We reached the double doors of the King’s private audience chamber.

The guard at the door turned the brass handle and pushed the heavy wood open.

The room inside was vast, lined with tapestries depicting ancient victories.

King Alaric sat in a high-backed leather chair by the fireplace, his face carved from stone.

Rachel stood in the center of the room.

She was still wearing her white silk rehearsal gown, her hands trembling as she clutched a lace handkerchief.

She looked up as we entered, her eyes immediately finding mine.

They were red and swollen, filled with a desperate plea.

“Alexander,” she whispered, taking a step toward him.

The Prince did not move toward her.

He stood beside me, his posture rigid, his face completely unreadable.

King Alaric rose slowly from his chair, his gaze moving from Rachel to me, and finally to the pocket of my uniform where the drive was hidden.

“Well?” the King said, his deep voice filling the quiet room. “What have you found?”

I reached into my breast pocket and pulled out the small, silver flash drive.