Matilda POV

Another day began

Morning no longer belonged to me. It belonged to the kingdom and my family, which was something I found delightful except that I couldn't get enough sleep most times.

…like yesterday.

By the time the sun had fully risen, I was already seated in the council chamber, Leo resting in my arms cooing softly as voices filled the stone hall.

“The eastern ridge is requesting revised trade terms,” one of the elders was saying.

“They claim the winter routes are ...