The afternoon light stretched across the wooden table. Maren sat with the king's letter open in front of her, reading it carefully for the third time.
Austin stood by the window with his arms crossed while Alina sat beside Maren, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
"The king mentions 'foreign origins,' but he doesn't name Arcasedia. It means he doesn't know the whole truth yet," Maren said.
Alina let out a slow breath.
"Looks like Audrey is keeping that information to herself for a while," Alina said. "It gives us some time."
"Yes," Maren replied. "But when his investigators start digging on their own and discover the truth before we control the story, it will look like we betrayed the king."
Austin turned from the window and looked at them.
"What are our options?" he asked.
