AG

d ministers. They dine on the delicacies that are brought in - a roasted boar, its succulent flesh still s

-parsnips, and turnips glistening in the candlelight. A spread of artisanal bread, crusty and warm, sits alongside an asso

versation fills the air, but I keep my ears

g as he raises his glass of wine. He's already quite drunk, barely keeping h

ing it's not a tankard - causing curses to erupt from Lord Hylas.

ing fun. Which is not some

ear at the little food she allowed to be served. Her eyes are lowered at all times, exc

t fumed at me earlier by the pier. She l

whispered words

to be honest with her - no false hopes or dreams she could hold on to for our future. I don't know what s

d the charming prince role at the wedding.

s my uncle helped spread. So I gave them just that. Just to s

, I can't wait for the news to reach my uncle's ears while he's engrossed in his wars. That'll

I know I can trust him with my life. He has proved his loyalty enough times already. My hand still reaches for the hilt of my sword for reassur

e and fork. She traces her finger along th

I ask her, taking anot

before she composes herself

itude. It's better that she hate

the group of dancers and singers have gathered. The thought of he

yway. Soon, the rest of the company ga

ew wife, however, o

ve her? It will be too obvious and she'll be hanged along with her lover sooner than she can blink. They're doi

me now and no one would suspect him. But I'll burn the whole

being drowned by the hydralith. I think of her impulsive words by the river - she ca

n contemplate killing me. I believe right now she's th

silence. "The hydralith is no lo

t her voice is gentle. She's at least smart enough to k

e interested, leaning forward slightl

to touch my hair before her hand stops mid air. She then looks into my golden e

Your eyes?" sh

aback slightly. "You're not

going back to the fire befo

're r

g at the corners with her kerchief. "Your f

t help wondering about its motive. A momen

nking about how everything I knew about you turned out to be a lie

fensive stature I had gathered. "Well,

?" There's a touch of

xpect honesty from me. Since everyone else is a stranger to y

taking her eyes off me to stare into the distance.

ept that I had a wedding. Arranged by the fami

find out more? About who

I tell her, failing to

wet patch of her dress where her hair had just been. She frowns, gently patting it before she seems to realize

ion and thinking of what use it could be to me. "I

dallion... it doesn't matter. She pretended to be very sick just so she wouldn't

ice, "Because of all the rumors... so

s. "She's my step-sister. But

self say but I stop my brain before it can get distracted fr

she expresses, her voice suddenly becoming sharp a

worse for herself. I can't believe I let myself get carried

yes. But she gulps before getting to her feet, the tears tha

for Alistair's familiar presence. An uneasy feel

rces through the air. The once animated laughter and conver

in her eyes is momentarily replaced by genuine fear. I rise fro