phin

n the confined space as she beat her fists against the

on her arm. "Madam, save your strength.

d at me, her face etched with worry. "But w

ven. "They won't let us die. Vale

e fell back to the Silverbloom. I walked to the pedestal and, with extreme care, uprooted the entire pla

rimary objective was comple

s, tapping them, listening for any hollow sound that might indicate a hidden passage.

ne. It was filled with gaudy, outdated jewelry. As I started to close

e of gems and gold onto the floor. Th

et, lay a scroll wrapped in fine silk and sealed with a royal wax emblem. But

at faster. This was

led the parchment. The text was written in t

cognized two key names inscribed in f

uld an ancient pact involving House Sterling be hid

est, and tucked it securely inside my dress. This was a discov

om outside the door. "Seraphina! Have you had e

e Mrs. Adler a reassuring g

ce clear and steady. "I believe

ther's family to yours, registered as part of my official do

the other side. Then, his furious roar. "Li

sk your own household's chief stewardess. I'm sure Mrs. Caldwell remembers logging my

rely concerned themselves with such details. He wouldn't have checked. But

th his humiliation. I could almost

was Mrs. Caldwell. "Your Highness... she is telling the truth. T

nd of rage came

my own property? Or is the great Kensington Prince now in the business of publicly robb

a dagger, aime

started up again. "Valerius, my heart... i

our heart that hurts, dear sister? Or are you just panicking becaus