Betrayed by My Ex, Marked by His Alpha Emperor Brother novel Chapter 287

Chapter 287: Chapter 287

Kaelen’s POV

The sky burned amber and rose above the backyard garden party celebrating Brenna and Finnian’s engagement. Lanterns swayed from the oak branches, casting warm pools of light across the flagstones where children darted between tables like fish in a stream.

I leaned against the garden wall, watching Lyra attempt to organize what she called "The Greatest Game Ever Invented" for the children of the court. The rules changed constantly.

"No, you have to hop on one foot AND spin," she commanded, hands on her hips. Riley’s daughter looked confused. Two other children simply sat down in protest.

"That wasn’t the rule before," one of them complained.

"It is now. I’m the game master."

I almost laughed. She had her mother’s stubborn jaw. The exact same tilt of the chin when challenged.

"Your Majesty."

Lord Cassian appeared at my shoulder. He held two tankards of dark ale and offered one with a nod. I took it. The metal was cool against my palm.

"You look relaxed," he said. "It’s unsettling."

"Should I scowl more?"

"It would restore the natural order." He took a long drink, then set his expression into something more formal. "Final report came in this morning. I wanted to tell you in person."

I turned slightly, giving him my full attention.

"The border is clear," he said. "Completely. Marcus conducted the last sweep himself. That final outpost—the one in the eastern ravine—scattered exactly three weeks ago. No reorganization. No new camps. No movement whatsoever."

I let the words settle. The last remnants of Malak’s rogue followers, gone. Not defeated in battle, simply dissolved. Scattered to the wind like smoke from a dead fire.

"You’re certain," I said.

"As certain as I’ve ever been about anything." Cassian’s voice dropped. "It’s over, Kaelen. Truly over. You don’t have to wake at three in the morning anymore wondering if something’s moving in the dark."

I stared at my ale. The surface caught the lantern light, gold and flickering.

For years, I’d carried it. That constant hum beneath my ribs. The awareness that somewhere, a lurking enemy threatened what I’d built. What I loved. Even after Malak fell, some part of me had stayed vigilant. Coiled. Waiting.

And now, nothing.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "For everything."

Cassian clapped my shoulder. "Don’t get sentimental on me. I’ll think you’ve been poisoned again."

A shriek split the air.

"FATHER! Tell Lyra she can’t change the rules in the middle!"

Valerius stormed toward me. His dark gold eyes—my eyes, usually so full of analytical thought—blazed with righteous indignation. Behind him, Lyra stood with her arms crossed, utterly unrepentant.

"She said I have to crawl now," Valerius complained. "Nobody agreed to crawling."

"It’s part of round two!" Lyra shouted from across the garden.

"There was no round two! You just invented it!"

I crouched between them. Valerius vibrated with frustration. Lyra’s chin jutted forward at that impossible angle.

"Lyra," I said gently. "If you’re the game master, you need to announce rule changes before the round starts. Not during."

"But—"

"Those are the rules of being in charge. Fair warning. Always."

She considered this, narrowing her eyes. "Fine. But round three has crawling. I’m announcing it now."

Valerius threw his hands up. "I’m not crawling."

"Then you’re eliminated!"

They were already racing back toward the other children, their playful argument abandoned as quickly as it had erupted. I straightened, shaking my head.

Cassian raised his tankard. "Future diplomats, those two."

"Future headaches."

Ten minutes later, I found my mate in the nursery.

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