Before Elizabeth visits Silver Rest Inn...
The corridor air was thick with the smell of old parchment and the undertone of metallic regret. Elizabeth straightened the folds of her robe, her movements precise, almost mechanical, as she readied herself to walk into the lion's den.
"Sugar plum, wait." Alexander's voice cracked behind her, a sound so fragile it seemed at odds with his usual demeanor.
She paused, not turning around immediately. She felt his presence hovering just behind her shoulder, that awkward and uncomfortable presence of a man who knew he had messed up beyond repair but lacked the courage to fix it himself.
"You don't have to go to him," Alexander whispered, stepping closer. "Maybe I can fix this by myself..."
The guilt in his voice was palpable, dripping like slow poison. "I can... I can try to negotiate with Lady Valentina."
"I can explain that the key's destruction was an accident, that I was simply trying to protect... maybe we can lie about it..."
