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“It’s not about how she is acting. When I examined her hands earlier, they were calloused.”

“So? Maybe they teach princesses to fight in Azurem.”

“They don’t,” Annette responded, “furthermore, I know it has been years since that portrait, but she has filled out and doesn’t have her mother’s proportions at all.”

Claude laughed. “I’m not going to question her figure.” His voice shifted lower. “Even you can admit she’s beautiful.”

A strange, nervous feeling erupted in Dagmara’s stomach upon hearing the complement.

Annette was relentless. “Her hair is dyed.”

The feeling evaporated instantly, and Dagmara gripped her braid. How did Annette know?

“Give it a rest,” said Claude. “Does it even matter? You know I don’t intend to go through with the marriage anyway.”

Dagmara craned her neck to hear better.

“I’m only suggesting to test her,” Annette said.

“Test her?” Claude’s voice became sharper. “I’m trying to gain her trust. You want me to ask for a display of magic?” He scoffed.

“Not a display,” Annette replied. “Just a test.”

There was a pause. “If she senses me trying to compel her, my plan is over.”

“If she isn’t the true princess then your plan won’t work at all.”

“Listen, somehow Princess Magdalena is still alive when she was supposed to die alongside her brother and father.”

Dagmara covered her mouth with her hand, muting her gasp.

Claude continued, “Until you find any real proof, I will continue to believe the woman here is Princess Magdalena. I will use her to Ilusauri’s advantage, find out what she knows, and then I can get rid of her.” There was a pause, before Claude continued, “Annette, I’m so close. This is my chance.”

Dagmara could feel her heart pounding against her chest. Tears began to well in her eyes. Magda was right all along. There was a list of royals to kill—the royals who already had their gift. As long as he thought Dagmara was Magda, he would want her dead.

“What happens if she decides to return to Azurem?”

Claude’s voice turned dark, rumbling in his chest. “She can’t leave. Tell everyone she is not allowed outside the castle. Call more guards. I want more security around her room.”

Dagmara had to get back to her chamber before someone noticed she was gone.

Annette was unfazed by the shift in his tone. “Well, you may have already scared her off with your actions this afternoon.”

Claude responded, but his voice was too quiet, and Dagmara was unable to understand any more. She was distracted by a man approaching the king’s guards, whispering something in Pierre’s ear. Then Pierre stepped forward and spoke. “Your Majesty, there is news from Celestaire.”

“See if you can contact Reon, I have to get to Nouchenne first before dealing with Celestaire.” His footsteps pounded on the ground. “We need Sabien back to deal with this. Where the hell is he?”

He exited the room, Pierre and the large guard trailing him.

The door slammed, leaving Dagmara in near silence. The tapping of boots on the ground signaled Annette was leaving as well, no doubt to call for more security as the king had demanded.

Dagmara’s breath was ragged, and her hands shook.

Claude had no intention of marrying Magda. He wanted information. Whether he wanted to know how she escaped his assassins, or if anyone else in Azurem could track it back to Claude, one thing was for certain—she couldn’t tell Claude anything that she knew, otherwise, her life would be worthless to him.

She stood and raced back to her chambers. If they were increasing security to watch her, the only way to find proof of Claude’s crimes would be if she was welcome in the royal wing.

I will use her to Ilusauri’s advantage, find out what she knows, and then I can get rid of her.