Aether sighed heavily as he clenched his fist, a mixture of emotions swirling within him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered softly to the empty night sky, a pang of guilt tugging at his conscience.
He was acutely aware of what he had just done... toyed with someone's emotions, manipulating them for his own ends.
But what choice did he have? His target was a newly betrothed princess.... already engaged to another.
Seeking a way into the princess's heart, Aether had seen an opportunity in Lia's plight. By stirring up dissatisfaction with Kai's behaviour, even if just a little, he hoped to plant seeds of doubt in the princess's mind.
Using that chance, he might strike the iron while it's hot.
Yet, despite the calculated move, Aether couldn't shake his apprehension. What if his plan backfired? What if the empress discovered his meddling and grew angry?