Sleep seemed to evade Caroline as her mind was in a whirl.
She lay awake in the vast bedchamber that was now hers, the heavy silken curtains shifting with the night breeze. But no amount of soft linens or golden candlelight could ease the tension coiling inside her.
King Casimir's words echoed in her mind.
"Then earn the truth."
She curled her fingers into the sheets. Damn him.
Why did he play this game? If Spring in Winterland script was so meaningless, why had he refused to explain it?
Something about it unnerved him.
And that, more than anything, made her certain—this was important.
She stared at the ceiling, willing her mind to quiet. But sleep did not come.
When morning arrived, Caroline forced herself to mask her exhaustion and made her way to the solarium for the first court gathering.
The Summer Palace's solarium was a breathtaking space—bathed in golden sunlight, its walls of glass framed by curling vines and cascading blooms. The ceiling arched high above, an open dome that let the warmth of the sun spill over everything.
And waiting within it—the nobility of the Summerlands.
Eyes turned to her the moment she stepped inside.
A room full of wolves.
She lifted her chin, smoothing her ivory skirts as she walked to her seat.
King Casimir was already seated at the head of the long golden table, draped in the deep crimson of his court. He did not look at her as she approached.
Lady Seraphina, however, did.
The King's advisor sat to his right, a vision of practiced elegance in emerald silk, her dark hair coiled into a sharp crown. The slightest smirk tugged at her lips.
"Your Majesty," Seraphina purred. "How lovely of you to finally join us."
Caroline returned a smile just as sweet. "I do hope I haven't kept you waiting. I was under the impression the court would begin at a civilized hour."
A few nobles coughed to cover their laughter.
Seraphina's smirk twitched.
Casimir, to Caroline's irritation, merely sipped his wine.
"You'll find, dear Queen," Seraphina said smoothly, "that the Summerlands run by different customs than your frozen homeland."
Caroline folded her hands. "Oh, I've noticed."
Seraphina's eyes gleamed. "Have you?"
Something in her voice made Caroline stiffen.
Casimir finally spoke. "Enough."
It was one word, but it silenced the table.
Seraphina only smiled before turning back to her meal, as if she had not just threatened Caroline with nothing but a glance.
Caroline forced herself to remain composed.
She could play this game, too.
And as she sipped her tea, she decided—she would uncover every secret this court had to offer.
Starting with the one embroidered on Casimir's cloak.