The palace kitchens were unusually quiet that morning. Dydra worked in silence beside Oryen, carefully slicing a lemon on the wooden counter. The sharp citrus scent filled the air, yet none of the usual spices followed. No salt, no herbs, no seasoning of any kind.
"Why are we preparing food without adding seasoning?" Dydra asked softly, her voice barely rising above the scrape of her knife.
Oryen did not look up from the dough she was kneading. "The crown prince is allergic."
Dydra paused mid-slice, surprise flickering across her face. Allergic to seasoning? The thought made no sense to her. How did one eat without it? She almost asked, but thought better of it and returned to her task.
When the food was finished, trays were passed to another group of maids tasked with serving the royals. Dydra assumed that would be the end of their duties for the day, but Oryen informed them otherwise. They were heading into town to purchase foodstuffs.
Sandra handed them lists, and five maids gathered together. Dydra followed Oryen closely as they left the castle, committing every turn and path to memory. A carriage awaited them outside, and without conversation they climbed in, the coachman already knowing their destination.
At the west wing of the castle, polished boots met cool marble as Prince Leonard entered. Servants bowed instinctively, whispers trailing behind him. His hands rested casually in his pockets as he moved toward the royal dining hall, his expression unreadable, his eyes dull with something far heavier than exhaustion.
When the doors opened, conversation inside died instantly. Heads turned. No one had been informed of his arrival.
"Brother Leo!" Lannae's delighted voice cut through the silence as she rose from her seat and hurried to him. She wrapped her arms around him without hesitation. For a brief moment, warmth flickered in Leonard's eyes. He returned the gesture with a light tap on her back before withdrawing.
"I'm glad you're home," she said, smiling brightly.
"How have you been, Lannae?" His voice remained cool, though a careful listener would hear the affection beneath it.
"I've been well. How was the war? I heard you killed more men than the last one—"
"Lannae," Queen Maye interrupted sharply.
Lannae flushed and stepped back, offering her brother a small bow.
Queen Maye stood and forced a polite smile. "I'm glad to see you returned safely."
"Are you?" Leonard asked lazily.
Her jaw tightened.
"Where is Father?" he asked, his gaze already drifting toward the head of the table.
"He's in his chambers," Lannae replied softly. "He isn't feeling well."
Leonard said nothing more. He turned and left the hall, ignoring the glare burning into his back.
The King's chambers were guarded heavily. Leonard ordered the doors opened and stepped inside without ceremony. Gold and red drapes framed the room. King Marcus lay soaked in sweat, servants attempting to cool his fever.
Leonard's eyes went immediately to the bite mark on his father's arm.
"Fetch a physician," he ordered.
The maids hesitated only briefly before obeying.
Leonard leaned closer, studying the wound. His jaw tightened.
A werewolf bite.
"There are no werewolves in this kingdom," he said coldly.
"He went hunting," Queen Maye said from behind him. "With only Ser Weene."
Leonard straightened. Someone had planted that creature. And he would find out who.
King Marcus murmured incoherently, his voice strained. "Haelia… come back to me."
The name struck like a blade.
Annoyance flared in Queen Maye's eyes. Leonard's softened, only for a fraction of a second.
Haelia—his mother.
Leonard turned away. He already knew enough.
Thrustborn's market bustled with life when the carriage arrived. The maids split into groups. Dydra stayed with Oryen and another girl named Megan.
Megan introduced herself shyly, clearly unused to kindness.
When Dydra explained her name, Megan's surprise turned to jealousy upon realizing she could read. Oryen shot Dydra a warning look, and Dydra quickly lied her way out of trouble.
Leonard arrived in Thrustborn shortly after, riding a black stallion. He dismounted and entered the crowd, unnoticed at first—until his presence alone forced space around him.
His attention caught on a familiar red-haired girl.
He changed direction without hesitation.
Dydra's eyes drifted to a jade kiosk while Oryen argued with a vendor. A sky-blue bracelet caught her attention. She reached for it briefly, then set it down.
"I can't afford it," she said apologetically.
"Pack it for her," a calm voice said behind her.
A gold coin landed in the vendor's hand.
Dydra turned, stiffening when she saw him. An elite. Fear gripped her instantly and she bowed.
"My lord, I cannot accept this gift."
Leonard watched her closely. No recognition. No awe. Just fear.
Interesting.
"So the little fox truly forgets," he said mildly.
Recognition dawned slowly, then all at once. Her cheeks warmed as their eyes met.
"At least you remembered your shoes today," he added.
"Whatever," she muttered under her breath, unaware he heard.
When he offered the bracelet again, she shook her head violently.
Leonard did not push. He only smiled faintly.