ISABELLAI listened to Charles’ instructions carefully. At the advice of Joseph, the royal family wanted me to use my time in America wisely and do some snooping on Mila’s adoption from the Benson household.Despite the fact that I readily agreed to the task, I still felt a bit hesitant. Mila’s adop
MILAI woke up the next morning feeling utterly refreshed.The sea breeze drifted in from the open window, bringing the slight smell of salt and a patch of warm sunshine with it. From outside my window, seagulls cawed, and I heard the distant bells of fishing boats bringing in their early-morning ha
FELIXThrough my findings at the Library of Magic, along with Lady Isabella’s covert research at the Bensons’ house in America, we were able to pinpoint Mila’s birthplace: the seaside village of Beauveis. As soon as I departed the library, I started heading to the sea.To be completely honest, I was
“She is well,” Charlotte said hesitantly. “She is clearly working through a lot of things in her own head. This is a difficult time for her, you see.”“I can imagine,” I murmured.Alexander, who had been silently staring me down for the last ten minutes, cleared his throat and finally spoke. “If I m
ISABELLAI was undercover once again.I had made it to the Fresonian embassy before the Bensons arrived home, effectively blowing my cover and exposing my deception to them. Charles and Joseph had assured me safe passage from the embassy back to Europe, where I was going to be sent to Abernathy to d
CHARLESJoseph and I were gathered in the war room deep within the castle, reviewing protections and protocol for a siege, my parents and a few other royal advisors also present. I was repeating the intel that Isabella had managed to capture in Abernathy when a messenger burst into the room, his fac
Joseph nodded once. “And I suppose the same goes for Lady Isabella.”“She is a grown woman and can make her own choices,” I said, “but I would be lying if I said that I did not manipulate her into doing what I wanted.”“At least you’re admitting it,” Joseph said. “Look, I don’t love the idea of sett
MILATo say the crowd was restless was putting it mildly.They were all pushing and shouting, clamoring over each other to be the first person to the castle walls. We were still a few miles out from the capital, but the closer we got, the angrier the mob became.Although I wanted no part in any of t