In the elegant living room of the duke's manor, Daphne's family was gathered together, their faces pale with worry.
Lord Thomas sat by the fireplace, while Lady Elizabeth stood by the chairs.
Finn paced the floor, with Emma trying to calm the emotional Lianna. The horrifying news from the palace had reached them, and their greatest fear was for their youngest, Daphne.
"Seven men," Lady Elizabeth whispered, her voice thick with dread. "And their heads... who could be so cruel?"
"It doesn't matter who," Finn said, his voice laced with rage. "It matters that Daphne is still in that palace, and we can't even reach her. We don't know if she is safe."
Lord Thomas's face was grim. "I've sent messages, but none have been answered. The palace is locked down. This madness is beyond anything I've ever seen."
Aidan, sat in a quiet corner. He listened to their conversation with a calm that no one else in the room possessed. He knew what they did not know.
