Arden’s POVWe were still standing there, three princes in Father’s office, when the air shifted, that subtle warning the body feels before the mind catches up. The king’s desk was between us like a border. His tea steamed faintly in its cup, untouched for the first time since we walked in. The screen behind him still glowed with headlines and diplomatic updates, the sort of information that should have brought relief, the sort that should have steadied a ruler’s hands.Instead, the room felt like a wire pulled too tight.Richard stood to my right, still wearing that new, hard calm he’d found after the hospital, like grief had burned him clean and left only bone and discipline. Sebastien was to my left, restless as always, his anger running under his skin like electricity. I was in the middle, steady by force of will, because if I let myself think about Cassandra for too long, I would stop being a prince and become something far more dangerous.Father looked pleased with himself, almo
Last Updated : 2026-02-28 Read more