A soft knock at the door jars me awake. I open my eyes, squinting against the bright light streaming through the window. Alden rolls over, revealing his bare chest and abs, and I have to force myself to look away. can't help but stifle a groan. It's been far too long since I've been with someone like this, and the desire to touch him, to feel his skin against my own, is almost unbearable. "Enter," Alden calls out, his voice still thick with sleep. I watch as the door slowly opens, revealing Marik, "Hey kid, your mom told to me to tell you, you overslept. Lady thorn sent me to come and get you." Marik sees that I'm awake and smirks at me before looking back to Alden. The air in the room seems to shift ever so slightly, and I can feel the weight of Alden's gaze on me. He props himself up on one elbow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth." And what about you, Marik?" he asks, his voice low and husky. "Shouldn't you be at your lessons today?" Marik shrugs, unperturbed. "Ain't no one gonna teach me anything I don't already know," he retorts, his smirk widening.  "And besides, I have something to report to you that I think you might interested in."

The meaning of his words is not lost on either of us. Alden's gaze flicks back to me for a brief moment before returning to Marik, a newfound intensity in his eyes. "Go on," he urges. "What is it?" Marik shrugs "Can't say in here, so why don't you get out of bed and meet me in the garden after break fest and come alone." Marik says as he walks off. I feel a jolt of anticipation run through me at Marik's words. Alden, however, seems to remain composed. "Very well," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll meet you in the garden after breakfast." With that, he rolls out of bed and begins to dress himself. I watch as he pulls on his pants and then slips on his shirt, the fabric stretching taut across his broad chest and defined abs. He looks over at me, and for a moment, our eyes meet. There's a question in his gaze, a hint of concern, and perhaps even something like desire. But before I can fully process the feeling, he turns away, grabs his sword belt, and disappears out the door. I lie there, My old self still remains after I stood up to Stephaine. "What are they plotting.." I say in a accusatory calm voice. My face turns blank as I get dressed and head into the kitchen where Alden and Marik are whispering to each other. I take my seat at the table. Looking at lady thorn. "Good morning, Lady Thorn," I say, my voice steady. "What's for breakfast?" I ask, trying to ignore the tension in the room. Alden looks at me, his expression unreadable, before turning back to Marik."I'll have some fruit and bread," I tell the servant who appears with a tray. As I eat, I can't help but wonder what it is that Marik has to tell Alden, and why it's so important that they meet alone. The anticipation grows with each passing moment, and I feel a knot forming in my stomach. I decide to just ignore it and focus on eating then, after I eat. I help Cook clean the dishes before heading to the library. The library is my sanctuary, my safe haven. It's where I go to escape from the politics and intrigue that consume the rest of the castle. The familiar scent of old books and leather fills my nostrils, and the rows of shelves stretch out before me like a beacon of knowledge and solitude. I take a deep breath and begin to wander the aisles, searching for a new book to read. The sound of footsteps approaching from behind me causes me to glance over my shoulder. It's Alden, his expression unreadable. "Duna, can I speak with you for a moment?" he asks, his voice low and serious. I nod, following him to a secluded corner of the library where we won't be overheard. "What is it, Alden?" I ask, feeling a sense of foreboding wash over me. He hesitates for a moment, running a hand through his hair before speaking ."Well" he starts "I've been thinking, you should get the day off today and tomorrow, Marik and I will be busy with some things, during that time." "Why?" I ask, frowning. "What are you and Marik planning?" "Don't worry about it." He smirks at before backing out of the room leaving me alone with my thoughts. I decide to take the day off as he suggested. The thought of them being up to something has been eating away at me, but I try and set it aside. I wander through the gardens, taking in the fresh air and the sounds of nature. The sun is warm on my skin, and the scent of flowers fills the air. I find myself drawn to a secluded clearing where a small stream babbles over smooth stones. I sit down on a nearby bench and stare out at the water, lost in thought. "Alden's only ever given me one day off, and now he's giving me two for seemly no reason?" I ponder. The more I think about it, the more unsettled I become. I can't shake the feeling that there's something sinister going on behind the scenes. The thought of being left out of whatever they're planning bothers me deeply. I decide I'm gonna go snitch on them to Lady Thorn.  I head back to the castle, my steps quickening as I go. Once inside, I hurry to Lady Thorn's chambers. She's sitting at her desk, poring over papers when I enter. I clear my throat to announce my presence. "My lady, I think there's something you should know," I say, closing the door behind me. Her head snaps up, and she fixes me with a piercing gaze. "Alden and Marik have been acting strange lately. They've been whispering together, and now Alden's giving me two days off without any reason. I just thought you should know." Lady Thorn's expression darkens as she listens to my story. When I finish, she leans back in her chair, steeples her fingers, and considers her next words carefully. "Ah yes, well you see my dear, I'm one who told Alden to give you two days off." She smiles innocently. I look at her my eyes narrowing before I bow and step out room closing the door behind me. "She's in on it too?" I wonder as I make my way back to the library. The tension is thick in the air as I approach. Alden and Marik are standing by the window, their voices low and urgent. I can't quite make out what they're saying, but I can tell they don't want to be overheard. I hesitate for a moment, debating whether or not to confront them, when suddenly Vergo hurries into the room with a message for Alden. He excuses himself to speak with Vergo, giving me a sidelong glance as he passes. I decide to take the opportunity to eavesdrop on their conversation. Marik spots me and and walks over "Yo, sis" he smirks "shall we walk to the kitchen lunch should be ready right about now." 

I glare at him, he's always been slick like this, but I can't help but feel a tiny spark of curiosity. "Fine," I grumble, following him out of the room. As we walk through the castle, I can't help but notice the way the servants flinch away from Marik as he passes. It's clear that he's not well-liked here. When we reach the kitchen, the smell of freshly baked bread and steaming soup fills the air. I take a seat at the long wooden table while Marik pulls out a chair beside him and sits down. "So," I say, trying to sound casual, "what's going on with you and Alden? He's been acting weird lately." Marik fans his hand at me. "Don't worry about it." "But I am worried about it," I say, leaning in closer. "I've been his assistant for a long time, and I've never seen him like this." Marik glances around the room, lowering his voice. "Well, too bad I ain't telling you." I glare at him." Look, I know we've had our differences in the past, but we're family. You can't just keep me in the dark like this." I say trying to pull the info out of him. "Oh yea I can." Marik counters "I'm the big brother and what I say goes now, shouldn't you be enjoying your day off shouldn't you be, oh I don't know reading or something you little book worm?" Marik smirks at me before looking back at his plate. I'm seething, but I can't help but feel a small sense of unease. Something about the way he's acting is off. "Fine," I say, standing up from the table. "I'll just go back to work then. But if anything happens to Alden or this library..." I let the threat hang in the air as I walk away. Marik just laughs it off, calling after me to enjoy my day off. But I can't shake the feeling that I've just made a huge mistake.

I return to the library, my heart pounding, and take my usual seat behind the desk. The air feels thick with tension, and I can't help but wonder what Marik could possibly be up to. I read for another hour or two before hearing a knock at the door. "Come in." I say calmly my eyes never leaving the book. Vero kneels down in the door way. "Lady Thorn has requested you attend dinner." I look at her studying her force before getting up and following her out the door. As I walk inside the kitchen everyone is already seated, Marik and Alden are whispering to each other at first then, stop and look at me with a big smile on both their faces. Lady also shoots me a soft smile before closing her eyes and sipping her tea. I finish my dinner quickly then head to Alden's room to prepare for bed. I lay down for a few minutes, then hear Alden walk inside the room. "So, Duna." He says sitting down on the bed next to me. "I trust you had an interesting day." I look over at him, unsure of how to respond. "What's going on, Alden?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. He sighs, rubbing his face with his hands. "I can't tell you. It's... complicated. Just trust me, okay?" I stare at him for a moment.  "Okay," I say slowly. "But if you ever want to talk... I'm here for you." Alden smiles at me, and for a moment, I see the old Alden I know hiding behind his eyes. "Thanks, Duna. I appreciate that." He climbs into bed and sits down. "So Duna, is there anything you have ever wanted from the venders outside but never got?" Alden askes out of the blue. I pause for a moment, thinking back to the countless times I've watched venders pass by the gates. "No, not really." Alden frowns. "Nothing?" He askes with a surprised tone. As I lay I turn around facing him, his eyes stat to drift towards my collar. Then he grins. "You know what Duna, just forgot about it." He turns and takes off his shirt then climbs into bed. I frown, but decide not to press the matter. Instead, I close my eyes and try to get some sleep, the strange conversation with Alden and Marik's cryptic behavior weighing heavily on my mind. As I drift off, I can't help but wonder what secret they're keeping, and if I'll ever find out.

The next morning I'm half awoken by the sound of two voices.

"What do you mean?" I hear Marik ask. from inside the room.

"We are out of time, and you didn't get anything out of her?"

"Don't worry I got a plan" Alden says as I hear him get up from the bed soon after the door closes and I fall back asleep.