The castle woke before the sun fully rose.
Servants hurried through the halls carrying folded linens, trays, silver goblets, and bundles of fresh flowers. The sound of footsteps echoed endlessly against the stone floors.
Doors opened and closed without rest. Somewhere downstairs, cooks shouted over one another while fires crackled loudly in the kitchens.
"They said dawn," one maid whispered as she rushed past another servant carrying candles.
"Then why are we still changing the west chambers?" the other hissed back.
"Because Her Majesty the king's Mother complained about the curtains the last time she visited."
"That was three years ago."
"And she still remembered."
The servant groaned and disappeared around the corner.
Near the entrance hall, guards adjusted their uniforms while stable boys ran across the courtyard carrying saddles and buckets.
Even the air felt tighter somehow, as though the entire palace had taken a careful breath and refused to release it.
Lord Darius descended the staircase fastening the cuffs of his coat.
"They've cleaned this floor three times already," he muttered.
Cassian stood nearby, watching servants replace flowers in a vase for what seemed the fourth time.
"You know how mother is" Cassian replied calmly.
Darius scoffed. "How can I forget"
A servant nearly collided with him while carrying folded cloth.
"Careful," Darius snapped.
The young boy bowed repeatedly. "Forgive me, my lord."
Cassian glanced toward the windows. "They should arrive before noon if the roads are clear."
Darius exhaled slowly. "And if the roads are not clear, she'll blame the kingdom personally."
Cassian almost smiled.
Across the hall, Alina stood near one of the pillars with baby Selene in her arms while a maid adjusted the folds of her gown.
"Not that ribbon," Alina said without looking at her. "The gold one."
"Yes, my lady."
Alina turned slightly as Darius approached.
"You're dressed already?" he asked.
"I would rather not greet your mother looking exhausted."
"You survived childbirth. That alone deserves respect."
Alina gave him a dry look. "Your mother does not respect survival. She respects perfection."
Cassian walked past them before either could continue.
From upstairs, another servant hurried down toward the kitchens.
"The royal carriage crossed the southern bridge!" she announced breathlessly.
The hall immediately stirred harder.
Darius rubbed his forehead. "Gods help us."
Far from the noise, Queen Seraphina sat alone in the lower gardens.
The fountain nearby poured water softly into the basin below, the sound steady and calming against the distant chaos of the castle.
She sat on the edge of a marble bench, hands folded tightly in her lap.
For the first time that morning, nobody was asking anything from her.
No servants.
No council.
No healer.
No smiles she needed to force.
Just silence.
She closed her eyes.
"Your Majesty?"
Seraphina looked up as Mirelle approached slowly through the garden path.
"I thought I might find you here," Mirelle said gently.
Seraphina managed a small smile. "Was I missed terribly?"
"Only by six terrified servants and one very confused maid holding flowers."
That earned the faintest laugh from Seraphina.
Mirelle sat beside her carefully.
For a moment neither woman spoke.
The fountain continued between them.
Finally Mirelle glanced toward her.
"How are you holding up?"
Seraphina looked ahead at the roses instead of answering immediately.
"I'm not sure."
Mirelle waited patiently.
Seraphina exhaled slowly. "I know how they look at me."
"The king's parents?"
She nodded once.
"They try to hide it. Especially his father. But his mother…" Seraphina gave a weak smile.
"She has never been good at pretending."
Mirelle leaned back against the bench.
"She can be difficult."
"That is a gentle word for her."
Mirelle smiled. "I am trying to comfort you, not frighten you further."
Seraphina's smile disappeared after only a second.
"She will ask again."
Mirelle stayed quiet.
"She always does," Seraphina continued softly.
"Never directly. Never cruelly enough for anyone to defend me. But always enough."
She swallowed lightly.
"'How is your health, dear?'
"Are the healers helping?"
"Five years already, what a stubborn little kingdom your womb must be."
Mirelle's face tightened.
Seraphina looked down at her hands.
"I am tired of feeling examined."
The wind shifted softly through the garden trees.
"You are still their queen," Mirelle said carefully.
Seraphina laughed under her breath.
"Sometimes I think I am only queen until a fertile woman appears."
"Do not say that."
"But everyone thinks it."
"No," Mirelle said firmly. "Everyone fears it. That is different."
Seraphina turned toward her slowly.
"And what is the difference?"
Mirelle held her gaze.
"One comes from cruelty." She paused. "The other comes from fear."
Seraphina looked away again.
The fountain water continued falling endlessly.
After a long silence, Mirelle spoke again.
"You and the king will survive this."
Seraphina did not answer immediately.
"He has not touched me in two weeks."
Mirelle's eyes flickered slightly.
Seraphina laughed softly, though there was no humor in it.
"I counted. Isn't that pathetic?"
"No."
"He barely sleeps beside me now." Her voice lowered further.
"Some nights he stays in his study until morning. Other nights he comes to bed long after I pretend to be asleep."
Mirelle sighed.
"He is under pressure."
"So am I."
"You think I do not know that?"
Seraphina's shoulders loosened.
"I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for."
Seraphina stared at the fountain again.
"When we first married, he could barely stay away from me." A faint smile touched her lips at the memory.
"He used to invent reasons just to leave council meetings early."
"He used to look at me as though nothing else existed."
"And now?"
Seraphina swallowed.
"Now he looks tired."
Mirelle did not rush to fill the silence.
"That frightens me more than anger would," Seraphina admitted.
"Because anger still fights. Tiredness…" She shook her head faintly.
"Tiredness gives up."
Mirelle reached over and covered Seraphina's hand gently.
"I still believe he loves you."
Seraphina's eyes lowered.
"But?"
Mirelle hesitated carefully.
"But I think he is drowning too."
The words settled heavily between them.
For once, Seraphina did not argue.
Birds shifted softly somewhere high in the trees above them.
Then suddenly—
The deep sound of royal horns echoed across the castle grounds.
One long blast.
Then another.
Seraphina froze.
Far off, the noise of the palace immediately changed. Footsteps quickened. Guards shouted commands. Servants hurried faster through the halls.
Mirelle slowly stood first.
"They're here."
Seraphina remained seated for one extra moment.
Just breathing.
Then she rose carefully to her feet.
Another horn sounded across Valdoria.
And somewhere beyond the gates, judgment had arrived.