The afternoon's revelations left my mind in turmoil. According to Malachi, my family was safe, a comforting thought amid the chaos that had befallen us. Yet, it was his unexpected proposal—his desire for me to be his queen—that left me utterly perplexed. Was it a genuine proposition, or was it a maneuver to assert dominance in this unsettling new reality?

My refusal seemed to trigger an even more cryptic statement: "I have waited ten years for this, love." What could he have meant by those words? The enigma that was Malachi only deepened, and I found myself grappling with the mysteries that surrounded him.

Despite the fearsome reputation that preceded him, he had been surprisingly kind to me. Beneath the layers of power and conquest, he appeared as a complex man, capable of both ruthlessness and unexpected gentleness. The contradictions left me questioning the true nature of the man who now held the fate of my family and kingdom in his hands.

As I was led away from the balcony by the servants, a new sense of determination settled within me. The revelations and peculiar proposal from Malachi had ignited a strategic spark in my mind. My priority was clear: confirm his intentions, safeguard my family, and navigate this complex web with caution.

On the way to my room, I took advantage of the moment to familiarize myself with my surroundings. The grandeur of the wing I found myself in suggested it was reserved for the royals—a place meant for those in positions of power. The opulence of the space contradicted the ominous circumstances that had led me here.

However, the realization dawned on me that such a regal environment also meant heightened security. Escape would not be an easy feat; every move would likely be monitored and any attempt thwarted. This realization only intensified the need for a calculated approach to navigate the delicate balance of power.

The day unfolded in solitude, my thoughts lingering on the complex situation that bound me to Malachi's mysterious plans. The servants brought lunch, but my appetite waned in the face of uncertainties. As evening approached, I found myself once again being prepared for a meal, this time led into a private dining room within the grand wing.

As I entered, my eyes locked onto Malachi, rising from his seat. This time, the shock of his presence had subsided, allowing me the opportunity to observe him more closely. He looked different from the royalty I was familiar with, yet an aura of power surrounded him, accentuated by the absence of bloodstains on his attire. His long, dark hair, typically seen as brutish in my world, now seemed regal, adding to the air of authority he exuded. Muscles moved beneath his clothing as he approached, emphasizing his tall and imposing stature.

Caught up in my observations, I was startled when he spoke, his voice a melodic greeting, "Hello, darling." In a surprising display of nobility, he took my hand, bowing and placing a kiss upon it. It was a gesture that contradicted his fearsome reputation, yet he carried it with a peculiar grace that left me momentarily captivated.

Malachi continued his gentlemanly demeanor, pulling out my chair and ensuring I was comfortably seated before retreating to his own place at the table. The air was charged with tension as I contemplated my next move, his observant eyes catching every nuance of my expressions.

"You seem to be plotting," he remarked with an amused smirk. My response was a straightforward acknowledgment, "Well, what do you expect after our earlier conversation?" His laughter, surprisingly warm, resonated in the room, momentarily breaking the intimidating facade he wore as he mumbled, "Fair enough."

As the food was served, I hesitated, realizing that this was a chance to leverage whatever influence I could. Malachi, perceptive as ever, noticed my reluctance and stopped eating, regarding me with a sigh. "What do you want, little bird?" he inquired. Seizing the opportunity, I declared, "Information."

To my surprise, he responded not with resistance but with a willingness to comply. "Darling, I will tell you whatever you want. There is no need to play games. Eat," he commanded, a tone of genuine assurance in his voice. It was unexpected, a departure from the power dynamics I had anticipated, but I needed to tread carefully and extract as much information as possible.

I hesitated, my fork hovering over the plate, as I prepared to delve into a delicate subject that had been on my mind all day. "What you said earlier, what exactly did you mean by that?" My question lacked the poise I usually aimed for, but the gravity of the situation left me uncertain about how to phrase it. There was a moment of silence, and a flicker of concern crossed my mind that he might refuse to answer.

Then, to my relief, he nodded toward my plate, raising an eyebrow. It dawned on me what he was waiting for, so I picked up my fork and began to eat. A subtle smirk graced his features, and once I had begun, he decided to address my question.

"Let me be clear about what I want, love. I want you. I want you by my side, as my queen. I want you as my wife and life partner." His words were direct, leaving no room for ambiguity. The realization hit me, and I couldn't deny the truth any longer. The absurdity and illogical nature of his desires left me bewildered. What was I to do now that I knew what he wanted, and how could I navigate this strange proposition?

"I am no queen, I'm just–" I began, but he promptly cut me off. "Stop that," he insisted. "Stop limiting yourself. You can be whatever you want to be; I will make sure of that." His words left me puzzled. Why did he care about my potential? What did he see in me? I wasn't accustomed to being part of significant discussions; I was the insignificant child. This was unfamiliar territory for me, unlike for Maeve, who was ready to join political unions for the sake of our family. Was I prepared to navigate these political intricacies? And why would he want me in the first place? Was he planning to use and manipulate me?

"I won't be your puppet queen, Malachi, dancing to your desires," I declared, attempting to assert myself with feigned confidence. In response, he sighed once again and uttered, "I seek a queen who reigns in her own right, not a puppet. Your strength intrigues me, darling." His words left me both intrigued and cautious, unsure of what to make of this man and his seemingly contradictory intentions.

Once again, I found myself at a loss for words. Why did it feel like he understood me in a way no one else ever had? It seemed as if he were willing to grant all my wishes, creating an inexplicable connection between us. But it made no sense. This had to be a trick, a ploy to manipulate me. I couldn't allow myself to fall for it. As confusing as it was, I couldn't dwell on the topic. I needed to focus on extracting information from him, as he had promised.

Brushing aside the strange connection I felt, I redirected the conversation, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. "I could never be with such a cruel man. What you did to this kingdom was brutal," I stated firmly. It appeared he would allow me to speak my mind, and I intended to do so without appearing meek.

He spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a dagger. "Cruel? Brutal?" he muses, as if contemplating the weight of the words. Then, with a chilling calmness, he asked, "How so?" The audacity of his question left me seething; how could he act so innocent after all he's done?

"How so!?" I repeated, my disbelief transforming into shock. "You left this kingdom in ruin!" I declared, my words echoing through the room.

"I can assure you I did not," he stated calmly, a hint of defiance in his eyes. My frustration deepened; how could he deny the devastation he brought upon this once-thriving city?

"The people of Stelara—" I began, but he cut me off with a swift motion of his hand. "The people of Stelara were treated like dirt by the previous rulers. It was as if their lives had no value. Families would be starving in the streets of Stela, and the royals would continue to throw banquets and turn a blind eye," he said passionately, his words laden with conviction.

A moment of doubt creeped in as I contemplated his revelation. Is that true? I couldn't deny the hardships I witnessed and the desperate pleas I made to Cedric, falling on deaf ears. The realization hit me like a wave; was I really so ignorant to the suffering that existed beneath the veneer of royalty? The city's ruins seemed to bear witness to a history I had been blind to.

Trying to regain the moral high ground, I squared my shoulders and locked eyes with him. "But how many must have died in your attack? Solely for your lust for power?" My words hung heavy in the air, a challenge to the darkness that had engulfed us.

His lips curled into a sinister smirk, a response that sent shivers down my spine. "The only thing I lust after is you, darling. And as for the common people, they offered no resistance to my men entering the city." His voice, smooth as velvet, wrapped around each word, making my skin crawl.

I chose to ignore his provocative comment, focusing instead on the unsettling truth he revealed. "These people have no love for the royals. Even if they understood our intention to attack, they had no reason to stand in our way. Not to mention, the main attack was coming from inside the castle; the people in the city were not the target." His words hung in the air like a bitter truth, and I felt a twinge of confusion cloud my thoughts.

He must have noticed my inner turmoil because his eyes locked onto mine. "You see, my dear, you've misunderstood a great many things. The world is not as black and white as you believe." His words carried a hint of arrogance, and I felt a pang of frustration at the complexity of the situation.

I couldn't let him win this, not after the pain and suffering he had unleashed. The weight of the lives lost pressed heavily on my conscience. "It doesn't make sense, and you still hurt a lot of people. Killed a lot of people," I retorted, my voice firm, determined to stand my ground against the darkness that threatened to consume everything.

"The queen, the princes, you had their throats slit in front of their people. You cannot deny the cruelty and brutality in that," I stated resolutely, my gaze unwavering. There is no way he could have a reasonable rebuttal for this, or so I thought.

He sighed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine, and said, "I can understand why you see it that way, little bird." For a moment, I believed I had finally bested him, but then he continued with a calm rationale that caught me off guard.

"But they were given a quick death. Anyone who has been involved in a palace raid before would surely call that mercy. After the ruin they brought onto their people, they did not deserve their positions. The only way for me to take power without a war was if they were dead. A war would have been much more cruel and brutal." His words hung in the air, a twisted logic that challenged my perception of mercy and cruelty.

I grappled with the conflicting emotions that surged within me. Wars were indeed awful, and I could not wish for one. His justification, however twisted, seemed to make a perverse sense. I racked my brain for my next complaint, but before I could voice it, he beat me to the punch.

"As for the knights, guards, and others who died that night, the same is true. It may have seemed messy, but it was the cleanest way to do things quickly." His words cut through my indignation, leaving me momentarily speechless. The dark dance of politics and power revealed itself in shades of gray, and I found myself standing on a precipice of understanding, torn between condemnation and a reluctant acknowledgment of the harsh reality he painted.

He seemed to possess an uncanny ability to justify all his actions, even if I vehemently disagreed with the reasoning. It was difficult to challenge the twisted logic that wove through his justifications. Feeling a need to pierce through the veneer of conquest and unravel the enigma before me, I decided to pose the question that lingered unspoken in the air.

"But why did you do it? Why do you conquer these nations? Even if you don't agree with the way the nations are ruled, why must you be the one to interfere? What has set you on this path of world domination?" The weight of the question hung in the air, a deep inquiry that few dared to voice to the fearsome conqueror. It was a question that could cost one their life, but he had been surprisingly honest and kind to me. Perhaps, I thought, he would answer.

His face betrayed a moment of pain, as if he wrestled with the decision of whether to reveal the depths of his motivations. Then, with a sigh, he spoke, "I am sorry, darling, but that is a story for another day." Disappointment washed over me, but I nodded in acceptance as he stood and came to help me out of my seat.

"It is getting late. You should rest," he said, a hint of concern in his voice. As he gave me another kiss on my hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that my question had created a distance between us once again. The enigma remained, and the shadows of his past, veiled in mystery, cast a long and unsettling presence over our complex connection.

A/N: Happy New Year! If you have a moment, please let me know what you are thinking of the book so far. I would love some feedback as I keep writing!