s shadows on the stone walls. She walked slowly, her heart thudding with each step. Her footsteps ech

re was an alliance proposal at stake. But beyond those bare facts, she was completely in the dark. Lady Eleanor,

of the family. Her family, she supposed-though the thought still felt alien. She

her like a physical force. Seated around a large, polished table were the Duke and a half-dozen men and

d toward an empty seat beside him, signaling for her to join him. She forced herself to walk fo

f something deeper-relief, perhaps. "We're grateful you could join us

ched her expectantly, as if her mere presence would settle whatever dispute had been raging in the

a what they were e

il is debating the marriage alliance between our house and the northern

rlier, and that mysterious woman had warned her about it too. Clearly, this w

ng to buy herself time, she nodded thoughtfully and leaned forward slightly. "What

orthern family is known for their ruthless tactics, my lady. They may offer peace now, but once the

heir support, our border remains vulnerable. We can't afford another rebellion from the

in stunned silence, trying to make sense of the situation. It was a delicate balance-marry Lady Ann

life, negotiations had been part of her job, though the stakes had never been as high as this.

und her quieted. The Duke's eyes flickered

xiety tightening in her chest. "The northern territories offer us stability and a strengthened defense,

could feel the shift in the room, their init

e her safety. A hostage exchange, perhaps. Or a guard of our own stationed with her. We cannot en

The thin man, who had been the most vocal opponent

a faint smile touching the corner of his

ave placated the council for now. The conversation shifted, moving on to details of th

but she kept her expression calm and nodded in the right places. She could o

her to follow him. The other council members filed out, some casti

er, his dark eyes searching her face. "You handled that well,"

ounded. "Co

slightly. "Considering your accident. I w

d her strangeness? Was he beginn

carefully, choosing her words w

. "You always do." He paused before adding, "The no

the hall, leaving her standing alon

for an alliance negotiation that could determine the fate o

o the shadows, one thought echoed in her mind: