Toward the cake.
Just for a second.
But Caleb saw it.
Of course he did.
And that was all the confirmation he needed.
The guards stepped beside her.
She didn’t resist.
But the desperation in her eyes was unmistakable now, barely hidden beneath the fragile mask she tried to hold together.
“Please…” she whispered faintly, looking at Caleb, searching his face for something—anything—she could use.
But he gave her nothing.
Only calm.
Only control.
She was escorted away.
And as she disappeared from the hall—
The tension remained.
Heavy.
Unresolved.
King William had not moved during the entire exchange.
He had watched.
Observed.
Measured.
And now—
As his gaze settled on his son—
There was something there.
Pride.
Despite everything.
Despite the danger.
Despite the chaos.
