Aariana POV
The eastern archive smelled of dust, old paper, and secrets.
Aariana stood before the shelves with the document from Lucas still folded in her hand.
Marcus Vane.
She had not heard that name in years.
But she remembered the face.
A thin man with silver at his temples who had stood behind the council during her final hearing. He had barely spoken that day. He had simply watched while others accused her.
At the time, Aariana had thought he was insignificant.
Now she knew better.
She turned toward Lucas.
"Where did you find this?"
"In a sealed cabinet beneath the council archives."
"Who had access?"
"Only the council and the royal archivist."
Aariana's eyes narrowed.
"Then someone wanted this forgotten."
Lucas nodded.
"I think they wanted more than that."
He reach
