He was indeed free from the black magic that had controlled him, but that did not immediately make the palace safe. Countless spies planted by Effie still lurked within the walls. They watched Aelark's every move with hawk-like eyes. At the slightest sign of suspicion, they would promptly report back to the Bernadine residence.
Thus, when he heard that his Queen was on her way back to the palace, King Aelark was struck with terror.
Ignoring the spies watching him, he hurried back to his chambers, penned a letter, and ordered a servant—trained by Thy, the Head Palace Steward—to leave immediately and intercept the Queen's carriage.
"Tell Thy to force the Queen to read this!" Aelark commanded one last time before watching the servant sprint across the snowy courtyard.
Aelark stood on the terrace for a long while, until the servant's tracks were swallowed by the snow. It was then, as he returned to the corridor, that one of Bernadine's spies blocked his path.
