Krista understood where Riley was coming from—how could she not?
The Grand Duke himself had sent a letter regarding a possible change in Riley and Liyana's engagement.
A polite, carefully worded proposal that broached the idea of expanding the relationship into a more... flexible structure.
Harem-like, to put it bluntly. It had been respectful, yes. Courteous even.
The Grand Duke hadn't demanded anything—he merely opened a door.
But Krista had shut that letter the moment she finished reading it, her chest tightening with a heavy, hollow weight.
She knew Riley.
She knew how much he had changed. He wasn't the soft-spoken child who used to trail behind her skirts anymore.
He had grown—no, blossomed—into something far greater than she ever anticipated.
Every letter from the capital, every report from the academy, every rumor whispered in the ballroom all sang praises of her son.
"Prodigy."
"Genius."
"A political storm waiting to happen."
