Three days passed with no direct contact.
Damien spent them strategically – consolidating his territorial gains in the south, coordinating with his father's intelligence network, and very carefully establishing patterns of behavior that had nothing to do with the Saintess.
He attended noble gatherings. Reviewed estate finances. Met with merchants about trade contracts. The picture of a responsible heir managing family business.
Meanwhile, he was mapping Elara's schedule with precision that would have impressed military strategists.
Church courier routes provided information. Servants who'd worked both the Valcrest estate and Church compound offered insights. His father's spy network filled gaps. Within three days, Damien knew every public appearance Elara would make for the next two weeks.
