Chapter 40

“Our hold on Volfenheim is slipping. I’ve…” It seemed like my father did not know how to explain his thoughts. “I’ve been sitting on this knowledge for days now and I can’t… I don’t know what to do.”

“What... what do you mean? What is it?”

“A good number of Volfenheim soldiers left their bases x days ago. They went back home, and I’m not sure when they’ll return. IF they return.”

I perked up at that, spine rigid, heart pounding loudly in my chest.

Henry did that?

“Oh... is that bad news?” My stepmother asked.

‘Yes, you stupid cow,’ I had scoffed. ‘This is what happens when a common s*lut is appointed queen.’

“Helena, this means they are withdrawing their military support,” my father explained. “They are not even being subtle about it. I don’t know what they are thinking. They know we need those soldiers.”

‘Everyone knows what will happen if they do that. Maybe they need them back home?’ I had rationalized to myself. ‘It could be nothing. Maybe they’ll come back. Henry nor Camilla woul