River swallowed, her heart racing in her chest as she nodded slowly, absorbing each word.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I’ll remember.”
But Mrs. Stella wasn’t done. Her expression hardened slightly as she leaned in a little. “And River… don’t think it will be just the Queen today. The royal court is rarely without its vultures.”
“Her court?” River asked, blinking.
“The Queen is always surrounded by noble ladies, ladies who have grown fat on power, tradition, and scheming. You will be watched, sized up, and tested. But…” her voice lowered, “I would pay special attention to one in particular. Lady Helga.”
River tilted her head in confusion. “Why her?”
Mrs. Stella’s voice dropped to a whisper, her words laced with something like pity. “Since they were children, Lady Helga had a fixation
