ling village square below. It was alive with energy, a sharp contrast to the dim, musty confines of her tiny

gh wood tighter. A wave of longing surged in her chest as she watched chi

join them, eve

r place was here, concealed and unnoticed. Still, sh

what had caused the sudden silence. A gleaming black carriage rol

one shouted, and the cro

village? She'd only heard rumors about this noble

why Lord Edmund commanded such respect. Their movements had an almost ethereal grace, each step measured an

voice drifted up to Jane's window

e?" a gruff male voice responded. "Ro

aught the sunlight as they surveyed the crowd, their expression unreadable. For a fleeting moment,

ldn't have seen

hing significant was about to happen. Lord Edmund's presence had disrup

stature to their humble corner of the world? And why did a

the center of the square. Their voice, though soft,

odding respectfully, "I come on behalf

, stepped forward. "We're honored by your prese

trengthen ties between the nobility and the common folk. To that end, he

d. Jane inhaled sharply as she leaned closer to the

ed, eyes wide, "that His Majesty is

ourselves. I'm here to observe, to understand your community. His M

village? It felt like a fanciful dream. She sho

rself. No one would ever choose

nging on every word. Her heart raced with a mix of fear and... s

u our village," the elder p

at would be wonderful. I look forw

rewing. Part of her yearned to rush downstairs, to get a c

r hands trembling. What if they laug

her eyes. "It doesn't matter," she whispered to herself.

forget. The arrival of Lord Edmund had sparked a dangerou

s. Jane moved with practiced efficiency, her slender fingers deftly peeling potatoes for dinner

s if holding its breath. Jane's shoulders tensed, h

inch. The door burst open with a bang, and Uncle

woman? I've got news th

eye, she saw Uncle Pat's hulking form fill the doorway, practically buzzing

," he barked. "W

ve a whisper. "In the yar

er hunched figure. "Well, don't just

ty hand clamped down on her bony sh

eeked of tobacco and sour ale. "Things are about to change aro

wed hard. "

rough shove. "Go on then

raced with questions. What had Uncle Pat so wor

chen like a trapped animal, muttering to himself. The flickering light threw

s stifling house and her uncle's cruel whims. But she quickly pushed the thought asid

the cool evening air, steeling hersel