Seven Days Later - Arclight Estate,
Duchess's Private Office
The Dowager Duchess's office was in the east wing. Second floor. Overlooking the gardens. Elegant furniture. Expensive decorations. And most importantly—servants constantly passing in the hallway outside.
Elise sat behind her desk. Reviewing household accounts. Or pretending to. Actually, she was waiting.
A knock at the door.
"Enter."
Draven stepped inside. Closed the door behind him. Locked it with a soft click.
"You're late," Elise said. Not looking up from her papers.
"I was detained. Marcus tried to corner me in the library."
"And?"
"And I reminded him that attempting to threaten a sitting heir is treason if it happens before coronation." Draven crossed to her desk. "He backed down. For now."
"Three days," Elise said quietly. "Three days until the trial. Seven until his coronation."
"He won't make it to the coronation."
