The next morning, as the sun cast a warm glow over the kingdom, Alyssa sat at her vanity, absentmindedly brushing her hair. Her mind was still reeling from the conversation with Tiffany the night before. The news of the annexation and the merging of their kingdoms weighed heavily on her heart.

She sighed, remembering the snippet of information Tiffany had shared in their conversation. How her family now worked for Hunter, the very man who had caused so much turmoil in Alyssa's life. She couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment towards him, but she knew she couldn't let her personal feelings cloud her judgment.

Alyssa's thoughts drifted to...