Three days after the royal summons, the castle felt…different. It wasn't anything loud or dramatic. Instead, the change showed in quieter ways.
Conversations stopped whenever Alina walked past. Courtiers' eyes tracked her movements with cold calculation rather than curiosity or kindness.
"Two weeks," Lady Hargrove declared during lunch while Austin was away, loud enough for Alina to hear clearly. "Hardly enough time to prepare a proper defense."
"Perhaps she won't need one," Lady Pemberton answered, smiling sharply. "She won't last that long."
A few soft laughs followed, not boisterous, but loud enough to sting.
Alina kept her eyes fixed on her plate. The bread felt dry in her mouth and the butter had gone cold. Still, she forced herself to eat, not wanting them to think their words mattered enough to hurt her.
Marguerite leaned closer and squeezed her hand under the table.
"Don't react," she whispered. "They're only trying to provoke you."
