Royal Palace, Norvale - Friday Afternoon - 4:47 PM
Alexander stood in his private study, the one room in the palace where he could still breathe freely. The letter had arrived an hour ago, delivered by his most trusted aide...Gregory, who'd served Alexander's father and had mourned Princess Emily alongside him.
Gregory had placed the cream envelope on Alexander's desk with trembling hands. "From Winter's Daughter, Your Highness. The courier network confirmed secure delivery."
Alexander had dismissed Gregory immediately, locked the door, and broken the seal with shaking fingers.
She'd replied. Emily
..his cousin, his friend, his rightful queen...had written back.
Now he sat reading her coded message for the third time, each word settling into his chest with the weight of both relief and disappointment.
Stand down.
She'd ordered him to stand down.
