24

'Feel what? Comfortable?' Lord Rawen thought, sitting at the dining table, his mind racing. He was grappling with the revelation that his loyal maid, whom he secretly loved, was none other than Amara Orwa Falkenridge, the leader of Ravenshire in the South. She was also the Duchess of Falkenridge and the mother of little Lord Axel Rohan Falkenridge.

Her husband, Duke Maxwell Aiden Falkenridge, was a formidable general commanding the two powerful armies known as Wolfsbane and Ravenshire. To add to the complexity, he was also the right man and cousin of the crown prince.

'Feel comfortable? I could be killed at any moment,' he pondered, unable to voice his turmoil. Instead, he maintained a polite smile and replied, "As you wish, Your Grace."

Yet, a nagging worry lingered in his mind about what would become of her daughter and the future of little Lord Axel.

Lord Rawen turned to Max. "Your Grace, we still haven't discussed the important matter concerning our two families," he said. Max knew he was treading dangerous ground regarding his son's future with this engagement. It felt as if he had no choice.

"The engagement will continue; as you know, we have a deal," Max replied firmly.

"I beg your pardon, but may I ask, what deal?" Amara interjected, fully aware of the implications of Max's actions. She understood that his decisions were influenced by her, but she refused to let her son become entangled in this mess.