Rosella's one true love

arted. But Rosella's mind whirled with questions. Who was the mysterious noble-bo

thoughts turned to Ian. His absence during the search seem

her eyes grave. "Rosell

to her hut. Inside, the Madam

e one Lord Ravenswood's men are s

art skipped

ills and knowledge suggest he may be more than just a

ould Ian be Prince Chris

osella spotted Ian appro

talk," Rosella sa

arrowed. "Wh

avenswood's men... they seemed to be searching for so

turned grim. "Why

ded. "Who are you, I

and for a moment, Rosella saw

ella," Ian said. "But first, p

ed, her curi

"I am Prince Christian

as though she'd been living in

oice barely above a whisper

palace to escape Prince Henry Edward's scheme

the messenger's words: the king's pois

to your father?

a fight with Lord Ravenswood when... everything chan

ord Ravenswood's involvement

me to Orendell?

fuge, a place to gather my thoughts. Your vill

n to care for Ian, but Prince Chris

w?" Rose

sure the kingdoms safety first, the less contenders there

e Orendell. Lord Ravens

what's best for Algr

k that?" Ian a

deserves to rule the kingdom. Everyone seems to only car

st for my kingdom

mination rising withi

Christian said. "When Ravenswood men return, they'll

going to?" Ros

dde

capital, under the cover of night. The urgency in Ian's e

ons. What lay ahead in Ladden? Would they find Asher

s expression grim. Rosella's mother, Elara, seemed to sense th

within her. "And Asher? Do you thin

w yet, an informant of mine says Lord Asher

ous. Ladden will be treacherous, especially with Lord

ded. "I

loomed before them. Torches illuminated the cit

What secrets lay hidden

to a secluded inn, where they would l

lla's thoughts turned to Asher. Was he

h patrons. Rosella, Elara, and Ian kept a low pr

ke contact with trusted allies within the palace. I need to

ord Ravenswood's men will be

common room emptying as pat

ce spoke volumes. Had he truly been a friend,

er's loyalty was always questionable. I fear

is changes things. If Asher is supporti

We'll proceed

shake the feeling of betrayal. Asher's friendsh

gather information, leaving Rosella

outside. Shouts and clanging s

rt racing. Lord Ravenswood's men, acc

sella whispered, her eye

red into the ro

th me."

a secret passage in t

iding main thoroughfares. Ian led them to a mod

is this?" R

ed. "Lady Christine. She'll p

em warmly. "You're safe here. Res

turned to Asher's betrayal. How could

ht he lo

t something to hi

ression somber. "Asher's cho

rising within her. "We'll stop

itful sleep, but dawn

"You'll sneak into the castle tonight, disguised as a gu

ead in disagreement

vations, but this may be our best chance to gather information. Prince

Asher recognizes you, Ian? Or worse, what if Pr

a beat. "Mother's righ

"You're right. But

ery well. We'll sneak you

rategies, a soft knock at

o answer it, returnin

istian," she said, h

rrowed as he

it?" Rose

message from the castle, m

ed the secluded townhouse, casti

grave. "There's more news. Prince

d. "We can't le

ne handed Ian a small pouch. "Take this. I

n's, filled with a mi

determination. "Tonight, I'll uncover the tr

pride and concern. "Be carefu

"I'll return to you

n. Ian, you'll sneak into the castle disguis

a sense of anxiety wash over her. Tonight, Ia

n stood up, ready to f

n," Ian said, his

departed, her heart pou

e treacherous, but she