The Prince in the Hidden Room

My return visit to the Su household was easier than expected.

My mother smiled when she saw Adrian help me from the carriage.

I did not want to wound her.

So I placed my hand in his.

She brightened.

Evelyn’s death had aged her.

Only after I married Adrian did she seem to breathe again.

Perhaps she thought if one daughter could not enjoy this fortune, another might.

“Where is Father?” I asked.

“Feast Hall has been busy,” Mother said. “He went out.”

“What business cannot wait until after his daughter’s return visit?”

Mother soothed me.

We ate.

Adrian was called to the palace before evening.

I remained with Mother until night fell.

On the way back, I suddenly craved southern pastries and ordered the carriage to turn.

We passed Feast Hall.

A strange impulse made me stop.

Inside, a servant blocked my path.

“Second Miss, Master is in the Plum Room with guests. You should not go up.”

The Plum Room.

Feast Hall’s hidden chamber.

Very few knew it existed.

Only high officials used it for private talks.

“What guest is so important?”

“Master ordered no one—”

“I will wait outside.”

Before the servant could stop me, the door opened.

Father emerged, face dark with anger.

Behind him came a man in dark green brocade.

Tall.

Elegant.

Dangerous.

His phoenix eyes curved with amusement when he saw me.

“Father?”

Father’s expression hardened.

“My daughter is ignorant. Forgive her offense, Your Highness.”

Your Highness.

The man smiled.

“Clara Su? The general’s new wife.”

He said my name slowly.

Too slowly.

A chill ran down my back.

I curtsied.

“This common woman did not know Your Highness was here. Please forgive me.”

He laughed.

Third Prince Cassian.

Why would Father meet privately with him?

Back at the Shen estate, Adrian waited in my courtyard.

“Where did you go?”

Before I could answer, his guard said,

“Madam met Third Prince Cassian at Feast Hall.”

I turned sharply.

“You knew?”

Adrian’s face was calm.

Too calm.

“The emperor’s condition is poor,” he said. “The crown prince is young. The eldest prince is ill. The second prince has a crippled leg. Among the adult princes, only Cassian can still move.”

“You think Father is joining the succession fight?”

“The royal family has no prince who does not want the throne.”

“But my father is only a merchant.”

“Then Cassian promised him something merchants cannot buy.”

What?

Money?

We had enough.

Women?

Father never betrayed Mother.

Power?

Perhaps.

But what kind of power could make him risk exterminating nine generations?

Adrian said,

“I leave tonight for the border.”

I looked up.

“So soon?”

“The rebellion cannot wait.”

He placed Shen Three, his most careful guard, by my side, along with a team of soldiers around my courtyard.

“I fear Cassian will grow impatient,” he said. “I fear I will be too late again.”

“Again?”

His expression shuttered.

“Nothing.”

He left before I could ask more.

That night, the city erupted.

Screams.

Hooves.

Distant metal.

A servant rushed in.

“Madam, Third Prince Cassian has launched a coup!”

My first thought was Father.

My second was the Plum Room.

My third was terrible.

Cassian had no army.

So what did he plan to use?

Hostages.