Chapter 41

The rain fell in slants against the stone walls of the palace. It was the first rain of the year so it brought warmth from the ocean to the village and the pleasing smell of newly wet earth, it had started suddenly, just after dawn when the villagers were preparing to go about their businesses. It was a heavy rain so the people remained indoors around their fires with hot soups and fur around them. The royal household was no different.

Unable to go back to sleep since the meeting of the day could not hold due to the rain, Octavius walked to the throne room without his robe. He couldn’t shake the dark clouds hanging over his head, he didn’t want to disturb Emilia with his thoughts, she was more than 5 months gone in her pregnancy and she didn’t need to hear about his doubts or dark thoughts.