A few days passed in relative calm at the palace, with the usual court business and intrigue continuing to swirl around them. Adrian had focused much of his time on preparing for the envoy's trip to Brenden, the small town that had fallen behind on its tribute payments.
As discussed in the council meeting, the mission was crucial, but Adrian's real interest lay in something else—something far more significant than tax issues.
It was the evening before the envoy was to leave, and after a quiet dinner with the royal family, Adrian and his goddesses were back in their chambers. The usual routine was in full swing—each of the women delivering their status reports.
Their information, though useful, was still inconclusive, leaving Adrian feeling as though they were piecing together a puzzle that had far too many missing parts.
