Princess Elowen sat at her desk, surrounded by scrolls and reports, her silver-rose cloak draped over the back of her chair. She had been reviewing trade figures from the eastern provinces when one of her most trusted personal agents slipped into the room, carrying a sealed leather pouch.
The agent bowed low. "Your Highness. This arrived through back channels. It was meant for Lord Vesper, but my contact intercepted it before delivery. It concerns… northern hardliners."
Elowen's sharp eyes narrowed. She broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. As she read, her expression shifted from curiosity to cold fury. The letter was from one of General Thorne's lieutenants, offering Lord Vesper significant influence in a "restored pure-blood order" in exchange for sabotaging the triumvirate's reforms from within. It included details of planned raids on border villages and promises of eastern territories if Vesper helped destabilize the current regime.
