"Your presence is not necessary," Empress Seraphine states flatly, her tone leaving no room for debate.
Before I can even open my mouth to argue, she continues. "Furthermore, Crown Prince Lucian himself specifically requested that you be kept entirely out of the political crossfire to ensure your absolute safety during the signing of these new policies and laws."
I slowly turn my head to look at my husband.
Lucian doesn't meet my eyes. He stares straight ahead, his posture rigid, wearing that perfectly stoic, maddeningly unreadable expression of his. Unbelievable. He went behind my back to bench me!
"As you well know," the Empress adds, her voice darkening as she folds her hands on the desk, "there is still a hidden threat lurking in the shadows of this palace. We do not know who the true mastermind is, nor are we sure who the next enemy will be. But it is highly probable they might try to target you again simply to prevent this joint court meeting from happening."
