Chapter 42

The realization that she was still the Crown Princess made her cover her face with her arm sleeve, an instinctive gesture to hide from the overwhelming tide of emotions crashing over her. How can it be possible? How can Father still want me to helm the Three Realms when I made a blunder twice?

There is no way.

The knowledge weighed heavily on her, stirring a tempest of feelings she could neither grasp nor understand. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and turmoil, making it impossible to focus on any one thought. She wanted to shield her face from her Father, to hide from his piercing gaze and the expectations it held. She felt exposed, and vulnerable under his scrutiny and the countless prying eyes of the healers.

She longed for solitude.

She longed to be in the arms of Aidan.