo of that smile lingering.

He sighed softly. "Right. I almost forgot, between all this chaos."

Anna tilted her head, studying him. "I figured as much."

Ben's expression softened, regret shading his features. "Sorry, my love."

"It's fine," she said, her tone gentle now. "I know you didn't forget on purpose." She paused, then gave him a sly, knowing glance. "Not today, at least."

He raised an eyebrow, mock offense flickering across his face. "Not today? You make it sound like I forget often."

Her lips curved into a teasing smirk. "Do you want me to start listing the times?"

He chuckled under his breath, holding up a hand in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I concede."

"That's what I thought," she said, and her voice carried that quiet playfulness he loved—the side of her that emerged only when the crown was off and the world outside couldn't touch them.

He rose from his seat, the chair scraping lightly against the marble. "Then let's not keep our future daughter-in-law waiting. We need to prepare the welcome properly. For Victor's sake."

Anna's smile warmed. "Yes. It's been so long since this palace felt… alive. Maybe this lunch will finally bring that back."

She stood, brushing down her gown, but as she turned, Ben caught her wrist gently.

"Anna," he said quietly.

She looked back at him, curious. "What is it?"

He hesitated. His thumb brushed against her wrist before he spoke again. "About what we discussed earlier—the Moon Eagal matter. Don't mention any of it to Victor or Ania. Not a word. Not until we're certain."

Her brows drew together slightly. "You think it's that serious?"

"I know it is," he said, meeting her gaze steadily. "There's something beneath it—something I can't yet see. Until I'm sure, no one else should know. Especially them."

Anna studied him for a long moment. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Alright. I trust you."

He exhaled, relieved, though he didn't show it outright. "Good."

Her lips softened into a faint smile. "You always say that—'trust me'—as if I ever stopped."

He smiled back. "You'd be surprised how many don't."

Her hand turned in his grasp, fingers curling lightly around his. "That's because they don't know you like I do."

He held her gaze for a heartbeat longer, the warmth between them cutting through the heavy air of strategy and secrecy. Then, finally, she pulled her hand free and straightened her shoulders.

"Well," she said lightly, "shall we?"

Ben nodded once, resolute again. "Let's go."

They stepped out of the study together, the heavy doors closing behind them with a soft echo that lingered like an unspoken thought.

The corridors ahead were bathed in morning light, golden rays spilling through tall stained windows. Servants hurried quietly about their duties, polishing silver, arranging flowers, laying fine linens across the banquet tables.

The scent of spiced wine and roasted meat drifted faintly through the halls—lunch preparations already underway.

Ben and Anna walked side by side, their pace unhurried, but each lost in thought. To anyone watching, they looked like the perfect royal pair—composed, confident, unshaken.

But in Ben's mind, her last words from the night before echoed still. Someone's playing their own game.

He glanced once toward the windows.

Far on the horizon, the clouds had begun to gather—slowly, silently, building like a storm biding its time.

He frowned slightly, then forced the expression away. There was still a feast to prepare, a family to welcome. The storm could wait.

Or so he told himself.

Because deep down, he already knew—storms never waited. They only watched.

And somewhere, beyond those gathering clouds, something unseen was already moving toward them.

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