Daphne arrived at her family's manor alone. She entered, expecting to see her family gathered in a tense, anxious group, waiting for their father. She was correct; they were all there, Lady Elizabeth, Finn, Lianna, Aidan and Emma.
The moment Lady Elizabeth saw her, she rushed forward, her hands reaching out to hold Daphne's face. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice tight with worry.
Daphne's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked, a small frown on her face. "Is Father not home yet?"
"Of course you are," Lady Elizabeth said, her voice a bit too quick as she released Daphne and patted her cheek. "We were just... waiting for your father, as you said."
"He will be home soon," she said, her voice full of a quiet, unshakable certainty. "Alaric gave his word."
"Alaric?" Lady Elizabeth repeated, her eyebrows shooting up. "You call the Prince by his name? So soon?"
"He was the one who insisted I did."
