lia

room just as the first gray

surgery had taken more out of me than I expected, and exhaustion pulled me into a re

n the door woke

irst time since I'd met her, her face was ani

efore leaning in to whisper. "My lady, h

e of bread. "What news could possibly

s at her side. "The prince! Prin

rt. I already knew, of course. But hearing it confirmed,

expression carefully blank. "

ice was breathless. "But this morning, he arrived at the c

ack. My status as a "wi

al wife, bound to him by th

tone filled with gossip. "And... he brought someo

s side until he recovered," Eliza continued. "The entire castle believes

expected love from this marriage

archy. But if the castle believed Coraima was his savior and the woma

ieve whateve

or now, the identity of the physician who saved Jude's life would remain hi

, concern appearing in her eyes

ly. "She is merely anot

e find my most presentable dress. Since the master of the house

hearing the ice beneath the surface. Sh

tion in the cracked mirror.

s, but it suited my position and carried a quiet dignity. I wore n

l, the place where the decis

ehind me, their curiosity obvious. They were waiting to see the

not matter. In this castle, power was not given because of app

heavy oak doors