The news reached the palace before dusk.
King Edward was in his study when the report was delivered. The tall windows stood open, letting in the cold evening air, yet it did nothing to cool the sudden heat that rose in his chest as he read.
Poisoned.
He read the word again, slower this time, as though repetition might lessen its weight.
"That is impossible," Edward said sharply, lowering the parchment. "Physician Nathan does not make careless claims."
If it had been any other physician, he would have dared to suspect that they had been bought off by Ernest. But Physician Nathan was different. He was loyal to the royal family alone, and his diagnoses were never wrong.
The chamberlain standing nearby did not respond. He had learned long ago when silence was the safer choice.
