Arlena walked through the long halls of the Lycan Palace with her heart beating hard. At the end of the corridor, heavy double doors stood between her and the room where Queen Isadora Lysandros lived—the Lycan Queen, mother of Prince Vaelen.
She had rehearsed what to say all the way here. This was important. She needed to get everything done before it was too late.
But before she could touch the door, a woman moved into her path. Arlena realized she was blocked by the queen's personal maid.
And the maid's posture said plainly that no one disturbed the queen for small matters, and her face clearly showed disdain toward her.
"State your business," the maid said without any expression, not even giving her the basic respect of a lady. She looked at Arlena as if she were an insect that had landed in the wrong place.
Arlena opened her mouth. "I have something I must tell Her Majesty," she said, trying to make her voice steady.
