The missions came more frequently after that first success. ALICE appeared in her dreams every few nights with new objectives:

  [MISSION: Uncover the Duke of Westwood's secret alliance]

  [MISSION: Prevent Lord Bckthorn's trade monopoly]

  [MISSION: Identify the spy in the Royal Council]

  Each task forced Lia deeper into court politics – a world Allura had once maniputed for personal gain. But where the original viliness had sought power, Lia found herself genuinely invested in the kingdom's wellbeing. Perhaps it was her modern sensibilities, or maybe the memory of Cassian's breakdown had awakened something protective in her.

  "You're different," Cassian remarked during their third strategy meeting. They sat in his private study, maps and documents spread between them. The formal throne room had given way to this more intimate setting as their colboration grew.

  Lia looked up from the trade reports she was analyzing. "Your Highness?"

  "Cassian," he corrected absently, then seemed surprised by his own words. "When we're working like this, you may use my name."

  She nodded, trying to hide how the familiarity affected her. "You were saying I'm different?"

  "Six months ago, you would have used this information for bckmail or personal advantage. Now you're suggesting reforms that would actually benefit the common people." He leaned back, golden hair catching the mplight. "What changed?"

  "Perhaps I realized there are more important things than personal gain," Lia replied carefully.

  Their meetings began to extend past midnight. What started as purely strategic discussions evolved into something more personal. During one particurly te session, as they pored over agricultural reports, Cassian suddenly spoke:

  "Do you know what my first memory is?"

  Lia set down her quill. "No."

  "I was three years old. My father had me stand perfectly still for two hours while court painters worked. When I fidgeted, he had my nurse whip my legs." His voice was matter-of-fact, but pain flickered in his eyes. "That was my introduction to royal duty."

  "Cassian..." The name felt foreign on her tongue, yet right.

  "Every moment of my life has been scheduled, scrutinized, scripted. Even my eventual marriage will be a political arrangement." He ughed humorlessly. "Do you still envy the crown, Allura?"

  "I never did," she answered honestly. "And I'm sorry for making your burden heavier with my... past actions."

  He studied her face in the mplight. "You truly have changed. The Allura I knew would never apologize."

  Their next mission involved intercepting coded messages between noble houses plotting against the crown. Lia's quick thinking prevented a assassination attempt, earning her an official commendation. But more importantly, it earned her something else – Cassian's trust.

  "I've been thinking," he said one night, after they'd spent hours decoding enemy correspondence. "I'd like to formalize your position. Make you an official advisor to the crown."

  Lia nearly dropped her teacup. "That would be... highly irregur."

  "Everything about you tely is irregur." His smile was tired but genuine. "The council won't like it, but I'm tired of caring what they like. You've proven yourself valuable – not just to the crown, but to me personally."

  The admission hung between them, heavy with unspoken meaning.

  "I need people I can trust," he continued softly. "People who see me as more than just a crown and a title. I thought I'd found that once, but..." He trailed off, and Lia wondered if he was thinking of Seraphina.

  "I accept," she said, pushing away the guilt of her deception. "I'll serve the crown – and you – to the best of my abilities."

  Their hands brushed as they reached for the same document, and neither pulled away immediately. In that moment, Lia realized the missions had accomplished more than just political objectives. They'd built a bridge between two people who should have been enemies.

  Later, in her dreams, ALICE confirmed what she already suspected:

  "Retionship status updated: From Distrust to Respect. New dialogue options unlocked. Warning: Deviation from original narrative may have unforeseen consequences."

  But as Lia drifted into deeper sleep, thinking of golden hair and midnight confessions, she found she didn't care about consequences anymore. Some stories, she was learning, were meant to be rewritten.