Ella POV
“The food was incredible, as always,” Elizabeth remarked as we stepped out the front door.
“I’ll pass that along to the kitchen staff—they’ll be thrilled,” I replied with a smile.
It was one of those rare, warm days that clung on past summer’s end, so we decided to take a walk before Elizabeth had to return to the capital. There was still so much left unsaid, but as we strolled down the path, I noticed an unmistakable shift in her mood.
“We won’t have many more days like this,” I commented, glancing at the sky. “The weather’s going to change soon.”
“Yes,” she agreed, a slight furrow in her brow. “I think it’ll be a harsh winter.”
Her tone was tight, her gaze distant as she kept glancing at me, then quickly looking away. After the easy, lighthearted mood we
