The Window With Seventh Princess

Her expression was calm, almost too calm — like a glass surface hiding unseen depths beneath.

For a heartbeat, Alaric said nothing. His shoulders rose and fell with a slow breath. Then, at last, he bit his lip — hard — and gave a single, curt nod.

But his fury didn't dissipate. It merely coiled tighter.

As his gaze swept the table, something gnawed at him — not everyone was here.

"Where are Warren and Jaron?" Alaric asked, his voice cutting through the murmurs.

A beat of silence.

Then, Lawrence, the king's brother and Warren's father, was the first to answer. "Warren left last night," he said with a small, satisfied smile. "He went to fetch a witch doctor for Rose — she fell ill again."

His smile widened, a little too pleased with his son's sense of duty. "He left after defeating Jaron in a friendly game."