CHAPTER 29

The palace’s sunroom was filled with golden light. The sunlight came in through the wide crystal windows. Floral decorations filled the room. A soft melody floated from the harpist stationed in the corner. The melody was gentle and serene, like the beginning of a fairytale. The air smelled of roses, vanilla, and sweet berries. Eva stood at the center of it all with a huge smile on her face. She was wearing a simple but elegant lavender dress. Her hands were nervously twisting together in front of her, but her eyes sparkled with joy. For the first time in years, she felt… truly seen. What Eva didn’t know was that someone else had seen the invitation list. Leah, lurking in the shadows of the court, had heard of the private gathering. It was small, intimate, and unguarded—just family. A perfect opportunity. She wasn’t on the list, of course, but she didn’t need to be. Not when the kitchen staff rotated so often, and not when she could pay her way into the pantry without raising suspici