Azzurra descended the staircase with Cesario nestled in her arms, her steps steady but her heart still unsettled. Benedetto had just told her how deeply everyone had worried for her so much so that half the staff had skipped breakfast, unable to eat until they saw her safe.

The moment she appeared, the gathered staff parted to make way, their collective sighs of relief echoing through the hall. Standing before the throne, she looked out over the faces of the men and women who had been ...