FIVE YEARS AGO.
King Emeric had never considered himself an impatient man.
He had ruled Pyrrhea for many years. He had dealt with wars, rebellious nobles, disasters, troublesome ministers, and a daughter who seemed determined to shorten his lifespan whenever the opportunity presented itself.
He knew how to wait.
Yet that afternoon, he had already walked past the same window seven times.
On his eighth turn, Valeria finally looked up.
"Father, you're making me dizzy."
Emeric stopped and glanced toward the closed doors at the end of the corridor before looking at his younger daughter.
"Then don't look at me."
Valeria: "..."
She lowered her head again.
Emeric resumed walking.
Belladonna had gone inside nearly two hours ago.
That alone was enough to make him uneasy.
Several servants waited farther down the corridor, but none dared make unnecessary noise. Two Imperial physicians had also been summoned earlier and were now waiting outside with their medicine boxes.
