**The next morning** 

**Princess Brielle’s chamber** 

Brielle let out a long, lazy sigh of relief as she finally stepped out of the hot bath, skin pink and steaming. 

The maids swarmed her at once—warm towel around her shoulders, silk robe sliding on before she could even shiver. 

In the dressing room they fussed over her like always. One girl was still patting dry the last drops from her arms while two others held up dresses for approval. 

“How’s this one, my princess?” a maid asked, lifting an elaborate silver-embroidered gown that practically screamed “formal occasion.” 

Brielle wrinkled her nose. “Nope. Something short. I’m not going anywhere today.” They swapped it...