The invitation arrived less than an hour after the fire burned down to ash.
Lucien was still standing by the hearth when a footman knocked soft, precise, like nothing in the palace ever happened by accident. The timing would have been almost amusing if it weren't so deliberate.
"A formal dinner this evening," the footman said, eyes lowered. "Hosted by the Council of Provinces. Attendance is requested."
Requested, Lucien thought. How polite.
He took the card, fingers brushing the thick parchment. Gold-embossed. Elegant. Impeccable taste.
"They didn't waste any time," Lucien murmured after the door closed.
Alexander came up behind him, close enough that Lucien could feel the warmth of his body without being touched. "They never do when they think they have momentum."
Lucien turned, meeting Alexander's gaze. "Do you think this is connected?"
Alexander's mouth curved slightly. "Everything is connected."
Lucien exhaled and nodded once. "Then we go."
