Meanwhile, Bella stood outside the door, barely breathing, her fingers gripping the edge of the door frame as she strained to hear every word. She knew she shouldn’t be here, that eavesdropping on royal matters could get her into serious trouble, but she couldn’t help herself as something about the way the room had gone still after Lady Thora’s revelation caught her attention.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she leaned in further, tilting her head to catch every whispered word, at the same time her elbow tightened and unknowingly knocked against the heavy wooden door.
A sharp creak split the silence, panic seized her, and she pulled back instantly, her breath catching in her throat.
Inside the room, my father’s head snapped toward the door. Lady Thora stilled, eyes narrowing, while
