#Chapter 42 Estate of Lies

Ember The final days before we leave are full of quiet preparation. Jake handles most of the logistics, helping us draft travel orders that frame the visit as a standard property review. Nothing urgent or suspicious. This is simply a routine inspection of land ledgers and boundary lines, supposedly in response to a few clerical inconsistencies. The wording is just vague enough to keep anyone from asking questions. Only the three of us know the real reason. We don’t discuss the argument from earlier in the week. Prince Kaine avoids the subject entirely, but his behavior shifts. He’s less guarded in meetings. When he asks for my input, it feels less like obligation and more like genuine interest. The formality that’s always defined our conversations hasn’t disappeared, but something in the tone has softened. Nara notices it too. “He’s trying,” she says again as we finalize the route. “Even if he won’t admit it.” I keep my responses measured. Calm. “There’s no point in