(A/N: Will be a lot of location and time jumps, but every plot point is connected, don't worry.)
The carriage lurched back into motion, wheels rattling over cobblestones as they left the conclave grounds behind. Faye sat in silence, her hands folded in her lap, her mind still turning over the encounter.
Duke Valerius Marchel.
She'd seen him before, of course. Everyone had. He was a fixture at imperial events, always perfectly dressed, always perfectly poised, always watching from the edges of every important conversation.
But he'd never approached her directly. Never looked at her the way he had today.
Like she was a piece on a board he was finally ready to move.
The estate gates came into view, and the guards at the entrance snapped to attention as the carriage passed through. The wheels crunched over gravel, past manicured gardens and servants hurrying about their duties.
