Chapter 25: The King’s Apology

The autumn air carried a crisp edge as Alina fastened her cloak around her shoulders, the weight of the fabric comforting against the chill. Each morning, like this morning, she walked the perimeter of their small cottage, tending to the wildflowers that bordered their garden. Despite the serene beauty of the morning, her heart carried the heaviness of the recent event.

Since the night of the Queen's party, Alina had shunned every attempt by the King to contact or see her. Each invitation, each message, was refused. She couldn't forget the scornful laughter, the cutting words of the Queen that night. She had become a spectacle, her dignity shredded before the women of the kingdom. The king's love for her was no shield against such humiliation.