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Dustin nods, then pauses, his eyes darting to Liam as he addresses me. “Ah, my King but…” Dustin doesn’t finish, his eyes locked on Liam behind me.

“It’s fine, Dustin,” Liam tells him. “Unless you’re uncomfortable?” Liam says, making my brows crease in confusion, Dustin used to be one of Claire’s guards but Dustin hasn’t had an issue working as my guard in my old quarters, well not that he has expressed anything about being uncomfortable.

“It’s different from guarding, than it is sleeping in her old room, Liam,” Dustin says, grasping Peter’s arm and helping him to his feet.

“I’ll be up when I can,” Liam says.

“Unless you need any assistance?” Liam asks Dustin, concern etched on his face. Dustin nods in response.

“One of the Landeena guards will wait with him until you’re ready, Liam,” Cedric informs him. Liam nods, turning back to the board. Cedric motions for one of the Landeena guards to accompany Peter, who grabs his other arm.

“Azalea, stay here,” I instruct her firmly, despite her growls of protest. We have established conditions and rules regarding Peter’s presence, and I will not break them, but she can’t either.

Returning my attention to the board, we attempt to piece together a timeline, searching for connections or clues. So much remains missing, and the involvement of Crux, my sister, and Ester continues to confuse me. Azalea firmly believes that everything is intertwined, convinced that Ester is Crux’s mistress.

Leaning against the table, I study the board before me. Azalea joins me, her eyes scanning the information. I can practically feel her mind working, a mixture of tension, confusion, and determination pulsating through her.

“Okay,” she begins, her voice filled with determination. “I know everyone says that Ester and Crux are not involved with each other, and you’re searching for the council’s connection.”

I gaze down at her, waiting for her theory to unfold.

“But maybe we shouldn’t focus on the council’s timeline just yet. Let’s place Ester’s timeline on the board instead,” she suggests.

I let out a weary sigh, willing to entertain any idea at this point. Gannon and Trey move towards the table, gathering documents and starting to piece together a timeline based on the limited information we have.

As they work, the significant dates begin to take shape:

2004–Azalea was born.

2007–December - Ester becomes pregnant.

2008–February - Landeena Kingdom falls. Azalea goes missing. Marrissa Talbot disappears.

2009–Ester returns to the Valkyrie Kingdom and starts working as a castle servant.

2013–Valkyrie Kingdom is attacked. Claire is killed.

2014–Marrissa Talbot is murdered. Azalea and Abbie are placed in an orphanage.

2022–Azalea Landeena is found and returned to the Valkyrie Kingdom.

I study the timeline, hoping for some revelation or connection to the council. However, nothing jumps out at us. Azalea clicks her tongue in frustration.

“See? Nothing,” Gannon remarks. Azalea furrows her brow, deep in thought.

“So where was Ester during that year after my family was killed?” She directs her question towards Trey.

“And where did you go after the Kingdom fell?” she asks him, still peering intently at him.

“With the Landeena Guard, searching for you,” Trey responds.

“Add it to the board. Let’s see if anything aligns after my parents’ Kingdom fell,” Azalea requests, her brows furrowing as she ponders the possibilities.

“What’s the point of all this?” I question, worried we’re just going in circles at this point.

“I’m trying to understand how no one recognized Marrissa or Ester. These two women were present in both Kingdoms when they fell,” Azalea sighs. The task of mapping out every person’s timeline would be daunting and endless, but if we can find connections in specific individuals, it may lead us closer to the truth.

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