Aeris was gone.

Zephirion’s entire body tensed as he scanned the chamber—empty. No scent, no trace, nothing. She had vanished without a sound.

His instincts flared, his mind racing. She was under a spell. Changed. Controlled. But despite that, he had felt it—his real Aeris was still in there, somewhere.

And now, she had disappeared in the dead of night.

His search was swift, relentless.

The royal gardens—empty.

The grand hall—silent.

The corridors—deserted.

His hands curled into fists. Where was she?

Then—

“What are you doing?”

Zephirion spun around instantly, his golden eyes glowing in the dim torchlight.

Aeris stood behind him.

Calm. Unbothered. As if she had never disappeared at all.

His breath hitched, but his face remained unreadable.

She tilted her head in confusion. “Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?”

Zephirion’s jaw tightened. “Where were you?”

Aeris blinked. “In my chamber. I just went to get some water.”

Lies.

His gaze darkened as he studied her. The way she stood, the way she smiled—too perfect. Too smooth. Too different.

Still, he said nothing and took her hand.

The moment his fingers touched her wrist, his breath hitched.

Her skin was ice cold.

---

The Couple’s Chamber

Zephirion didn’t speak as he led Aeris back to their chamber. His mind was clouded with suspicion, his every instinct screaming that something was wrong.

She followed without question, her steps light, almost too graceful.

The moment they entered, his sharp gaze locked onto something unusual.

A note.

Sitting on the bedside table.

Zephirion’s muscles tensed. He reached for it cautiously, his fingers unfolding the parchment.

His eyes scanned the words—

And then, they widened.

His breath hitched, his entire body stiffening.

Shock. Pure, raw shock.

His crimson gaze darted toward Aeris, his heart pounding.

She was watching him.

And then—she smiled.

--------

The three dragons were not fools. Something was wrong with Aeris.

Her smiles were too soft. Her words too delicate. Her very presence felt… off.

Yet, no matter how hard they tried, they found nothing.

---

Spying Mission: Attempt #1

Valerion tried to engage her in conversation, throwing playful jabs at her like he always did.

“Oi, Little Firecracker, don’t tell me marriage has made you soft?” he teased, expecting a sharp glare or a sarcastic remark.

Instead, Aeris just laughed softly.

Laughed.

And then—she apologized.

Valerion nearly choked on air. Aeris? Apologizing?!

That was not Aeris.

But she had said nothing strange, acted in no suspicious way.

So he got nothing.

---

Spying Mission: Attempt #2

Caelum, ever the serious one, observed her silently.

Aeris usually preferred to eat quickly and escape from formal dinners. Today, she sat gracefully, eating with delicate bites, as if she had all the time in the world.

Caelum narrowed his eyes.

“Are you feeling unwell?” he finally asked.

Aeris blinked, smiling warmly. “No, why do you ask?”

“No reason,” he said, keeping his expression blank.

Once again, he got nothing.

---

Spying Mission: Attempt #3

Zephirion was the only one who didn’t try to talk. He simply watched.

He watched the way Aeris walked, the way she spoke, the way she avoided touching certain things.

He noticed the way her fingers twitched slightly before she reached for anything—as if adjusting to a body that wasn’t hers.

He knew something was wrong.

Yet, despite all their efforts—

They got nothing.

And that meant only one thing.

Whoever was controlling Aeris… was smart.

Too smart.

To be continued