Chapter 13
Roland knew that uncovering the buth from three years past would take ume Records faded memories blurted and silence was offen bought with gold or fear
But even so, he could not still his restless heart
He stood by the window, unmoving, eyes locked on the gates, straining for the sound of approaching hooves. The moment hus guards returned, he nearly leapt forward.
“Did you find anything?
The cloaked rider dropped to one knee “Your Grace, a summons from the palace His Majesty requests your presence immediately.
Roland’s brows drew together “Is the King unwell?”
“The messenger offered no explanation, only that it was urgent
The royal palace was ablaze with torchlight that night, a hive of tension beneath its gilded surface
As soon as Roland stepped into the Privy Council Chamber, a stack of parchment came flying toward hum, striking his chest and scattering across the floor
“Have a look at your handiwork!” the King thundered from the dais, his face thunderous. “The esteemed Prince Roland –stooping to play bodyguard for some scheming noble girl?!”
Roland stooped to gather the pages. His eyes scanned the words – and narrowed in disbelief
Each letter was a blow. One recounted how Cecily had shared a private excursion on Dragonmiere
with Lord Whitestone’s heir-who, within the week, broke off his betrothal to a Marquess’s
daughter
Another detailed how she had been seen at St. Elara’s Abbey with the Chancellor’s son, alone and
ansupervised. The man later demanded to annul his marriage His wife, a formidable lady of House
Briarwood, raised such an uproar that both families were dragged into a bitter feud still whispered
about in court
You thought her a spotless lily?” The King sneered “The Viremonts are a decaying house draped in hollow titles. And that girl – she’d shit her own wrist for a chance to marry into euyalty. There’s
no trick too low for her
Roland’s lanackles whitened as he gripped the papers His thoughts spun back to the voices he’d overheard that afternoon, to Cecily mocking laughter just when be thought he’d hit the depths of disillusionem, she proved there was always deeper to fall
“Brother. 1*
He had just begun to speak when a steward hurried into the chamber
“Your Majesty. A message from House Viremont. Lady Cecily requests an audience tomorrow
offer Your Grace birthday tributes in person
Roland froze
Tomorrow. His birthday
He had planned to confess his heart in front of the court, to make her name known as the future!
Lady Thorne
And now
The King slammed a palm against the table. “Absolutely not!”
“Let her come.” Roland interrupted, his voice like frost: “And extend an invitation to Lord
Viremont as well
The steward nodded and turned to go, but Roland stopped him once more
“Send word to investigate how Lady Eleanor has been treated in the Viremont household over the
years
The King narrowed his eyes “What are you planning now?”
“Just one more day, Aldric,” Roland replied, his gaze dark and unwavering. “I’ll bring you the truth
you seek
The King gave a short, derisive laugh, but didn’t press further. “Very well. But mark me, Roland
the House of Thorne will never welcome a woman like her.”
Night descended
Roland stood in his study, staring down at the pile of letters his steward had placed on the table
Each sheet weighed nearly nothing–but as he opened the first envelope, they felt heavy as lead.
The first was a nursemaid’s journal entry
Lady Eleanor has not spoken in three months. Her silence began after wiressing her mother die it bildbirth Lord Viremont returned that very night, bringing home the other girl
His hands trembled
When Edeanor was twelve, Cerly’s name day was marked with a lavish feast nobles title
ball, and the celebitation spilled to the manorottyards Leandr meanwhile had bemlocked in the attic and forgotten for mee days Since then, she’d refused to sleep without a lamp beside her bed
At thirteen, Eleanor hart been promised a place the Crownspire Academy But Baldwin stripped the offer from her and gave it to Cecily When Eleanor protested, she was beaten and inade to kneel in the family chapel for hours Since then, she had suffered from recurring Ufless
The last letter detailed ber fifteenth birthday
“No one remembered the lady’s coming of age ceremony. She knelt at her mother’s grave for a full day and night She took no water. Not a soul came for her
Roland crushed the parchment in his hand, pain clawing at his chest like iron hooks
He remembered the scene at Viremont Manor just days ago – Eleanor’s rage, her trembling valve At the time, he’d dismissed it as childish petulance
And when Cecily had suffered a single strike from the Heirloom Flail, he had ordered Eleanor punished with ninety-nine lashes in retaliation
Just this morning, he had longed to know the truth, to confirm the identity of the girl who once climbed the tree to rescue a bird’s nest.
But now he was afraid to know.
What if it had never been Cecily?
What if all along, the girl who shone in his memory-the one who wore white, whose smile lingered like spring–had been Eleanor?
And what, then, had he done to her?
He dared not imagine it.
