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chapter 21

Penulis: Dione Zeus
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-08-29 19:47:23

The day after the council meeting, the palace corridors hummed with low, cautious conversation.

Serina had grown used to the stares. Today, however, they felt sharper like blades pressed flat against her back.

It wasn’t until Lira came to her chamber, eyes red, that she understood why.

“My lady,” the maid whispered, sinking to her knees. “I didn’t mean to”

Serina closed the book she’d been reading. “Stand up.”

Lira obeyed, her hands trembling as she held out a folded sheet of parchment.

It was one of Serina’s private letters to her merchant contact in the northern ports, a letter she had never meant for anyone but him to see.

“This,” Serina said quietly, “was in Damien’s study this morning. Care to explain?”

Tears welled in Lira’s eyes. “I was told… if I didn’t pass your letters to him, my brother he’s sick, my lady, and they have him at the workhouse infirmary. Damien’s man said they’d throw him out into the snow if I didn’t help.”

Serina’s fingers tightened on the parchment.

“How ma
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