chapter fifty eight
The days that followed Alexander's confession were a delicate dance. He made a few more attempts to catch me alone, his eyes filled with a yearning I couldn't ignore, but also a respect for my boundaries that I appreciated. For my part, I made it a point to avoid him whenever possible, a strategy that felt necessary to protect my already fragile emotional state.
I threw myself into my royal duties with renewed zeal. There was a comfort in the routine, the structure provided a welcome distraction from the turmoil within. One morning, amidst a schedule filled with council meetings and diplomatic visits, a longing for a simpler time welled up inside me. It had been far too long since I'd visited the royal farms, a place that always brought me a sense of peace and groundedness.
"Come, Mira," I announced to my ever-faithful lady-in-waiting, a spark of determination in my voice. "Let's go and inspect the royal farms today. It's been far too long."