Chapter 56
The carriage slowed as it approached the administrative hall of Ambervale.
Dara adjusted her gloves absently, gaze drifting toward the window as the familiar rhythm of wheels softened against the stone-paved approach. The building rose ahead—broad, stately, and far more imposing than it had any right to be this early in the morning.
Today, it was hers—temporarily, strategically, and possibly disastrously.
Perfect.
The carriage came to a stop. Grace reached for the door, but Dara lifted a hand lightly. “I have it.”
She stepped down—
And paused.
Because he was there.
At the base of the wide stone steps, beneath the crest of Ambervale, stood Prince Valerius. Not surrounded by a full court display. Not distant. Simply… waiting.
For her.
Dara blinked once.
Well—that was unexpected.
Valerius met her gaze, and a quiet warmth settled into his expression—something softer than the composed authority he wore so easily in public, yet no less deliberate. “My lady.”
Dara recovered quickly, stepping forward with practiced grace. “Your Highness.”
He reached for her hand—not hurried, not hesitant, just certain—and lifted it, pressing a brief, measured kiss against her gloved knuckles.
A greeting, a welcome, and a statement.
Dara felt the faintest heat rise to her cheeks. Behind her, she was acutely aware of guards straightening, attendants lowering their gazes, and eyes watching without appearing to watch.
Of course.
This was being seen.
Valerius released her hand only to offer his arm. “Shall we?”
Dara looked at him for a fraction longer than necessary, then placed her hand lightly against his arm. “Of course, Your Highness.”
They began up the steps together. The doors had already been opened, and staff lined the entry hall—clerks, attendants, minor officials—all carefully composed, all very aware of who had arrived.
Or rather, who had arrived together.
Dara could feel the shift, the weight of it. This was no longer merely a temporary appointment. This was endorsed.
She kept her posture calm, measured, and graceful.
Inside, however—
I didn’t expect him to be here, but this is advantageous.
Valerius’s presence did not feel accidental. He walked beside her without speaking, his pace steady, unhurried, entirely at ease in a place where others stood rigid under expectation.
At the center of the hall, a senior clerk stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Your Highness. Lady Governess.”
Dara inclined her head. “We will proceed.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Doors opened ahead of them.
Her office.
Dara stepped inside and stopped.
The room was larger than she expected—high windows allowing morning light to spill across polished floors, a broad desk set near the center, shelves lining the walls, already partially filled with ledgers, scrolls, and neatly arranged files.
Order, structure, and control.
She liked it.
Valerius remained beside her as she took in the space. “You approve?” he asked quietly.
Dara walked forward, fingertips brushing lightly across the edge of the desk before she turned. “It will do.”
He almost smiled.
She moved around the desk and paused behind it. For a brief moment, she simply stood there. Then she sat, and the small movement settled something—not just in the room, but in her.
Dara folded her hands neatly atop the desk, gaze lifting. “Yes,” she said softly. “This will do very well.”
Valerius did not leave.
Of course he didn’t.
Dara glanced up at him. “You don’t have to stay.”
“I know.”
A pause.
He did not move.
Dara looked at him for a moment longer, then looked away first.
Behind her, Bernard and Elowra entered quietly, already moving toward their respective places—papers, ledgers, ink, and order unfolding with quiet efficiency.
Good. Work. Focus.
Dara leaned slightly forward. “There will be resistance.”
Valerius’s voice was calm. “There already is.”
She glanced at him again. “You knew.”
“I expected.”
“From the council?”
“From anyone comfortable with things as they are.”
Dara nodded slowly.
Yes—that sounded about right.
She reached for the first set of documents Bernard had placed before her, then paused and looked up at Valerius.
“Thank you… for walking me in,” she said, her tone softer now, meant only for him. “And for the reports the other day.”
Valerius held her gaze. “You’re welcome.”
A brief pause lingered between them—not formal, not quite private, but something in between.
Dara allowed herself a small smile. “I’ll manage from here.”
“I know,” he said.
That, more than anything, settled something quietly in her chest.
She inclined her head, a touch more formal now. “Have a good day, Your Highness.”
“And you, my lady.”
He stepped back.
At the doorway, he paused.
Dara had already lowered her gaze to the reports—but this time, not in dismissal.
In readiness.
“Don’t be too gentle with them,” he said.
Her hand stilled briefly on the page.
Then—
A faint curve touched her lips. “I won’t be.”
The door closed softly behind him.
Dara exhaled once, quietly, then looked down at the page again.
He is absolutely not helping with my concentration.
Across from her, Elowra’s quill moved swiftly. Bernard uncapped fresh ink. Grace entered with tea.
And the Governess of Ambervale began her first official day with the Crown Prince’s shadow still very much at her back.