Princess Elara entered from the corridor, producing a key Sabine had not known she possessed.
“Royal witness,” Elara said calmly. “Whatever Brother Olin says now enters record. Lying to a princess of the blood is a crown offense, not merely a temple matter.”
Olin looked trapped.
Sabine stepped closer. “Tell me what you were ordered to find.”
“Materials referring to Isolde. The Tenth Vow. Altered marriage rites. Bride effects hidden before temple purge.”
“Who gave the order.”
“High Hierophant Serast through Bloodwright Maelor.”
“Why search now.”
“Because you retrieved something from the Blackwater. Because you were seen with archive materials. Because the trial testimony exposed too much and the temple needs to know what you have learned.”
Sabine felt the truth settle into place. “Who stripped Isolde’s rooms after she died.”
Olin swallowed. “Temple authority. Before dawn. Before the crown could inventory her effects.”
“What were they looking for.”
“Letters. Journals. Music. Anything she might have hidden that referenced the rite’s structure.”
“And the marriage archives. Who removed pages from those records.”
“Temple officials. Under Serast’s seal. They said certain sections were too damaged or too sacred for public record.”
Elara leaned forward. “Were the pages damaged, or were they removed because they documented something the temple wanted erased.”
Olin did not answer immediately.
Lysa crossed her arms. “We can call palace security now, or you can finish answering.”
“They were removed,” Olin said quietly. “Some of them referenced the original marriage rite before the reforms. Before the Tenth Vow was changed.”
Sabine’s pulse quickened. “Where did those pages go.”
“Serast’s private archive. Or destroyed. I do not know which.”
“What else did the temple purge after Isolde’s death.”
“Personal effects. Bride chambers. Anything from women who failed or withdrew before final selection.” Olin’s voice dropped. “But some brides knew the purges were coming. Some of them hid things before the temple could claim them.”
“Where.”
“Old hearth channels. The bride wing was built centuries ago. The heating system used stone channels behind the walls. Some chambers still have access points inside the fireplaces. Women used to hide letters, jewelry, evidence there because servants and priests did not think to search structural cavities.”
Sabine met Elara’s eyes.
This was the clue she needed.
The bride wing itself might contain hidden proof from Isolde or earlier brides.
“Thank you, Brother Olin,” Sabine said. “You may go.”
Olin stared at her. “You are releasing me.”
