“Whispers again," Maela muttered, placing a tray of dried wolfroot on the table. “This time it's about the queen."
Adele looked up. “What about her?"
“Ledger pages. Missing funds. Night of your wedding."
Adele's pulse slowed. “What funds?"
“The ones used to hire mercenaries from the Eastern Spire," Maela said, voice low. “Same night you were arrested."
Adele stood still. Her fingers curled around the jar she was sealing.
“What are you saying?"
Maela lowered her voice. “You were meant to fall. From the start."
---
##Later That Day – Royal Laundry Tunnels
“The queen keeps her personal ledger locked in her private apartments," said Rhea, a kitchen maid with quick hands and faster gossip. “But there's a hidden copy. A cipher version. Stored in the third drawer of her dressing armoire
