CHAPTER 7My days are blank slates, waiting to be filled by the whims of the Regent. He is hardly the first to do so, so I cannot begrudge his command, but when he deviates from the norm he’s established, I find myself struggling for balance. With a life that isn’t truly my own, order is the one thing I need to be able to count on.
He disrupted that by conducting all of his business that day within the conservatory. Guests filtered in and out, Johaf hovered on the periphery, I remained a mute spectator except when they would leave the Regent alone and I offered a diversion. I kept it simple, though I sang no more. The more hours passed, the more restless I became. I did not trust my voice to remain mine.
When Johaf came to announce dinner, the Regent gave no protest until Johaf inquired a
