Chapter 7

My presence alone pressured them into stepping aside. One guard said, "Please go ahead, Madam."

I pushed the door open and walked in. The room was thick with the smell of medicine.

Richard lay in bed with one leg propped high in splints. His face was pale, his lips cracked, and in a few days he had grown much more haggard.

He no longer looked anything like the graceful young nobleman from before.

Hearing the door open, Richard opened his eyes in irritation and snapped, "Didn't I say not to bother me?"

But the moment he saw it was me,…