The three guards stiffened at once and bowed slightly. “High Stewardess, Lady Dorothy,” they greeted curtly, their voices carrying the weight of respect laced with caution.

‘High Stewardess?’ Althea realized then. ‘So she’s the one in charge of keeping order in the North Palace.’

But as her gaze locked with the older woman’s sharp eyes, the venom in the latter’s thoughts made her gulp.

‘How dare this woman strut around like she owns the place! Shameless traitor’s ...