Faye's POV
"Your Highness, we can handle the journey ourselves. I have already coordinated everything. The Lord will travel under heavy guard. This expedition poses too much risk, my lady. There is no need for you to come personally—"
"Do you understand why I decided to punish Lady Hillary so severely, Allen?" I interrupted.
"I— Was it not to assert your dominance in the northern territories?" he ventured.
"That was only part of my reasoning." I gazed through the carriage window. This would mark my first glimpse of the legendary barrier that divides our realm from the fae wilderness. I wondered about its true scale. "I also needed to stop the whispers from spreading further."
My attention drifted to Hardy, who remained unconscious beside me. "Most importantly, I needed to buy us time."
"Time for what?"
"To mislead our enemies. Let them believe Lord Hardy indulges my whims and permits these bold actions. This way, they will hesitate before striking at me directly."
