-Kaden-

"Sir?" John steps into the library.

It's after lunchtime. I called for John in the fourth floor library because Josie is safely out of  the palace with Sharron for a shopping trip into the city.

"John, there's something I need to ask of you but before I do that I need you to give me your word that no one will hear of this." When I see the question in his eyes, I add, "Not even my wife."

"Sir, I'm here to serve you. You have my word." He bows his head.

"Thank you." I sigh in relief. "Alright, so here's what you need to do for me."

-Josie-

It's been two weeks since we returned to Illea and the reports coming in from Paris have reported that things are calming down for the public. This is largely due to the curfew that has been put in place, in the hopes of seeking out the insurgents but they have all but retreated.

So, now there's no way of identifying them, save for the aftermath of the attacks on the houses of royalty that they carry out. The royal family is still at as much a threat as it was the day we left.

Camille looks well rested now and she has gotten her appetite back but the burden weighing down on her is evident. She spends most of her time either in her suite with either Renee or Ahren. But everyone's giving her time and space. Anything that keeps her worry at bay.

I was supposed to step out for a bit of shopping with Sharon since Kaden is busy with his own work but it unexpectedly started to rain cats and dogs so we just decided to turn back and head to the palace to avoid risking getting wet and sick.

Sharron leaves for home and I decide to use the fourth floor library as a reprieve and to enjoy looking at the rain from the huge window there. But what I walk in on makes me stop in my tracks.

"What was that?" I ask as Kaden slams books on top of pages that he was holding.

John is also in the room, standing beside Kaden's chair with papers in his hand that I see him try to discreetly hide behind his back.

"Kaden what are you doing?" I stare at him.

"Nothing. Just going over some reports for dad." He tries to casually lean back in his chair but I notice the frantic glances that he keeps passing towards John and the pages he hid under the books.

After a moment of silence I throw up my hands, "Just tell me already. I'm not leaving until you tell me the truth."

Kaden looks at me for a second before taking the file from John, "Thank you, John. We'll continue this discussion later. You're excused."

"Your highnesses." He bows before leaving the library.

"Kaden..." I start to complain but he holds up a hand.

"I know you're not going to budge on this, so I'm going to tell you everything but you don't get a say in this. Okay?" Kaden looks me in the eye as he says this.

I nod, "Okay."

I sit down in the armchair next to his as he pulls out the papers from under the books and holds them out to me. I look at them and suddenly realize what they are.

"Plane tickets?" I ask in confusion. "To Lyon?! You're going to Paris?!"

"Sshhh." He shushes me, "Don't announce it to the entire palace."

"Kaden are you out of your mind?" I look at, my eyes wide open in shock.

"It's the only way, Josie." He sighs.

"Only way for what?" I raise an eyebrow.

"To get the information I discovered safely to Lady Daphne who is the only person at this point who can do something with it. Ahren is not going to let Camille anywhere near royal duties and it's perfectly justified given how sick she has been these last few days." Kaden stands up frustrated.

As much as my heart is breaking at the thought of Kaden putting himself in danger, a small part of my mind is reminding me that his words hold weight. There is no way to keep this information from the insurgents and the corrupt monarchs and safely get it to the right person, without going to France in person.

I look out the window at the rain that I came to the library to enjoy but now it just adds to the dread in my body.

I stand up too and throw my arms around Kaden's neck as I bury my face into his shoulder. I feel his arms tighten around my waist as he holds me close to him. I pull away a minute later and sniff as tears stream down my cheeks.

"You have to do it." I whisper, despite my heart aching against my own words.

"I have to do it." Kaden nods in agreement as he wipes away the tears from my cheeks and kisses my forehead.

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