Chapter 13
The rest of the day was the most relaxed Arden had felt in years. With Evelyn and Eileen’s formal request that she serve as their personal detail for the duration of their visit, Commander Magnus had been backed into a corner. He couldn't refuse the Princesses, which meant Arden was not only officially pulled from the grueling Solstice security perimeter but also from her daily guard duties, and was replaced by a disgruntled junior officer.
The highlight of the evening, however, was the one that sent ripples through the barracks: Evelyn invited Arden to dine at the royal table. And since it was Evelyn’s request, King Duncan and Queen Calliope allowed it with open arms.
The dining hall was a spectacle of gold leaf and candlelight, but the real heat came from the glares of othe
