The wax cracked beneath Beatrice's nail as she peeled open the message delivered straight from the capital. The sigil stamped into the red seal belonged to one of Lilian's discreet agents, not to the Queen Dowager herself — which meant this was not official court communication.
Her eyes darted over the neat lines.
"Minister Calder has been contained for now. But House Velmora's threads run deeper than expected. You are to keep watch on any correspondence Lucien receives. Especially if it concerns trade, troop movements, or... the girl."
She flipped the parchment over. A second, smaller note slipped out. Unmarked. Almost carelessly tucked within the folds.
Liora's name was written in a hand Beatrice recognized. It wasn't Lilian's.It was Alden's.
Beatrice's fingers froze.
