Julian nodded, casting one last wary look at Zane before turning toward the study. As he walked away, he could still hear Zane's mocking remarks,
"The North is a cage, Julian! Even a gilded one is still a cage! You'll see!"
Julian ignored him, pushing open the heavy oak doors to the study. But as he sat down across from a waiting Lucius, the weight of the morning's peace felt suddenly fragile.
It was then that he noticed a small, white envelope tucked into the corner of his teaching lectern—something that hadn't been there the previous day.
His hand shook as he reached for it. His fear of letters is still buried in his bones, as if it would magically become one of the late Duchess's letters.
But thankfully, it bore the Crooked Cross of the Holy Inquisitors. It wasn't the official post; it had been hand-delivered by someone already inside the walls.
He realized that while Alaric was watching the Prince, someone else was already watching him. Just who?
