“The royal family is already assembled in the Grand Hall,” she announces, loud enough for guards to hear.
“You will present yourself immediately and pay your respects. No one keeps royalty waiting.”
Her tone is the definition of you’re an inconvenience.
My stomach tightens. Nina shifts closer to me as Cassia turns, her long gown sweeping across the marble.
“Follow me,” she commands without looking back. “And do not speak unless spoken to. The royal court is watching closely.”
I swallow hard.
The king isn’t waiting.
The queen isn’t waiting.
The entire royal family is.
And I’m about to walk into their world, pregnant, unprepared, and completely alone except for Nina at my shoulder.
Lady Cassia pauses at the entrance of a massive hallway, glances over her shoulder with a smirk.
“
