Stillness beneath the surface

The remaining power games passed in a blur, culminating in the coronation of the victors on the fifth day during a grand celebration that included a feast open to all of Lanark.

While the festivities proceeded in the Archduchy, the Archduchess herself was busy preparing gifts and dresses for her sister's farewell ceremony, implementing Plan B. Plan A was for her to still go to Kolhis to engage in damage control as she half-expected news of the event's cancellation at any moment once Andreas finally broke the spell and understood that Larissa was his only mate.

The news never came, and it was not the only unfathomable occurrence around Adelaide de Lanark.