Sure enough, the plans to ride for battle in dawn had been cancelled, something which Aurora had already expected. The fact that Tesarius had done this only meant one thing. Sera had come clean to him.
The next day, there was a grimness in the air that held the Palace of Lanterbur in its clutches. Of course, no one, aside from Tesarius, Aurora, Edward and Madeline knew of this occurrence, but their sour moods were enough to dampen the rest of the Palace as well. Madeline had found out from her brother the previous night, and while Aurora had been busy drinking away in her study at the dead of the night, Anne had announced to her that Madeline had come to see her. She was too drunk to even be shocked, for a part of her had already anticipated.
With tear stained cheeks, Madeline stormed in and demanded for answers, asking if it was really true. The Empress Sera was dying.
