"Cedar?" Alice asked. She clenched her jaw, her lips pierced together so tightly that they formed a straight line.
Her heart felt as though it had been stopped by time. There was a hand that clutched it, threatening to squeeze so tightly that it would explode into smithereens.
Spade spared a quick glance to the stage and Alice followed suit― Hartley and Rose had just exchanged their vows, and a thunderous applause rang out in celebration as the groom kissed the bride. Their lips touched merely briefly, not lingering for too long, but it was enough to put on an act.
The Queen looked utterly pleased. Alice wasn't sure if she had ever seen her this happy before, in fact. She leaned over and said something to her husband, that joyous smile remaining ever so radiant upon her lips.
"The young man has been found dead in his home by the countryside," Spade said, his voice soft.
