Elara’s POV
I was preparing vegetables in the kitchen when she appeared.
The air was warm. Steam rose from the pots. Marta was shouting at servants about slow hands and wasted time.
Everything was normal.
Then she appeared in the doorway like she belonged there.
A woman. Tall. Scars on her face from old fights. Solari armor underneath a servant’s cloak. She moved with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where she was and why.
“Everyone leave,” she said. Not a question. An order.
The servants looked at me. Waiting for my signal.
“Go,” I said. “Now. To the upper kitchens.”
They left quickly. They understood something important was happening.
The woman waited until we were completely alone. Then she removed the servant’s cloak.
Pure Solari armor underneath. A sigil on her ch
