aide

oom and quickly retreated int

low the marble steps. His heavy boots struck th

ial scent--crisp winter cedar mixed with

tightened u

uch a powerful scent and pressure. A

t corner did the nobles and scholars in the courtyard dare to slo

ed up my broom again, only to find Elder Cons

to stir up trouble fo

cane against th

ckly and low

I do somet

laughed

r Queen, saying you beat her cat ha

ced down my anger, though I

would never dare

nsuelo cut me off. "What matters is that you of

then annou

today. After midnight, go to the scullery behind the Upper

xhausting jobs in the castle, and

ould only earn me a

wered m

, El

elo narrowed her eyes and leaned a

go near Regent Brian Wolfe's palace. He can't stand the scent of a woman near his

, but a question

ies in the Blossom Side Palace, yet he could

ings didn't

tle fell silent except

old alleys behind the Upper Camp kitchens. Cold rain and night wind l

washed bucket after b

liation, I

he storage shed, low voices suddenly drifted fro

ed my back against the wet s

a charcoal brazier. The smell of cheap wine mixed wi

order?" one guard asked, slurring after a

nd my hand tightene

finally got kicked off the thron

undefeated Princess Regent, A

ath st

my own name discussed as idle gossip

d? H

er own betrothed, Lord Darian Hart, executed her persona

lip until the taste of blo

and taken my throne. He had t

ole continent believe I deserved it, and

e followed me didn't eve

princess was a rare beauty,

our Regent Brian got the news this afternoon, he crushed a solid gold g

n the rai

n Wo

had been enemies for generations. Why

and heavy footsteps suddenly came from the dis

d my fingers and press

an

window, holding the secret repo

in my fingers. Cracks spread from the rim to the base,

ood dripped down b

't bel

southern

from my palm, my v

, and a list of every witness to the execution. If even one

cknowledged the order but

thing

, then continued. "She once took the blame for someone else and was charged with stealing Lord Arthur Ben

sed m

, and her name happ