There were bound to be those who would whisper that Princess Addison was too weak, too flawed, or too dependent on her father's protection to ever become a worthy heir.
Her father was making sure they had no ammunition.
If he had appeared in the middle of the battle and effortlessly solved everything, the story would have been simply told that Addison managed to save the Tigrens because the Alpha King stepped in.
But he hadn't done that.
He had watched and trusted her.
'He really knew how to do politics.' Addison's eyes softened.
Her father wasn't merely protecting her.
He was quietly building the foundation for her to stand on her own.
Her heart softened at the thought of it. She slowly tapped Maxwell's arm, silently asking him to put her down. The moment her feet touched the ground, her legs wobbled beneath her, forcing her to catch herself before she could fall. She steadied her breathing, squared her shoulders, and then walked toward her father.
