'ARCHDUCHESS?' ALDEERN'S QUIET MURMUR WITH an underlying warning tone caused Elena to pivot, a hand half lifted at the instant protest Duke Maghlon made.

'There's another villager. From Crenna.'

'Another?!'

Aldeern nodded.

'Excuse me, your Grace.' Elena turned away, giving the man no time to protest further instead forced to bow low with an appropriate response.

'Of course, your Majesty.' The title squeezed out through clenched teeth.

If ...