When she arrived at the door to her husband’s study, she looked up at her son’s lieutenant, saw him dip his chin, step away and position himself at the side of the door.

He had his hand on the hilt of his sword at his belt.

He would not need it.

She had no idea what her husband’s reaction would be, but it would not be violence.

Though, she knew her son had ordered his lieutenant to protect his queen, even against their king.

It just was not going to get to that.

Mercy knocked.

“Come!” Wilmer called.

She turned the handle and moved in.

He was sitting behind his desk, staring at it as if he didn’t know what it was, when she walked in.

His head came up, his slightly jowly but still handsome face registered surprise, then it softened.

She memorized that look even if she steeled herself against his display of clear affection.

“My wife,” he whispered as she stopped in front of his desk.

“My king,” she replied.

“Mercy,” he said, standing. “I am so very pleased you sought me out.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

“This estrangement, my love…” He moved around the desk, approached her, took both her hands when he arrived and held them tight in his. “I do not like it,” he finished gently.

She was glad to hear that too.

However, she had the feeling he would like less that she did not seek him to put their rift behind them.

Indeed, what she was about to do could very well drive them further apart.

Or break them altogether.

It was a shame.

She would grieve this.

But it was unavoidable.

“You will see, in time, as will True, who will also find times where he must make maneuvers to protect his reign, that this is a valuable lesson Carrington and I have taught you,” he declared.

A valuable lesson was about to be learned.

It was just not that one.

“I have heard word that True and his party are an hour out. Will you be greeting them at the castle gates with me?” she inquired.

“Of course,” he mumbled.

“I must inform the staff he arrives. They are prepared, but I wish them to be presented to the new princess upon their arrival,” she said.

“As you know, I leave these matters to you. Simply have someone inform me when he nears or come yourself. We will walk down together.”

“I’ll see to that. In the meantime, we must arrange to have Carrington arrested on charges of embezzlement, fraud and treason.”

His hands spasmed in hers before he dropped them like they were afire and took a step back, his face a mask of shock.

“What is this you say?” he hissed.