Daniel’s POV
The palace no longer felt safe.
Ever since the trafficker was captured and the Queen questioned me, I had lived with a constant tightness in my chest. Every whisper in the hallway made me uneasy, and suspicious of every glance from a servant.
And now the war had been officially approved.
The kingdom would march within weeks.
The air itself felt heavier.
That afternoon, I had volunteered to deliver a tray of tea to the Emperor’s private study. Normally, another servant would go, but most of them were busy preparing supplies for the soldiers. I kept my head down as I walked the long corridor, reminding myself to stay calm and just deliver the tray.
And leave.
The doors to the Emperor’s study were slightly open.
I stepped in closer—
And froze.
Arthur was inside.
His v
