The carriage door opened, and Caspian appeared. His dark eyes shone with warmth and love and his presence gave her more courage than Rosaleen’s words had.
Somehow, he’d become everything she needed, without her even noticing.
He offered his hand and she placed hers in it as he helped her descend. Once she was safely on the ground, he extended his arm to her without a word. She took it, clinging to him, his steady hand only betraying how her own was trembling.
He still didn’t say anything but placed his other hand on top of hers in a show of support. The warmth and weight of it stilled her shaking, and she leaned into him as he led her toward the palace steps.
Lord Kellan led the way and Sophia looked back to see that Dietrich was escorting Rosaleen, with Hopkins and another guard following behind them. The rest of the men stayed with the carriage and horses.
She turned back to gaze up at the palace. Though it wasn’t the first time she’d seen it after living in Riyel most of her life, it was the first time she’d been through the gates and seen it up close.
It was much larger from here.
The thought did nothing to calm her nerves.
“Breathe,” Caspian reminded her quietly as the palace doors opened before them and they were ushered inside by two palace guards.
“We have an audience with the king,” Kellan said in a lofty tone.
A uniformed guard led the way down a hallway. As they walked deeper and deeper into the palace, Sophia found her nerves slowly dissipating.
It was odd, but she wouldn’t complain.
The fact that it was almost over made relief swell up with every step.
Nothing she did or said would change the outcome of this visit. Surely the king had already made up his mind as to whether or not she was Lady Manning.
And Caspian had promised to love her regardless of the outcome.
She looked up at his handsome face and smiled.
Either way, she would happily spend the rest of her life loving him.
She took a true deep breath for the first time all morning and let out a sigh.
It would all be over soon.
The guard paused outside an unmarked door, one that didn’t look like the entrance to a grand receiving room, which made Sophia easier. If they were merely meeting in an office of some sort, it couldn’t be that bad.
Caspian gently squeezed her hand before he removed the hand covering hers. She missed the warmth immediately, but she didn’t have time to be nervous as the door opened and Kellan led the way into a library.
A man poked his head around one of the shelves and said, “I’ll be right with you,” before disappearing again.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Kellan said, nodding his head toward nothing.
Sophia’s eyes widened.
That was the king?
He looked no older than Kellan and showed no sign of pomp and royalty.
A moment later, he popped out again, and he grinned as he strode toward them with a book under his arm. “Kellan,” he exclaimed. “It’s been ages, my friend.”
Kellan met him halfway, clasping his arm in a gesture of goodwill, bowing slightly. “It is good to see you, my king. Though I did see you only yesterday.”
The king waved his hand at Kellan. “Yes, but that was in the receiving room. There’s no need for formalities in here,” he said. “Now, I’ve been having a look at the genealogies and inheritance laws.” He waved the book he held.
Kellan turned to Caspian, who let go of Sophia’s hand to bow. “Your Majesty,” he said. “Lord Caspian Rendon, at your service.”
