---
Felice was still rubbing sleep from her eyes when Liora burst into her room like an over-caffeinated squirrel.
"They're back!" she yelled, flinging the windows open dramatically. "Ezra and Lucien just arrived!"
Felice blinked. "Who's Ezra?"
"My eldest brother. You know, the one who looks like he could break your bones with a stare?"
Felice groaned and face-planted into her pillow. "Why does this kingdom have so many intimidatingly attractive men? Is it in the water?"
Liora giggled, then yanked the blanket off her. "Come on. You have to see Lucien again. He's your forest mystery man, remember?"
Felice froze.
The silver-haired stranger—the one who'd rescued her, knocked her out for her own safety, and carried her unconscious through the woods?
He was Lucien? The third prince?
"Well," Felice muttered as she stood up and tried to fix her hair with one hand, "this is gonna be awkward."
—
The grand entrance hall was alive with excitement. Guards straightened up, nobles whispered behind fans, and even the chandeliers seemed to shine a little brighter.
And then the two brothers walked in.
Ezra, tall and imposing with dark hair and an unreadable expression, strode beside a grinning, silver-haired Lucien—looking as nonchalant as ever, like he'd just returned from a vacation instead of a royal mission.
Lucien's gaze swept the room… and landed directly on Felice.
His smile twitched wider.
"Well, well," he said, approaching her with his hands in his pockets. "If it isn't my favorite dagger-wielding fugitive."
Felice narrowed her eyes. "If it isn't the guy who knocked me out and left me in a cave."
"I carried you to safety first," he said smoothly. "And I'm still waiting for a thank you."
She gave him a look. "I'm still waiting for you to explain anything."
Before Lucien could respond, the queen descended the stairs, her eyes misting over as she caught sight of her sons. She embraced Ezra first, then turned to Lucien, kissing his cheek.
Then her gaze shifted to Felice.
Her expression softened… then shifted into something more complex. Sadness. Recognition. Regret.
"Felice," she said quietly, "join us in the solar chamber."
Felice gulped.
Because when the queen calls you by name like that, it's either because you're in trouble—or about to learn something that will change your life.
Again.
---