Defiance in the archduchy (part 1)

That very morning, a private and urgent meeting took place in the Archduchess of Lanark's study, involving the Duke of Latora, the new Platoon Leader of the Crown Prince's knights, and the Archduchess herself.

Rauul who was pretending to search for a specific book on the bookshelf above Adela's head, expressed his concern, "Your Excellency, you should have tried to get at least a few hours of sleep."

Adela's fingers drummed incessantly on the leather desk. She closed her eyes momentarily, inhaling deeply as a pang of longing for her father coursed through her.

There was no escaping the physical distance separating them now; Kaiser was Emoria's reigning monarch, and Larissa's wedding was on the verge of occurring in Destan.

"...How could I possibly sleep? I had my hopes up for some reason."