CEDRIC’S POV
The celebration is in full gear by now. All the dignitaries have come from far and near, sprawled across the room and trying to outclass each other with fashion sense and subtle self-praise.
As I sit on my table and listen to the unpleasant conversations, I wonder for the life of me how I ever managed to sit through this mess. It was all vain glory and unbridled ambition. Nothing about them was real.
I spoke with Alana shortly before the celebration commenced. She was to stay in my room, hidden from view. I don’t want anyone outside the palace seeing a pregnant maid. I am afraid it may be easy to connect the dots if she is seen anywhere around me. Of course, no one in the palace would dare mention her to anyone seated here. That would be a death sentence, one I would carry
