Days passed in a blur, each one filled with a delicate dance of feigned compliance and careful planning. Caroline maintained the appearance of a queen adjusting to her new life, knowing every move, every smile was under Damon’s intense scrutiny. She could feel his eyes on her constantly, as if he were trying to unravel her, to get beneath the mask she wore.
But Caroline was determined not to let him see any cracks. She needed him to believe that she was slowly, reluctantly accepting her fate—that she was beginning to trust him, to let her guard down. The closer she appeared to be, the less he would suspect her intentions.
One evening, while wandering the castle grounds alone, she stumbled upon a secluded garden tucked away behind a wall of ivy. It was overgrown, the once-vibrant plants s
