ARIA’S POV

The voice froze me in place.

My throat tightened as I turned and saw Alora standing there, her arms crossed and her personal maid standing beside her. I looked like a child caught stealing candy.

Alora’s eyes darted from the paper I held, then to my face, and I could already feel sweat forming on my skin. Her face was flushed—whether from anger or guilt, I couldn’t tell.

She walked closer, and before I could back away, she snatched the paper from my hand.

“What are you ...