Three hundred guests watched Lady Blanche Fairmont lose everything because she stopped to save a dying stranger.

A scout dressed in a muddy leather tunic burst into the grand study, dripping water onto the Persian rug. Martha sat by the fire, her silver eyes calm, while Julian and Blanche stood side by side near the window.

"Speak, Thomas," Julian commanded.

"My Lord," the scout panted, bowing low. "The capital is in chaos. King Richard’s health is failing rapidly—the rumors of his dark lung-sickness are true. He has called a Royal Summit for the Summer Solstice, three weeks from today."

Martha leaned forward, her hands resting on her cane. "A summit? For what purpose?"

"He intends to officially declare his heir," Thomas revealed. "Since he has no legitimate children, the high ministers are auctioning the succession. Duke Albert Fairmont and Lord Horus Winfield have formed a coalition. They have pooled their fortunes to buy the King’s backing for Horus to be named Crown Regent!"

Blanche felt a cold shock move through her. "Horus? Horus wants the throne?"

"The Winfield family has been secretly financing the King’s private debts for years," Thomas continued. "In exchange, Duke Albert has agreed to marry his niece, Clara, to Horus to secure the Fairmont military alliance. They are holding a massive Betrothal Gala at the Royal Palace on the eve of the summit to showcase their power to the entire nobility."

Blanche took a step forward, her fists clenched at her sides. "They are selling the kingdom like cattle in a market."

"They believe they have won," Julian said, walking over to the large map of Oakhaven spread across the mahogany table. He picked up a silver marker and placed it directly over the capital. "Albert stripped his daughter of her name because he feared scandal. Horus abandoned her because he lacked a heart. Now they join hands to poison the entire realm."

"Julian," Martha spoke softly, her voice filled with ancient wisdom. "The time has come. The documents proving your birthright are ready. The support of the northern generals is secured. But we need a catalyst inside the palace—someone who can shatter their coalition from within before you reveal your identity."

Julian turned his head and looked at Blanche.

Blanche met his gaze. The quiet, timid girl who had let her mother remove her necklace and her fiancé discard her ring was gone forever. In her place stood a woman who knew the rot of the court better than anyone alive.

"I know where my father hides his illegal ledgers," Blanche said, her voice dropping into a razor-sharp, lethal register. "I know which ministers Horus bribed to cover up his family’s shipping tax fraud. I spent six years listening to them talk at corporate dinners when they thought I was just a decorative doll."