Lady Bianca walked quickly through the stone corridor. Her steps were sharp. Controlled. But the tension inside her chest climbed with every stride.
Servants bowed as she passed. She barely noticed them.
Ahead, the banquet hall doors stood open. Light poured into the hallway along with the hum of voices. Nobles had already begun gathering. The sound of cups touching and chairs shifting filled the air.
Inside, Edmond stood near the long table speaking with two Northern lords.
Bianca did not slow down. She entered the hall and walked straight toward him.
"We need to talk now." Her voice cut through the room. Several nearby nobles glanced toward them.
Edmond's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "The Northern Lords and Wardens of other kingdoms are already coming in," he said quietly. His eyes flicked briefly toward the gathering guests. "It is not appropriate for them to come and wait for their host."
Bianca did not move. Her gaze remained locked on him. "Now, Edmond."
The firmness in her voice made the nearby conversation fade.
Edmond exhaled sharply.
He knew that tone. Better than anyone. He had seen enough court scandals to recognize the moment before a scene erupted. If Bianca continued standing there, demanding answers in front of the entire hall, the embarrassment would ripple across the kingdom before the night ended.
Edmond dropped his pride. He nodded once. "Excuse me," he told the lords.
Then he followed Bianca out of the hall. They walked down a smaller corridor until the sounds of the banquet faded behind them.
Bianca stopped beside a narrow archway overlooking the courtyard.
Edmond faced her. "What is it," he asked, his patience thinning, "that couldn't wait until the party is over?"
Bianca turned toward him slowly. Her eyes carried a cold intensity. "An abomination is going on with our family."
Edmond's brows pulled together. He stepped closer. Concern flashed across his face. "What are you talking about?"
Bianca held his gaze. "I just discovered why Sonia wouldn't marry the Crown Prince."
Edmond blinked. "Why?"
Bianca turned slightly away before answering. "She is in love with another."
Edmond snapped. "What does Sonia know about love?" His voice rose sharply in the quiet corridor.
"What does love have to do with important decisions in life?"
He clenched his fists. "Give me the name of that man," he growled, "and I will behead him for luring my daughter away from her oaths."
Bianca slowly turned back toward him. "Newton Ice." Her voice remained calm. "Your bastard."
Edmond froze. The corridor fell silent.
For several seconds he did not move. Did not blink. Then suddenly he burst into laughter. The sound echoed harshly against the stone walls.
"If this is one of your ways of pushing me to send that innocent young man to the monastery," he said between short laughs, "then give it up."
His smile hardened. "Because it won't work."
Bianca stepped closer and placed both hands firmly on his arms. "I will never lie about my daughter." Her voice dropped. "You can find out for yourself."
Her eyes searched his. "You have to do something about this before it gets out to the public."
She released him.
Then turned and walked away down the corridor. Her footsteps faded quickly.
Edmond remained standing there. Still, and silent.
The words repeated inside his mind.
Sonia, his daughter, is in love with Newton… his son.
He shook his head. "No," he whispered to himself. "I raised both of them well enough to respect oaths."
He inhaled slowly. Then straightened his cloak and walked back toward the banquet hall.
The hall had filled while he was gone.
Northern lords sat along the long tables, their cloaks heavy with fur. Wardens from nearby provinces had arrived as well. Goblets clinked while servants poured wine and arranged platters of roasted meat.
Edmond walked to the raised platform and took his seat upon the Ice Throne.
The carved seat towered above the hall like a frozen monument.
One by one the guests quieted. Then the bell rang. The sound echoed across the chamber. A herald stepped forward.
"Announcing the entrance of Her Grace, Friya Rendell, Queen of the Seik and of the Norsemen, Queen to the Nine Kingdoms of Astarous."
The hall erupted into motion. Everyone stood.
"And the presence of Prince Ryli Rendell, heir to the Golden Throne of Astarous."
The great doors opened. Queen Friya entered first.
Her crown shimmered beneath the torchlight. Prince Ryli walked beside her, tall and composed, his expression carved from cold stone.
The lords bowed. Applause filled the chamber. Edmond rose from the Ice Throne and stepped down to greet them.
"Your Grace," he said, bowing respectfully.
Queen Friya smiled politely. Ryli inclined his head. Edmond escorted them to their seats.
Moments later the bell rang again. The hall grew silent. The herald lifted his voice.
"Welcome the arrival of the celebrant, Sonia Woodland, the future Queen of the Nine Kingdoms of Astarous."
The doors opened once more. Music began instantly.
Flutes filled the hall with soft melodies while servants scattered flower petals along the entrance path.
Sonia appeared. Newton rolled her chair forward carefully. The torchlight touched her golden dress, making it shimmer across the hall.
Nobles clapped loudly. Some cheered. Sonia forced a smile. Her hands rested calmly on the arms of the chair.
Prince Ryli stood immediately. He walked toward her with slow, confident steps.
When he reached her, he extended his hand. Sonia hesitated only briefly. Then she placed her hand in his.
Ryli helped guide her chair forward toward the royal table. The hall erupted with thunderous applause.
They sat side by side. Ryli leaned back in his seat, his expression unreadable.
Edmond watched them from the Ice Throne. Something felt wrong. His eyes studied his daughter. She was smiling. But the smile did not reach her eyes. Her gaze drifted across the hall.
Not toward her fiancé. Not toward the gathered lords.
Edmond followed the direction of her gaze. His breath slowed. At the far end of the hall stood Newton.
The young warrior remained beside the servants' aisle, watching quietly. And his gaze was fixed on Sonia.
Unmoving.
Sonia looked back at him. For a brief moment the noise of the hall faded around them. Two pairs of eyes locked across the distance.
Edmond's breath hitched.
It is true.
A cold realization crept through his chest.
Both of them had something romantic.
His hands tightened against the arms of the Ice Throne. They began to tremble. "I will kill the both of them.