"I came to discuss the King's… abnormality."
He made to close the door but Rory stepped forward.
"You have to tell her… please. She'll go mad and die early if you don't."
Andon paused, his hand on the doorframe. Something glinted in his eyes - something akin to mischief.
"Go mad and die early? That doesn't sound like the Miss Stenly that I know."
Aurora brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. "It doesn't sound like my sister to me either, but she hasn't been eating or sleeping well since the King disappeared. You can trust her… she won't tell anyone."
Claire coloured as Andon's piercing gaze shifted to her.
Her sister sold her out! It sounded like she was smitten with the blasted King! But she wasn't. She told herself.
"I didn't know you had the King's best interests at heart, Miss Stenly." The silly grin that she despised so much was back.
