“She’s just a young woman,” I countered. “She’s done nothing.”

“She’s the wife of my enemy. She’s trying to add to the most ruthless royal family in the history of the line. She certainly isn’t a friend.”

“She’s my friend,” I whispered.

He didn’t bother replying, moving on with his news.

“Quinten is trying to perpetuate the idea that she’s with child, but the women of court say she has no cravings and is still active, so I can’t say there’s much to it.”

I swallowed, imagining Valentina alone in her castle, probably both thankful that she’d been given another chance and terrified of what was coming for her if she failed. I couldn’t see that pressure helping with the process.

“Prince Hadrian was ill of late. Well, more so than usual. He missed a few days at court, and when he was brought back out, he could hardly walk. I don’t know what King Quinten thinks he’s accomplishing there, parading Hadrian around when he’s so weak.”

“Poor boy,” Lady Northcott sighed. “I don’t know how he’s managed to stay alive as long as he has. It will be a miracle if he lives to see his wedding day.”

“When is that to come again?” Mother asked.

“She’s supposed to arrive early next year,” Lady Northcott confirmed.

“I’m still shocked they went abroad to find a bride for him,” Lord Northcott commented.

“Is it so extraordinary that Prince Hadrian would marry another royal?” I asked.

“Yes,” the others replied almost simultaneously.

I raised my eyebrows at that. “Huh. Before I left, I was unofficially placed on a contract. My firstborn daughter—assuming she had an older brother to inherit the throne—was to marry Hadrian’s eldest son. Jameson said it was uncharacteristic of King Quinten to arrange such a thing, for any Isolten royal to marry outside the country. I guess he was right.”

Lord Northcott stared at me. “Is that true?”

I darted my eyes around the room and saw that everyone was leaning in, watching me in surprise.

“Yes. Jameson and Quinten signed the contract, but Hadrian, Valentina, and I were in the room. I suppose nothing will come of it now, since I wasn’t properly named on it. Or perhaps the weight of it will transfer to Delia Grace. Why? What is it?”

“What could that be about?” Lord Northcott wondered aloud.

“Legitimacy,” Etan said quickly. “They want other royal blood in the line so that no one can question their descendants’ claim to the throne. In return, he’s offering Coroans the allegiance of Isolte, the largest kingdom on the continent.” Etan shook his head. “It’s brilliant.”

There was a long silence as everyone took this in. King Quinten was making plans to protect himself and his line, and we were still sitting here with no idea of how to even attack.

“Is there anything we can do about this?” I asked quietly.

Lord Northcott’s brow was knit tight as he drummed his fingers against each other. “I don’t think so, but that’s good information to have. Thank you, Hollis. Is there anything else you can think of, anything from that trip in particular, that you think might be of value?”