Semua Bab The Secret Of My Royal Prince: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The palace had a habit of making every day feel the same. From sunrise until dusk, bells dictated the hours, servants hurried through familiar corridors, and nobles drifted from one meeting to another as though the castle itself had become a great machine that never rested, which actually, it never did.Prince Kelvin had grown tired of it."You're frowning again."He looked up from the council table.Sir Roland Ashcombe, an elderly adviser whose beard had long since surrendered to grey, gathered several maps into a leather case."I wasn't aware I was.""You always do when the council speaks about taxes."Kelvin smiled faintly. "I was thinking.""That's even worse." The old adviser chuckled. "A prince who thinks too much usually gives his ministers headaches."Kelvin rose from his chair. "Perhaps they deserve one."Sir Roland laughed heartily. "Go on."Kelvin paused."You've listened to old men argue

A pale winter sun greeted the valley the following morning. The blizzard had finally exhausted itself, leaving the world outside wrapped in untouched white. Sunlight fell across the frozen valley, turning fresh snow into a sea of clouds that stretched beyond the pines. Smoke drifted lazily from the lodge's chimney.Jeremy awoke first. He remained still, listening to the peaceful quiet that follows a heavy snowfall. For a few blissful seconds, he forgot where he was. Then the warmth further down the heavy quilts, the crackling embers in the hearth, and the steady breathing beside him returned all at once.He slowly turned his head. Kelvin was still asleep. Without the weight of courtly expectation upon his shoulders, the prince looked remarkably young. His expression was untroubled, his breathing slow and even. A loose strand of dark hair had fallen across his forehead, and one arm rested carelessly above the blanket, as though the prince had finally surrendered himself

Servants hurried through the corridors carrying evergreen garlands and bundles of holly gathered from the woods. Tailors disappeared into chambers with rolls of velvet tucked under their arms, while musicians rehearsed the same festive melodies until even the guards could hum them from memory.The New Year seemed to be approaching faster than anyone wished.Jeremy balanced a crate of lanterns against his shoulder as he crossed the Great Hall. Two footmen struggled to secure a long banner above the gallery, their whispered argument growing louder with every failed attempt."It's crooked.""It is not.""It most certainly is."Jeremy set the crate down and climbed the nearest ladder. "Move the left end an inch."The taller footman frowned. "Your left or mine?"Jeremy smiled. "Yours."The banner settled into place."There," Jeremy said as he climbed down. "Now neither of you can complain.""I'm sure we'll find

The afternoon sun hung low over Evercrest, casting long ribbons of light across the palace gardens. Snow clung to the hedges in neat white caps, while the frozen fountain shimmered below a thin sheet of ice. Despite the season's chill, the gardens remained one of the few places in the castle where conversation could unfold beyond the ears of curious courtiers.Kelvin arrived a few minutes before the appointed time. He had been surprised when Elaine requested a private walk. Not alarmed. Simply curious.A servant announced her arrival before discreetly withdrawing.Lady Elaine crossed the stone path with measured grace, her emerald cloak gathered neatly around her shoulders. Tiny snowflakes had settled upon her dark hair during the short walk from the castle, though they disappeared almost as quickly as they landed."Thank you for meeting me," she said."I wasn't aware I had much choice."Her lips curved into an amused smile. "There's the Kel

The castle had grown quieter since supper. Most corridors now belonged to the watch, their measured footsteps echoing beyond thick stone walls.From his window, Cedric could see the last lanterns flickering in the lower courtyard before they were extinguished one by one. He removed his gloves and laid them neatly upon his desk.A knock followed."Enter."The door opened only wide enough for a man to step inside. Snow clung to the hem of his travelling cloak before melting upon the polished floor."My lord."Cedric acknowledged him with a slight incline of his head. "You've returned sooner than expected.""The roads were favourable." The man reached under his cloak and produced a leather satchel. "I've brought the information you requested."Cedric dismissed the chamber servant assigned to him with a glance. The young man bowed and quietly withdrew, closing the door behind him. Only then did Cedric untie the satchel.Seve